Azzachazza

Hi everyone, I was wondering what opinions were concerning flea prevention. Currently both my dogs are on Advocate monthly. I was considering switching to Drontal all wormer monthly, and heartworm injections, and not using a topical flea prevention. This would however leave them unprotected against fleas, ticks and mange, which Advocate covered. I dont like the idea of topical flea treatment, as both dogs have dry, allergic, itchy skin. Im uncertain as to whether Advocate's topical flea-ridding ingredients are making this worse. I was hoping people could share their schedules with me. That is, what would be in your opinions, "best practice," when it comes to flea prevention, heart worm prevention and worming. Has anyone had any bad experiences or side effects? I understand some people dont do any prevention and im interested to learn more, as im not too happy with the amount of chemicals and possible side effects of many products. Any feedback would be appreciated, particularly in regards to an alternative to topical flea treatments. Thanks , Aaron

Hi All. Sorry bout the briefness of this post. Just going to purchase one of the following, and needed some DOL opinions: http://www.eaglepack.com/SP_LGPuppy.html http://www.petshops.com.au/catalog/product...08bv67i1l2e7pf6 I understand the best food, is whichever your dog does best on, but given the choice of these two, which would you choose. Or should i look elsewhere. Just wanted a change from my regular Artemis Puppy, as their skin wasnt looking the best. Any advice appreciated. Thanks guys

Hi all Was hoping that someone knew of a good dermatologist in sydney. Close to liverpool/fairfield would be good. I think its time Nala gets her skin problems sorted. Hotspots, scabs, biting, patchiness, you name it. Just want her to have a healthy skin back. Thanks everyone

Hi Everyone, Quick background; Been to the vet multiple times, with Nala, because she often gets hotspots, dry skin and what looks like a flea allergy near her back, close to her tail, which has become red and scabby. I have never found a flea on her though. Currently I am in the process of elimination to find the allergen. Thought at one stage it was a shrub with thorns that now has been removed, or possibly our little five month old Minnie, who bites her sometimes. Anyway, the vet suggested antibiotics to clear her skin, but i have found a week or two with the elizabethan collar keeps helps the area heal and im also not keen on putting her on antibiotics so frequently. I hope to find out the cause soon, as its sad to see her in the collar, she doesn't seem too happy about it. Also the vet suggested to wash her up to three times a week with alloveen. Now Im just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding this. Previously i would only wash Nala every few months, maybe this has caused her skin problems?? Could washing her more pften solve her problem? Might this not make her skin more dry?? Im just quite confused and feel helpless at the moment. I would appreciate anyones advice. Thanks Aaron

Hi all, Just a quick question. Was wondering if dogs metabolise fat better than us. What i mean is, do their bodies deal with fat intake differently? For example i was inclined to feed chicken wings every other day, or even every day, however i couldn't imagine myself eating that much skin and fat on a daily basis, and just wondered if this was the same for dogs. Is it unhealthy to feed skin and fat so often, or do their systems deal with and make use of this intake better than us, in regards for example to cholesterol...? Thanks Aaron

Hi Everyone, just wondering what the best shampoo people have used for their dogs, that helps promote healthy skin and possibly with an anti-bacterial agent and ant-itch... Nala wont stop scratching. I have a feeling that she got minor scratches on some thorny bushes that have now been removed, but the damage has been done. Have been using wound guard but i need a good shampoo to wash her Thanks guys

oh ok. The thing is been keeping Nala away from my GFs house for a while. They have bleached their street and yard. But cant be too safe i suppose. Besides im being so safe with the GFs place yet i still take Nala to the dog park. You can never totally prevent exposure i suppose...

Is that due to the vaccine not working, due to interference from maternal antibodies, or a different strain of the virus?

Hi everyone, just wondering due to a recent outbreak in my girlfriends area... Kind regards, Aaron

ok thanks What kind of dog do u have?? Looks like minnie. Shes a dutch shepherd

Hi Everyone Just in the process of doing market research at the moment for a potential ebay store. Over the last two years I have time and time again found it difficult to find specific food, treats and accessories for my pups. Sure i could go down to the local petfood, supermarket, or vet, but savings often leads to a product of lower quality that doesnt always meet our expectations. Just wondering what products DOL users would like to see made readily available. What products are in high demand? For example specific brands of dog food or treats, collars or harnesses that cant be found readily elsewhere. Any thoughts or criticisms would be helpful. Thanks guys:) Aaron

Yeah i stumbled upon this in my search. Can i ask where u got yours? Cause i was thinking it was a vet only product, which meant i was going to have to see them in order to get a bottle.

