LisaCC

Espinay, I'm looking through that study now as I couldn't before because I was on my phone. It's quite interesting. I was wondering why we would not of learn about Taurine content in plants for animal nutrition, obviously due to the very low levels. I might try to find some more recent studies to see if they have yet found out how the taurine in Fungi and Bacteria actually work on animal tissue. I find it interesting that it doesn't do the same role as Taurine from animal sources. Oh and I've noticed most people don't look past the abstract/summaries of articles.

Because I'm trying to make the point that you can't change an animals digestive system. So why would you feed them something that either they can't digest or takes too much energy to digest efficiently. A herbivores digestive system is amazingly complicated and for good reason. I hope my grammars been ok I'm on my iPhone.

And the rest of the food you are giving them? Please enlighten me on how you would get a cat who can not digest plants to survive on only plants. With studies please. surely it's not all powders

Then how would a cat digest this seaweed? They don't have the correct digestive system.

I didn't think anyone would try to feed a cat seaweed. Hmm wonder how you would do that? Cats are quite picky. I don't they would find seaweed mixed with veggies very appetising. I just don't understand why anyone thinks that leading a 'cruelty free' life means voiding animals from eating as close to a natural diet as possible. Be a vegan all you want but why impose it on an animal that is a carnivore? At least cats will most likely still be able to find some mice and eat that. There is hope for them still.

That's the stupidest thing that anyone can do to their pets. And I've met people like that too, unfortunately there is often no reasoning with them. Technically a dog could survive on a vegan diet, but it sure as hell won't be healthy (unless it's to battle a meat allergy). Go study animal and veterinary anatomy if you don't agree. Cats fed a vegan or vegetarian diet will die. There is no way around It. Unlike dogs they need that extra essential amino Acid Taurine only found in red meat (or redbull :) ). It's called an ESSENTIAL amino acid for a reason.

Thank you both for your replies. His arthritis is mostly in his hind limbs and front toes. But I'm a little worried that the inflammation was at the spinal region, I have a good relationship with the vet clinic so I will go up myself and talk to them about that. I have thought of acupuncture and know that the best (from our experience) vet at our clinic does practise it. He unfortunately was not working yesterday so we have not yet talked to him. How have you found the effects of Acupuncture? Has your vet seen any clinical changes? Also where my profile says I'm located is not where my hometown is, it is in the Central Tablelands, the same region as Bathurst which is where Robert McDowell seems to be situated. I have to admit I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to alternative medicines, but I am more than open to them if they have backing behind them, and seeing as this person is so close to us I will look into him closely. I like this idea for over heating, but when he was so sore yesterday he wouldn't use his current trampoline bed, so he may use it when it's needed most. I quite like this idea, I should be able to get some pure wool quite easily. How does this bed go during warmer months? I know I definitely wouldn't want wool around me in summer. Perhaps the memory foam would be better as the wool blanket could easily be replaced with a cooler cotton for summer. I will just have to make sure I get the least smelly wool I can get, Even as an old boy he has a bad habit of destroying his bedding if he likes the smell of it, Especially hessian! I also want to mention that for the last few years we have reduced a lot of his behaviours that could cause himself more damage We have gated off the Veranda stairs and constructed a low angle ramp down the side instead. We also rounded off a lot of low fences that he used to use to stand on his back legs to get a better view of the neighbours. He has a wicker armchair he enjoys sitting on and recently we cut a lot of the legs off so he doesn't have so far to jump off. But he still manages to do surprisingly large jumps and twists in the air when he gets excited. Has anyone had any problems keeping older dogs from self inflicting pain?

Hello all, I got a call 3 days ago from my Mum back home telling me our almost 11 year old lab had received a hard hit to the side from a younger dog and that he seemed fine and she was watching him very carefully as we already know he has arthritis. The day after he was apparently back to normal even doing zoomies around the back yard. I don't live at home anymore, but at the moment I am even further away in Melbourne for a conference held yesterday. So not wanting to worry me my Mum didn't tell me until this afternoon that yesterday Sam was rushed to the vet. He was refusing to stand up, even for a food (never happened before) and couldn't wag his tail. He was helped to the car and rushed to the vet. The knock he received has deeply bruised his spine and hip joints. He was given an injection (Mum wasn't sure what) and put on Rimadyl. He also got given his Cartrophen injection a little early while there. Today he is much better and back to following Mum around the garden. But I'm wondering what else we can do for him now and in the future, I have heard good things about Orthopaedic beds and heated beds. He sleeps inside at night and when It is cold, but is happiest outside during the day when it is warm. The climate is freezing in winter (so a heated bed would be good), but it gets quite hot in summer and I would worry about over heating. Currently he also receives 3 monthly Cartrophen injections, a cheaper version of Sasha's blend (which has done wonders) with dinner, he also has a jacket for winter and cold nights but the clever thing takes it off himself when he gets too hot. He also gets almost daily swims and his weight is right on want the vet wants but due to past issues all our vets, including specialists, want him to stay a tiny bit overweight, even if this hinders his arthritis. If anyone has any recommendations for extremely large dog beds (He spreads out to sleep and doesn't curl), experience in using heated beds, or anything else that you find helps please let me know. This is the first major problem he has had with his arthritis since being extremely ill a few years ago with Inflammatory Bowl Disease. Please don't recommend a change in diet as he is currently on the only food he can physically digest. I will be heading back to my home town at the end of this week and will then get to try out any suggestions. Lisa As you all love photos here is one of him sun baking and gives an idea of how big a bed he will need!

