morgan

Are you serious? What on earth would a drug company gain from a dog getting parvo? There are no drugs available to cure it - parvo is incredibly expensive to treat due to the intensive care and amount of IV fluid required - something to reduce the vomiting or diarrhea might be used, but is generally ineffective. Keeping the patient hydrated and keeping it's will to live going are the two most important factors, not drug treatment! As there has been no canine hepatitis in Australia for years, not vaccinating against it would make no difference whatsoever, kennel cough is still caught by dogs who HAVE been vaccinated against it, and once again, there are no drugs available to treat it :rolleyes: Haven't you noticed that the diseases that are vaccinated against are viral, and there are very few effective anti-virals around? My vet says that all vets are aware that current vaccines last at least three years, but still recommend annual boosters to protect themselves against any liability.

Who is talking about unvaccinated dogs? I have never heard of a kennel that doesn't require some form of vaccination schedule. Titre testing is done to find out whether the last vaccination has still provided immunity or not - no point doing it with an unvaccinated dog. BTW, this testing is only about $25 more than your average C5 shot, not what I would call a "LOT more". When you factor in how many dogs end up back at the vet with a reaction to it, the titre testing could easily work out cheaper! When you add up the vet expenses incurred by owners whose dogs have ended up with some nasty condition such as epilepsy or Cushings through over-vaccination, titre testing is worth is weight in gold!

There are *reputable* boarding kennels that don't insist on C5s or annual vaccinations. There are *reputable* boarding kennel operators who are fully aware of just how many dogs that have had C5s within the previous 3 months actually get kennel cough once they are in the kennel, but the dogs who have only had C3s don't catch it from them. C5s are only supposed to be effective for 6 mths anyway, so anything over that is pointless for those that actually believe that C5s prevent kennel cough. There are *reputable* boarding kennels that accept titre testing or nosodes. Personally, I would prefer a kennel that DIDN'T insist on vaccinations every 11 mths, as I would not want my dog being exposed to all that shed virus from dogs being newly vaccinated. Parvo and kennel cough might cause massive problems in rescue situations and pounds, with highly stressed dogs with questionable nutrition status, but is hardly a huge threat in a well run kennel. In Victoria kennels are required by law to demand annual C5s, but in NSW it is up to the individual operator to decide what they deem to be acceptable. The whole point of annual C5s is for kennels to cover their butts legally, not for the benefit of the dogs.

Have NEVER heard of forcibly removing baby teeth Thank heavens she has found someone so understanding!

Not necessarily - I have heard of vets being totally ignorant of the needs of specific breeds and giving advice that is absolutely wrong. You must remember that many vets simply don't have a clue about the differences between breeds - they are simply not trained for this. Sighthound sensitivity to anaesthetic and some breed specific congenital problems are about all they have been taught. You only have to look at the vaccination issues to see how many vets just don't have a clue - I know of many vets that swear blind that heartworm injections have absolutely no side effects, and that C5s absolutely never cause kennel cough :D Unfortunately some breeders are equally clueless Listen to your vet and breeder, then do some research and make up your own mind - there are plenty of threads here on the problems caused by early desexing to start with.

When it has finished growing, so it depends on what breed or size. Small breeds are safe around 6 mths, larger breeds between 8 mths and 15 mths, depending on when their first season is expected (when did it's mother first come into season?) They really need their hormones to achieve proper mental and physical development.

Everyone who has participated in previous debates on desexing/early desexing would be aware of Skipy's reasons. As for vets, many do not have a clue when it comes to desexing. Yes, they know how to do the actual op, which is more than the rest of us, but soo many have no idea of the ramifications or consequences. My own vet is adamant that early desexing is only for rescues, that concerned breeders would never do such harm to their dogs. He is also adamant that desexed adults have much better health, provided they have been allowed to grow up with their hormones. Other vets absolutely scorn any suggestion that desexing immature dogs can have any health consequences whatsoever - have seen some of these oxygen bandits insist on desexing 6 mth old large breed dogs that won't even mature before 18 mths They don't have any idea of the different impacts these have on different breeds, as they seem to think that all dogs are the same ;) Many vets are NOT the "most knowledgeable individuals" on the matter, more's the pity. Their understanding only seems to extend to the actual op and immediate side effects. You only have to look at the number of vets that insist that vaccine reactions are pure coincidence to realise the limitations of some of them.