Hi all, Just a quick question. Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with a good antiseptic ointment which also deters biting of the hotspot... Regards Aaron

Hi all, It was one of those HOT days in sydney again, so we brought Nala inside. She is housetrained and very obedient inside. She had not been in for very long, when I went for a drink and left her by herself in the lounge room. When i returned there was a small, 30cm in diameter pool of clear watery liquid near where she had been sitting. My first thought was that it was wee, although it didnt look or smell like it. It smelt faintly like bile, although it was very hard to tell. Her bottom was wet, but i think that was because she was partially sitting in it. Ill probably never figure out exactly what it was, just wondering if anyone had any thoughts. Kind Regards Aaron ps she is 12 months old and desexed

Hi all, Was surfing the net looking for the "really reliable recall" video, when i stumbled upon a website for Leslie Nelson the, the author of the video and books. http://www.tawzerdogvideos.com/Leslie-Nelson.htm Second book down caught my eye as it is the same picture on the front page of Artemis pet foods http://www.artemispetfood.com.au/ For some reason this just seemed strange. It could and probably means nothing, just caught me as interesting and peculiar...

Hi all, Just a quick question. Was wondering how soon i could take the girls swimming after applying advocate. The leaflet does not specify this. I have had one vet say a week and another 3 hours. Just wondering what people's opinions were. Kind regards Aaron

Yeah that sounds like a good idea with the flat collar. I think thats what I'll do :D No not permanent. Just until she stops mouthing the area and it heals up. She has terribly dry skin on her back near her tail. She has been biting and its started to bleed at spots. I have tried everything from Alloveeen to olive oil topically, and flaxseed and fish oil orally. I think the fish oil and olive oil has helped. Im a bit sus about the alloveen though...

Hi all, Why I ask is that Nala is going to need a collar for when unsupervised (Dry irritated skin on her back near her tail, which she bites.). But When she is out playing and eating bones, I dont want the collar on her. I have had some experience with the plastic ones with the fabric tie on the base. These are ok, but very fiddly and the plastic connecting parts aren't that strong. Wondering if there are any other types available, that are better suited for frequent fitting and removal. Regards, Aaron

Hi everyone, Thanks for all the advice. I think i spent a good 20 min just tossing up should I or shouldn't I get the meds yesterday at the clinic. In retrospect, with all the advice here, I think I should have taken the safe option. On a good note though, Minnie is doing fine today. No diarrhea this morning. Did her first firm-ish poo in 3 days and no blood Still on a bland diet though, but things are looking up. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone here. Kind regards, Aaron

Thanks for the advice and well wishes Never thought of yakult, thats a good idea! I think little Minnie didn't chew well and gobbled down a large piece. Gotta keep both dogs seperated as they tend to rush when the other is around. I'm a bit wary of bones at the moment. I gave them raw, but it was a sizeable wing, and she is still very small... Yeah that sounds good actually. Read quite a lot in regards to the healing properties of manuka. I have some in the cupboard but doubt that its +20. Gotta have a look for some tomorrow. I dont like the idea of administering medication whenever one of the girls are sick. Personally i would prefer a natural alternative where possible. That said though sometimes we have no choice. Hopefully she improves tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

Thats a good idea, taking down the names of the drugs. Will remember for next time. She hasnt eaten since 11pm yesterday. Will feed her some boiled chicken and rice later this evening. Yeah i dont quite understand the staying for a couple of days. Declined mainly because it wasnt my regular vet. She is quite active still. Encouraging her drinking/hydration with Lactide. (glucose and salts). Also just cleaned her poo and found a shard of chicken bone (looks like it came from the little drummet part attached to the wing). This may be the culprit. It was kind of maleable but clearly undigested I think i learnt my lesson with chicken wings. I was recommended necks instead. Thanks for the replies so far guys

Hi Everyone So i managed to take Minnie(13 weeks) to the vet today. In my previous posts i mentioned that she has been having diarrhea for 3 days now (2 days with specks of blood). Quite Runny, but not to the point of being like water. Anyway we did the usual Parvo test and test for coccidiosis. Both showed up negative. So the vet assumed it was a stomach bug/bacteria and that the blood was from an irritated intestinal lining. One of his recommendations was to keep her for a couple of days for observation and administer 3 types of antibiotics. One a needle, the other small green tablets and the last a bottle of pink liquid, that he said all need to be used together for five days. (except the once off needle). Xrays was then an option later down the track too. I asked him if her body would rid of the bug by itself (if indeed it was a bug/bacteria) and he said that it could, but he wasnt sure. So i decided to monitor her at home for at least another day without all the antibiotics for now. The reason i chose this option is because I think that it would be better to give her body a chance to fight it on its own instead of jumping straight on the antibiotics. Also the vet was on call 24hrs, so i could always see him if i was concerned. I do want to see her get well, but then again i don't want to be administering antibiotics every time she gets a stomach bug. Just wondering what everyone else would have done? Kind Regards Aaron

Thanks guys. Im in the Liverpool area

Third day of diarhhea, second day with blood. Not as watery anymore, but areas of blood.

Bought it from the local butcher and gave it to her straight away. Not my regular butcher though, it looked fresh... Poor Minnie, poo is a bit firmer i think, but still bit of blood ... Will make an appointment tomorrow morning if its still the same then. Dont think my vet is opened on sun though