~Anne~

That's good. Glad to see you've got it under control. I knew you would!

Are you sure she will be ok with your children? They were very active and noisy when I met them and I honestly would be concerned that the hustle and bustle of active children will make her nervous. I don't want of sound harsh, but I think you need to consider this a little more. Perhaps be prepared to look at seeking another home after a few weeks if it doesn't turn out? Ie think of her as a foster and don't get yourself attached or allow the children to get attached. She looks very similar to my Miss Molly. Miss Molly always hid under the bed when young children, or loud men, were in my house and yet she wasn't an overly nervous puss.

I can only offer advice from general knowledge of hygiene and disease control and having come into close contact with community acquired MRSA which is a staph infection in humans. A household bleach bath was recommended as bleach will kill the bug. Open sores that were infected were to be covered at all times so that contact could not be made with others or the environment. The bug, which as you have said, can be present but a normal immune system does not allow it to take hold. I was in very close contact with the bug but I never once developed any infection. I would think that you might wear an apron or overalls when washing the dogs? If the apron/overalls are cleaned regularly and not washed with things from the infected dog then that would be a start. Perhaps you should also wear gloves when working. Your tools should also be sterilised regularly and kept apart from any tools you might use for your dog. I'm not sure how long staph lives on surfaces. Perhaps if you find that out you might have ore idea of how cautious to be? I also agree with the above re:calling your vet and asking. I would also seek the advice from experienced groomers and see what they do to control the spread of infectious disease within their businesses.

A few questions first. I assume that your dog has a predisposition, perhaps immune related, that causes him to break out with staph infections? Is he always contagious or only during a break out? Is he a risk to all dogs or only those with immune illnesses?

Staph? As in Staphylococcus?

I hope you feel better soon. Rest and get off DOL, if not for your physical health, then for your mental health! :laugh:

Never let a dog lick a wound, particularly one with sutures! The skin will soften, stitches will tear out, and there is a huge risk of infection. No licking at all. Not one lick.

Agreed. Nice grassed runs, kennels set up high. As much as I hate to agree, my first thoughts were along the same vein.

I would assume that is what the 'receptionist' was looking at in the opening post. That is why I thought the criticism of the vet was a little unfair. If the records say the injection was given then how is he to remember otherwise.

Dog fighting does exist in Australia and undesirables and dirt bags also live in this country. Why wouldn't there be dogs stolen to be used as bait when is happens all across the world where the same two things exist: dog fighting and dirt bags.

In the NSW example the police did receive several reports and are investigating. The Police also made a public plea for information on the stolen dogs and asked for people whose dogs had recently gone missing from a particular neighbourhood to contact them. There is an increase, I believe, in dogs being stolen. It is assumed it is for dog fighting. One dog in Sydney had been found with severe injuries that may have been attributable to being mutilated by another dog or dogs.

Nasal mites? Never heard of them. Would mites cause a dog to be flat? Vomit? Could it be an infection in the nasal cavity or upper respiratory tract?

I would normally agree with not dragging her working life into personal life dramas, however in this instance she has used her working life to intimidate and bully. She is also bringing her employment into disrepute by linking it in such an appalling way.

Mita, you see, that is where the pug is different. It is nature, not nurture for them and it is not an individual trait, but a breed trait. Regardless of a lack of socialisation with children, they will still always be great with children. Obviously there will always be exceptions to the norm. I believe the Cav may be the same.

I agree the time lapse would mean the vet would not possibly remember if he did or didn't give the injection. He would know though if the drugs he is prescribing for the heart condition would be affected by the injection and if the injection would complicate the heart problem. I don't think the vet is incompetent and I think that is a tad harsh. Perhaps querying the bill at the time, when you first thought it seemed excessive, would have been far better. Can you recall the vet giving more than one injection to each dog? I don't know if they combine vacs and heartworm in one injection as I don't vaccinate mine.

Legal support officer - in other words, no legal training. She is an admin officer. I'd forward the email to her the legal firm she works for and tell them you are considering litigation and you'd like their advice.

Agree. I find the same with Boof. His nails always bleed and he hates his toes being touched.

Yes, I believe that pugs are the same. It is a breed trait. They just don't have human aggression in them..

Wow, Krystal Bellamy sounds like a true down to earth drop kick. What a seriously inappropriate response.

This is my point about preferences. Some of us want to live with a dog that doesn't shed. I don't mind mud, leaves, etc... but hair around the house makes MY hair stand on end. What's so wrong about knowing what you want, why should we justify it? The leaves and dirt are easy to clean up and certainly no where near as prolific as pug hair. I can manage the eye gunk wiped on furniture, the occasional passing of wind, the sneezing in my face and on furniture, the odd leaf, twig or wet foot prints but I am over the hair. It is exactly that - a preference. I prefer non-shedding in my future. I can't see why that makes people get so up in arms either.

I agree. They are a smelly kind of dog. Most people disagree with me when I say that but to me they have a strong dog odour when in comparison to many other breeds. This is the first time in a long while that i have witnessed someone who thinks the same. Just go a black, they don't shed nearly as much :D :laugh: I've had my share of black rescues although I confess to never owning a black pug. I still think the black rescues shed a lot and it was strange seeing their hair everywhere as I am used to fawn predominantly!

After a life time of pugs, I'm opting for a non shedding breed next... assuming there is a next. I'd even look at a non shedding breed of cat. I love my pugs and I can talk about the wonders of them forever but I am so. over. the. hair. My house is dog friendly. It's all wood floors, I have an auto vacuum, the dogs aren't allowed on the lounge but the hair is still everywhere. :laugh: I wash their beds weekly and run the covers through the drier but I cannot get the hair off the so they always look dirty to me.

I don't know of any pug that is non shedding. The hair is one of the most common reasons for them to be rehomed.

Boots start curling under within a matter of weeks. Olivia's are much slower to grow or she manages to wear them down better so hers are ok for a twice a year trim.

Reading back through your post history it seems you've had your fair share of issues with him. The boxer doesn't seem to be the breed for you and I can't see it ever getting better no matter how much you are attacked by some in this thread. He is better off going somewhere he will be understood. I wish your decision had have been made much earlier though. Have you also contacted his breeder to ask if they can assist with re-homing? Please think carefully before getting another dog. How do you think your pug will adjust to life without his mate?