Jed

I used to donate, and to the World Wildlife Fund, but then I heard that WSPA was allied with HSUS, so donated my $$ to local rescues instead.

This reply is a bit late but I was prompted by a website "Keep Your Boxer Safe from Fires" - a lot of it was devoted to not letting your boxer start fires, which cracked me up. IF YOU ARE VERY SENSITIVE, DON'T READ THIS, IT MIGHT UPSET YOU I don't think anything I could have done would have made a difference to the dogs who died, because they were deeply unconscious or dead when I woke up. The smoke alarm woke me, and I immediately realised the house was on fire. Ominous red glow from up the hallway, and an ominous crackling sound. It was easier to carry the small dogs out than fumble around with leads. One followed me out when I called her. The boxers and cockers sleeping in the bedroom would simply have followed me outside without a lead. If I got up at night, they always came too, and in the am, they went to the back door to go out. The two old dogs who were asleep on the bed were better to be carried than left to walk, as they were old and slow. I always keep two torches - usually with full batteries - in exactly the same place. And a small torch beside the bed I also keep my mobile phone in the same place. I did have 2 fire extinguishers but they would have made no difference. When I first got out of bed, I turned the lights on, and they worked. I picked up the torch, and the mobile. I phoned the fire brigade while carrying dogs outside. Then the lights went off, but I had the torch. I had a wet teatowel over my face, but when the power went off, the water went off too, so there was no question of re-wetting it. Trying to see through the smoke with the torch was impossible, even though it was a powerful torch with a good battery. I tried getting down low, but I was too slow in that position, and I couldn't see or breathe any better, so it seemed pointless. I was down the other end of the house from where the fire began - the end where it began was burning like mad - the room I had taken the cavs from earlier was well alight by then, and the next bedroom + the hallway. I believe the fire brigade was at the house within 15 minutes or less of my call. In that time, the fire had spread from one end of the house to the other, via the insulation in the ceiling. Yellow batts. I alway believed batts were fire retardant. These had been in the house at least 8 years maybe more. Parts of the house which were not on fire were wreathed in nasty toxic yellow smoke and were incredibly hot - from the batts burning in the ceiling. I tried to rescue the pups from the dining room. I pulled the puppy pen to the door of the dining room, because it was wider than the door, and wouldn't fit through. That was as close as I could get the pups to the outside. Being at the other end of the house from where the fire began, that room was not on fire, although the ceiling was beginning to burn. The smoke and heat was from the batts burning I think. And, as we know, I saved the first 3 pups, but was overcome by smoke and heat, and although I got to the puppy pen the second time after I took the first 3 out, the pups did not come up to the side, so I believe they were dead or unconscious. I was having trouble breathing, and the heat was intense, particularly on my face. Then I went back outside and fell over. I knew the firies had arrived, and called to them - I told the firies there were pups inside, and pointed at the door, and said "save them", so I guess they tried, but the pups were already dead from smoke inhalation. My entire face and head was burned - by radiant heat, not flames. And my hair was on fire. My arms, head, shoulders, back and hands were, I believe, burned by bits of the ceiling falling on me and setting my pjs on fire as I rushed around in the part of the house which was not particularly on fire, although as hot as, and full of smoke. I have always been aware of the potential of fire ... and over the years, I ensured all our houses had plenty of exits. The house which burned had 2 exits on each side at each end - and it was only 2 rooms and a hallway wide. Every room had a window large enough to escape from. When the children were young, we had fire drills, and we had fire drills which involved the pets when they were older. I wondered about more smoke alarms, but when the alarm went off, although the fire was burning fiercely, only the desk and part of the wall of one room was on fire - so the only way to overcome that would be to have alarms in every room. I wasted time trying to put the fire out - because it did not look too big - but it was burning like mad and it simply ate the water when I hosed it. That time could have saved the 3 pups, and maybe meant I wouldn't have been burned. The only way the 5 dogs would have been saved would have been for them to have been outside the house or in another room. A dog in a room closer to the fire was fine, the dogs on the bed were fine, I was fine, only the dogs on the floor of my bedroom were overcome by CO2. I believe the problems I encountered were due mainly to the insulation burning so fiercely and so fast. I have been thinking of what I could do to improve safely - have fire retardant insulation, and maybe keep all the dogs in the same room at night .... the problem with that is then they could ALL have died of CO2 poisoning. The frustrating thing about that is that the room itself was not burned out, and neither the 2 dogs on the bed, nor I were affected - because we were high enough to be out of the CO2 - but if the alarm hadn't gone off, or had gone off 5 minutes later, I'd be with the dogs. More alarms, I guess, and maybe ALL the dogs ON the bed!! And realise that a house burns down very quickly. A lot more quickly than I would ever have thought. I have lit lots of fires to burn timber in paddocks, and stumps out, and huge piles of timber - but this burned faster than I could believe. Before I have any ceiling insulation again, I will personally set it on fire, to see how fast it burns!! If it burns at all, it's a goner. I told the builder I want something which will not burn under any circumstances. Having insulation which actually WAS fire retardant would have made a huge difference. The fire would have spead a lot more slowly, and the outcome would have been better, I think. I hope this helps anyone wondering what to do to improve fire safety - though probably not!! The advice the firies give you about getting out and not attempting to put it out is very good advice. I am devastated that 5 favourites are dead, but if more had died I would feel very responsible. At least not the grief is not mixed with guilt.

