fido666

Hi Antoinette, The type of behaviour Mallee is exhibiting is to be expected after such a long period of confinement. I took Duncan back to obediance class once he had the all clear but he was like "WOW other dogs YIPPEE!!!!", total lack of concentration so we got booted out of class GRRRRR. It might be best to socialise on lead for a while till the "I'm free" raptures wear off a little. I'm taking Duncan to a K9-Force workshop tomorrow, it will be interesting to have Steve's opinion on his issues. Cheers, Corine

I agree, we used to call poor Duncan "Drano Guts" he was that noisy! My vets waited too long too, it was IR's encouragement that pushed me to request a specialist consult. Fingers crossed we have our boy under control with his IBD now, he seems to be putting some weight back on at last! Hope your GSD is OK Izaviz! Regards, Corine

Hi again Antoinette, Just read your last post (DOL is realllllllllllllly slow tonight) and about the spikey bits. Just wondering if you fed the chicken necks raw, the bones in necks are all gristle and should pass easily as long as not cooked. If she has not digested the bones properly they could cause a blockage, the dairrheoa can be an overflow effect???????????? Hi Kel, Sorry to hear Chloe is not doing so good but it is early days so chin up lovey! Bad news about hour OH's job, I have been given my marching orders too . Regards, Corine

Hi Antoinette, I'm sorry to hear Mallee is not well, her symptoms sound very much like Duncan's but he did not have blood in his diarrheoa. When he vomited it was nearly allways just bile but some occasional solids as well. After an endoscopic exam by a specialist Duncan has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS), I believe this is the same as IBS. Before we knew what the problem was we would feed him boiled skinless chicken with some steamed veg and rice whenever he had an episode. Vets generally recommend feeding a bland diet when diarrheoa strikes, chicken would be at the top of most people's lists. Once the IBD was diagnosed and we had him settlted down we found he would have another episode whenever we fed him chicken, we stopped feeding him chook and the problem (for now) is under control. IBD is brought on by protein intolerance, the trick is to work out which one(s) cause the problem. Duncan now eats mainly beef, veg, and Hill's Z/D dry food (for hypo allergenic dogs). The Z/D does contain chicken but the processing eliminates the nasty bits; it's only available from the vet so it's a bit expensive, you can also get it in tins. Remember, a specialist diagnosed this, my vets were at a bit of a loss to explain the recurring problem. Duncan dropped down to 17kgs at one stage but thankfully is now putting on some condition again. I too have been wondering if all the surgery and anasthetics has caused some of Duncan's problems, I think he's had 6 GAs in 2 years! I hope your little Mallee is OK and it's just a tummy bug, if not and it is IBD it is manageable. Regards, Corine

Sorry Vivien, I do not routinely frequent the Lost and Found section, hence why I asked the question. I did not intend to convey the impression you did not love Ginger, having helped a friend whose dog was missing for many weeks I know how emotional and stressful this time can be. I have lost dogs myself, luckily each time we have been reunited. I was only trying to encourage you to not give up hope that Ginger may yet be found, my apologies if it did not seem that way. Regards, Corine

Hi, If Ginger only went missing 2 weeks ago she may still turn up. I have a friend who lost a dog for 6.5 weeks in bush and she was found very skinny but alive. What attempts have you made to locate her so far? Sorry, not trying to bag you but I think you may be rushing this, give it some more time. There are lots of good trainers and schools in Melbourne, as a start check the Delta website for trainers in your area (just click on the Accredited Instructors link). There is also the NDTF Website, click on the Training Your Dog link. If you wish to join a community club then check with the VCA for accredited clubs in your area, I think Keilor would be closest to you. The VCA website is at http://www.vca.org.au/index.asp. I do hope Goldie is reunied with you, I know how stressful this time can be. Regards, Corine

Keep your chin up Antoinette, you WILL get through this :D . Sending healing vibes Chloe's way . Cheers, Corine

Hi Kel, Duncan is pretty much back to normal, the only giveaway is that he sometimes sticks the surgery leg out at a slight angle when standing. He also tends to have a floppy puppy like sit (sticks the leg out sideways rather than tucked up "Dog on the tucker box" style). He runs and jumps and zooms round like an idiot, he jumps up on the planter boxes in my courtyard and runs along the edges (they are wide enough to sit on). I had been advised by my surgeon that he would never have a completely normal stifle joint, the angle between Tibia and Femur was very severe (approx 75 deg). There is also some risk of early arthritis in the joint or infection from the plate/pin material but we were warned of this up front. I don't know if I would risk him in agility but he'll be fine to obediance and normal doggy activities. Give Chloe a hug from Mr Duncan when she is home again . Cheers, Corine

Hi Allerzeit, My condolences for your sad loss . I have had 4 of my babies cremated and have them all in small wooden boxes (tasteful ones). The eldest I have had cremated was 14.5 yo, the youngest only 4 yo . I could not bear the thought of putting them in the ground or leaving them at the vets (I've heard horrible things about where they end up). I keep them in a cabinet, I know where they are and it doesn't freak anyone out that way. The services we have used all gave a choice of urns or boxes and most also do a placque that goes on the box. R.I.P. Stewie, no more pain Regards, Corine

Hi Kel, I'm happy tp hear Chloe came through the surgery OK . The surgeon is doing the right thing even if he is preaching to the converted :rolleyes: . Remember not to rush things, you know the healing takes time now. Cheers, Corine

