~Anne~

I agree. Our vet describes herself as a holistic vet. She's as good & experienced at the medical/surgery side, as she is at supplements & diet. The tibs are so healthy, thanks to her. I've learned, too, how deceptive the labelling of many of the dog products are. It's so important....& revealing...to read the actual ingredients. I have an article somewhere at home that goes into detail about the labelling issues with pet food. I was really shocked to read some of it. I will see if I can locate it and post it online.

What has evolution done to the digestion process of dogs now, compared to dogs then? I don't know the definitive answer, but evolution alters many things, not just the physical appearance. Dietary requirements of canines now I imagine would be different to what they were at the dawn of time. Many dogs nolonger require stamina and strength and many more breeds have been introduced along these lines as well. I see it similar to the human appendix. I have heard (although I haven't researched it) that the appendix is slowly becoming obsolete in the human body. This is, I assume, because the human is evolving too. I could be very wrong in my line of thought though. You can alter phyiscal appearance in one generation. You CANNOT alter anything on an internal functional level over even a few generations. Not on a noticable level anyway - it takes a lot longer and it a lot slower than that. The appendix theory actually relates to the question about whether it used to be a second stomach. This would have been utilised back before man ate meat and was eating only foliage and possibly grains and actually REQUIRED more than one stomach for that digestion like other Ruminants do. So how long ago was that? It wasn't 50 years, it was probably tens of thousands, yet the organ still exists in a non functioning form. Does that give you some idea of how long evolution takes? This theory is only theory and there are other schools of thought that say that the appendix exists for a whole other set of reasons. To propose that dogs digestive systems have been able to evolve to be able to utilise all this new food, when they've evolved to eat a diet of mostly raw meat for their whole existance through time, is one of the most misinformed theories that I've ever come across. The fact that dogs now look like very specific breeds does not alter their gut function because evolution just doesn't work that quickly. I am not proposing or even trying to suggest in any way that evolution occurs in a few generations. To think so would be plainly stupid and to assume I was thinking that is possibly even more stupid. Dogs have been domesticated for around 15,000 years I believe, and in extistance for possibly up another 15,000 years before domestication. Domestication has seen their needs change from being hunters to scavenger-hunters. Studies show clearly that the canine has evolved. In fact, it has evolved from the wolf. Add to this the fact that we now selectively breed dogs and you have a canine that now no longer requires stamina nor does it have any hunting need or drive in some breeds. Has this altered the digestive system? I have no real idea as I stated. However, it can't be discounted. Can 15,000 years of different nutritional and energy needs and 15,000 years of scavenger food from humans, cause the canine digestive tract to evolve? I think it can. Does this mean dogs can live on a grain based diet in this day and age? They do, so obviously they can, but is this because of an adaptation or evoluntionary process? Possibly. I don't have the answers and can only base my opinions on what I know, read and understand. I am always open to learning though.

What has evolution done to the digestion process of dogs now, compared to dogs then? I don't know the definitive answer, but evolution alters many things, not just the physical appearance. Dietary requirements of canines now I imagine would be different to what they were at the dawn of time. Many dogs nolonger require stamina and strength and many more breeds have been introduced along these lines as well. I see it similar to the human appendix. I have heard (although I haven't researched it) that the appendix is slowly becoming obsolete in the human body. This is, I assume, because the human is evolving too. I could be very wrong in my line of thought though.

I used them with a blind and deaf rescue who had never lived inside a house and was 8 years old and not neutered when he came to me. I had to try and train him, discourage him from marking and also get him to recognise and learn the way to get outside to wee....not an easy feat! We relied very heavily on belly bands. I used the no-name brand super sanitary pads for him inside. The bigger and the more absorbent the better!!

Where are they juice? I use Petbarn at Blacktown these days.

I don't believe so. Where in a dog's natural state have they ever consumed grains and cooked meat? They aren't designed for it and they've only been fed these in large amounts over such a short time that there hasn't been time for "evolution". The health problems for dogs have increased many times since kibble was introduced. In my opinion, to suggest that dogs will have more health problems eating what they evolved to eat than the dried, cooked meat, preservative filled manufactured food just doesn't make sense. It's akin to saying that our children would be healthier eating Cheesy Mac, 2 minute noodles and sausages for every meal (well they keep growing and they have "energy" don't they??) than they would be eating salads, lean meats and wholegrains. I don't care what people feed their dogs - whatever you reckon works. But I will challenge opinions such as these. BL - you have misconstrued the intent of my statements. I am not an advocate of feeding dogs anything in particular, least of all a diet made up of 100% commercial food. I was referring to the high number of people now feeding raw/barf who have little or no knowledge of a canine's nutritional needs. This is what will cause health issues. I acknowledge that I have little expert knowledge of canine nutritional needs, even though I have researched it, and my belief is that people mistakenly now think they are experts on canine diets because they read on the net that 'this' was good for dogs and that 'this' was bad for dogs. Some of the information I read is alarming and dangerous. Different dogs have different needs. Raw advocates tend to lump all dogs/breeds in one basket. Therein the danger lies. Personally, I feed primarily a balanced raw diet. I also feed some kibble. I am not a fan of preservatives in human or canine diets. I base my dog's diets on the same philosophy as I base my own and my families, which centres around natural foods. Edited - I don;t beleive that grains are the root of all evil or that grains or commercial diets are the cause of the ills of our dogs either. I agree with this person's thinking.

