Jillee

Thank you so much SwaY....its been so nice to check so readily on the results.....a great effort and very exciting to get results just as they were happening. Again....thanks for such a professional and thoughtful job!!!

Thanx so much.

Hi Just wondering where I could find info re what days particular breeds of dog are shown at the Ekka.....Particularly dachshunds, whippets poodles...and if anyone knows the grooming competition....???

We have a 12month male mini daschund at home. He twitches through his shoulders to his back legs when relaxed. He makes regular twitches on the inhale breath whilst he is sleeping too. It doesnt seem to bother him and he eats well and exercises well.Apparantly he has always done it ( my daughter has just returned home with him) but it appears to be increasing ( almost like a shiver....but he is warm to touch (no temo).Is it something that these little dogs are prone too....He is strong whilst running but his back appears uneven ( dip behind withers and raised spine at centre)not a level back....Hope for some replies please.

Operation appears to be very successful. Nearly 10 weeks now and she shows no adverse signs. She is powerfully walking ( still on lead for a couple more weeks) for half an hour morning and evening and sits "full square" with ease. She goes home to open yard next week and we have been very pleased with her. Hope anyone else thinking of the surgery would go ahead with it. Of course sensible future activities ( no dog park, or ball chasing) will prolong her health in this regard. Thanks everyone for you interest.

We have just had our son's dog ( large ,ridgeback size) recover from cruciate surgery. She had it done at Ashgrove but her recovery notes and advice is identical to Stafford vet's advice. She is a very exciteable dog but the operation ( done on Jan 31st) has been a complete success. She is now off lead in a small yard under cover outside after being in crate and puppy pen indoors for the last 8 weeks. Keeping quiet is most important and doing the physio ....Good luck, son had no insurance and the cost was $3000. Stafford specialist vets come highly recommended too.

Hopefully these pics ok....Have had to resize twice....Pepper in inside and outside crates

Almost 2 weeks since the op and all going well. Vet pleased with the amount of use she has in the leg already. She has taken to the confinement really well for such an exciteable dog. She has an inside pen and an outside pen and when we are not here she is in a large crate. She is managing with her reduced diet and is keeping good condition. We have begun massaging the leg muscles and this week we will start manual physio on the leg and especially the stifle jopint. She seems to know we are helping her and is calm throghout!!! I would like to hydrobath her muscles too.....Anyone prefer penetrine or epsom salts for relaxation therapy?????> We realise to lift her and use rubber mats and No slipping but she is generally good and used to it. We mantain he r on Optimum dry food with beef or chicken stock and feed a wet dish...This seems to keep the bowels correct. She of course has limited firm treats too. I must ask the vet too wether she needs extra vitamins ( Vit D ) as she is indoors so much.....Well over to you all now for any extra advice...I would attach a couple of pics but I cant work out the attachment process Anyone????

OK...operation complete....the ligament was ruptured.she has had a TTO Triple Tibial Osteotomy, where the tibia is reshaped by making 3 cuts in it and realigned using plate and screws!!!! She is bandaged from hip to toe with a plastic cover over her foot to keep dry. She lays in a "puppy pen" and is really good. Bandages off Monday, Stitches out next Friday. Starts cartrophen injections, once weekly for 4 weeks initially. She is coping very well and doing well with toilet breaks ( Its not raining at present, dont know how that will go later as more rain forecast and she hates getting wet. Oh well....just press on So far , so good.

Thanks guys....all really helpful info. The operation is next Wed...31st I am prepared with crates, restricting fencing etc so all should go well if that is what the vet requires. We are near the beach so we will be able to swim her in the first instance that she will be allowed. I'm sure her recovery will be the best it can and heres hoping that all goes well. Will keep you all up to date and maybe pics...

My son's dog ( Staffy x...the size of a ridgeback) is having a cruciate ligament operated on at the end of January. We have a large crate to lend them for after care. Can anyone advise a schedule/tips/advise from personal experience in managing after care with her. We realise the vet will give thorough advice but anyone with experience may advise the pitfalls/difficulties and problems they encountered. Could she use a single matress/pen affair for comfort and restricted movement???? I think we may be having her at our place for the recouperation so any "set up ideas would be appreciated.

My favouite (not!!!) to babysit....

Having been out of the show scene for more than twenty years it is very interesting to see "changes" within many breeds. Weis have become longer with increased hing angulation ....Dobes losing that "rotary" action of the hindquarter, Pomeranians tinier with HUGE coats, Shelties with heavier muzzles ,losing that "sweet" expression.Border collies appear longer with shorter forelegs and shorter croups with tails that appear to come "straight off the back" ...boning and head strenghth could be stronger too As for the continuing debate with the GSD>>>>>> their heads,lenghth of foreleg, proportions (esp. middle pieces ) have greatly improved....the overangulation and loose ligamentation of the hindquarter has gone too far.....tails can be way too long and " as a rudder" can interfere with movement as the are "hooked" up off the ground.I feel there is huge emphasis on the "glamour" " profuse "coat in many breeds and this is a distraction to the ideal breeding programme. They are all man made breeds and changes to suit the "fashions of the day" and I wonder where they will be in another 20 yrs.....?????? Interesting to look on from the outside.