matilda1

Just to add though, I live in the hills in outer eastern victoria and it gets pretty cold here in winter, but I still see the odd mosquito around and there are still days over 14 degrees in winter. I will definately find out who conducted this study for you, but personlly I still would NOT gamble with heartworm. Just my personal choice

sorry, I don't have a link. I work In ECC and we are updated on studies as such. I will investigate this for you.

Hi, I'm new around here and just read your thread with great interest as I have a 10 week old ACD puppy. Firstly I want to commend you on a job well done with your puppy. It sounds like you have heartfelt dedication and really love him (mind you who wouldn't love such an adorable pup) Well done on conquring this 'phase' I'm still waiting for Katie to hit this phase. She amazingly has not started the whole herding and ankle biting yet, but I am sure it's not far away, so I am arming myself with all the advice I can get in anticipation. We are just starting the jumping up behaviour but we seem to be dealing with it OK. I have been very very lucky with my puppy so far. The breeder did a SUPERB job with her when she was very young and she seems a very well adjusted and easy to train puppy so far. So easy, I keep wondering if there is something wrong. I have a friend who is a dog trainer and she calls Katie the Labrador in the blue heeler jacket as she is so incredibly easy going. I must admit I did choose her out of the litter as this personality trait was quite obvious when I played with her and the litter mates. I am sure she will push the boundaries and test the waters at some stage. Again, I am sorry for the lengthy post, I really just wanted to say WELL DONE !

Hi, I just wanted to add well wishes for the patient And also add that I think he's doing very well just to be a 9 year old male ENTIRE boxer. That's a testament to a long, healthy and loving life and you want to be very proud of that

coud be anything from her first season to a UTI.

Veterinary research has shown this not to be the case. I would NOT gamble with heartworm....I've seen what they do if a dog is infected. It's not nice.

Good old Chuckey Does do a great job

very very cute puppy Could have some Cocker in there somewhere?

Mast cell tumours are nasty things. My heart goes out to you and your dog. The ONLY way to effectively treat a mast cell tumour is to surgically remove it with a good margin of healthy cells as well. Even then the chances of another returning later in life are great. These are well known for spreading through the system. My JRT has a MCT when he was only 2 years old. He is now 5 and I am watching him like a hawk. I am also a Vet Nurse, so I probably watch closer than I should. Most dogs who have had MCT's in younger years will present with cancer or masses internally in later life. MCT's in later life are a tricky situation as removal is not always a viable option. I hope it all works out for you. Sending you good health and happiness

Hi, I am new to the forum, and new to the whole 'breeder' thing. I am however a Emergency and Critical care vet nurse so I was reading this thread with interest. We also have an Ophthalmologist working out of our clinic once a week. I hope Chowie improves and recovers quickly for you, he is obviously well loved and cared for. and he looks like a very nice dog. Are 'buyers' really entitiled to a refund from breeders if something like this happens down the track after purchase? I am not arguing this comment at all, I would have NO CLUE about this, it just surprises me. Is the breeder responisble for this even months after purchase? I would have thought that after purchase and perhaps the initial 2-3 week health guarantee that some breeders give, it's no longer a responsability they are liable for. I see many dogs (and cats) with hereditary or breed related health rpoblems, and it's just unfortunately part of those breeds. One has to do their homework (which in this case was clearly done) and then make a decision if you are willing to take the chances with that particular breed with those particular tendancies. Can a breeder really be responsible for this down the track? I have my dog insured, as I know what kind of conditions she is predisposed to, I viewed the parents and asked for hip scoring, PRA testing and eye testing of the parents. That's all you ca do really.....what happens as she matures in my mind is not on the breeder. Again, I am just curious about this, in no way am I implying any ill feelings towrads your post or you in any way.

I have always had fussy rain puppies, and my current 9 week old blue heeler pup just LURVES the rain and wet grass. When normally 'walking' down the porch steps to toilet outside, if it is raining or the grass is wet she MUST face plough off the steps and roll in the wet grass, rub our face and body all over it, do some spinns in mid air to cover mums legs in some wet grass too...and only after this ritual will we pee

Unfortunately I do not have the luxury to pick a good time to travel. katie needs to come with me to work and pretty much where ever I go at the moment. I have noticed though that for her, she is worse at night. Somehow she always knows when we are going OUT and when we are coming HOME. She's always better on the way home. She doesn't hate the car as such, doesn't cry or whine at all, but does vomit even if not fed prior. She gets over it very quickly and does not stay nauseous afterward, so I am hopeful she will conquer this in time.

I always thought it was dominance related too, and had nothing to do with sexual behaviour at all. We have a parson JRT and he is very anxious, he humps my husbands leg sometimes when he doesn't want him to leave the room. So in his case it is fear/anxiety related. I think different dogs do it for many different reasons, but believe it has nothing to do with sexuality at all.

I have just purchased my first puppy from a breeder (all my others are rescues) and we have stayed in touch via email and facebook. She's lovely, only a very small kennell. We will go and visit sometime when Katie is bigger to say 'hello' She's over the other side of Melbourne so a fair trip, but it's nice to keep in touch and she is keen to see Katie when she's a little bigger. I found her very genuine and caring.

I love the way we in the Veterinary field come up with impressive names for things

We use these in our vet practice with great success. You eliminate the risk of scolding (which is high with hot water bottles) and they keep their heat longer. place it under her blanket though, don't allow direct contact with the skin to be safe. Or put a hot water bottle cover around it. I think you can get covers for them too. I am not sure what a good price is as we get them through a veterinary supply company, but this price seems quite good. Not too much of a mark up on what we pay. http://www.ozpetshop.com.au/product_info.php/products_id/683

Thanks for your advice. She used to travel on the back seat with a dog cover on it, like a sling which stops them falling off the seat. She quite liked it there, and then she worked out how to jump over it. This is too dangerous while driving. She doesn't actually dislike the car, and I make sure I spend time with her in there with toys and treats too so that it's not always a trip which ends in nausea. I'm a vet nurse so have access to many medications which can help, but I would prefer her to get used to the motion and I don't want her sedated. Maropitant is good and will not sedate but it's quite expensive and I usually only do short trips so it's not really worth it. If I was travelling for an hour or more I would consider this as an option. My longest trip on my usual routes is only about 1/2 hour. I purchased a herbal remedy for another dog a while back but this made him quite drowsy and didn't help the nausea much, so I threw that in the bin. Will definately try the ginger. Thank you from Katie

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and just wanted some opions and experiences from other dog owners out there. I have recently purchased a lovely Blue Heeler puppy. She's very sweet and well behaved. She does however suffer from some car sickness. I do not feed her prior to planned trips and she travels in a crate in the back of my four wheel drive so she is safe and secure. She does however vomit when I am driving through a lot of corners etc. She seems to be ok on freeways. She has just turned 9 weeks and I thought she was getting better as the vomiting had ceased somewhat but now she is starting to salivate and drool while in the car. my question is this, will she grow out fo it? I know part of their ear canal does not fully develop until a few months of age and this can affect travel sickness. Do any of you have any experiences with this you can share?