yellowgirl

Just wondering, does the dog 'bark' less after the op, or do they bark the same amount just in muted tones? I'm not considering having it done, I just like learning about things

Ahh, finally found it! Here's a link about different dry foods and their ratings - http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...amp;hl=dry+food If your girl doesn't like raw, cooked is fine. It's all about providing the best nutrition and what works best for your dog. Keep up the chicken necks if she likes them. Definitely get rid of the Schmakos and Good O's! Maybe she could have a pigs ear or similar treat when you go out? For training, I use the Nature's Gift liver balls (from Woolies). Admittedly, they do have a little bit of crap in them, but still waaaay better than some others. They are little 1cm balls, but I cut them in halves again so they are very small. Here's the Shih-tzu sub forum. They'll probably be able to help you with grooming questions ... and lots of other questions too I would imagine http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...amp;hl=Shih-tzu

Great info Tinkerbell! I'm sure you'll get lots of advice My opinion on her food would be to get rid of the Good O's, Purina Biscuits, Smackos And Chocolate dog treats ... these could all be contributing to her itchies. Also, I think you're bathing her a bit too often. The skin doesn't have time to produce it's own natural oils which help to protect the skin. Just my 2cents :D ... Glad to hear that some of the previous posts helped you .

Yellowgirl you should get the breeder you got the Cresteds off to vaccinate them, they get breeders rates, much cheaper J Good idea ... but I wouldn't ask her to do that They are my dogs now and it's up to me to make sure they are taken care of . Anyway, the amount I might save would probably cost me that in petrol to drive up there . Although, I do get her to trim their nails when we go up there for a visit heehee Yellowgirl Even I am not that forward to ask for the breeder to pay! lol I meant she may be able to include your vaccs with hers in a group discount!! I use an electric nail dremmel ( nail tech tool) to do all my dogs nails, its a great idea and they dont mind it as like the nail clippers. Allows a shorter nail and more easy access ( I feJ Haha! Yes, I know that's what you meant . I meant that the money I might save on a discount would just go on petrol as it takes about an hour to get up there. I'm more concerned about over-vaccinating than the cost (I rarely turn down a discount though ). I've heard good things about the dremmel... wish I had one when I had my black mini poodle Oh, I like your new avitar too ... lovely looking dog

Yellowgirl you should get the breeder you got the Cresteds off to vaccinate them, they get breeders rates, much cheaper J Good idea ... but I wouldn't ask her to do that They are my dogs now and it's up to me to make sure they are taken care of . Anyway, the amount I might save would probably cost me that in petrol to drive up there :rolleyes: . Although, I do get her to trim their nails when we go up there for a visit heehee

Scary stuff. I've never even considered giving my dogs the yearly heartworm, it always seemed a little excesses to me, one big load of chemicals at one time. Golden, I'm so sorry that you lost your Hunter, what a terrible tragedy :rolleyes:

Haha! Sounds funny when you put it like that . I figure the anitbiotics have 12 hours to do their thing, and the next 12 hours the probiotics do their thing Hopefully it's relpacing some of the intestinal flora that's been killed off by the antibiotics.

Is he having mince already? You need to transition him with something his system is used to. I probably wouldn't go with the rice, that may be part of the ... erm ... problem

Transition him slowly over a week, even two. Just gradually reduce the amount of the old dry as you go. He's more likely to have a reaction if you swap from one to the other too quickly.

I'm glad you posted though It's all about learning new things. My mantra was always desex, microchip, heartworm and vaccinate. I'm still sticking with the 1st three , but have heard quite a bit about unneccessary vaccinating just in the last year or so. In America it's common practice to vaccinate every 3 years. It still surprises me that kennels and dog groups (obedience class, etc), who should have a good degree of pet industry knowledge, still demand yearly vaccinations. And what's up with Vets, of all people, who would definitely be aware that yearly vaccinating is unneccessary, continuing to push vaccinating every year?? Cavandra, is the 3 year vacc the same amount (as in mls given) as the yearly one?

California Natural has a lot of rice... its the 2nd (brown) and 4th (white) ingredient. http://www.californianaturalpet.com/produc...nel=in&id=4 Fingers crossed that he'll do better on the Artemis.

I would definitely be looking at the food first. Once my dogs are on preservative-free foods they very rarely have wind. Is your puppy having milk? What are you feeding him at the moment?

This is interesting. I'm going to do the 3 year vacc next time. How would I know if my dog has enough immunity in the second or third year?

