Oscar (AmBull)

Turner and Hooch Hachi- only discovered this recently but I cry EVERY TIME (must see)! Homeward Bound Eight Below I have quite the dog dvd collection here...

We feed Canidae- All Life Stages to our Amstaff. He is maintaining a good healthy weight and his coat is extremely soft. I like it particularly because it has so many meats. He is a fairly lazy dog at the best of times; it hasn’t had any impact on his energy levels, especially his high energy levels once out and about. He also gets kangaroo chunks mixed in, sometimes sardines and tuna, as well as turkey wings/roo bones every few days.

So are you saying that because he has suffered with this condition once before, they will not cover for the treatment of the same condition a second time? If the first histicytoma was not a pre existing condition, that really sucks. I found that was the problem with pet insurance. You'd think you were covered and then something ridiculous in the small print lets them off the hook. Edit - just read that you got insurance AFTER his histiocytoma was treated, so no, you will not be covered as it is a pre existing condition. What happened was we got the pet insurance after the first histiocytoma, we were up front and told them about it and it was an exclusion on our policy, which I was fine with. But then a month ago we came up for an exclusion review, so essentially because it had been over two years without any histiocytoma's, the exclusion would then be void, thus we would be covered for them in the future. So we sent of the medical records as per the request for the exclusion, which there was no histiocytoma or other cancer check ups, we had only had vaccinations. BUT I never heard back from them whether the exclusion review was granted, and NOW we have a histiocytoma that has come up albeit 3 weeks after faxing in the medical records. Hope that makes sense?

Anyone tried this: http://www.fluppies.com.au/prod2684.htm On the hunt for sun protection gear at the moment and stumbled across this. Anyone used it?

I have found these: http://www.fluppies.com.au/category154_1.htm Anyone own one?

So the sunscreen just isn't cutting it anymore, we need to buy Oscar a rasher shirt, hat and possibly goggles. I am wanting to know if anyone knows where these things could be purchased in Australia online? Or a reputable website that isn't Australian? Thanks

My Sheltie had one exactly the same in the same spot too!!! He licked it for a while and it became raised and bare and then gradually subsided. There was no infection and it didn't bother him too much so I left it alone and it healed and went away by itself! It was weird. He had it about a month and now there is no sign of it anymore!! I will be interested to find out what your vet says about it!!! Cheerio Cairo1 Hi Cairo See my last post on the previous page- it says what the vet said.

Back from the vet's, he said it was most likely a Histiocytoma (which is what the pathology results showed it was last time) but he said we should remove it anyway in case it is a mast cell tumor. He did not do a needle prick because he said if it is a mast cell tumor then the needle causes the cells to spread? So we are booked in for that, but my next question is. We have Pet Insurance. We got it after his last Histiocytoma op and about a month ago got a letter of policy renewal and exclusion review. The exclusion was for the Histiocytoma- we sent in the medical records, which showed nothing as have no problems but have not received a c;earance letter. Now we clearly have another Histiocytoma a few weeks later and I do not know if we are covered? Thought? Should I put in a claim? If so how do I put in a claim? Thanks

No we have our appointment tonight, so will let you know once we get home. It hasn't gotten any worse. What sort of tests would you expect to see the vet do? When he had a cancer the vet felt it and knew?

So far Oscar has a Mitch Ball, a Zisc, a BIG bag of treats... What are you getting your dogs and who has some brilliant new toy ideas that I could add to the list? Thanks

Thanks for the reply. Will definitely get it checked out this week. He doesn't have any allergies/immune issues. But he has licked it quick a bit so has probably made it more inflamed. Again thanks to everyone who has given advice, this being my first dog I always feel a little in the dark.

This looks totally different to the little cancer thing he had on his backside that we got removed. That cost us $600 to be removed with testing, do you know how much roughly it was to get your dogs removed? Is it like a hot spot or something? Worst timing ever, going away in a week and a half and XMAS. I do not think I would ever own a white dog again, I am always so paranoid about the sun (which he loves to lie in). Will be booking a vet visit Mon. Thanks again guys.

Thanks for the quick replies, I will make an appointment next week. Anyone care to speculate? Over 2 years ago he had a little cancer, which we got removed and tested, then we got pet insurance, we have only just come up for our exclusion review so fingers crossed it is only something minor. Thanks again

Hi DOLers, Looking for some advice, I noticed mid week Oscar was licking his paw, checked tonight and he has this red ball that looks like it has broken skin on it that has appeared. He hasn't had any problems walking on it and if fine for me to have a look at it. Just wondering for thoughts on what it could be and whether I should be concerned? Is there anything I can do to help fix it or should I take him to the vets next week? Thanks in advance.

Absolutely YES! I have always wanted to be able to read Oscar's body language better, sometimes I think I am too harsh on him when he is just trying to play.