Sheridan Absolutely not. I think it is highly unlikely, unless I change direction or introduce new lines, that I will breed dogs with MVD because I have old heart clear dogs which are the parents and grand parents - but due to the nature of the beast, cannot guarantee it's not in the lines, and with SM, not the faintest idea. A friend of mine bred for about 300 years. Never had PRA pre DNA tests. DNA tests are available, she tests. Lots of the dogs are positive or carriers - much hair tearing and wailing and gnashing. It was late onset PRA, and the onset was so late the dogs had died before there was any symptoms.

Sunnyflower - just ensure that the vet DOES know what SM is. I think you will find it cheaper to have MRI's done via the Cav club than via the vet --- I am not sure whether it is the cav club, or some breeders, but the cav club can steer you in the right direction. So, all care and no responsibility eh? Shame really. However, it is possible that none of the ancestors have either SM or MVD - but she should have made a point of finding out all she could about all and any health problems the breed may have. Unfortunately, being Australian champions bears no correlation to their genetic health. And I think she should refund the purchase price on receipt of a veterinary diagnosis. Just my opinion. But she probably wont. And when you have a diagnosis, you should get a letter from the vet, stating that he has SM, MVD and whatever the respiratory disease is, and sending it to her, so she will know. IMHO, being a responsible breeder is about what you do when the excrement hits the fan, specially if it's not in the lines, as much as it is about breeding the best to the best and doing all those other things. Sheridan, did you say something about "not in my lines"??

Ah, the 'I've never had it' excuse. You know, I was told that no wheaten terrier in Australia had ever been diagnosed with the protein wasting disease they can get. And this was right - until one was diagnosed. Just because you've never had it, doesn't mean you won't ever have a case in the future. Just because you don't know anyone whose had a case, doesn't mean you won't in the future. Only the blind dismiss the research. Unfortunately, Sheridan, there is no way to predict whether you will get it in your lines or not either. There are now some recommendations about how to breed, but they are recommendations only, and even doing as the recommendations say do not guarantee success. Asals pups were fine at a time when there was no test, and hardly anyone knew what SM was. I am in exactly the same position. My dogs are now 5 generations with no SM - but that doesn't mean I couldn't have a pup with SM. I've actually never seen SM - and I have no reason to lie --- I don't have any pups to sell

Hi Sunnyflower - when you ring the breeder, try simply saying you thought she would like to know the dog has ..... and see where she goes from there. Don't be accusatory or finger pointing. Simply state the facts. If you begin nicely, there is more chance than if you begin accusing her. She may have no idea he has anything wrong with him and be happy to help once she finds out. I don't know how knowledgable or caring she is, with the problems the dog has - but in fairness, she may not be aware. Unfortunately too, a lot of people are breeding with scant awareness of these problems, and they either shouldn't breed or should learn everything they can about the breed. There are breeders out there breeding healthy dogs --- and if there is a problem, they will help. Unfortunately, they are becoming fewer and fewer. One of my puppy buyers emailed me a month ago, she wanted a new dog - and she was happy with the one she bought from me (now 5) so she wanted another from me - I had to send her elsewhere - and there was hardly anywhere to send her. The other thing to remember is that producing a pup with SM is often a matter of bad luck. No one in the family has ever had SM, and suddenly, one of the dogs you bred develops it. There's no test, although having an MRI on the parents does tell you what their status is, but no one much was doing MRIs until very recently, and results of the test give no guarantee that a pup with SM wont be produced.

MM Can't - the builder is sending me photos from time to time - will probably get another when he gets the roof on, and not before. I think he was so excited about being able to get machinery there to demolish it, he had to take photos. It has been so wet, I was amazed that he had done it. Jigsaw, wanna buy a brindle Maremma??? :D At least her scars don't look as bad as they would on a red boxer - they simply blend in. You can see the scar on her left flank and side, if you look. Also her tail - now if she had been docked, it wouldn't have been injured!!

