~Anne~

Like it or lump it there is a legitimate registry for Labradoodles. Whilst they may not be an ANKC recognised breed, they are a breed of sorts.

I would think he was referring to laryngeal saccules that were everted and causing partial obstruction. The saccules are noted in the diagram too. Good to hear he is doing well. He will need some soft mushy food for the next few days, and he may gag and cough a bit for a week or so, but nothing keeps a Pug dwon for long.

That was probably during post-ictal cocker lover?? Monte, my Pug crashes into things as if he is blind during this phase.... he's a bit lik htose cars that bump into things and then change direction only to bump into something else and then change direction again..........

Phenobarbital can cause some mild aggression as can the affect of seizures. The docility should abate after some weeks as his body adjusts to the medication. He should also have an increased thirst and an increase in hunger. It can also make them more restless, even though they are more lethargic.... if that makes sense.

I am sure verything will go well. Here is a diagram that might help you a little. The cartlidges that the Vet has referred to are below the larynx, within the area of the laryngeal saccules to my knowledge. The issue with them being deformed or weak is that they collapse inwards and this blocks the airway.

He is only young though isn't he? In my experience, dogs rarely show symptoms until they reach at least 18 months of age. Some that have severe cases obviously show them much earlier but these are rare. I have heard of a few in the US where the larynx have collapsed in young pups but I have never heard of that happening here in Aus. I am sure he will be fine. We have put several rescues through brachy surgery and they have all recovered successfully, so it is all good.

PK is caused by irritation. Irritation can be caused by dry eye, distichiasis, entropian and exposure (also called keratopathy). Keratopathy is caused by the inability of the eyelids to close over the eyeball. Unless you treat the problem, it is almost like chasing your tail. If it is keratopathy they can sometimes operate to enable the eye to full close. If it is dry eye, the most common thing is to treat for life with drops, both distichiasis and entropian can be fixed through surgery as well. It sounds like your Vet thinks perhaos it is dry eye or keratopathy?

What is the cause of the PK?

Surgery will alleviate the problem to some extent. To my knowledge, they will operate to open up the airways as much as possible to alleviate the pressure of the larynx and to prevent a collapse of the cartilages. Sadly, it is not a good start to his life though however, with careful mamangement, surgery and prevention, he should live to a nice age. You must be even more cautious with him though compared to even other Pugs. He will be more at risk of breathing complications for life and will need to be kept very fit and healthy. Keep the weight off him, walk him regularly, avoid the heat and humidity. Is this little guy a pedigree? If so, contact his breeder and let them know of the issue.

I see nothing wrong with it. As some have already stated, I would think of the dogs as being inferior, but that is all. Years ago, that is exactly what people thought. It was fine to own a cross bred, but it was inferior to the purebred. I think it is time we moved back to that line of thinking. This great divide that has been cast is a blight on the dog world. Why not have faith in the supriority of the purebred dog and not be so fearful of the mutt.

Legz, I am so sorry to hear about your little one. Increased thirst is another side effect of PB, this will also correspond with an increase in urine output. It is important to note though that the increase may also be related to something else, just as the ataxia may also be. Other side effects of PB include - restlessness, increased appetite and an increase in aggression in some dogs. I haven't heard of the aggression being very common though but all other side effects are very common. Your dog may also experience nausea and the PB should always be given with food. It must also be given every 12 hours as the drug drops dramatically in their system after 12 hours and they are at risk of seizure again. PB can take up to 3 months to settle in the system, not days as your Vet advised. We usually see the body adjust to any new dosages within about 3 weeks though in our dog.

He probably put her dog on PB so quickly because seizures can be very dangerous, especially in an aged dog. Epilepsy can come on at any age, it does not always rear its ugly head in young dogs. Epilepsy is not a clarified "disease" either, it is a label given to seizures of unknown causes. Horrible, horrible condition to have or to witness. I have never ever heard of epilepsy in an aged dog and it is not something a Vet would even consider I wouldn't think. The most common onset time of epilepsy is usually between the ages of 18months - 4 years. I know personally what it is like to live with a dog with epilepsy. I have a Pug that was diagnosed with epilepsy more than 5 years ago. I live and breath epilepsy, it's causes, the new research and the old research. Althoguh, I am far from expert.

The wonkiness you refer to is called ataxia. One of the many side affects of phenobarbital (PB) is ataxia. Your dog, being the age she is, will not have epilepsy and only further testing will find out what is causing the seizures. Seizures can be due to disease (cancer and similar), toxins (insecticides and insect bites) and trauma (a bump on the head). It could be a tumour or growth anywhere on her glands in any part of her body, a growth on the brain, liver issues and many other possibilities. I am surprised that the Vet put her on PB so quickly. Normally, they would wait to see if there was going to be a pattern or more seizures. I can understand why you would be hesitant in putting an aged dog through the test and I also understand the costs associated with these tests.

Interesting, but the scenarios he describes do not fit my epileptic sadly.