An entire bitch will not get spay incontinence. It may become incontinent through old age, but usually not as a young bitch. Sterilisation through leaving the uterus and doing tubal ligation increases the chances of pyometra and allows for perfectly normal seasons (except for no chance of pregnancy). Should think that this op would be a complete waste of time unless used for sterilising very young pups while allowing normal hormones for normal growth. Removing ovaries and leaving the uterus would be entirely nonsensical. None of my bitches have ever been desexed before 7 yrs, none have ever become incontinent, and two have developed mammary cancer, which was fixed with a single lumpectomy and desexing. These two were the only ones I have ever had desexed. Have only ever had a single case of pyo in one of my breeding, and that was no longer my bitch at the time. Mammary tumours and pyo don't always happen, just as spay incontinence doesn't always happen.

There are other ways of treating mammary tumours - not involving surgery. There are also dietary supplements that will greatly decrease the chance of any cancer, so desexing is not the be-all and end-all for preventing this type of cancer.

Skipy wisely stated there was no desire to rehash the whole desexing debate and asked two specific questions to help make an informed decision. In return, Skipy has been accused of being selfish, anthropomorphic, trying to stir up trouble and "not being very polite". As Skipy's views on desexing have been made very clear in previous discussions on desexing, why bring up the same old objections? Why not just answer the questions or leave it alone? As many other posters have said in past discussions, cutting off hormones can cause life altering problems for some dogs, just as it can have life altering benefits - hence the need for an informed decision.

I know what you mean - I have asked my vet to give vitamin c immediately after surgery to facilitate recovery from the anaesthetic - large breeds like mine can do a bit of damage to themselves when really groggy. As there is already an intravenous line set up, it is a simple matter of injecting it into this line, without having to touch the dog. Anyone would have thought I had materialised from another planet! :D But then, my vets have needed a fair bit of education re the different quirks of my different breeds when it comes to reproduction. The shocked looks on their faces when they realise that their attempted dismissal of a "minor" issue almost cost lives - all because they wouldn't believe me You've never seen an operating table set up so quickly! Some vets need to know that there is a very fine line between being reassuring and downright patronising.

Most people are unaware of the uses of vitamin c, despite the research of Nobel Prize winner, Linus Pauling. Big Pharma has been relentless in it's suppression of his work and other researchers, as vit c can't be patented, and can't earn the drug companies hundreds of millions of dollars like antibiotics etc do. You only have to look at how Dr Frederick Klenner was CURING polio cases in 18 hrs with intravenous vit c back in the 1940's - ever heard of a doctor using this? How many people would have been saved from iron lungs and calipers if all doctors had used this proven method? Doctors, vets and nurses are never taught about it, as Big Pharma rules the medical profession through research grants etc, so unless a medico has an open mind and is willing to do his/her own research and think outside the square, closed minds will continue to dominate the health scene. BTW - Dr Frederick Klenner is the person who pioneered and promoted vitamin c treatment for snakebite, also back in the 1930's and 1940's, saving the lives of thousands of dogs in an era when there was no antivenene.

An animal in shock from being poisoned is too ill to be able to digest tablets and absorb the vit c, the injectable gets it into the bloodstream immediately where it can go straight to work. Tablets are also full of fillers, binders, colours etc, which is the last thing a very sick animal needs. Of course if it is an emergency you could try syringing vit c powder dissolved in water down the throat on the way to the vet, but injectable is the way to go.

Have heard about golde bead therapy, but don't know about it's availability here. Put your dog on large doses of vit c, at least 2 or 3 times a day, to reduce inflammation of the spinal cord and help the nervous system function a bit better. Exercise must be gentle too, so as not to damage the spinal cord further. Steroids also are used to reduce inflammation, but of course these have serious side effects that have to be weighed up. I would also contact Diana Hayes - we have used her Skeletal Aid and other bone and joint remedies to great effect on the horses and ourselves - she would probably have something that would help.

We buy a bottle of injectible vitamin c every spring from the produce store for about $12, and keep it in the fridge, in case of snakebite or any serious diarrhea/health problem (no ticks where we are). The idea is that if you haven't used it by the end of summer, you chuck it out and get a fresh one the next spring in time for snake/tick season. Very cheap insurance at $12 a bottle!

