Leema

I am asking this on behalf of a friend. She has a large cross breed who developed pancreatitis a couple of years ago. He has been fine after this initially bout, but then they went away and when they came back he was showing symptons of pancreatitis again. The vet has now got the dog on expensive Hills ID, and for such a large dog, it is getting very expensive for them. What alternative foods would you recommend for a dog with pancreatitis?

Clover was a very good excitement pee-er in her youth. She did do it for a long time. I just stopped her from getting excited. It was mostly meeting people (favourite thing in the world!) that got an excitement pee, so I asked visitors to ignore her for the first 10 minutes or so, then calmly greet her I think she 'grew out of it' as she developed bladder control, and had very few chances to practice the behaviour.

Sorry, I forgot about this. Thanks for your response, Petra. The link posted was useful.

I use off in a similar manner to what you have said. "Off" to leave something (e.g. food). "Off" to get off people. "Off" to get off the couch or the bed, etc. I use drop for lay down. I don't use "down" for anything (as yet). For not biting me I use "uh-uh" - because "uh-uh" is used in my house like many people use "no". But I more used removal of attention/myself to curb this, and allowing the dog other items to bite, to dissolve this habit. When my dogs learnt a cue for calm ("cuddly") I used that instead. Dogs a pretty clever. As long as you are consistent, you can use one cue to mean several things, if they are quite contextual. EDIT: I taught "off" furniture etc but clicking and treating the dog for jumping off the couch. I've found this to be great, as Clover flies off the couch with enthusiasm because she has formed such a positive association with getting off the couch.

I hope anyone with good links for me to read up on cryptorchidism could post those good links for me! I'm mostly interested in its inheritance. EDIT: Okay, just found something that called it autosomal recessive. It is as simple as this?

I feed/have fed: Beef heart Beef liver Lamb heart Lamb kidney Lamb tongue Chicken livers Chicken hearts These are just things easily accessible to me. I am happy to feed many more things that I don't have access to readily.

Please do post details when they are available.

Clover has a big year coming up. :D I want her to get a title this year... Earthdog or tracking seem most likely, but conformation might just sneak up on us and we might manage to send in an entry form for CCD.

Rugerfly, how did you vote? Everyone who voted 'only breeds that are affected' - how is a breed defined as affected?

If you can keep her safe from pregnancy, then there is no need to get her desexed, ever.

I'm bumping this to get more votes. :D

Some questions I've been pondering...

I have only had one person that I've talked to about Aberfoyle Park, and they were really enthusiastic about that vet. (I work at boarding kennels and if it's a new clinic to me, I ask "What are they like?" or will try to have a chat about popular one - the Colonel Lights Gardens one has been very highly recommended.) As for Southern Animal Hospital being pricey - well, when I was ringing around for costs for desexing, theirs were right up there! I have only used them for emergencies (or worried mum syndrome) so don't know how their other consults go for pricing. I also have really liked some vets there, but were a bit neh about others. (I adore Mary!!) Hallet Cove vet was the cheapest I could find up my way for desexing. There are a few vets I -DON'T- recommend... But obviously can't say such here! Only one of them has been mentioned so far.

Thanks for the replies. I think the straps with the hole in them wouldn't be useful for Clover. We haven't played ball the last few weeks as I don't want to aggravate the healing grazes before we go to Vic shows... Then we will try the stay and release after ball has stopped suggestion...

Thank-you for the additional comments. I appreciate all input I've received.

I had a very good vet - Dr Douglas Wilson at 'the Holistic Vet'. They have since closed and now offer 'holistic services' once a month instead. :| I will go see them in the new year and see how different it is... Dr Wilson isn't there anymore and I really did like him. I have used The Southern Animal Hospital in emergencies but have really liked the staff there when I have. I have heard good things about: The Brighton Vet (Brighton Rd, Brighton) Colonel Light Veterinary Clinic. (59 Springbank Road COLONEL LIGHT GARDENS) Though I haven't personally been to either.

Rural Pet Meats are a good one on Sth Rd, near Hilltop Pet & Aquarium Centre. When I haven't seen any supermarket specials for a while, and my stocks are getting low, then I go there to get meals. They have a 'fatty' and a 'lean' beef mince, which I like... Also love their roo bones and lamb necks.

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/%20Dog1/levels.html - I found this great for creating targets for yourself.

I'm in Adelaide, but would consider going to an event in Victoria regarding Rally Obedience depending on timing.

Thank-you for your links and information. I learnt some new things. Thanks.

I don't know if it's resource guarding, but it sounds like she is bite mapping - whether this is because of resources or something else I don't know...

Does anyone have any experience with Legg-Perthes Disease? Does anyone have any recommendations for websites to read up about the disease? I am particularly interested in its heritability.

My dog has had a murmur, diagnosed at ~12weeks. The vet recently called it a grade "4 to 3.5" murmur, but Mac has not been affected by the murmur, as far as we can tell. I am unsure if murmurs can get 'worse' as time goes by... I would not be worried with this pet puppy having a grade 1 murmur if it stayed at this level.

I found this today and found it very interesting... For those with involvement with a particular breed, how accurate do you believe it is? http://www.nzymes.com/articles/hereditary_...ses_in_dogs.htm For border terriers, cardiomyopathy is left out - otherwise, it seems fairly complete.

I'm sorry to hear about your girl. I don't have any experience with elbow issues, but your story reminded me of this article. It might be worth a read for you. http://www.silvia.trkman.net/agilityisgood.htm