I'll bet it is something like Hillsong Church? Hillsong encourage wealth. In fact, talk to any regualr Hillsong member and they will usually start telling you ways to increase your wealth. There is also another that is simialr to Hillsong, but I can't recall the name of it. Most religious groups do not actively support wealth as they think of it as encouraging evil or whatever, but not Hillsong.

Interestingly, the NSW DET already has a program that operates in schools. The program is much broader based though and includes farm animals and such. I wonder why they are not just expanding the existing unit with roles specificly for this purpose?

I now have a girl after many years of having only boys, Olivia is her name. Alika Alchemy Amber Amelia Amy x 2 Anais Anastacia (Annie) Angel x 3 Anishinaabe Anna April Ariane Arizona Asante sana Ashka Askari Astro Audrey Aura Ayla Baba Baci Bailey Becky Bella x2 Bit Blossom Bonny Bree Bridie Buffy Cally Cara Cassie Cedar Chelsea Chloe x 2 Charlotte Cinta CJ Claire Claudia Clover Cleoparta Cleo Coco x2 Daisy x 1 Dakota Delilah Delta Dexta Durham Dyzney Ebony Echo Elizabeth Ella Ellie Ellie Elly Emily Emma Erin Fanta Finta Glitter Grace Griffin Gypsy x2 Harlow Hayley x2 Heddy Heidi Holly x 5 Honey Honour Imogen - Imy Jay Jay Jazz Jelly Jezebel Jindi Jodie Kara Karmen Katie Kayla Kenzie Kiesha Kizzey Krissy Kuean - (Queen) Lacey Lady Layla Lea (lele) Lily x 1 Logan Lottie Lucy x3 Mable Marie Claudette Marlo Meg Merrique Mia Millie x2 Minnie Mischka Molly x3 Molly Coddle Mya Nala Narla Natasha Ness Nova Olivia Pearl Peggie Perri Pip Pixie Popcorn Porridge Reba Rommi Rosey Roxy Ruby x3 Sabrina Sally Sascha x 2 Satu Shae Shandy Sharnie Sheba Shine Sinta Skye Sophie x2 Sparky Springy Spook Stella Stimpy Storm Sue Tansy Tara Tayla Teegan Tess Tia Tilba Tilly x3 Tinny (tin tin) Tori Trixie Tully Vada Voodoo Winter Wilhelmina Xanthe Ziva Zoe

Oh well Anne, I'd miss out on the dogs you have available for rehoming. BTW I DO realise how difficult it is with the rescue stuff. Especially coordinating things - been there, done that, and miss it terribly these days. You are obviously a much better person than I am - you are still involved in rescue I am not rescuing anymore. I also took the line that if they were really interested, they would continue the discussion. I had more people wanting to adopt than Pugs available so I was easy either way. They were always advised to complete an application form or given an opening to continue dialogue. If they didn't choose to do either, it didn't matter and I hadn't wasted too much time on a potential 'query only' email. The point i was making thugh was that you can not tell if someone is ethical or not simply by a reply email. Sometimes, there are circumstances that lead to an email that may not meet an individual's expectations.

If any of the respondents were from the kennels being discussed then they seriously need to learn some customer service skills. If you were my employees I would have you re-trained or get rid of you. In my view, the best response you could have given here was to contact the OP and insist on investigating their complaints, with assurances that you would ensure it didn't happen again if you were found to be doing the wrong thing or offering sub-standard service. Perhaps even offer a free day or two for the next time. Let's face it, you would have come across to everyone who read DOL as professional, willing to look at all sides of the story and a business worth referring on to new customers. As it is, you have left a bad impression and it appears the place employs people who don't understand what service is.

Do you realise though that many rescues can recieve in excess of 50 emails a day. Sorry, but there is no way I would spend time and energy on each email enquiry in order to do some 'serious grilling'. We are talking about the initial contact and the response. I always respond, I am always polite regardless of their writing skills, but I do not spend a great deal of time in the response unless I have loads of time ...which I normally don't.

I can't see that an answer to an email enquiry can be construed either way really, unless they made statements such as "the pups will not be registered" or similar. I quite often answered emails with very simple responses for my rescue, which I am sure, to some could have been construed as unethical or not very satisfying. I know though that when a query gets to a point where it is serious, I will seriously check them out however. Until then, I don't waste a lot of time unless I have the time and energy to waste. Many email enquiries are what I term as 'tyre kickers' and they are just testing the waters. Many will also have emailed a few others asking the same questions.

I suspect a lot of that is the sheep mentality. Maybe in times past, it wasn't a good thing to do, but in this current climate the purebred needs to be out there as attainable, available, and a dog for the every day person.

x2. It's not the method of advertising that counts but the care in home selection I agree.

Steve, I have a close friend who lives in Taree (Upper Lansdowne), who I think would be able to be a buddy. Call me.

If they chose and independant breed then it would be fine, once the dog has become an adult. However, a young pup needs far more stimulation in my view. I have re-homed many dogs to professionals who work long hours. The easiest and simplest solution for them was to hire a dog walker. Dog walkers are cheap and can come once, twice or 10 times a week to walk your dog. If they are unable to provide this, I'd recomend getting 2 dogs.