redarachnid

How much does she weigh and do you have a pic? I ask this because I have grooming clients who constantly say their dog is hot and panting, but it's not the length or type of hair they have... they are all overweight!! Even 2kgs extra on a small dog can start to cause breathing problems. So maybe you need to call into your vet to have her weighed and ask a vet nurse if they think she's overweight as she is panting all the time. They should not charge you for this if it's not a consult, just an over the counter enquiry. Even if YOU don't think she's overweight, she still may be. From my experience, people with overweight dogs, never think they are overweight. I woiuld do this before you consider that her hair is an issue. Good luck.

I agree, but none of the practices that I worked in did.

My experience working at vet hospitals is that the area is always cleaned and disinfected thouroughly as cross contamination is ALWAYS a concern. I have a very sensitive nose and agree that the stench is revolting, however my experience is that it's not from bad cleaning practices, it's from NO FRESH AIR circulating...ie no open windows and doors to get rid of the smell. Usually the air con is the only air circulating and management does not want windows and doors open due to animals escaping. That's why it takes ages to get rid of the smell.

expect about $1000 per leg. (also the spelling is Shih Tzu) Good luck with him.

Just wondering how you decided that your dog gets fleas from the groomer every visit? Please don't think I'm having a go at you, just genuinely want to know why you think this. I'm a groomer of 20+ years and it would be virtually mpossible for me give your dog fleas from a visit. It would have to sit next to a flea infested dog for quite a period of time and I'd have to be blind to not find fleas when blowdrying or combing it thru. Would love the perspective of the client in this situation. Did you bring it to the attention of the groomer? Show them the fleas? Show them the dog had no fleas upon arrival, if this has happened every time? Thanks!

I agree, too thin. I have a saluki and afghan who are very lean... but if they looked like that, they'd be too thin.

WTF???? I'm outta here. The inmates are running the asylum.

That was actually a very light answer I thought I thought the same gareth No. Bitchy, not light.

Wash the floors and vacuum the carpets??? Was this a trick question? They're just friggin asking!!! Jeez. Lighten up.

Just an observation... I have been a groomer for 20+ yrs. Currently about 30-40% of my clients dogs would be outside dogs. Considering I only groom small fluffy dogs (nothing bigger than a Cavalier) this is a surprising number to me. They are bought as inside lap dogs but when they smell, wee, poo, destroy stuff or the new baby is born, they gradually get pushed outside and eventually permanently live out there. There are far more people that house their dogs outside than most of you think. There are THOUSANDS of dogs in australia who live on farms and show dogs who live in kennels outside. Like i said before, do I agree? No, mine live inside. Sluggo, you may want to consider a dog from the pound. They are usually temperament tested and happy, grateful dogs who want to please and can adapt well to any conditions. Good luck anyway, i applaude all the research you are doing.

I wholeheartedly agree! But i just cannot see why on this and so many other threads, posters cannot write without being rude and treating people like they are ignorant. Just simply and politely put your expertise across, no need to belt them over the head with your encyclopedia. They WANT to know from an expert. It's amazing that when you call rude people 'rude', they call you a sook. If expecting manners makes me a sook, then buy me some tissues.

Just reading through this thread tonight...it's no wonder pet buyers resort to BYB and Pet Shops. If I was the OP i would feel belittled, berated and ignorant. Just for asking a question for research. There's nothing wrong with the facts most people have put forward, but the delivery is often condescending so your information falls on deaf ears. My opinion is: dogs ranging from Maltese to Great Danes live outside as pets and in Show Kennel situations. They live outside in units, houses, farms, mountains and beaches. Over 35yrs in the dog world and pet industry, I have seen this. Do with your pet whatever you want, just look after it. Do I do it? ... no. All mine sleep inside. Also to the person who ridiculed the term "staffy"... When did it become correct to only call them "staffords"? I've only been hearing this term the last few years. Growing up going to dog shows they were always called "staffy". Just asking for my own interest. Once again, had you not been condescending about this issue, you could have corrected the OP and explained why they are "staffords", not belittled them. Thank you.

This is what i told you, several days ago!!! If it ain't broke don't fix it!! I would never consider changing my girl's diet just coz i felt like it or i wanted her to be on the same diet as the others. I think you need to accept the diagnosis, whatever the cause, and continue with the original food and lifestyle that does not upset the dog. My colitis girl has been thriving on the same soaked dry food, day in, day out, for 4yrs now.

My 11yo girl has colitis. I've never heard of the stress/anxiety angle! I only know it as diet related.