Adelaide Zoo uses vitamin c for snakebite - don't see why it wouldn't work on tick poisoning. Pat Coleby has written some excellent books on natural animal care - we use a lot of her stuff for our horses, and have done for over a decade. Have never disagreed with anything she has written - she is quite a legend in her field. Vitamin C has been used to detoxify in various situations - don't suppose you have seen it used to bring animals or people out of anaesthetic without grogginess or vomiting either, but it works.

Beestings Keep homoeopathic "Apis" 30x in your first aid kit, put a few drops on the gums (or pillules on the tongue) several times over an hour or so - for people or dogs. Works wonders! If the beesting is in the mouth or on the tongue, give this remedy on the way to the vet in case of swelling blocking the airway. (PS - I'm allergic to bees, and this stuff saves me the trip to the doc for antihistamines)

My mother has always lived in suburbia, and has always had at least one entire bitch and one entire dog - her 6' paling fences have always been sufficient, and there has never been an accidental mating with her own males, let alone anyone else's. Needless to say there were times when the laundry was necessary to be on the safe side from possible intruders, but she has NEVER had a bitch try to escape. Not saying that all dogs are so well behaved or that there aren't houdinis around, but it can be done. Even back in the 60's, when everyone let their dogs roam, her entire bulldog bitch was never accidentally mated, despite living in the backyard most of the time. There is no point generalising that ALL entire bitches will have accidental litters.

Do you know by any chance what the level of hormones are after this procedure? Has anyone looked at that, meaning is it equivalent to having ovaries, etc.... Good suggestion. You recon that is still shorter surgery time than just leaving ovaries intact? Don't know much about this procedure, but it normally produces fewer hormones than intact ovaries - in the group I saw mentioned, only two bitches still had a limited heat cycle. Don't know whether it would reduce anaesthetic time with only one vet, but an extra pair of hands (vet nurse?) could be preparing the ovarain tissue for insertion while the surgery was being completed. IMO it would not be as good as leaving ovaries intact, but an excellent compromise for those that don't wish to do this, and easier for vets to achieve. With so much desexing being done younger and younger, alternatives really do need to be considered for our dogs' sakes. Maybe the lower amount of hormones resulting from the splicing procedure would reduce the chance of mammary cancers whilst still giving some protection from all the other problems.

Why don't you ask around until you find a vet who can desex your girl, but splice some ovarian tissue under the skin to allow some hormones still to be released? The technique has been perfected - to my knowledge a couple of bitches that have had this done have still had a "silent season", (but no discharge, smell or puppies) but most bitches are perfectly ok At least this way you won't have to worry about damaged growth or spay incontinence - or puppies.

A number of coated terrier breeds are prone to itchy skin - it is essential to stop all artificial colours and flavours in their food, add omega 3 oils (cod-liver, fish, flaxseed etc. Poor quality food with too many fillers in the form of grains will get them every time, as will most tinned foods. Soy and corn are the biggest allergens in dog food. I know of a couple of coated terriers that stopped itching just with Imedeen tablets every day - a bit expensive, but cured really bad eczema! Consider stopping the medicated shampoo as well - have never known the application of chemicals to irritated skin to work long term.

Isn't Revolution ok to give dogs without heartworm tests first? Think it only kills any microfilaria and doesn't affect any adults if they're present. Look into it - heartworm tests can give false negatives and false positives occasionally - I almost lost a dog years ago due to anaphylactic shock from giving medication after a false negative.

There is no detergent on the market as good as Dawn, and this is no longer imported. I have 3 bottles left of it, and use them only when necessary! All the wildlife rescuers used it to get oil off birds after oilspills, and specially imported it before it was first sold here. Animal House have a great stain remover which takes grease off white bullies just with wiping - no nasty chemicals in it either.

Nup - but I'm still trying to get my head around an injection of nothing but vermicide being called a "vaccination"

The FDA has allowed the re-release of recalled drugs before - eg Tsyabri which causes a rare brain infection. It is being released with a "black box" warning. This of course means that any consumer that then contracts the brain infection cannot sue, as they have knowingly accepted the risk. If Proheart is re-released in the US, a black box warning would protect the manufacturer, but would vets advise their clients accordingly?