twodoggies2001

The absolutely time I give either of my boys boiled chicken with rice is when they have had an upset tummy and just starting to eat again. Be assured,this is only a temporary measure.

Was the slipping the main reason for not wanting the floorboards? No, the slipping was not a problem for the boys, but for me it was the scratching of the polished floorboards and when we moved out after 2 years, the entire floor had to be repolished, because the area that was mostly 'scratched' could not be successfully done without it showing up like a sore thumb. We had the open living style of house and still do in this place . Thew tiles are now so easy and the place looks fabulous.

We have recently moved back into our fully renovated home and we opted to put tiles throughout the bottom floor, including our bedroom and carpet upstairs. The dogs choose not to go up there because we are mainly downstairs anyway. We do have rugs down and they can lie on them if they choose, but they do have their own beds. I have lived with them on carpet and polished boards and would not do so again.

ditto

I can't honestly see the difference it makes what the breed of the attacking dog makes. The fact is that the building contractor's dog attacked a neighbour's pet dog. It wouldn't matter if the attacker was a miniature poodle. The building contractor was negligent in not containing his dog and if I remember correctly, a law was passed making it illegal to have dogs on building sites. The problem here is that it seems to be some sort of a status symbol for tradesmen to be accompanied by their dog, but if they do their job properly, they can't work and supervise their dog at the same time. I attend a specialist vet clinic and opposite the premises, there is building going on. One of the tradies had his dog there and he/she was crossing a busy road doing it's own thing. With the comings and goings to the clinic, could have been an unfavourable outcome probably without the knowledge of the owner. In either of these cases, both owners are irresponsible and the owner of the attacking dog should, I believe face his responsibilities and cover all the costs of rehabilitating this poor little pom.

My two are also fed 100% raw. The have only eaten commercially prepared food when they arrived into our household and were gradually weaned over to the raw and natural. My garage fridge is more for them than it is for our use.

I would be very careful about feeding huge meals at this point. If it were me, I would be offering small meals throughout the day for the time being. I am not sure what a Bambi ear is but I certainly would not offer a pig's ear as they are too fatty. I omitted to say in my earlier post is that yes, his shivering could very well be due to pain, and that pain could have been caused by a tummy bug which has come and gone. That's the reason I advised to go slow with his feeding etc.

I would be very careful about feeding huge meals at this point. If it were me, I would be offering small meals throughout the day for the time being. I am not sure what a Bambi ear is but I certainly would not offer a pig's ear as they are too fatty.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I feel I will start looking around now for an older pup. You never know when this pup will come up. It's not often that schnauzers are rehomed. I think my best bet is most likely through a breeder who has a pup that for showing and future breeding didn't come up to scratch, so to speak and the two youngsters need to be compatible. Oh what fun is ahead of me now

We have two minis, one 13 next month, and almost totally blind, which hasn't had an affect on his finding his way around the house and garden and is in failing health. the other boy is 3 in a couple of days who wants to play most of the time with our older boy, just as he used to when he was first brought into our family. I would prefer to have a slightly older pup say around 8 months or so as all the baby things have been attended to . OH would prefer a baby puppy. Should I start looking now, or should I wait until the inevitable? I also need to consider the 2 dog policy for the suburbs from the local council's ruling.

I think that's it in a nutshell. People just don't understand.

It seems that he has turned over a new page. Perhaps he now realises the evils of puppy mills and I say, give him the benefit of the doubt. You're dammed if you do and you're dammed if you don't.

These were my thoughts exactly. At thirteen, this youngster would have the ability to have taken some action unless of course, (and I'm not saying this to be nasty,) the child also has some mental issues.

I must agree. Not all small dogs are hell bent on attacking the big boys. I have mini schnauzers, and there are times when the big dogs make a pest of themselves and the owners just say that he/she only wants to play. I have never stopped my boys from interacting with the big dogs unless I notice any sort of too rough or aggressive behaviour, and that is from both sides. I agree, it makes no difference what size the dog is, he/she needs to be trained and treated the same way. No excuse whatsoever for size, but there are times on reading some of these type of posts, it's big dogs versus small dogs. We chose to keep the breed that we have and they are all dogs, loved by their keepers.