My Pet Plan Policy was just renewed and my premium had gone from $41 to $46. So I have decided to go down to the budget plan which I rang them and spoke to them about, the difference in policy is not that much, still covers everything, just $10,000 not $15,000 which is fine by us as we have not had a claim yet. That is with a $100 excess, but if you choose $250 excess the plan is $36. Hope that helps, it can be so expensive. Also congrats on your gorgeous new girl, I bet having two after having one for so long is a shock to the system (and hip pocket). I know it will be for us when we eventually delve into getting a second dog.

Thanks guys, I think it is worth it. I was just wondering why the prices continue to rise each year, I guess like everything. I am going to stay with them I think, I have spent the last hour researching it and realised the difference in what is covered ie 80% or 100% of the bill is a big difference. There is a difference between breeds, I know that because my next dog will be a dogue de bordeaux and I have checked how much it will cost and on the budget plan it is $47 vs $36 for Oscar as an Amstaff. I am considering moving down from the standard plan to the budget. Will look into it a bit more. Anyone have any ideas on how I can get a medical history report from the vet?

Hi DOLers, I just got my renewal for our pet insurance, we have been with PetPlan for 2 years now and the price has become progressively more. It has been $41.95/month and it is now going up to $45.95/month, to me that seems like a huge increase in one year. So, I am wondering what others pay for their breed of dog? I know it is more for some breeds than others but I am seriously considering changing to another company. We have never had to make a claim (thankfully) but prior to joining he did have a cancer removed, which is when we went on insurance and they have known about it all along. They also have asked me to get a letter from my vet for the last two years medical history to I guess clear him of the cancer exclusion? Is this standard practice, all he has had are his shots, do I need an appointment to get the history? Or can I just pick it up? All help/advice appreciated- definitely keen on other possible insurance company’s people are happy with.

My Pack: Oscar- Amstaff- 2.5 Years- Only Dog Syndrome- Spoilt Rotten. But he does have playmates: Tiger- Tenterfield Terrier Ruby- Mini Fox Terrier Jacob- 11 Year old boy. PLUS a large black lab by the name of Rastus. He would love a brother or sister... one day I tell him. (We hope to add a DDB)

I buy comfortis from ebay, same seller as Mim. They are excellent, very quick postage and long dates left on them. Have had no issues.

Thanks so much for all the responses, Oscar is 2.5 years old Good tip on the grass as he has had somewhat sensitive feet and I do not want them to flare up from it. Unfortunately we do not have good footpaths at all and are not wide enough for the both of us. I think I need to find a grassy type area maybe? The police around here are not super vigilant and probably would be surprised there was a law against it as well so I don't think I have any issues on that side of things. I live in a smallish country town so we do have a police station (that is actually manned rarely). At the moment he is doing very well and was only distracted once by the idea of marking a bush, but that is mainly because I am still getting my feet when it comes to riding a bike again so was stopping and starting a bit trying to work out the gears :D How do the sprenger etc attach? And do you just buy them in a pet store?

I have had a look around but can't find anything regarding this issue and I am sure DOLers will have advice/experience. I have just started to cycle to get myself and Oscar a bit fitter because I am a slow walker (short legs ) and never seem to have a fast enough pace for him to get into his stride. I am only going for short bursts at the moment on small side roads where I live, Oscar has taken to it extremely well for only just beginning. My question is: What are the laws regarding riding with a dog on the road? Ie can we ride on the road? Which side? Where? Any help/advice is appreciated.

Ok so the order they are in in the program according to ring is the order they go in? What time does showing start in the morning, I am assuming like 9am or something? If I do not see the actual showing will the dogs still be there later on or do people normally leave once they have showed? Thanks for the reply

Hi guys and girls looking for DOLers help: How do you know what time each breed is showing on any given day? I am wanting to watch the French Bulldogs tomorrow at the Royal Adelaide Show, they are group 7 if that makes a difference. I have looked everywhere but can't find information on times. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Jess

Thanks for your reply. He is an American Staffy, knowing the breed etc is one of the reasons I posted this thread because I don't want it to escalate. All I need to do is my usual growl/aye and he moves on to something else. It is hard when we go to my dads as the lab is an excess marker so they will mark over each others spot. So you are advising to keep on him and tell him off when he marks, if he can't stop himself (he has poor self control which we are always working on) then put him on leash? Weasels- I normally use a leave it cue on the walk, he is very familiar with the cue and will walk on promptly. We do need to get back into doing some training, just really need to find a good obedience school that is in my area- unfortunately none that suit our needs. ETA- Nekhbet we are looking to add a DDB to our household in a few years time, a female, but we want to be ready beforehand. We absolutely LOVE the breed.