I am not by any means an expert on syringo, never having seen it, but I have seen videos, read forums, read vet notes, and spoken to vets. However, what you describe sounds to me like syringo. There is a scanner in Sydney which Cav breeders (and owners) can use, and it is cheaper than most vets to have done. First you need a vet who has some experience with SM to look at him. I have no idea who that may be. Most GP vets have little experience with it, and may misdiagnose it. And I can't give you a prognosis, but some dogs do well on minimal medication, some need no medication at all, and some are quite bad, and the outcomes are very sad. He doesn't sound too bad. There is a UK forum for owners of dogs with syringo - unfortunately, I lost my computer in the fire, and no longer have the address. Someone else may have it. Don't go there until you have a positive diagnosis. :D It's like reading medical symptoms on the web, you are sure you have them all!! Sunnyflower, maybe contact the Cavalier Club of NSW and ask them for the name of a vet who may be able to help. If you don't have any success, pm me and I will put you in touch with a NSW breeder with some knowledge of SM. Is the murmur Mitral Valve Disease? And if it is, have you spoken to the breeder? And what was the response? I would think a full refund of purchase price at least? If breeders aren't told, they think there is nothing wrong. Sounds as if he got the short stick though, poor little guy.

There are a few sites like that - try control/alt/delete to close your computer. Don't know any other way to get rid of it. :D

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Thanks Boxagirl & ari.g - - she'd be nicer if she was red Healing is going quite well. Too slow for me, but the experts tell me I am healing well. Can now stand on my left leg, but not my right leg (without hanging on) can walk further than I could - the grafts are healing in places. So, yes, some progress. And if I shut my eyes I don't fall over (this is a biggie). I am not getting as tired as quickly. I am also driving. Not around Australia, but here and there. The insurance policy is replacement, so the house has to be basically the same as it was. This is ok with me, I bought it because I like the design. There will be some small changes - ie, where the toilet door opens, and moving the laundry from one end of the house to the middle, and making it bigger. Builder seems quite decent, and because I couldn't be bothered, I am leaving it all to him. I have chosen the bricks, floor tiles etc. already. I wasn't upset about the house - I have accepted that it is stuffed - in fact, it was the least of the things I grieved over ... so I guess I am pleased to be getting a new one. I have deliberately not let anything which happened after the fire upset me - I walk away from things with the potential for grief or anger.

Acidopholos (no idea how to spell this!!) yoghurt every day. Pawpaw or pineapple every day. They seem to prefer pawpaw

My house has been demolished, despite the wet weather. it was so good to receive photos of bare earth were a house once stood - although quite surprising!! Phoenix has settled in well. Here she is giving the business to a D Man tug - she carefully removed the fur, and had great fun doing it. After she got over the trauma of the plane trip, and the change of home, all is well. She thinks she is a cocker. We went to a show (socialisation) and she was so pleased to see the cockers. Well, i guess she grew up with them, so there is nothing wrong with thinking she is one ..... maybe!! I am going to investigate the local dog club, to see if we would like to go.

This is research by Rodney S. Bagley DVM DipACVIM (Neurology and Internal Medicine) Department of Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA, 99164-6610, USA. These are some of the findings of the research A citation search with the key word ‘syringomyelia’ in both humans and animals yields over 2,000 citations since the 1960s, suggesting that this is not a new disease process. The prevalence, however, was thought to be low until very recently. With the use of better spinal imaging modalities for diagnosis of spinal disease, these cystic spinal cord diseases are now identified as being surprisingly common Syringomyelia tends to be found more often in the smaller breed dogs such as Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Maltese terriers and Poodles. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are also commonly affected with this disease, and even Cavalier King Charles Spaniels without clinical signs may have this condition to some degree. Importantly, syringomyelia may be present as a component of, or independent of, other spinal cord diseases such as atlantoaxial subluxation and intervertebral disk disease.Therefore, it is important to have a high index of suspicion for this disease, even when other spinal diseases that are more obviously apparent are present. Clouding the issue further, some syrinxes have spontaneously regressed, resulting in some authors questioning the role of surgery as treatment for this problem Congential and acquired defects of the foramen magnum are in a group of diseases that have been described in humans http://www.irishveterinaryjournal.com/Link...CESA_Jan_07.pdf If 50% of Cavaliers are scanning positive, they should not be bred from. If the 50% which have scanned clear are the only ones used for breeding, it is extremely likely that MVD and other problems will become more prevalent. This is the recommendation from Claire Rusbridge Colour code: red = under 2.5 years blue = over 2.5 years, purple = any age CODE AGE (yrs) Syringomyelia Breed to: A Over 2.5 Absent or less than 2mm central canal dilatation in the C2-C4 region only. A, C, D C Under 2.5 Absent A Rescan after 2.5 years. D Over 2.5 Present but asymptomatic. A E Under 2.5 Present but asymptomatic. SHOULD NOT BE BRED FROM F Any Present and symptomatic SHOULD NOT BE BRED FROM These guidelines are the current recommendations of neurologists and may be amended and re-issued as further research information becomes available.

