GSDowner

I love the idea of chickens and I looked at my dog's file and on various visits he was prescribed Surolan ear drops, Rilexine (600mg twice daily), Dexafort injection, Macrolone, Meloxicam injection 150mg. I was told by two vets (on 2 different occasions) that my dog is allergic to wandering jew. (yet if wandering jew exists all year round, how come he gets sick in summer). Anyway took me 5 hours to rake the offending weed, now I have to go over the same areas again. I have been giving my dog (who weighs 40kg) 40mg of Phenergan a day, for 2.5 days and have noticed a slight improvement. I will have to take him to the vet but hopefully the conditions won't require any cortisone.

sorry I wrote i saw my vet last year - it was this year So the medications he got were not cortisone?

Thanks so much for so many helpful tips. Last year my dog was on Blue tablets Rilexing 600mg (he weighs about 40kg) he also got Rilexine injection 150mg and meloxicam Injection

Thanks Stormie. I will look at Atopy, someone also recommended trying phenergan (human antihistamine medication but apparently good for dogs too); I am reluctant to try it though

Thank you Muttaburra, i certainly will try the natural remedy. With potash or ashes I heard this may prevents other plants (the desirable ones) from growin(?)

yes, his cortisone injection is a long lasting one he also gets blue tablets which make him really drowsy, disinterested in anything plus his coat becomes really bad.

Thanks My dog get sick when it starts warming up so I have been thinking that wandering jew is the cause as I was under the impression that wandering jew starts growing in spring/summer. If this is not the case as I would certainly need to look at other causes.

Dear Forum Members In my absence my garden became overgrown with wandering jew weed. it is everywhere , it covers my garden like one big carpet; My holidays will be spent getting rid of it by raking. Up todate nothing has been discovered to completely eradicate this pest. My dog, however is my biggest worry (and GSD are known to have sensitive skin). Every year he gets a severe allergic reaction (although every year I reigiously get rid of this weed). I take my dog to his vet, he gets some tablets and a cortisone injection. I have spent fortune but this is not as important as my dog's health. I am really worried about the injection, which has side effects like thinning of bones. I have googled like mad and found chickens and ducks would eat it all quick smart, but is there somewhere "hire a chicken/duck service?" :D I am hoping that 1. perhaps something new has been discovered to get rid of the weed and 2. most of all is there anything else that could help my dog apart from cortisone injections. I would be so grateful for help.

Darkabsalom, what a good informative post. Thank you .

Great Danes are so beautiful and look docile.

And what breed is Boo?

My dog is well behaved and is always on a leash. He is not interested in people and ignores them. If someone wants to pat him he lets them. Whenever I walk him Chinese people look at him with fascination, or are terrifed. Those terrified grab their children in fear, others gesture to me to stay away from them (especially those who don't speak English). I acknowledge that some people may be scared, but I feel frustrated that I am expected to go out of my way to avoid them.

I have a mature german shepherd, who minds his own business. He allows people to approach him and pat him provided they don't make sudden "violent" movements. Once a man came up to me and talked and my dog was ok, then suddenly he rushed towards me wanting to shake my hand (not gently but very energetically). My dog suddenly stiffened up and growled, as he perceived his behaviour as agressive. Whenever I walk my dog (he is only 40kg, not much for a GSD) people look at him with respect but some are visibly scarred. I would not be afraid to walk with him even at night if there were "normal" people around, as GSD have a reputation of bein protective + their size and deep bark. However I would be scarred around drunks and people with mental problems, as they simply don't reason the same way as sober people; often their inhibitions are down. I think letting your dog run perhaps was not a good idea; I have heard that when you stop with your dog, the dog automatically makes the space his territory(with you in it) an defends it .