Is it really grains that are affecting our dogs though? I don't believe it is. I feed my cat and all my dogs a combination, including some kibble, and I find it suits them perfectly. Personally, I feel we will see far more health problems in the future, from a lack of proper nutrition, which will be directly attributable to the raw/barf push.

Ouch, it sounds painful.

Rescues, in Australia, routinely desex puppies and kittens from the age of 6 weeks - 12 weeks. Vets are mostly fine with this.

Monika I am so, so, so very sorry. I can well imagine how deeply this must cut you. *hugs* my friend. I am always here if you need a shoulder. RIP Rex.

With my own dogs, I would rather wait a little longer before desexing, but then I know I am responsible and in the event I had a bitch come into season earlier then expected I would keep her safe. I would also delay desexing of my males due to the same mindset. In having said that, all my life I have desexed cats and dogs no later than 6 months of age and I am yet to see any issues because of it. I have heard that dogs become 'leggy' but, let's face, if you aren't showing (which you obviously aren't if your are desexing) then who cares if the legs appear a little longer? Does it seriously matter? I think you should make the decision that is right for you. Research, but look at all sides of the debate as objectively as possible and come to your own conclusions. After all, you are still going to desex and not allow any accidentla breeding, and that is the important thing.

I have a little Pug that is prone to UTIs and crystals. I encourgae her to drink by making a warm broth each morning from a touch of her food. I give it to all of them. Usually, when a rescue first arrives they don't drink i t but I offer it each day and within a few days they begin to lap at it and within a week they are eagerly awaiting for it.

Nice!

I would also be happy to donate fabric. I am totally useless at anything even remotely associated with sewing.

Does she also drag her bottom or attempt to scratch it? I have a little Pug who did this although she wasn't dragging her bottom exactly, but the area just in front which I didn't really notice immediately. I just assumed she was bottom dragging. I assumed, as most would, that it anal sac related but it wasn't. I ruled out worms as they are regularly wormed with Sentinel Spectrum. It was worse during heat and humidity too. I was stumped until one day looking at the area around her vulva and anus and I noticed the fur had that purple/red tinge that is associated with irritated skin. It turned out that she had a very deep pocket/crease on either side of her vulva and this had some kind of tinea type fungus infection. I began bathing it every day with Malaseb and the problem resolved itself. It comes back every time we have high humidity though. As soon as I notice her begining to try and scratch I treat her with the Malaseb.

Sorry to hear that.

I am not sure if this has been mentioned, but I also feel that the decrease is attributable to the disatisfaction felt by many breeders due to increase in legislation that covers areas such as BSL and tail-docking. I think the oodle popualrity and increasing pressure on breeders to 'prove their worth' have also taken its toll. Where once it was automatically assumed that a purebred dog breeder sold quality, now it has to be proven again and again. Pressure from peers and the public alike.

Hopefully she will soon regain her confidence. Sadly, some never do. I know one little Pug that was put to sleep as he never regained his relaxed state and was living a life of fear and confusion. In my experience, the dogs I have had here that are blind and one that was blind and deaf, handled their disability really, really well though and it was all good for them. I was always amazed actually at how well they handled it all.

Still sending all the vibes I can. We all look forward to your recovery Jed.

Oh wow!!! It is fabulous ILTBY!

One can only hope that the vomit and mess wasn't from a dog that was ill with parvo, carona, coccidiosis or something equally as deathly to a young pup. I would not be using that transport company again and I would be very wary of the breeder too. (edited for spelling)

Happy Birthday Julie (aka Steve) for tomorrow today. I hope your day is truly wonderful, you deserve it. You are an inspiration to so many of us.

Great. Hopefully one of those links will provide fruitful for you and be able to help. Good luck.

Is he desexed? If he isn't then I would only offer him to someone after you have him in for desexing. You can re-home him for the cost of desexing him.