coogie

So hard, I hope you get some improvement. She looks a very special girl, she is lucky to have you. I'll keep checking in, our hydrotherapist is looking at another treatment at the moment, I am not entirely clear on the details but it sounded like a type of TENS machine for dogs. She is hoping to have a demo model in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know if it looks like it maybe of any help at all. She is great and very blunt in her assessment of new treatments so I do trust her judgement. Just saw the video, I've never seen that before, only heard about it. It must be very distressing for you.

I really feel for you Ness, we had no choice with either surgery so weren't in the same position, other than the aspect of having a chronically lame , very young dog whose head constantly wrote cheques her little body couldn't cash. The only thing I would say is that now Issy can do 25 minutes at 6 or 7 K's an hour after her warm up, and back up for a walk in the afternoon; something I never dreamt would be possible -the ortho is amazed and even if the hydro only delays the surgery ,it might keep her muscle tone in other areas up in preparation for the surgery. I do believe the hydro has delayed the surgeries on her other leg, she is much sounder than she was in that leg.I know her luck may run out at any point and we could be back at square one if the other hip does go. I guess I am clinging to the idea we are keeping her as fit as possible in preparation. I understand your frustration on seeing the records, I would have been furious and very disappointed. Have you had any explanation from the specialist as to why they never raised it with you?

I think you you should definitely contact a breed rescue, if he is to have a chance of finding a suitable home and you really can't cope anymore. You have detailed a number of issues with your boy in the past, so he will need a home that can cope with his allergies, dietary needs and his dominance going by your previous posts. I do think you will have to be prepared for the fact that he may be quite difficult to rehome. I hope you can find an answer. Edited to add: HDW - sorry I am just repeating everything you said (whilst I was trying to write a post that didn't sound too judgemental and harsh because that isn't my intention). Booge I am glad to hear he is healthy now but also think you should fully disclose past skin issues - he will slip back very quickly without the correct management.

Ness, it took us at least 6-8 weeks to see a marked improvement from the hydrotherapy, I took video on my phone for while so we had a reference point.Issy both ran on the treadmill and swam in the round pool for core strength. She still goes once a week for maintenance even now 18 months later. Looking back after the first six months you could see a huge difference in her muscle tone, I know her issues are different to Kenzie's(Issy has had surgery for luxating patella and also a femoral head ostectomy) and you have been through the wringer well and truly and tried so many things. I Just wanted to say don't lose heart -if you think it is making any difference at all it is worth persisting if you can.I'd like to be able to show you the video but it was lost when the phone died sadly. I often check in on you and your girl and hope against hope you will have better news after all your hard work. Sending you a virtual hug for you both.

So we had a Shar Pei Picnic today and Ams took the boots to try them for size on some of the Pei, and to let the foster carers know they are available if anyone has a need. They will be perfect! The girl modelling them has some missing toes and wears her own boots so it was a good chance to try them. Thanks BCNut for your kindness, and thanks Cassie for modelling for us.

What about these Raya? Caribu unlined dog coats

BCNut, just wanted to say thanks so much, I had a message to say the boots have arrived at the rescue. Your refusal to except postage was very generous. As I said I will post a photo when they are put to use.

Our girl has had the surgery as well, I wouldn't do both at once. We were also told she would need the other leg done at some point ,her recovery was also longer than expected and I don't think she would have coped with both. It took her longer to weight bear after her knee op than when she had her hip done. I don't think she would have been able to toilet. She is bigger than your girl ( Shar Pei) so maybe this would not be as much of an issue for you. Issy flatly refused to toilet on a pee or grass pad even immediately after the surgery and so had to be carried outside multiple times a day. We ended up building a ramp once she was a bit better. One thing I would say is if you go ahead with both sides at once and intend to use wheels, I would get the wheels well before the surgery so she can use them and get used to them whilst she is well, Issy was quite distressed post surgery and I don't think it would have been a good time to try and teach her to use a cart. It is now 2 years since the knee surgery and she has not needed the other side done, although this may be due to the fact she is having Physio and goes to hydrotherapy for maintenance so her muscles etc are much stronger now. Good luck with your girl whichever way you choose to go, I hope she is back to full health soon.

