lilypily

Rappie - I got never got to use my pen, my daughter nicked it!!! Yeah the Hills advertising is OTT, but it's good to know the products as they can be confusing, ZD, LD etc: etc:, the vets expect you to know what your doing when they say get some food for this cat that has a urinary infection. It's cool RnB

RnB - I'v found some people who say Hills costs to much and doesn't work, because they do not feed it exclusivly as we advise (i'm talking about the prescription diets for specific diseases) people still give their dogs treats and other snacks which can muck up their diet. I don't use Hills myself, never have, I think the prescription lines are good though. Yeah the course is very hard ,hey?

RnB - I don't advertise myself as a nutritionalist and not everyone who has completed Hills courses does. I simply replyed to this topic because the original post was about Hills, something I know about. Where I work we don't collect barcodes we don't get anything for free, No "kick backs" for us. Doing the Hills course was a part of Vet Nurse training, to know about the products and advise clients appropriately, Not to claim instant "nutritionalist status" or get something in return.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RnB - What the????????????????? I did not state I am a "qualified nutritionist"????????????????? I am qualified to give advise on the Hills products and Hills products only, I do not think that makes me an "animal nutritionist" I don't know how I could of come accross that way??????????? Again I regulary sell Hills products at the clinic, but I never have got kick backs??? I don't understand the comment you made, In fact I am offended that you implied that i'v been "bought off" to recieve kickbacks and that I am passing myself off as a "nutritionalist" I am " informed" and" open minded" Re read my post, I stated Hills is not the only good premium brand!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I apologise, I got mixed up about Waltham, They were an Aus company but recently have been bought out by an oversees company, that was the change I was trying to think of.

That sounds strange isaviz!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hills sponser our local RSPCA and provide food. I have never seen one dog or cat refuse to eat it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEVER I have done the Hills Science courses and am a qualified nutrititional advisor of their products. There is Hills and then Hills 'prescription' diets. Hills ie: puppy food , low cal food etc: Then 'prescription' which is specially formulated for various diseases. We use the prescription products regulary for our patients at the clinic. Waltham is another good brand (think it's now called Royal Canin) You sure can exclusivley feed Hills with all nutrients covered. It's not the only premium brand that is good, it comes down to personal choice. Kez - I just a glance at my course workbooks, there is no soy in their products.

Cordelia - There is definately a bigger risk in de-sexing young animals, I'v seen 2 kittens die because they could not cope with the anaesthetic. These poor kittens were from a shelter and had homes waiting, the new owners were devastated when they came to pick up there new babies. That is why these vets won't de-sex to early, they don't think it's safe, and by saying a females 'bits' are to small to see, that tells me that the animals are to small and young. Yes it's personal choice, but I do think some vets preform these proceedures simply for the money. I better clarify, SOME not all vets. I don't think a dogs recovery rate has a lot to do with age (with the exeption of old dogs) It's an individual thing, From observations in the hospital, recovery differs greatly for animals aged the same.

Sorry, not a good sign, My youngest pup has a very sensitive stomach, and a lot of foods give him the 'mucous' on his faeces. I did a faecal float to check for any bugs/worms (get this done at a vet's, i'm a nurse) That came back clear so I fed him a exclusive bland diet. I got Waltham 'Low fat' tins, just for convienence, it's just chicken and rice. He also appeared to have 'tummy pains'. He came good on that diet, and now the only time he has mucousy (sp) poos is if he eats something else, Pal does not agree with him. As it's only occassionally, is there a particular food you could attribute it to? I suggest to change their diets to a bland food, and if after a while there is no improvement, make a trip to the vet. There are a few diseases where a symptom is the mucousy poo. But don't stress, my boy was really bad and with a dietry change now he is fine.

Pug and Cordelia - They are VERY experienced vets, they don't agree and will not preform de-sexing B4 6 months of age, therefore they may not have a lot of experience in de-sexing very young animals. Just to clarify that's all, as I said one of my boys was done at 6 wks, and no probs, I just think for me that they are only babies and it seems a bit mean, i'd prefer to wait till the 6 month mark.

Your poor baby. I hope she gets better really soon.

my male pup was desexed at 6 weeks and he weighed under a kilo (thru the RSPCA) I don't know if the RSPCA would carry out that proceedure due to increased costs??????????????? our local council has now dropped the age of compulsery registration from 6 months to 3 months, to try and encourage early desexing, as the fee is a lot cheaper. I know a couple of vets who won't spey female puppys, they say they almost need a microscope to find the right bits.

The dog wormers eg: Drontal, don't hurt us humans, we got a call once from a distressed mother saying her young son had ate all the dogs drontal tablets. We just had a laugh - they must of tasted awful. I use combantrum, but only because of my work. When my daughter started kinder I was worried about her getting worms, I asked a chemist and they said not to bother worming unless they actually have them - I gave her a tab anyway.

I'd take her to the vet, it could me many things. You can bathe the areas with salt water a few times a day and gently remove any flakes/loose bits. Have you tried Malaseb shampoo? Great for a range of fungal infections. Good luck.