;) Thanks redarachnid - serious LOLs to myself at this line - and a bit of a slap around the face to myself as well... You need to relax and enjoy your new pup. He is NOT your old pup. Do not smother or baby him or you will be a nightmare owner with an annoying dog.... and end up with a "pain in the arse sticker" on your file at the vet and the groomer etc. Breathe. Be logical. Treat him like a dog, not a baby. You will both benefit immensely from it.

If you're going to put a carcass in the blender, you may as well just feed chicken mince!! The point of raw bones is to chew them. Just make pieces smaller or chop chicken necks into 2. He's a dog... feed him like a dog. No blenders in the wild.

I prefer the look of my cocker's coat, rather than the clipped look I see at the park...I'm happy to put in the 10 minutes a night effort I'd be an unusual pet cocker owner though Yes, you are!! Wish there were more like you. I had 2 show cockers in the 80's and have a soft spot for blue roans. I adore your picture!! It really is not a lot of effort but it's amazing how some owners spend $1000 on a dog and then don't ever brush it. I put bows in my grooming clients ears and an alarming amount of them come back 3,4 or 6mths later with the bows matted in the filthy ear. Last week I had a shih tzu come in... with her christmas bows still in!!! So I hope you see why I have little faith in a lot of pet owners when it comes to regular home grooming. (not you OP, just saying in general). They have the best intentions but don't see it through.

This is all excellent advice guys, but as a groomer of 20+ yrs, I've yet to see ONE pet cocker owner who is prepared to do this grooming at home. They can't even be bothered to brush them... let alone plucking and raking. So if the OP is prepared to do this work (and to us "doggy" people, it's no effort, but to the average pet owner it is a mountain of work) then please follow the great advice given on here. But if the OP or any other pet cocker owner doesn't put the work in then I'm afraid it's off to the groomer for a clip off and don't blame the groomer for the short clip. I find all my cocker owners prefer to be clipped off anyway for easy maintainence and odour control.

You obviously have never had a bad infestation. These products alone do not always work. Speaking from experience, i did all animals every two weeks and the situation remained unchanged. I dont even think frontline works......for me anyway....... Although, i would be great if it was as simple as what you said. Works for some, not for others maybe. I am a dog groomer and vet nurse of 20+ years and have seen it work countless times for people. So I'm speaking from my own experience. No need to rubbish my opinion, coz that's how you came across.

For Advantage to be 100% successful... ALL dogs and cats in the home must be on it. You will not need anything else if you committ to all animals with advatage (or advantix or frontline) every 4 weeks, 3 weeks while infestation is bad. If you shampoo them you will reduce the efficacy and will need to reapply. Often people think "water resistant" means you can bath and shampoo too. Sentinal does NOT KILL fleas, it only sterilises them so they can't breed. The topical products I have just mentioned are "adulticides" and will kill fleas.

My boy whines and sings if things aren't to his liking... never heard him bark once!!! He just whines/sings where a normal dog would bark from excitement. Doesn't care about the heat but likes to be warm. And just a little off topic... I'm getting my 2nd saluki any day now!!! Excitement!!!

As far as i know, you just need a skin specialist, they cover everything. (someone correct me if i'm wrong) You can get a Specialist Skin Clinic by itself. Or here in melbourne, we also have a Specialist Referral Centre which houses a dozen or more specialists covering every part of the animal. Depends what's in your area or where you're prepared to travel. Wish you were in melb, I could help you better!

Moosepup, I have been thinking a lot of you and now after reading goldengirl's post, I really think you should insist on seeing a skin specialist for a consult and to put your mind at ease. (a specialist, not another regular vet) The specialist will also be a great independant party to give his opinion on cause/treatment/surgery/side effects. His opinion may be the same as your vet's...then again, it may not. Either way, you will be glad you saw them. I would INSIST your vet pay for the consult and treatment if any. Mention the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) if any problems. NO vet wants to have to answer to them. Best of luck, keep us updated.

I have always trained my afghans and saluki to be able to be off-lead with good recall. Mainly it's coz i cannot run after them if they escape so it's in my interests to get them to recall. It's hard work and doesn't happen overnight so you have to be dedicated, understand behavior and constantly train. The "average" pet owner would find it very difficult. Re prey drive: If you were prepared to be an obedience nut, you should be able to acheive just about anything. Depends how dedicated you were.

I have an 11.5yo afghan with colitis. She only eats premium dry food that has been soaked in hot water, and has done for years. If i were to change or add to her diet even a little, there would be hell to pay from her bum!! I wouldn't change her diet ever. I think you should stick to what was working. Too dicey to mess with colitis. Just my thoughts...good luck!!