Zenchel Absolutely, I wouldn't mate a bitch with bad teeth. Bad teeth also can damage the heart. If he is a good vet, he would have given her an appropriate and light anaesthetic which is not likely to damage the pups.

Chances are the pups will be fine -- unless there are some genetic nasties lurking. I too, would spey the bitch. Might be very difficult emotionally at the time, but in the long run, it is much better - for the dogs, and for you emotionally.

Oh, go on, we all love our vets - we just don't like the dodgy ones. We don't like dodgy breeders, dodgy car salesmen, or dodgy councillors either. The majority of the public really appreciate their vets, they just don't verbalise it And of course some of us can stare, mesmerised, at the classic features of the Bondi Vet for hours, swaying gently in our loungers, tomato soup slowing dribbling down our chins - - showing not the slightest interest in whatever procedure he does, or whatever dog he treats just gazing in awe at that masculine profile. Vetrg, if you at all resemble Bondi Vet, please, do post your photo here!!

I get you KK. The 'reasonable" part of my brain says not much was known about the subject by those who wrote the laws ---- but the cynical, paranoid side thought "uh hu" and I can see exactly how it will all go. Yep, you will get more response in the training section. Good Luck with it. All owners need to be vigilant and be prepared to stick together and ensure their point is understood.

I had Give your Dog a Bone, and Grow your Pup with Bones. Don't know anything about The BARF diet for dogs and cats, so can't help. Give your dog a Bone contains everything you need to know - and that is where I'd begin. I think reading Grow your Pup with Bones would be helpful too, although there is a lot of content which could be boring if you aren't a breeder Good luck It's cheaper, the dogs love it, and all mine do really well on it.

Red,chocolate, or brown. He is (whatever the colour is called in Kelpies) red (?) and tan. I don't think he is a tricolour, tricolours is most breeds need a lot more white. Parkeyre, I think the dog in your sig is a tricolour - from what can be seen on the head and neck

BB - "kill her sister" does not describe the dog you are talking about. And I didn't attack sway, if you will return and read, I asked her a question, she didn't want to answer me so she attacked me, and justified what she is doing. What she breeds, and what she breeds it with, is her business. I pointed that out to her, so I have no idea why you are on the attack too. I don't think anyone should be breeding dogs with either HA or DA tendencies, but that's up to the breeder, as I pointed out before

Ellz, no idea, I suppose it depends on the definition of "absolute arseholes" and whether that equates with "wants to kill her daughter". Sway, if you want to complain instead of answering my questions, and you say you are doing everything perfectly anyhow, so there is no point in continuing the discussion.

Well, it's your problem. Of course, the pups she produces will be someone else's problem. How many litters have you bred? How old are the pups out of her? You are the breeder. it is up to you. I certainly wouldn't be breeding a bitch with problems like that. For the good of the people I sell the pups to. No doubt you know best.

Obviously I don't breed enough Cavaliers for SM to appear, although after 15 years of breeding, I would have thought it would have appeared. I'm not surprised about none of my pups having MVD, I selected against it. The researchers might have found the gene/genes responsible for SM before the breed is banned, but I doubt it. It's not a simple autosomal recessive, or a dominant, and I will be surprised if they ever find it/them. It may be polygenic too, or caused to vaccination, food - anything, and not genetic at all. I don't think sufficient attention is paid to the results from research on Pottingers Cats, and vets are too ready to blame genetics for everything. Not saying that it is not genetic. And really, all the research hasn't given the breeders any assistance to avoid SM at all. How disappointing. If I thought I would produce 1:10 pups with syringo, never mind 1:4, I would cease breeding, and I certainly couldn't countenance breeding so that ONE pup from EVERY LITTER would have SM, even after spending a few grand on MRIs and travelling. Terribly disappointing.

Know nothing about snake repellers. Guinea fowl and peafowl are reputed to keep snakes away - waking on the ground (vibrations) and eating small snakes are supposed to be what they do best. Both are also quite noisy, so that probably keeps the snakes at bay too. I am not sure about chooks - had a brown snake helping himself to the eggs, so that was hardly "keeping the snakes away" - I'd go for the guinea fowl. Foxes don't seem to get them either, and I do think they eat small ticks.