Brilliant! Thanks wuffles

It's called Acidophilus Plus, the Amcal Chemist brand. 50 capsules. 2 billion Lactobacillus acidophilus organisms and 2 billion Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis organisms. Cost $15.50 if I remember rightly. I just open the capsule and sprinkle it on her meal.

I'm so glad to hear this! I would prefer to vaccinate every 3 years but Madeline had to have a vacc for obedience classes. I gather it's something you have to actually ask the vet about. Any idea on cost? With heartworm, I give mine the plain ivermectin (no other worming or flea treatments in the tablet) every 5 weeks.

1) the dog had no idea she was in trouble, doing anything wrong or that she was not meant to do it. You simply lucked out she never left your side all this time in the yard, you did not TRAIN the idea that leaving you = no no. So she tried it, it turned into a fun game and she has no idea she's doing something wrong in your opinion. 2) you crated her for the fact she came back to you happily. By the time you put her in the crate she has NOOOOO idea what you are on about 3) dogs dont speak english, nor can they be rationalised with. You may as well have read her a novel for all the good telling her not to do it again will do. Dogs rely on body language, tone of voice etc not conversation after the fact. You show and lead them by example. Your on heat bitch should also NEVER be off leash outside whilst in heat for even a second, if she becomes pregnant get ready for problems. Have her desexed a few weeks after she has finished her season. She has no more need to be entire. Agreed on all counts. TinkerBell, what does your girl actually eat? I don't crate my dogs but I know that the crate shouldn't be used as a punishment. Dogs don't know what 'time out' means, all they know is that you're annoyed ... and it's too late after the actual naughty episode for it to mean anything to the dog. It sounds like you really love your little dog. It would be great if you could reply to some of the questions as you will get excellent help on this forum if members have a complete story/history to go on. Good luck with your little girl .... oh, and welcome to DOL!

Snuffles, do mean flaxseed itself or flaxseed oil? The seeds won't be of any benifit, they don't get digested and will just pass straight through. Olive oil is good too, and I've heard of quite a few people using coconut oil. Also fish has lots of natural omegas

This was a confusing one! I googled some veterinary advice sites and the general answer seems to be that probiotics should be given when they're on antibiotics... As the antibiotic kills ALL bacteria, good and bad, the probiotic helps to replenish the good bacteria, and the dog is less succeptable to diahorrea or infections (particularly yeast infections) Here is a good link I found that explains why probiotics should be taken when on antibiotics... http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFi.../probiotics.xml I will give Madeline her antibiotic in the morning and the probiotic in the evening. Looks like I've answered my own question! :D Hope it helps others too

Agreed! Yes, I'd like to get the cleaning done sooner rather than later... just following vet's advice not to put him back under anaesthetic too soon. The bones haven't been quite the hit that I'd hoped for ... see last night's debarkle - http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=168542 :D

I looked into getting insurance when I knew Sarge would be coming here. 2 dogs = twice as many possibilities . All the ones I looked at don't insure dogs over the age of 9 ... which is Sarge's age. I'm going to review the options again tomorrow and check out the companies mentioned. Thanks for posting the specifics of your policies, it's very helpful Also, I know that some home insurance companies offer pet insurance as well (not mine though), so that might be another option for others to look into.

Hmmm, what about using an outdoor umbrella stand with a post in it? Is it for indoors or outdoors?

Yep, definitely look around the house and shed first! It's amazing what you can put together A lot of pet products can be ridiculously priced. Since Sarge arrived, we don't use the toilet tray as he has a bit of trouble aiming his boy bits in the correct area and he too refuses to get his feet wet . Sooo, I scouted around in the good old shed and made a little enclosure at the front which is undercover from the carport.... and voila! a last resort toilet area... for the world's most spoiled dogs, who just cannot bear to get their delicate little tootsies wet, for whom nothing is too much trouble, and around whom the entire universe obviously revolves Good luck with whatever you put together. Let us know how you go. Oh, and I saw a pic of your little dog in another thread. She is adooooorable!!

I made this for Madeline (she will not go on the grass if it's been raining ) I used a lid from a large storage container lined with newspaper, a bit of bark from the backyard, and covered with grass clippings. When she did her last wee, I popped some grass clippings under her so they had the scent of wee and put them in the tray. She got it straight away

Good news that the vet didn't find anything wrong ... I guess At least you know that her spine is okay. And how cool of your vet not to charge you a consult fee!