honeybun

I tried natural therapy items as well, but they were very bitter and it distresed him each time I had to give them to him, no matter how much I tried to disguise them,plus he didnt seem to be any better than when he was not on them. Of course these were not from Russell Lea.

We had to say goodbye to our little fellow 2 weeks ago today, as a result of kidney disease. He was on sub cut fluids every second day in the last month, having been on twice a week to begin with.. He did last over a year from diagnosis which I am thankful for.. The major factor I found was an issue with nausea and bleeding ulcers in his stomach caused by the urea levels and so it is important that these symptoms be addressed to keep your one comfortable. He wouldnt touch any kidney diet food, so he was to have good quality protein, which is the newer thinking for kidney patients. Mine was on Zofran, and Carafate and for a while Losec, but he found that too hard to take despite it being compounded. He was also on Avanza towards the end to help with his appetite and I sprinkled potassium binder over his food .He had started on Vitamin B shots just a 3 days before we died. He had times where he needed to go into the vets for fluids from them if he had been vomiting and for anti nausea injection.He also had Tramil , which I had made into a derma cream for ease of application, for pain, as there was nothing else he could have because of his kidneys, and he needed this as he developed eye ulcers towards the end. I sought specialist treatment but this was the least of his worries. He stopped eating 3 days before he died, and just vomited up anything I syringed into his mouth, so I knew it was his time to go, which was devastating for us.We had him for over 10 years and he was around 14. I wish you well and hope you have your dog as long as possible. Edited to add......there will also have to be blood tests to monitor the levels ....urea, pcv,creatinine etc done every couple of months or so

I remember a woman with 2 children aged around 8 and 10 who had come to buy a dog,ask me in front of them,if the shelter would take the dog back when they had finished with it. I asked what she meant and she went on to explain that like a lounge or another piece of furniture that you have for some time, and then get sick of and replace. I told her that she would not be good enough for any of our dogs, we wouldnt permit her to buy one and told the children that I would normally tell children to listen to their mother, but in this instance told them their mother was a fool and that a pet was for life and not a piece of furniture to be thrown away when they got sick of it. etc etc I told the woman I hoped she never got a pet. She probably went to a pet shop.

I regularly have contact with those surrendering their dogs and cats,and the "time they moved on" excuse was awful.The usual one where they are now expecting a child or have had one, and there is no time for the poor dog or cat, or the pathetic offering that their life is too busy now to exercise them. The new boyfriend/husband that doesnt like animals one is especially irritating. Or the I am going overseas in a couple of days and need to QUICKLY rehome my pet. Or perhaps they have moved to non pet friendly accommodation....like they didnt know that before they signed the lease or purchased the place. Seems people make life decisions with little or no regard to their pets future welfare. The old pets are especially sad.Quite often no family member will step in to take the pet despite it having been a loyal and loving companion to their relative who has either died or gone into a nursing home.

They are a wondeful breed and deserve all the help they can get. I was only introduced to them through GAP a few years back when one of their rescue people was also in a rescue group with me,and was most impressed with the breed as a family pet and companion. Well done for setting this new group up and the best of luck . Hope you have great success.

This has been a bad year for cocker spaniels being given up and looking for a new home. Being a bit of a cocker spaniel fan I take particular notice of them, and there seems to have been more this year than normal in the 3 rescue areas I work in. Hope there is someone for this one,awful to get to the age of 14 and need a new home.

Seems there may be more surrenders too.

I have had a couple of odd ones sent from members of the public where I am being offered dogs for rehoming,as though I am a possible enquirer. I am on there for dogs listed for rehoming. When I queried as to why I was sent the enquiry the person has cursed the site and explained they were interested in a dog not associated with me. Very peculiar.

When this product first came out I read reviews from the States and a couple mentioned seizures then.I must admit that factor worried me and I didnt use it.I chose to err on the side of caution., Luckily I didnt use it on my cocker spaniel as she ended up having a massive seizure from a suspected brain tumour which ended her life, so it possibly may have hastened her demise.

He has not had much of an opportunity to really take it for a spin as he has been sick this week and his sight has been hampered by ulcers.But he has picked up today and if tomorrow is better we will put his wheels on and see how he goes.

