Dxenion

Yes you were correct. Lol I also credit you with my newfound knowledge of the anatomy of a spider. I went for a wander around the yard looking for burrows and lost count after finding 50 of them in four square metres. I gave up looking after that. :laugh: since I taught my husband the difference between Mygalomorphs and Araneomorphs he makes the shapes of the chelicerae with his forefingers every time I mention a spider of either type :p It's funny I've examined DNA from many hundreds of trapdoors but all I usually see of them is a single leg so I had lots of fun trying to id a whole one! Best left to the experts obviously though :D How many whole ones would you like? I think I can spare a few.

Yes you were correct. Lol I also credit you with my newfound knowledge of the anatomy of a spider. I went for a wander around the yard looking for burrows and lost count after finding 50 of them in four square metres. I gave up looking after that.

Thanks. A crazy part of me is hoping to come across another one so I can borrow a real camera with a zoom lens and try for some better closeups. My phone's camera is too limited for decent macros. Although it was a relatively docile spider, getting within five centimetres for a photo was pushing even my crazy boundaries.

From the website: "While the fangs could inflict a deep and painful bite, the venom is not known to cause serious medical problems." Not sure if that relates to humans or dogs. Haven't been able to find any other information on the effects of the venom on dogs though.

And the winners of the 'What spider is that?' competition are LappieHappy, Kayla1 and Weasels. The Australian Museum and the Victorian Museum have confirmed the mystery spider as a Stanwellia grisea - Melbourne Trapdoor Spider Thank you to everyone who participated in this thread. It was an educational and hair raising experience!

That looks very very interesting.

Thanks. It's times like these I wish I had a real camera.........with a really good zoom lens! I have sent off photos to the Australian Museum. I'll find the Victorian Museum website and send them the photos too. I'm not so worried about me, I just want to know if the dogs are in danger and I can't find out that until I know what I'm dealing with.

Um....where is that photo taken? Have you invited your new friend into your house For the last photo it was modelling on a piece of paper on the kitchen bench. That was the only place with enough light where I could get down lower than the bench to try and photograph the chelicerae. It's now residing in a hole punctured gladwrap covered jar in the kitchen until we work out what it is. If more photos are required to help identify it, I'd rather use the one I already have than have to go outside and dig up another one.

Good idea!

:laugh: you're a trooper Dx! Still doesn't show the chelicerae but it looks like a Mygalomorph - I've decided to go with Jerojath: Hadronyche modesta http://biodiversitysnapshots.net.au/BDRS/public/speciesInfo.htm?spid=559&mode=fieldguide (click on the photo underneath the main pic) I am learning so much about spiders that I wish I never knew. You've no idea how much 'fun' I had trying to capture this on my phone but hopefully this is the chelicerae:

Is this a better photo of the front? The things I do for my dog's safety!

Our backyard has quite a few silk lined burrows (no trap door) and I found this 22mm long spider and a smaller 14mm long spider in the one burrow. Do not open the spoiler if you do not want to see a photo of a spider - you have been warned! What is it and is it dangerous to dogs? Edited to add we're on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Whereabouts are you? We'd be interested to trial it on our four adults.

We have one of these: http://www.petzenproducts.com/PZ1703_Large_p50499.htm These have been designed specifically for dogs and the large one's board is more than long enough for a gaiting GSD. Lovely quiet operation, remote controlled, not bulky. We (and more importantly our dogs) love it.

I'm guessing that the moment the OP saw this particular fellow, there was that certain inexplicable something that connected. The foster org sounds like a good way to go. You could apply to be his foster carer and build a rapport that way. When it comes time to go home, you should be able to prove your suitability as a responsible dog owner and ability to finance this little guy's trip home with you.

Thanks for the link Sayly. I'll print this off for our own and the vet's records.

One of ours is a carrier and hasn't shown any reaction to any of the import vaccinations or local ones. I did request the vet put it on record just in case.

Do you have a link for this lady? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110755489277?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_767wt_952 Dxenion, we give the horses a 30g scoop amount & the boys we give it to are both around 600-700kgs. This would last a long time on the dogs. I know a lot of people who use this as well with great results. Thank you.

Do you have a link for this lady?

We use Glyde. We found it far more effective for our dogs than Sashas Blend, Joint Guard or repeat treatments of cartrophen shots. It is quite expensive though.

Thanks for the feedback on the Fight book Snook. I had that in my Ahimsa cart and have now deleted it.

Whatever one you get check the quality of the tray. Some are strong and durable, others are very thin and brittle. An example of a really good quality one can be found in the TFH brand from Petstock. I'd strongly recommend using that to physically compare to other less expensive products. Replacing a tray that has cracked from the dog sitting on it is not an easy process. If you're in Melbourne I'll happily show you a side by side comparison of TFH 48" trays and one from another often recommended brand that failed dismally. The difference in quality is as plain as day.

All of ours have doggles ILS. This is our youngest at 4 1/2 months wearing them for the first time: https://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/photo.php?fbid=186002218116298&id=185992954783891&set=a.186197698096750.43210.185992954783891&__user=100002467561637

We put our eldest on Propalin for urinary incontinence that developed after an operation just before her 12th birthday. After a week she started vomiting so we took her off it, decided not to try other medications and just manage the incontinence (only an issue at night in bed). She's not far off 13 which is a really good innings for a GSD.

Try a Novaguard. http://www.provizorinternational.com/the-novaguardtrade.html Much more comfortable for the dog, the furniture, your shins......