Flick_Mac

I used to work for a PetBarn. We sold RSPCA kittens. The adoption process was the same that goes on at the shelter (I've been to and worked at the shelter on a voluntary basis) and while the Petbarn staff could give info on the kittens, what they came with etc, the adoptions and screening was carried out by vollies/RSPCA staff. I don't see how this is different from the RSPCA adoptions at the shelter itself? I thought it was doing a great service - the kittens were more accessible, with a higher staff to animal ratio, and we often had customers specifically coming in for kittens they'd seen on the website. We adopted about 100 kittens in the first 6 or 7 months. ETA the money goes through the tills but then to the RSPCA

Picked up this afternoon - was very good timing! My pleasure - they weren't in pristine condition but very usable!

Have emailed her - and already got a response. Thanks Ams!

Hi rescue groups! I am looking to move house in a few months and am thinking about getting rid of some stuff I don't use. This includes 3 crates: - 1 medium soft crate (just fits my Aussie) - 1 Xxl soft crate with a rip to the door flap - 1 xxl collapsible wire crate (from Deals Direct). Not great quality and a little bit bent but works fine. I am willing to donate these to a local rescue. All are in working order except for the larger soft crate but like i said could be easily patched. Please PM me if you are interested in them. I would rather them be picked up but could be negotiable depending on where they need to go. :)

The hills liver diet - L/D (I think) is low in protein.

They keep calling Bedlingtons' poodles! Aargh!

You've done a very brave and selfless thing. He is pain free now - let that comfort you. Big hugs and licks from us here

Have you got a Kong Wobbler or something similar? Both my boys are paw-sy and especially with the wobbler - they send them flying across rooms or the backyard. Louie even picks his up and drops it - like he does with his regular kong to make the food bounce out! They haven't broken yet - probably coming up to 3yrs...

Alternately, I get lots of emails through uni to all of the vet students for house and pet sitters - you could try that if you don't find anything else... we're definitely animal friendly so that's a bonus!

Donatella - we get donated animals for teaching post-mortems mostly. Other times we might use donated animals to practice surgery on before we do the real thing. I don't think they have to be PTS through uni, but usually organised before it happens so collection etc can be organised.

Thanks for all the recommendations guys - keep them coming!

Thanks LG - I appreciate it. I've had Cam for lectures before, but my gut tells me to go with someone who is recommended by a former client. I'll call/make an appt with my vet at uni tomorrow and will talk to her about it anyway. I also need a quick fix - this was never going to happen, but I'm away for 2 more weeks, so hopefully the meds (if my vet agrees) can be short term until I"m home and can focus on some training. Thanks all - keep any more recommendations coming!

Thanks guys - Lavender girl - it's not a totally new behaviour, but an escalation of a more subtle behaviour - he's always been a highly strung dog with managed, mild separation anxiety. I am a final year vet student so have a pretty good idea about medication but of course will only be doing it in consultation with an experienced behaviourist, and then my vet who is able to dispense the appropriate drugs to me. (that's the loose plan anyway - need to make an appointment) My friend who is minding them at her place is also a dog trainer, but is reasonably new to it so there are a few people that have some idea about these things involved... Thanks guys - I knew Jane was one - just wondering of any others (and couldn't remember her last name)

Hi guys, I've been away for 2 weeks and am away for another 2 - usually my boys are looked after at home by a friend but my plans have fallen through and they are being looked after at another friends place (who is a dog trainer) and she has told me that Louie (my wei) is very anxious and unsettled. I realise I can't do a whole lot for the next 2 weeks (am looking at medicating him just to get him through) but once I'm back I need to address this anxiety. He was extremely anxious tonight when my housemate left, while I was still at home - and I have never seen him like that before so want to get my poor baby some help asap. Any recommendations welcomed :)

You could try a puppy kibble too - they're higher in fat and protein, and the thing that fattened my Wei up (he wasn't super super skinny) was lamb flaps, mince and chicken wings in addition to his kibbles.

Ooh yes, makes my skin crawl! But so true.. stupid first principles! Good luck Neon - Rappie's info has been very useful without spoon feeding you the answers - probably the most valuable way to get your info!

Twice yearly scale and polish is the gold-standard for dentistry - ideally we should have ours done the same frequency, but it's not as important as we brush... If he had bad teeth/a bad bite etc I'd be more inclined to do this and maybe as he gets older but maybe not neccessary at this stage...

I go to Nudgee all the time... love it and so do the dogs!

Lepto is usually vaccinated against if there is incidence of it in your geographical region - I don't think Brisbane is usually, however certain parts may be. Lepto isn't a bacteria, it's a spirochaete, and yes you can vaccinate against it. The bordatella (bacteria) vaccine can either be injected or in the nose. Depends on the type of vaccination used.

Hi all, My housemates have brought home 2 very wet dogs tonight. They're a male boxer and a retriever (?) x poodle - quite friendly but a bit scared. Will be staying with us until tomorrow. Found near the top of Marshall Lane in Kenmore near the polling booths at about 4pm this afternoon. The boxer is chipped and the 24hr clinic has called the owner but no luck so far. If anyone knows who these dogs belong to please tell them to check their messages! And/or PM me Thanks!

Thank Dog someone got the grading system right finally! Thanks AussieLover! I'd agree with those who are saying seek a specialist opinion if you want it, or maybe wait and see how she goes. The surgical route is probably not for Duchess (very cute by the way) and showing should be possible - decide on breeding her when she's fully matured and can re-assess her patellas then.

Not sure who you're seeing but Gary Wilson who consults at various places is a good, experienced specialist. He's who I'd probably go to if I needed some serious dental work done on my boys.

Thanks Erny. It does seem that a lot of the time, in real life and on DOL all you hear about vets and the veterinary profession is complaints.

I think we need to save our breath... nothing is going to make vets good people in the OP's eyes and apart from feeling incredibly sad for the OPs dog and any future animals they own I think any further advice is pointless. Makes me wonder why i'm becoming a vet sometimes.

Off the top of my head UQ charge $50ish for a consult and you get twice as much attention because you get to see one of my classmates first then the vet :)