The only problem with using the crate as a "sin bin" is that you are teaching the puppy that the crate is for punishment, you really should use another room not used as a sleeping place. You want your puppy to view the crate as a safe happy place that's nice to be in. I only have to get the biscuits out at night and both of mine fly into their crates and whack their bums on the ground so fast it's hilarious. Certainly it's ok to give puppy time outs for overly boisterous behaviour but choose the right place. Demands for attention should be ignored, no verbal, visual, or tactile contact should be given till the pup is quiet, I call this "four on the floor". I have a 9mth old who likes to talk back and is very vocal demanding her tucker, I do understand how hard it is to ignore at times . Cheers, Corine

Thanks for posting that extra info Mavmon . My vet once was about to give my male Collie the Proheart yearly injection when I stopped him. I don't think he believed me at first but went off and did some Internet searching, I can't beleive he didn't seem to know about the MDR1 gene, he seemed to think it was only a problem when the original Ivermectin used in cattle was first given to dogs as a heartworm preventative. Cheers, Corine

Hi Blackfoot, I'm afraid that Moxidectin is also implicated in the MDR1 drug sensitivity which affects Collies and related breeds, the list includes:- -IVERMECTIN (also sold under the product name of Ivomec®) -MOXIDECTIN (also sold under the product name of Cydectin®) -MILBEMYCIN OXIME -SELAMECTIN -NEMADECTIN -ABAMECTIN -DORAMECTIN (mutation of S. avermitilis) There are more, if anyone wants the full list PM or email me. Cheers, Corine

My male dog had recurring bouts of diarrhheoa with occasional vomiting of bile, he was losing weight rapidly despite being on a bland diet (boiled skinless chicken with rice or steamed veggies). An endoscopy was performed and he was found to have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (aka IBD). We worked out the chicken was making him worse so stopped feeding it and switched to beef. He's still thin but is slowly getting better. I hope your GSD has something which is treatable and is soon on the road to recovery . Cheers, Corine

Well good luck for Tuesday Kel . I count myself lucky I only had to go through it once with Mr Duncan. Cheers, Corine

Collie breeds can have a very adverse reaction to some of the monthly heartworm preventatives (mostly the mectin based ones). There is no way to know if your Collie, Border Collie, Sheltie, or Aussie has this sensitivity without a genetic test. A lot of Collie people will only use the daily ones for this reason. I have used Heartguard + on my Collies in the past with no apparent ill effects. My vet assures me the dose is low enough to not cause any problems, but now I'm not sure what to use . Cheers, Corine

Hi Kel and Antoinette, Good to hear things are still on track for Chloe but I bet you are nervous about that next op Kel . I have to drag Duncan through the door at the vet's now, he hates the place (understandable). Also glad to hear that Mallee is getting back to normal, it's the best feeling when you see them doing zoomies again. Duncan seems to be over whatever it was but I'm keeping an eye on him nonetheless. I was home sick today and woke up with him snuggled next to me, Mel had crawled into her crate. They were so good being quiet all day . Cheers, Corine

Sending cyber :D to you Colleen, I must have missed this the day you posted. Poor Brodie died because some idiot decided to pick on a defenceless old dog, what a pathetic excuse for a human being Brodie will be watching over you at the bridge together with Maggie and Bundy I'm sure Regards, Corine

Congrats to Banjie and Hedds to, well done! Cheers, Corine

Congrats to Dogdayz and Skye - Go the Collies . I saw DD yesterday at my dog show, did not know she was trialling today :D . When I was trialling Fuzzy my 2nd Collie we would train in all weather, even practising drops in puddles . I remember a trial where my shoes were sucked off by the mud, I had to stop mid exercise to put my shoes back on . Cheers, Corine

Hi HR, I have PM-ed you . What's wrong with Winter, I have trained my past dogs in all conditions, used to make the poor things drop in puddles for trial practice . What a mean mummy I am :D . Cheers, Corine

Hi ya DB, Is the George being referred to here the one out in Yuroke? If so, I have undying graitude to him for giving my 2nd Collie an extra few years of life. "Fuzzy" was diagnosed with spinal arthritis (spondolytis???) and given only a few months before she could not walk, she was only 7 at the time. I was advised by both my vet and a specialist to have her PTS but could not do it. I heard about George and took her down, after some preliminary work he advised her spine was twisted, had been so for a long time, and he wasn't sure he could fix it. He worked on her back for a few minutes and I heard an allmighty crack :cool: . It sounded as if her spine was snapped, I kid you not but every Greyhound waiting it's turn wet itself. I have never before and never since heard a dog scream (this was no yelp). Sure it sounds awful but after finishing off with her neck and shoulders, she shook herself and you could see the smile on her face :D . This dog lived another 4 years before old age an gastro took her. He was "getting on" then, I'm amazed he's still doing his thing. I guess no-ones perfect, you seem to have received different advice from everyone who saw Josh which proves my point IMHO . Cheers, Corine

I think Duncan has injured his leg again :D . Today he is hopping and kicking the leg out sideways. He's been tearing around like an idiot with Mel lately and may have slipped, I'm hoping it's just some soft tissue strain and not the plate or pins coming unstuck :cool: . Cheers, Corine

Glad to hear both Mallee and Chloe are both doing so well, there is light at the end of the tunnel at last . Nothing to report on Duncan's leg as it's been back to normal for a while now. On an encouraging note, Duncan has put on 1.7 kgs since we've discovered the cause of his tummy upsets :rolleyes: . We still have a way to go but it's a start. Cheers, Corine

Have PM-ed you some details of a Bowen therapist, forgot to mention they often see clients at dog shows down at KCC too. Cheers, Corine