lablab

Titre test (Animal Options at Ormeau - between Brisbane and Gold Coast) $65. Results in about 15 minutes. Decision to vaccinate or not can be made at same consultation. Annual test recommended by vet.

Two suggestions to soothe/heal the itching 1. Teaspoon of fish oil (not cod liver oil) daily. Get from health food store (fridge item). Approx $20 for 500ml bottle which lasts ages. Store in fridge. Alternatively, fish oil capsules but more expensive. 2. Cornflour. Try sprinkling pure cornflour (not wheaten cornflour) on itchy skin in places only lightly covered with hair (undercarriage etc) and rub it around by hand. Apparently cornflour contains an enzyme which is healing and soothing - old remedy for babies' nappy rash. Only a couple of bucks from the supermarket and if it doesn't work you can always make a custard! I find both treatments great for my lab who develops rashes on his undercarriage from running in the long grass at the local park.

A book which I found really useful and far less confusing than the BARF books is "Real Food for Cats and Dogs - A practical guide to feeding your pet a natural balanced diet" by Dr Clair Middle. The lady is a vet of 25 years experience and writes in a clear, easy to understand manner. Simple to put her ideas into practice. It is published by Fremantle Press in 2008. It contains many tips about natural feeding which do not appear in other books (eg feeding zucchini and eggplant should be avoided for itchy dogs). Try your online local library catalogue first. (Brisbane City Council have a copy, maybe others do too).

For those interested, two more Brisbane kennels that will accept titre tests for parvo, hep and distemper. Beenleigh Pet Motel and The Pines Pet Resort at Elimbah (near Caboolture).

I would be interested to hear what this vet says about the difference between human and canine vaccinations. Can anyone think of a human disease that requires an annual vaccination (apart from the 'flu because of mutation) ?? In my experience human vaccinations last a minimum three years and often 10. Why does this not apply to dogs ? BTW I can supply the name of a very highly regarded vet in the Brisbane/Gold Coast area who performs titre testing for approx $70 while you wait (approx 20 minutes).

Does anyone know of kennels on Brisbane northside that will accept dogs with vet certified titre test results ?