shepherdpower

Several years ago, my German Shepherd used to reverse sneeze, and it did distress her, and frightened the life out of me the first time she did it - I thought she was choking. I spoke to the vet. who just said to stroke her throat and just keep her calm, and mentioned that there is no specific treatment. Anyway, I came across the Holistic Animal Medicines site, and they sell a homeopathic product to treat reverse sneezing, which I bought and gave Jeska whenever she started. I found it really effective and recommend it. http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/sto...articles_id=343

Just wondered if anyone has fed Goochy's Natural Canine as a supplement in their dog's diet. If so, what do you think of it?

No cavNrott, she lives at Canungra, in the Gold Coast Hinterland, and to quote from her website : "Through some unknown force we started providing sheep dog demonstrations at different locations around the city, this led to sheep dog training classes for the unruly city bred working dogs. This in turn led us to create a specialised kit for our trainees who were visiting the vet more regularly than the butcher and were paying thousands of dollars to vets for little things like rashes and stings, hotspots and abscesses. We thought this quite strange as we hadn’t been to the vet in nearly ten years. We were treating all our animals – sheep, cattle, dogs, pregnant and lactating bitches and their pups with homoeopathics." I have purchased some products from her and have used them with success. If you contact her and tell her what you need for your dog, she will make up a homeopathic product to suit that particular condition.

I had always regularly vaccinated my dogs until 18 months ago, when my 6 y.o. GS had a bad reaction after his booster. I started doing heaps of research on over-vaccinating, and when his next booster was due, I had the vet. take blood for titre testing, to find out if he had enough antibodies to keep him immune from Distemper, Parvo., etc. When the results came back, they showed that he was well and truly covered and did not need re-vaccinating. I found that the last booster he had completely mucked up his immune system and it has taken me months to get him back on track. If you follow the forums and read how many people do not have their dogs vaccinated after a certain age, it may give you more information on this.

Yes I have also used Holistic Animal products. But, I have found another fantastic homeopathic site, and the lady is just so knowledgeable, supportive and helpful. Her family breeds Border Collies and they have used their products on their own dogs, saving huge vet. bills in the process. This is the site : http://www.healwithease.com/

Hey, thanks everybody for your feedback. It IS interesting how many dogs that have lived to old ages have hardly been to the vet., and also not vaccinated regularly. As you have all mostly pointed out, the immune system has a huge amount to do with longevity, as well as good genes, plenty of exercise, but as to the diet, it seems that there is no particular one that is more successful. I guess it is what suits each individual dog that is the key, as well as variety.

Every now and then I hear of dogs that have lived to an exceptional age, with good health and very rare visits to the vet. I always ask their owners what they feed them, etc. My lawnmower man has a Staffy female. She is 19 years old, in excellent health, although is starting to slow down now, but still loves to chase the ball. I asked him what he feeds her. His answer :: CHUM!! He said that is the only dog food that she likes, and she has thrived on it. I asked how often he has her vaccinated. He replied "She had her puppy vaccinations - she hasn't had any since". In fact, the only time she has been to the vet. since then, is when she cut her foot. I feed my Shepherds on the best quality food I can buy, usually very expensive. They are on the BARF regime. My Shepherds usually live until they are around about 14 years of age, which breeders tell me is rather amazing these days, but I would really love to know how I can improve what I'm already doing with my dogs. Has anybody else owned dogs that have lived to very old ages. If so, what do you put that down to. Or is it simply just good genetics?

I noticed the 4 Legs range of dog food at my local supermarket. Reading the pack it doesn't sound bad at all. I wondered what people think of this brand of food. Is it any good? Here's the link to their website : http://www.4legs.com.au/dogfood.php I'd love some feedback (excuse the pun!)

My Shepherd suffered from reverse sneezing - frightened the life out of me the first time I heard it. Anyway, I purchased a homeopathic product especially for reverse sneezing, and every time she started, I would give her a dose, with amazing success. Here is the link : http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/rev...ing-remedy.html

Well, I convinced my vet. that I wanted my dog titre tested this year after his shocking reaction to the C5 last year. It was done through IDEXX and the blood was sent to Colorado for analysis. Results : Kaiser 6 y.o. German Shepherd : CDV : 1:128 CPV : 1:256 They only tested for the above two results, not for hepatitis. Those readings are different from other results in this forum. Anyway, he is fully covered for those, thank goodness. Just a bit concerned about the hep. though. What do you think?