They are the Tinners Hounds or Hounds of Geevor, David Kemp made them, first from boots and then some cast in bronze as a commission. The bronze is still in Redruth in Cornwall I think. He is one of my favorite sculptors. http://www.davidkemp.uk.com/blog/tinners-hounds.html

So sorry to hear your sad news. RIP Ruger.

Hi BCnut I've sent it again hopefully it has come through now.

He looks amazing, thanks for updating.What a difference from the arrival photo,so lovely to see him looking happy and content with his buddy.

I am in Qld and have had a receptionist at the vet refuse to hold a dog that had it's leg in plaster, he had a chip but the owners were not answering the phone. The family were local and the dog had been treated at the surgery I first took the dog to but they still wouldn't hold him. The pound was closed and don't have after hours cages anyway, luckily by the time I drove to another vet and explained, the owners had returned home from work and came to collect the dog. Really not sure what I would have done otherwise,it was a very large dog and whilst it was very people friendly I wasn't confident to take it home in case it was not dog friendly. The guy who came to collect him was beside himself as they did not know how the dog had got out, and he was not supposed to be walking,he was also furious with "their" vet for refusing to hold the dog. The vet's explanation was that they did not have any staff in the surgery overnight and it was not safe to leave the dog locked in unattended overnight.

Happy Birthday Tempeh Soya Bean, hope you have had a lovely day.

Done!

BCnut, if they are still available would you be willing to post them to a rescue if I pay for the postage? I know they have had dogs with paw/hip issues from time to time and have had foster carers looking for boots. I will transfer the money for postage and send the rescue's address via pm if you are happy with this?

:rofl: They don't wear them on their heads!!! Round their necks with the light tilted up. ( However you have inspired me to try this now and I promise to post a picture if it works).

We walk quite often in the dark in winter - I just went to Kathmandu and bought head torches on adjustable bands ( the kind you can tilt on the base not just the cheap fixed ones), the dogs wear them as well as their collars, the beam is very bright and can be adjusted height wise. They don't bother my dogs at all, it's hard to tell if it makes much difference to their ability to see, but they did seem to range a bit further afield in off leash areas when wearing them. Linky below. Kathmandu head torches

Pockets I can't say anything practical to help as I don't have any experience with these things. I am very sorry for the family and for you at the loss of one of "yours". I just wanted to say I think what you are doing is completely amazing. Whilst I am sure you are right and nothing will ever fill the hole left by your beautiful boy, your generosity, compassion, and very practical help will surely set them on the road to healing. Bless you.

That's fantastic, all the best with it Jozman. Would love to hear updates on the business and also on whether walking lots of different breeds changes your breed of choice. :)

I would wait - the beauty of starting a dog walking and minding business is that once it is all set up and you have all your insurances in place, you will be able to meet a wide variety of breeds and get to spend quality time with them. I can't think of a better way to really see which breeds "suit" you best in terms of temperament, looks, activity levels, grooming requirements etc. I agree with everyone else that I would want you to concentrate on walking my dogs, and my dogs only if I was paying for your service. I hope it goes well for you we could do with a professional service like this near us. A couple I have called don't get back to me when I start asking about insurances or business registration.

I have two Shar Pei, I have no doubt the girl would bite in both situations, and equally no doubt the boy would not bite in either, but would bark as he retreated if alone. He would probably follow behind the girl if she was there but still not bite. The uninvited stranger part has been tested but not the getting physical part because she bit before that point and I don't think that was the person's intention anyway. She has never displayed any inclination to bite when off the property and is very social with everybody when out and about, which is often. I must confess I have mixed feelings about her being apparently, very willing to bite an intruder,on the one hand I always feel safe but I worry if someone was determined to take something they would hurt/kill her. She NEVER has access to the front of the property when we are not home. There is absolutely no innocent reason for anyone to access the back of the property where she is contained very securely.

Grizzly bed What about this one?

Oh bianca.a, how awful for you. No direct experience that will help, my sister took them to the ombudsman after going through their complaints procedure - they refused to pay for her gsd's treatment when he ingested a jellyfish,because there was nothing to surgically remove. They got out of it on a technicality. The ombudsman said he thought their decision was reprehensible but in a legal technical sense they could do nothing. I hope with the history of them paying for other elements of treatment you will be more successful, did they give an explanation for the rejection of the claim? Sending you all good wishes possible, it sounds like you are having a very rough time and the "whinge' is totally justified.

Happy Birthday Ziggy