Kirty

I will tell you what I do to avoid outbreaks. I have had a few foster cats/kittens with ringworm now and never had it spread beyond those animals. Basically everything is quarantined for at least two weeks. During this time, kittens are kept in an enclosure or easily cleaned room (bathroom, laundry, etc). I use F10 with the fosters - I use it to clean trays, floor, and even spray it lightly on the cats then 'scruff' it in with my hands. I also spray F10 on my hands, clothes and shoes after handling kittens. Once quarantine is up, I relax the disinfecting a bit. :)

My kids get no say. The dogs are mine and I have chosen/chosen to keep all of our current dogs (except Champa - Glen gets the blame for him!!). The kids play with the dogs sometimes and walk with us sometimes but that's about it. Now that they are getting older they are much more interested in them though. :)

Lol loving all the pics! Stevie the GSD pup is also filthy (thry are partners in crime) but she doesn't look nearly as bad!!

Toby my mud monster:

I would be seeing a new vet. Clumping cat litter is known to cause fatal blockages in cats and crystals aren't great either. Most cat people (including myself) won't touch either product for that reason. If the dog has eaten a fair amount and now can't poo, that would concern me greatly. As for kennel cough (if it is that), there is no need for ABs unless there is a secondary infection so again, not sure why the vet gave them. If it is KC, you can give honey or human cough medicine (Benadryl from memory, but check with your vet). Keep the dogs warm and don't walk them (don't want to spread it). Its usually very mild in vaccinated dogs so don't stress.

I can't really help sorry - when I get a new pup I just bring it home and take it to meet my other dogs in the backyard. :) Never had an issue introducing a puppy to the adult dogs.

Oops

I would love to come. Might bring two dogs. :)

Not really. We'd have a world full of dogs with heart problems and who can't breathe...

Kmart has the double clam shells for $20 ish. Got one for our dogs a few weeks ago because the old one finally broke. My dogs ALL love their pools.

I actually didn't think the RSPCA lost many kittens during desexing. I would also like to see stats if you have any. As long as vets are careful and keep babies warm, there should be no greater risk with most breeds of kittens/puppies.

The sack shrivels up over time. Generally the older the dog is when castrated, the longer it takes to shrink. Dogs done at around six months won't have much to start with so it disappears very quickly. I don't know of any vets who remove the sack and it has been done this way for a long time. :)

Don't know but I hope the bitch and the pup she kept will not be bred from.

That's how all dogs are castrated curlybert. :)

I have lots of cats and none of them go outside. Cats don't NEED to roam. The problem is that indoor cats are more work - you need to play with them, groom them, clean litter trays, etc. So many people get cats because they are 'easy' and if you let them roam, you just need to feed them.

Get a long line, or even just a long piece of rope, attach it to his collar and let him explore that way. Carry lots of treats and randomly call him, reel him in, and treat. He will soon learn that if he comes when called, he will get a treat. When he reliably comes on the long line, you can start letting him off (but do so in an enclosed area first!).

I heard it was a RR x PUPPY!

I have a Greyhound who lives with cats, foster kittens and even bunnies (bunnies are safely enclosed though). She has been raised not to chase them and she is very gentle with the cats and kittens. I think if the bunnies got loose, she would give chase. But she doesn't stand there and harrass them in their cage or anything. But it is a risk so if something more appropriate came along, that would obviously be a better option.

Maisie - Dingbat, Ding Ding, Wa Wa, Pwa Pwa Champa - Champion, A-hole (said with love... kinda lol), Pup Pup Pia - Pia Maria, Pia Mawia Toby - Toby Lula Stevie - none yet

I would say he was just a bit stressed and missed you when you were away. Our pets were often clingy after staying in kennels. Within a few days to a week, they were back to normal. Treat Nero as usual, don't make a fuss of him or you will reinforce the behaviour.

It is the law in Victoria that all shelter/rescue animals be desexed prior to adoption.

'My dog is so friendly! Why are people scared of it? They are great dogs! Oh and her name is Atila.' :rolleyes:

Contained cats are safe cats. I have a lot of cats, all 100% indoor/enclosure. My neighbours probably don't even know they exist. My neighbour has ONE cat who kills things in my yard, pisses on my front door, craps in my garden, fights with my cats through the window, etc. If you can't be arsed keeping your cat safely contained, then don't be surprised when it doesn't come home.

I feed a combination of raw and dry. The kibble is the main part of their diet, but they also get chicken mince mixed in every night, plus chicken frames and raw meaty bones. I found swapping 1 cup of dry for 1 cup of mince really helped my dogs maintain their weight better.

I'm not sure if a letter from the vet would be sufficient, but I suspect this may have also just been a one-off bad luck experience. There is a risk with any animal having an anaesthetic obviously but the risk is really not much greater for young/small animals. Look at the bigger shelters - they desex everything over 900g and they very very rarely have an issue. RIP poor little puppy.