CareyJ

We use Vic Park Vet too and got the same thing when Leila was sterilised. Its only a small gesture and as said is of no consequence really but it did make me feel like they cared a bit. An honest response when I ring to ask if it is really worth bringing the dog/cat in for a consult or if I am just being over paranoid not an automatic bring it down response is good. Leila got an upset stomach after we wormed her the first time at around 12 weeks old (even using the same stuff as the breeder did). Our vet wasnt open so I rang the old one we used to use. The instantly recommended bringing her in, changing her food and buying electrolytes. I rang our breeder for advice who said withhold food for 12 hours, make sure she is still drinking and wean her back on to food only with the same kibble we were using. Worked a treat! I really didnt feel comfortable with swapping and changing the food of a 12 week old puppy on a whim. It is a silly thing, but what I dont like about our current vet is the little shelf they have at the counter which they fill with spot on treatments and bits and pieces - Leila loves to pull all the things down or knocks them off trying to look over the counter and I feel terrible when everything is knocked off. Having said that, they have always said not to worry about it because they will fix it up - which I can never let them do! I use a different horse vet to that for the cat and dog. Our horse vet is very good at dealing with a sick animal and a hysterical owner and giving lots of treatment options and identifying all the risks so a decision is able to be made even when stressed. We have used a few small animal vets that arent so good at communicating the options or the risks. Oh, and lastly, there is nothing worse than a vet that doesnt know how to handle a grumpy cat! Our cat hates the vet and the vet was duely warned when she got an abcess who carried on like he had never been bitten or scratched by a cat before, they then shut her in a cage out the back for 24 hours and told me she was too nasty for them to get out... we found a new vet after a long email.

Raw sausage...its really gross but it works amazingly well as well as chicken necks and chicken wings for those Jackpot! moments.

Stubby holders...although not so good when you're trying to enjoy your beer and keep it cold with a stubby holder with a dog desperate to have it!

We are having the same problems with Leila and are also in Perth so any suggestions would help us too. We have had loads of suggestions from on here but think that we need to have some help one-on-one. We've been going to an obedience club which seems to have made things worse. Sorry to hijack your topic!

Bunnings?? Im fairly sure they sell rubbermaid products but they may not be able to sell this particular products because of the trading restrictions. Howards Storage?

We too have a case of localised demodex on the eyebrow of our 9 month old GSP and are also using Advocate at 3 week intervals (just applied 2nd dose). It appears to have improved however we are also having problems getting the hair to grow back. The area is no longer raw and irritated but it is still a little puffy and hairless. Would applying honey (Jarrah as we are in WA) - as an anti-inflammatory - help to bring some of the swelling down? I haven't been using honey or anything else, just when it was raw bathing in warm salty water as advised by our vet. I should probably be a little more patient as the vet was very confident that it would clear it up on its own however anything that can speed things along would be good.

What brand is it Anna? Quite often they have a palatability return policy - if your pet wont eat it we'll take it back....or at least I know Advance do that. If you have to go and get another brand anyway...you may as well take the stuff you dont need back. Leila eats the cat food and Nell (the cat) eats the dog food all the time...I really need to be more careful putting the lid back on the plastic containers!

Only now Leila is 7 months old do I feel safe to go and replace all the pairs of gym pants and trackies and long sleeved shirts that she has put holes in! Its only when the holes are in the upper thigh or bum area do I stop wearing them (and I've had a few of those!) Yelping also helped us but OH wasnt that keen as squeeling like a girl at first in case someone heard him but decided it was better than being jumped up at or bitten!

James, Our Leila (7 mo GSP) has demodectic mange above her left eye and it started with a small bald spot. Although this was not until about 22 weeks. She also has a few bald spots from playing with other dogs as she goes in head first to everything. If your interested I can take photos (if she stays still for long enough!) and will post them. I'd keep an eye on it and if they become irritated or change you will get a better idea of what they are.

When our GSP puppy was 12 weeks old we wormed her and had the same upset tummy problem, apparently it is quite common. Our vet and breeder's advice was to fast her for 12 hours, making sure she was still drinking to give her tummy a chance to settle. We were feeding optimum biscuits as the breeder had as well as chicken wings and were told to cut out everything except the biscuits and introduce in small meals. Of course, watch carefully for dehydration and get to the vet if you are concerned. I'm afraid I'm mean and our animals get 1 chance - if they dont eat the food given to them in 10 mins or so, it is taken away and offered again at the next meal! Although I have to say that I have never had a picky animal - most are more likely to eat everything and anything and it has to be kept well away from them in sealed containers or they will have a go.

Hi Daydreamer, Try the German Shorthaired Pointer breed subforum with this too - If I knew how to cross post or attach a link for you I would...but I dont. Sorry Leila is our first GSP and is still only 7 months old. She is walked twice per day during the week - before and after work but on the weekends if we are home it might only be once. Leila spends most of her day sunbaking too! She is is a run so needs to get out and stretch her legs. I guess it depends on how big your back yard is too and if there is plenty of stimulation. We find that if we drop Leila off at a friends place to play all day with their dog, she is asleep as soon as she gets in the car! Also if she is in a bigger backyard she tends to go, go go and then crash at the end of the day. Personality must play a huge part too I reckon, Leila is so independent.

Are these cohesive bandages? Best to note that these can tighten and cut off circulation when they are put on. They are also available and can be cheaper through a stockfeed place or on the net.

Hi Tambaqui, We also have a German Shorthaired Pointer who is just under 6 months old. She is really confident (except for the time a cat leapt from out of nowhere at her!) but is really submissive and also lies down and with her belly exposed whenever she meets new dogs and even some of the regulars at the park. I think she just realises the pecking order. I've also found that this helps when she meets dogs that arent quite sure of this crazy puppy and before we know it they are playing. I have found the GSP forum on here really helpful - they all seem to have been through everything before so I'm in most cases things have been discussed and I'm now just waiting for them to happen. Is she a little ratbag? Leila is so cheeky but great fun.

Hi Jaimee, We have a 5 1/2 month old GSP who at the moment doesnt destroy toys....yet but a friend who has a golden retriever who does recommended Aussiedog toys to us - they are made for lions! or so the flyer says. They specialise in heavy duty toys for dogs, horses and even zoo animals. Their website is an interesting read and they are made in Australia. Another piece of advice we were given is make the association between the toy and you playing with the dog and the toy if that makes sense. Take the toys away when you are not there to play with them. We have only partly done that because I an fearful of Leila getting bored and trashing the place! She has a tuckerball filled with biscuits (very heavy duty) and only 1 or two other toys which have survived, then there are special ones which we pull out and play with her but not leave her on her own with.

We're having the same problem with our 5 month old GSP and our cat. Leila is always in the cat's face which means the cat is a grumpy bitch! The hissing and growling from the cat just makes the puppy more excited and crazy! I think it will just take time....or at least I hope!