First trial went well, and after some reversing he managed to walk in the cart for a few minutes,but then lifted his backlegs out of it.We need to get the adjustments right. Second effort this afternoon he was not keen to move, just froze, so we didnt push it. Will try again tomorrow. I have taken photos, but cannot manage to download them here.....will get tech advice from my IT guru. :)

Thanks for all the input DOLERS. :) I purchased one on ebay from a place at Minto ,and it came yesterday,very quick service. A few of the other options were to import one from USA or buy one here that is imported from there, which were very expensive,particularly the shipping. The one I purchased seems to be very sturdy and well made,with good adjustment capability and good padding. We are wanting to try it on my little fellow, but he hurt himself and was sore and stiff,yesterday somehow after overdoing it in a busy day out and about,and after speaking to the vet, he had extra pain meds yesterday arvo and settled after that. We didn't want to hook him into the cart as it would have hurt him and we didn't want him to associate extra pain with the cart. Can't wait to try it.He is still sleeping now,he doesnt usually surface until after 9.30 most days.Hopefully he is feeling better, he seemed better when he woke me during the night for a drink and to go to the toilet.

Thanks for the info westiemum.....that cart looked like it was a great success,and he took to it really well. My fear is that he wont use it and struggle to get out of it.Good to see the other dogs successfully using their carts though. Hi Cornell...I have never heard of a magnetic collar for dogs,humans used to wear copper bracelets a few years ago...I even had one for a while......

Thanks for this info.I will follow it up. I remember seeing a daschund at Strathfield Specialist Hospital that I thought I remembered as a pet of a vet,with one and a labrador that came in as a patient.But that was years ago.

My husband and I are considering purchasing a cart for our small silky who is becoming weak in his hind legs.His knee is swollen with arthritis, and he has issues from a hip operation,which means he is becoming less active. There is nothing more vet work wise that can be done, apart from pain relief,which he receives. Have any dolers used a cart on a small dog with a good degree of success, and did the dog adapt well to the use of the cart?

I tried to make an enquiry today and gave up after 3 attempts.It is infuriating,frustrating and confusing. I agree the pale grey lettering is not good either. Hate to think how many members of the public will not persevere. It is not user friendly from both ends of the spectrum. Feel sorry for those rescues thatdont have their own web site or at least a facebook page to advertise their rescue pets.

Thanks for that info DOGMAD,sad about your little oldie. I have started my boy on some meds from the fellow at Bathurst, and although a bit of a battle to get all the drops into him,I am using AD canned food to take the bitterness off them. I will see at the next bloods if he has had any sort of improvement as I may still go to RUSSEL LEA. He does show improvement from the sub.cut. fluids every 3 or so days.

I contacted your suggestion PERSEPHONE and you can get a free consultation, which I used and got some good suggestions in reply. I have ordered some meds and will try their other suggestions re diet. Thankyou.

Check out the PAWS web site .....www.paws.com.au ...for dogs, photos and profiles.

I use a long handled milk saucepan,[small] you can pick them up from an op shop very cheaply. Easier with a female, the male tends to put his leg down into it, so I have to be more careful. My vets are now used to me walking in with a saucepan. I live on a busy corner so I just have to put up with the smart remarks yelled from passing cars as I follow the dog with the saucepan or are seen putting the saucepan under them as they pee. Cant be too sensitive!!!!

Thankyou. Very interesting and informative. I have contacted your suggestion Persephone. :)

Has any Doler tried holistic or natural treatment for kidney disease in dogs, in conjunction with the usual vet treatment, anti nausea meds and sub.cut.fluids? I realise it will not cure my little fellow, but thought there maybe something to aid his well being. I sometimes feel natural remedies, which are often very expensive, can be a waste of money, too mild to be much good ,but want to ensure I havent left any stone unturned. He has AD to add calories to his diet as he has always been picky with his food.He only weighs 3.7kg,never more than 4kg, but was 2.5kg when I rescued him from the pound some 10 years ago.He is maybe 12 - 15 years old now. Thanks for any advice.

Check out the PAWS web site,they always have plenty of rescued shih tzu and similar breeds.

How has Chris Coles and Botany Council been an inspiration to POUND ROUNDS I wonder?

There is a fabulous place at Colo Heights..Doggywood Country Kennels.The dogs are out during the day and go for structured supervised rambles. They are housed at night.You can even check your pets out on Facebook during your absence as they load photos of their residents. VERY reasonaly priced. I have used them for a little fellow and was very happy with them. Their fees are all year round,no higher for holidays, and include meds, own bedding if wanted, and their exercise......you oftne have to pay extra for that elsewhere.