GABBA

Hi. Just wondering what is the best method of treating flea-ridden puppys, 8 weeks old and even less. Thanks.

Hi, could someone please suggest a vet in the Western Sydney area that has good experience with giant breed dogs. Much appreciated.

Hi all. I haven't made a post in a while. My mentor has been teaching me many things, but figured I'd get an even greater understanding by asking others. When your bitch is pregnant, what particular tests do you perform? Particularly to ensure the health of the pups. I know this is a very general question, but hopefully that allows for the answers to cover a wider scope. The breed my mentor owns is a larger breed, but I'm after answers from any breeder (big or small). Thanks all :)

Sheena, you raise a legitimate point. During our discussions the topic of neutering came up. So unless they can find out what happened, that may be the action taken. Personally, I think, if the bitch requires a caesar to have the pups, you wouldn't want to do it more than once, maybe twice at the absolute most. I wouldn't want to put her through it - but thats me, and I may be wrong.

Hi everyone. I have spoken to my mentor and she has since had a necropsy performed on the puppy - the results are really of no use. From what I gather, the vet was unable to find any indications of congenital issues or any signs of prenatal sepsis. One possibility was that the placenta had detached only a few days before the actual labour. But I always though that there would be indications of this occurring? A discharge, stress, or something along those lines, but I could be wrong. As I mentioned earlier, the puppys were very developed, so its almost as if their is an issue with the mother, not being able to bring the puppys to full term. One exercise that MAY be worth doing is an elective caesar, where the aim would be to deliver the pups while they are still alive. There were no problems during the actual labour, but the caesar would be used to retrieve them a few days before she is due. There would be a lot of ultrasounds required during this process to make sure the puppies are as close to the actual due date as possible. The downside of this of course, is subjecting her bitch to a caesar. It is a routine surgery, but at the end of the day, its still surgery. Anyway, thoughts, opinions, comments??? Thanks.

Thank you all for your kind words as well as suggestions on what it could be. As you can imagine she is torn up and time is the only way this particular wound will heal. I believe the pup is with the vet so once there is some news I will let you all know. I spoke with a vet (for my own learning) and he believes an inactive vaccination shouldn't have posed any risk. I understand no vaccination is the best option, but if the bitch is due for her shot it's somthing that must be done.

Hi all. I am starting this thread with a heavy heart. My mentor (with over 13 years experience) faced an absolute nightmare the other night. Her bitch delivered 5 full-term, fully developed pups - all dead. From what I know, the delivery seemed normal enough, no excessive stress on the bitch, no prolonged periods between pups. The bitch recently had her yearly immunisation (inactive immunisation). She is having a vet perform an autopsy on one of the pups to shed some light but needless to say she is rattled. I have heard of one or two pups being stillborn - but a whole litter!!!??? Has anyone heard of this?! What could it be? I won't elaborate too much on the breed (as to keep her privacy), but she breeds larger dogs. And as a side note, for those that think breeding is a good idea - this is EXACTLY why it isn't!!!

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't think this thread would attract as much attention as it had. Well I think that, having read all these posts, I have to admit to myself that I can't go down this path. It's just so unfortunate that such a profession is so poorly paid.

Hmmm. It's actually quite disappointing. The career I am in now actually offers quite good money. If I were to change I would have like the pay to be similar. It's a tough choice.

Hi. I have been a member of these forums for a couple of years now and haven't posted in a while. However, lately I have been contemplating a career change - maybe into something I have more of a passion for. That has led me to Vet Science. I have done a fair bit of reading on the topic and one thing I have come across is that a vets salary isn't as flattering as one would think. The Aus Vet Association site says one can expect a salary of $75k, is this accurate? Of course you have to enjoy what you do, but at the same time salary is also an important factor. Could someone please elaborate on this, as much as they feel comfortable with. Salary is always one of those touchy subjects. Thanks.

I have just came across this product on Gumtree and it claims that it works as a tag that produces some sort of electromagnetic field that repels flies. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on it. Summer has arrived and the flies are coming out. I hate them.

Hi I am not one to often talk about BSL and restricted breeds but after doing some reading I do have a question. I have read that "Pit bull terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers" are prohibited in Australia. I'd like to know, what is a "Pit bull terrier"? I types it into Google and got a whole range of dogs, including the American Pit Bull, AMSTAFF (not banned), Bull Terrier (not banned). So what are they actually banning? Just the APBT or...? Thanks.

