Elfin

Thank you, dancinbcs! That is exactly what I wanted to know. (The second bit also sounds like a nightmare!)

OK... Does anyone use or know of a DNA testing lab (for animals) in Australia other than Genetic Technologies? Google is not being my friend.

Continuing on my "test bender", I would like to find out where I can get my dogs DNA certified for Factor VII (bleeding disorder). I spoke to Genetic Technologies today, and they were very unhelpful. They don't do the test and could not offer an alternative lab that did. Nor could they say whether or not they would be able to test in the future. Pennsylvania Uni test in the US, so it CAN be done. Once again, this disease is NOT known in my breed in Australia, and my dogs all have no problems clotting. I am interested in keeping in line with international testing standards for the breed by testing my dogs voluntarily. Any information gathered (on any of these genetic tests) will be presented to my breed club at our next commitee meeting. Thank you in advance!

Thank you, fifi. If I rule out as many inherited problems as I can, I am willing to cop nature's random acts on the chin! So from what has been said, only pups are tested?

Thank you, missymoo, that is what I was after. Can they be tested after 12 weeks by this method?

I have Deerhounds. As far as I know, there are no Deerhounds in Australia with shunts, but I want to test to international standards for my breed. (I am probably going waaaaaaaay over the top and it is probably all unnecessary, but I want to do my best for the dogs I breed )

Thank you all for your replies. None of my dogs have ever exhibited symptoms of a shunt, but I was wanting to test them (and future pups) so that I could be in line with what other breeders are doing overseas. I may be jumping the gun a little, but I wish to test for every possible hereditary disease known to my breed, even though I am sure my dogs lines are free from these diseases. Overseas, my breed is regularly tested for heart problems and also Factor VII. I would like to be able to breed healthy dogs that puppy buyers can be assured are free of hereditary disease. Fifi, do you know if the pre-post feeding blood tests can be done by any vet or do I need to see a specialist? Do you know how much these cost? Thank you all again.

I want to learn about liver shunt testing (porto-systemic shunt?). What does the test involve? Where can it be done in Melbourne? From what age can you test? Does the test need to be repeated annually (like eye etc tests do)? How much does it cost? We do not test for it in my breed here in Australia, and (touch-wood) it does not appear to be an issue here, but many breeders overseas are testing. I am thinking about getting my dogs tested (they are all perfectly healthy), but just to be thorough and to keep up with international testing regimes. Thank you in advance.

Could this be because the vaccination protocols for children have been dramatically increased in the last 20 years, overloading their immune systems? Just a thought...

Can you please add us, GLASCU Deerhounds. We just got our prefix approved. It was our last choice... Thank you, Sway.

We use Nature's Gift when we go camping and for emergency back-up. They LOVE it. I know someone that has been to the factory and said they were very impressed with the quality of the ingredients compared to other Australian canned food factories they had been to. And it's quite inexpensive, nothing artificial.

We lure-course our dogs with the Deerhound Club of Victoria. The dogs chase a straight lure, either in a paddock on some strong nylon, or at a greyhound track with a fixed lure. Apart from the very occasional sprung toe or ripped toe-nail, I have never heard of any serious injury. There may be a higher incidence of injury on course that is not straigh, but I cannot comment on that as I have no personal experience. We race competitively and there is the annual CAV Plumpton Cup, held each June, with some fantastic prizes. All breeds are also invited to join us, and we have a lot of Borzois, Whippets and Jack Russells that really enjoy racing. Unfortuately there is no Coursing Champion title here like there is in Europe. It is a great way to allow sighthounds (almost) perform their original purpose!

Her pedigree papers say she is a deerhound, but today, she has ears like a kelpie! They are SUPPOSED so be small and folded back. (Kinda like a greyhound) Thank you for all your replies, I will stop worrying now! :p

Thank you, Shellectra. :p That seems to make sense. So is her diet lacking calcium, or does it happen to most pups?

Anybody.....? Please.....?.

This is probably a very stoopid question, but why do pup's ears go crazy when they are teething? Yesterday our pup looked like a Beagle; today she looks like a GSD with one ear on backwards.

I ADORE Groomers EPO and use it regularly on my highly allergic/dry skin boy. You only need a tiny amount - I do a full bath every 2-3 weeks and wash his feet ("affected areas") at least twice a week, and a 250ml bottle lasts a few months. And he is a giant breed. His coat is soooooooo shiny, and we often get compliments at shows! (But it makes his coat a little soft for a breed that is supposed to have a coarse coat )

Hi laeral Hope Mica went well at the vet on Thursday... keep us updated. N.

This is prolly a really stupid question, but why to ears go spastic when they are teething? Our 6 month old pups ears are possessed at the moment - today, she has one facing forward and one facing backward. It will be different tomorrow... one might be hanging down and the other might be sticking out sideways... By the way, NJ is a very cute pup!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaay Zak!!! ;) Big hugs to you both, I am glad everything went so well.

I wonder if she had stomach cramps??? According to the vets, she may "have been leaking fluid into her into her gut" causing the dehydration, nausea and severe cramping. She is definitely feeling better, and so am I! Thanks again, everyone!

And the staff are lovely

My little girl is a lot better today, even pestering me to take her for a walk! Thank you all again, I am such a stress-head!

I took Elfin to see our "usual" vet today, who checked her throat and felt her tummy. Apparently the strange swallowing (which she is doing less now) is because of nausea. Her tummy was making some really loud rumbling noises (I have been hearing it all day!), and the vet said this was probably some diahorrea brewing. Hydration was normal. Late this afternoon, she did a poo that looked completely different from her normal ones - it was very small and kind of oily and orange. (Too much information, sorry!). Her diet had not changed and she is not the sort to scavange in the bin or while on walks. She has not vomited and scoffed her boiled chicken tonight. She didn't eat grass at all afterwards, but went straight back to bed after having a drink. She is no longer crying, but is still VERY quiet and sleepy. (So am I after just 45 minutes sleep last night!) Still all a bit of a mystery, but thank you all so much for taking time to respond and for your kind thoughts and words.

Thank you all soooo much for your thoughts The vets called around midnight and asked if we could come and collect her as she was so anxious. Her blood tests were ok (they gave her 2 bags of IV fluids so she was no longer dehydrated) and 2 painkillers. She was VERY drowsy and whining all night, and struggled to get off her bed to urinate. She is still very very quiet at the moment and is occasionally crying, which is scary because she NEVER cries. She is just lying on our bed wrapped in her blanky, fast asleep. I have fed her a small amount of steamed chicken, which she ate, but then staggered outside and scoffed a heap of grass. She has not vomited or a poo. She is making a strange motion when she swallows, like she has something in her throat. I mentioned it to the vet last night, but they didn't seem too concerned. The vet didn't seem to have an answer as to what was going on - but said it may have been a gastro brewing. Once again, thank you for your thoughts during our scary time.