Just wondering if people think Drontal is the best general wormer, or perhaps some other suggestions. I normally use the Drontal, but wonder if I should be alternating it with others in case it loses its effectiveness. Any thoughts?

4 Paws, several years ago my darling GSD girl also had a severely cracked nose, with bleeding every time she knocked it, and I was given the same diagnosis from my vet, - autoimmune disease - who added that nothing could be done about it. My girl also had constantly infected anal glands, I got onto an American website http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/index.html, and was so impressed that I actually emailed Shirley, and asked her advice. She suggested buying a product called Transfer Factor Plus - the human version - and adding them to food twice a day, which I did. I initially started off giving her 4 capsules, morning and night. After a few months, the anal glands cleared up completely - no more infection, and the nose completely healed, in fact it looked so healthy and shiny black. So, from my experience, the Transfer Factor Plus was absolutely marvellous, and it is specifically for auto-immune diseases. There is a version especially for Dogs, but I used the human version as suggested by Shirley. If you want to give it ago, I live in South Australia and purchase it from this distributor : http://www.immunehealthsupplements.com/home/, but I believe there are other distributors in Australia. I lost my beautiful girl two years ago, at the age of 14 years, but she lived a very healthy and happy life until then - that's her in the photo. So, for what it's worth, that's my suggestion.

I give my dogs these two homeopathic products, just directly in their food. Whenever they go to the vet. he always says how good their teeth are - no signs of plaque. http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/pla...ver-remedy.html

I have been giving my German Shepherds a product called Syn-flex for many years, which is a liquid glucosamine. It has really helped them, and I just add it to their food, extremely palatable. I have bought it off ebay as it isn't sold in Australia. I gave it to a friend with a 16 year old Chihuahua to try, and she said it has really helped him, but if she misses a day, you can see his stiffness come back. Also another friend with a Poodle has had her on it for a few years with great success. You can read about it here : http://www.gmvnutrition.com.au/article1.htm

Elke had a reaction to Revolution - it was as if it burned her skin. She ran outside and started rolling on the ground to try to get it off. Needless to say, I don't use it any more - have switched to Advantage, which does not cause her any problems, and Heartguard.

Thank you so much for your input Sarabeara. Julie sounds like just the type of vet. I would love to have take care of my dogs.

Can anyone in South Australia tell me if they know of Dr Julie Hearn, who was a vet at Port Noarlunga. I heard today that she has bought the practice where I always take my dogs. Just wanted some feedback on her please. I'm a bit upset because I had got used to the vet. I take my dogs to regularly and have lots of faith in him, so it was a shock to hear that he has moved too far away from me to keep taking them, especially in cases of emergency.

Mags thank you very much for your posting about Artemis. I feed it to my dogs regularly and didn't want to have to start searching for another suitable all-natural dry food.

I've given my dogs flaxseed oil for some years, but apparently the cold-pressed flaxseed oil is the recommended one for them. I got that info. from a really great site that has so much information for all different complaints, and is totally committed to natural food and remedies for animals and humans : http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ Have a look, it's really interesting....

I found with Elke, who was getting constantly blocked anal glands, that by adding a dessertspoon of unprocessed bran to her meal, once a day, she has not had any further problems. The extra fibre seems to have fixed it.

Has anyone had any experience with the Goodwood Road Vet.Clinic - it's the closest one to me, but just wanted some good feedback on them, as my wonderful trusted vet. of many years has gone to America and sold his practice.

My old Lab/Rottie, Jake, used to get something similar when he was young. The vet. gave me a bottle of Neotopic H, which I applied whenever he had any inflammation. It worked like a charm.

My vet also has recommended Sudafed tablets for incontinence.

I have had a few rescue dogs too, and honestly, as long as your fellow is healthy he will cope just fine. As you are worried, I suggest you have a talk to your vet. about your concerns and I'm sure he/she will put your mind at rest. They have to adjust the amount of anaesthetic to suit each individual dog's weight anyway.

Melo, I haven't taken my dogs to this person, but I know that she does do massage “Canine Myofunctional Therapy”. Can't tell you anything about her though, but perhaps you could have a look through this link : http://www.doggybliss.com.au/ As far as acupuncture, I only know of one vet. who does it : Dr Craig Bird on Glen Osmond Road : http://www.myvet.com.au/acupuncture.htm Hope it is of some use to you.