Thanks Impatiens. Beautiful photos. The house I grew up in had an entire wall covered in yellow Climbing Banksia Rose.

Not wanting to start anything, but isn't there some very strict rules about APBTs regarding BSL? I wouldn't want to put this on a public forum. I know in NSW at least you can get in big trouble for rehoming one. Hope everything works out well though.

Is there a page for 2013 yet? My future puppy is hoped to be born in January (well conceived first lol). I'd love to do a photo each day of the pup for an entire year to watch how it grows! Doubt I could get the breeder to do it but from 8weeks onwards!

Oh damn its already been said, In that case might go for a wild guess of either the Saarloos Wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.

Seppala Siberian Sleddog?

I've seen some lately at Sam's Warehouse and other cheap shops like The Reject Shop.

That is pretty cool (pun intended) .

Dogs are so clever! Am I going to have to buy some padlocks for this pup?

Thanks for the tips Tazar, I was thinking about putting in a roll up window on the roof as well, I know plenty of soft crates that come with those, might come in handy. Learned to unzip it at 13 weeks! What a clever pup! :D

What a cutie!

Thanks for everyones replies! Thanks BC Crazy! We live in one of those weird climates where it sits in the 30s over summer maybe reaching 40 once (I think we might be expecting a few this summer though) but our house actually stays surprisingly cool. Temps then easily sits in the Minus' over winter. If I go back to my home town to visit I think I would definitely need a cover, it snows quite regularly there. Perhaps it would be better to have no cover over summer and then introduce one for winter months. I will still be looking for some nice breathable material. I'm still getting a bit ahead of myself.. no puppy even born yet . But I figured if I'm going to make one then I'll have the next few months to play around with the sewing machine.

Amazing photos! I've never seen a livestock guardian at work before, too many cows and not enough sheep back home.

I've decided to crate train this new Aussie pup I will eventually have! Especially since I hope on doing Obedience trails and/or possibly Agility. After looking at different crate options I think i'll definitely get a metal crate not a soft one that a pup could scratch/chew through. But my partners major problem with this is that they are ugly compared to some soft crates that you can get in neutral colour. Then I came across these! http://www.freckles-...vers/4553008458 Instead of spending extreme amounts of money I plan on just whipping one up myself. But I have a few questions; Would the covers affect crate training at all? I have heard that it can make it more den-like and encourage the pup to use it more, but are there any cons? I would make it to match the decor of our room which is charcoal and a very light beige. Would you recommend the majority of the crate be the darker coloured material or the lighter? I'm thinking mostly the charcoal for the 'den effect'.

I'm in Wagga, but I don't have my pup yet. But I do know a few different people with very large dogs. I know a a lady with a great dane girl, she's currently at the vet for an injury but I might be able to get her for a play date later on. I also know a vet in training who owns the most beautiful behaved Mastiff X boy. Not sure what he is entirely but we are thinking Labrador, but he is HUGE! Vet student will be on holidays in a few weeks so she should have plenty of time for doggy play dates. If you want I can try and get both of them to join DOL and have a chat.

Thats so exciting Alibi! Good luck with brining your pup home, and yes show us lots of pics :)

Thanks Esky and Alibi! Thats so soon! What kind of pup are you waiting on?

This may be way to early to post in here but I'm already excited! I've been accepted by an Australian Shepherd breeder! But... The dogs aren't even mated yet!! Still a few weeks to go. Ive been researching and looking into getting one for 3 years, so about 5 months until I can bring the little pup home is really soon for me! Breeder has asked for my preferences and I'm hoping for a little Blue merle boy. But as both parents are red factored there is a chance for reds to pop up as well, and I would be quite happy to have a red merle too. I couldn't choose between tail or a bob, as I like both! I know I'm getting way too excited about this way too early!