Thanks Erny. Thankfully, Benson was brighter this morning and has eaten two small amounts of rice and cooked chicken fillet. I'm taking it slowly and for now, he seems to be coping. Sonia

My boy Benson, almost 13 yr. old mini schnauzer had an attack of pancreatitis around 18mths ago. He hasn't wanted to eat today, and I didn't force him, even thought he has trouble keeping weight on. I am very aware of not feeding him any fatty foods and tonight he vomited up yellow bile. Yesterday, after me being out most of the day, I found in one of the rooms a 'puddle' which was clear liquid. At the time, I didn't twig that it could be vomit, but now I feel it could well have been. If there is no significant improvement by tomorrow morning, I will take him to the vet. He doesn't seem to be in any pain right now, but I know that he is a stoic little fellow. Poor boy. These last two years he has been through so much with him losing an eye due to chronic dry eye, even though he was and still is under an animal eye care specialist, and now the other eye is failing. He also has dementia. How much more can the little guy take?

Well, why wouldn't the vet say that? They make money our of the sales. I have read on other forums that dogs have choked on these greenies and I have never offered them to my boys.

Exactly my thoughts :D + 2

Just got a call from the vet. There were 4 specialists that looked at the xrays and found there was nothing to worry about. Thank G-d it's not what I was dreading. I was on tenterhooks until the call. I wish I wasn't told it could be something bad, but then again, the feeling of utter relief is overwhelming :D. Thanks to those who answered my thread. It really makes difference knowing I'm not alone.

I know that's not the news I want to hear, but the vet seems to think it is cancer. She calls it 'something sinister' . I have been trying to prepare myself mentally, and in my heart I feel there will not be a good outcome. I really don't want to put him through more than is necessary, and if it is to be, then I know I will feel when it's time to just let him go. Bugger, I just wish he wasn't so sweet and loving. He has never been a destructive dog, and he's just spoiled the whole family with his goodness.

An update on Benson. The good news is that he didn't lose any weight, but actually gained 100 gms, and was weighed on an empty stomach. On top of all his problems, I noticed a tooth that was very loose before going to out appointment yesterday, so of course he had a dental done. The vet suggested that whilst he is under, to perhaps take an xray of his heart seeing that he has a grade 2 murmer. They saw an enlarged heart and a mass and something not quite right with his lungs. They are forwarding this xray to a specialist, (don't know who) to have a look and see what can be made of this finding. I'm battling with the thought of surgery. I really don't want to put him through this, but no decision will be made until we know more.

Firstly, where did the op say the dog was better off dead. I didn't see that. Now. you have reinforced what I said about a male getting to a bitch in season. If the young bitch in question is chained in the back yard, then what hope is there to stop her being mated? You yourself said a large ridgeback tried to break down your laundry door and you have seen a tie through a mesh fence. They are still irresponsible owners. She's probably escaping BECAUSE she is in season. What do you think they will do with the pups if they eventuate? Nobody is saying they are as you quote 'bastards'. That's a ridiculous statement to make.

He's on this drug, 1/4 twice a day.

Sorry, but I tend to agree with the original poster. If these people know their dog is a seasoned escapee, then for heavens sake, do something about it!!! Now that she's in season, even if she was chained, which by the way is not an ideal way for this dog to live, if she got out, then there is no doubt in my mind that an entire male dog could get in when he gets a whiff of a bitch in season. These people sound to me to be irresponsible owners and perhaps don't deserve to have a dog. Would you do this if you had an entire bitch?

what do you mean by this? He gets a bone to gnaw for breakfast? I would be giving him 3 meals a day, warm them slightly if you can to body temperature to help his digestion and body as well. DIgestion takes quite a few calories, it has to be warmed to the right temp for enzymes to work! Dont make the food 'warm' to touch or you may kill off the enzymes you add to his food. He gets either chicken necks, wings, chicken backs or baby veal ribs with a little meat on them. These of course are bones that he can actually eat, not just gnaw at. I will in future warm his meaty meals from now on. Thanks for the suggestion. I think tomorrow the vet and I will have a real heart to heart. The really confusing part is that he doesn't act sick, and is always more than willing to come and eat his meals.