Over the last few months (hotter months), i have had a real problem with flies. They are all over my dog! (I live in the Western Suburbs, not the country FYI). They are even biting his ears! I've washed him (although he dirties himself again), sprayed him with repellent (dont know how good of an idea this is, but im desperate), put garlic around the yard (apparently flies dont like the smell - it didnt work). What else can i do?!

I moved into a new house about a year ago and have been pretty alright in terms of fleas, that is, the dog doesnt have any. Anyway, yesterday i took the dog to the park, and today, i think i saw some fleas on him! Is it just a coincidence i went to the park and now i see some fleas, or could he have picked them up from there?! That being said, what can i do to get rid of them, and make sure they arnt all in my grass at home!??!??! HELP. Im thinking of bathing him tomorrow and giving him a Comfortis tablet! But what do i do to ensure they are not in the grass?!

Thank you to all the people that genuinely answered the question, without any malice. To those that read what i wrote, and automatically assumed i am going to start breeding, and all the rest of it, why dont you take a look at my other posts, have any of them been about breeding, either way, i dont need to justify myself. I have told you my intentions, thats all you'll get. Re. the above. Clearly i did to research, however when someone said it was 2 years to fill out in lieu of 3 i asked the question. .... It looks like this thread will go no wehere, it may aswell be closed. Its too difficult to get a decent answer. Maybe people just just trying winging it with their dogs, instead of asking questions, as not to offend anyone.

Here we go, i should have known that asking such a question would get all the nuts out of the woodwork. Everyone is scared people will become backyard breeders just because they spention the word "breed" in a post. Everyone needs to get off their high horse, and realise they are not the only ones that care about dogs and animal welfare in general. I ask the questions to learn more about the breed. I bet if i asked what colour is my dog supposed to be when fully grown, no one would have a problem with it. All this talk of a pet being sold on a main register, what is this supposed to mean?! So if we buy a dog, and its on the main register, we have to treate it as an object. My dog physically conforms with the breed standard, but is treated like a pet at home, not some object, that is in and out of show rings, etc etc. So, i ask people to think twice about other peoples intentions when replying.

i bought him as a family dog, not with any intent to use him for breeding, that being said, he is on the main register and is turning out to become quite a fine specimen. My question however, might have been better worded if i said, at what age will he reach sexual maturity? The only reason i asked about being full grown, was because i was always under the impression that a mastiff will reach its full height at 1 year old and will continue filling out until 3, however i heard someone mention it was 2 years old (the other day). So i am asking for clarification. Thanks.

Good morning, I have a 1 year old Mastiff breed, and would like to know, when he will be his full size. I have read that they will reach their full height at 1 year and will fill out till 3 years old. Is this accurate? Secondly, (and i know this is somewhat of a taboo subject), but is it safe for a mastiff to sire a litter (male dog)? Thanks.

Ah ok, well it sounds like it is generally an accepted product, not some sort of hoax. So are vets the only places that sell them, or are there any other places (I am located in Sydney)

I have been having flea problems with my dog for a while now, and have tried many different products (however no tablet based products). I was listening to a Vet show on the radio today driving home from work and i heard that "Comfortis" was one of the most successful products available and was recommended by the vet. I however read on the website that there are side effects such as depression/lethargy, decreased appetite, incoordination, diarrhea, itching, trembling, excessive salivation and seizures. Im wondering if anyone has used this product, and if they have had any problems....or any luck with it. Also, aside from eBay, where would one buy it from? (Weight range: +40kg) Thanks. PS: Poor old Cindy who died this morning at 9:33am, 14 years old.

Hi, i have a one year old Dogue De Bordeaux, who only eats his dry food if i sit outside and watch him. In a normal meal i give him some chicken parts (legs, necks, etc) and some dry food. If im doing other things i'll dish it up and serve it to him and go inside, in which case he will eat the chicken and leave the dry food (for hours, often overnight - as i dont remove the plate). If i sit down on a chair outside while he is eating, he will eat all his chicken and continue eating the dry food. This is not really a problem, im just wondering why he is doing this... Anyone have any ideas?

Yeh, from what i have been reading on http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs its very difficult, I would have to keep the dog in a AQIS approved country for 6 months, and then i would be able to bring it here. But of course, by then, it wouldnt be a puppy. The country i had in mind was India/Pakistan.

I'm wondering if anyone has brought their dog to Australia from a non-aqis country (that is a country that Australia does not allow pets to be imported from). If so, what was the process and how difficult was it? Any additional information will be helpful.

I am after someone to wash my (large breed) dog, im wondering if anyone has any suggestions and how much i can expect to pay (for a standard wash). I am located in the Western Suburbs of Sydney.

Ahh thanks for the info. Are there any potential joint problems that this sport can cause?