Dmayma

Will be taking the green salad guys. My boy's name is Chad

Hi there Thanks for your reply Snout Girl. I saw the above list but noticed that some of the participants are TBA status and didn't want choose a dish which has been already chosen. :) Thanks for your suggestion, I'll bring the salad then. I've never been to Kepala Canine Country Club myself, but it sounds like heaps of fun for the dogs and their people.

Hi everyone Will it be possible to include one more person + dog? If so, I'd also appreciate suggestions regarding what to bring for lunch. Thanks

Kirislin I sincerely hope Feather is feeling better and her symptoms have disappeared. However, I went through a very similar situation, only 2 weeks ago, and hopefully will be able to answer some of your questions. Feather's symptoms appear to be from neurological nature. By reading your description of Feather's behavioral changes, it appears to me she was having a fit(s). Often, such neurological signs point to a diagnosis of brain neoplasia (brain tumors). Neurological signs are often insidious and progressive and vary depending where lesion is located: central, brainstem or cerebellar brain tumors. Diagnosis is done by history assessment and neurologic examination results. Confirmation requires intracranial imaging (CT or MRI). MRI is markedly superior for soft tissue detail (brain, spinal cord) and have superior resolution than CT. CT is also good, but preferred for bone lesions (skull tumors, for instance), it's faster and slightly less expensive than a MRI. The prognosis/outcome of brain tumors is often guarded, however, it widely depends on several variables: lesion (tumor) location, lesion type, whether or not is a metastatic lesion, whether or not it is expanding and invading nearby brain structures, whether or not there is bleeding or inflamation inside the brain (triggered by neoplasia's expansion/growth and subsequent bleeding), etc Because symptoms vary depending which structures inside the brain are under pressure by the tumor, a CT or MRI is often strongly recommended in order to determine the next course of action. If the tumor is located on the outer brain and non cancerous, surgery is viable, but pre surgical testing/diagnosis is expensive as well as the surgery itself. If tumor is located anywhere else in the brain, surgery may be offered, but it is not recommended (often dogs die on the operating table or immediately after surgery). I shall mention as well that unfortunately, painkillers do not work in brain structures. Radiation therapy is also an option, however the cost is immoral, the only machine available is located in Brisbane and general anesthetic is required each session. Because I went through a similar situation 2 weeks ago and I noticed you live in Victoria, I can inform you about upfront fees/pathway to follow should you decide to investigate further: 1) Often, Animal Emergency Centers have CT Scans, but they charge twice the price, so skip AEC alltogether; 2) The only location in Melbourne where you can have an MRI (dogs & cats) is the Werribee Veterinary Hospital. They have the only available machine in VIC and only perform MRIs during work days (Mondays through Fridays), never during weekends. Kind of bizarre in my opinion and I asked the staff if they believed that pets don't get sick over the weekend. The cost of a MRI is around $1000/1700; 3) CT scans are also quite good and the cost is around $850 (including the CT scan itself, contrast agent and microbiology); 4) Skip the vet alltogether and ask for a referral to a neurologist. I recommend you ask for for Dr Sam Long, Head of Neurology at Werribee Veterinary Hospital, neurologist / neurosurgeon. 5) I didn't use it, but Werribee Veterinary Hospital offers some type of payment plan by instalments (sorry, cannot recall the name) I do feel for you Kirislin and I sincerely hope I'm wrong. Neurological symptoms are hard to witness and really scary. I wish all the very best for you and the lovely Feather and hopefully, she will make a full recovery. My thoughts will be with you and Feather. Good luck.

very cute!

Wise words. Prophetic.

Happy birthday Chaos! You are a very handsome boy. Beautiful pics!

Link bellow:

I apologize for the late post, but I haven't been reading the Forums lately. Look for Dr Charles Kuntz at Southpaws Specialty Surgery for Animals. Dr Kuntz is truly miraculous, professional and extremely knowledgeable. Southpaws link: http://www.southpaws.com.au/index.php Dr Charles Kuntz: http://www.southpaws.com.au/staff.php By the way, you'll need a referral from your veterinarian. Ask your vet specifically for Dr Charles Kuntz (my vet tried to convince me to book an appointment with another surgeon/specialist, what I promptly declined). Dr Kuntz is the founder of Southpaws and his full bio is available by clicking on the link above. Hope your boy is feeling better. Good luck and all the best.

Johnson Bulldog X Boxer. Very popular and widely used for pig hunting all over Australia. It's appalling that dogs are allowed to wonder off leash in Ballarat

Chezal Glad to know Gnarla's puppies are safe and well. They are looking very healthy and are all very cute. Gnarla looks a very kind and humble dog and I hope she goes to the best of homes where she can be inside with her family, the expression in her eyes reminds me of my elderbully girl, also a sweetheart. It appears to me you are comfortable with little Bazza's condition, however, my offer still stands, unchanged, to assist him with whatever he might need. Likewise, my 2nd offer ( to help you with costs associated with their food as well as Gnarla's ) also still stands unchanged. Should you need my assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at any time. I have a tight schedule tomorrow and unfortunately won't be answering my cell due to attending 2 BM in the afternoon, however you can still send me a text message and I'll call you back as soon as I am at home. Puppies are looking terrific & thanks for the lovely photos. Kind regards, Dmayma

Thanks for your reply Chezal So glad the little fellow is doing ok. I am unsure how the a consultation with a Uni vet works (if there are costs associated with it) and fully accept your decision and criteria towards what is best for Bazza, however I shall insist you have his snout Xrayed. I'll be delighted to cover 100% of the costs of his treatment, consultation and will also cover the cost of his meds. I truly admire your kindness and compassion towards this beautiful young mother and her little ones.How are you going regarding food? I'd be delighted to help you with their feeding needs as well. Perhaps you can provide me with a delivery address as well as your preferred brand and variety of food for Gnarla and her brood and I'll take care of the rest. I will PM you my phone number and if you need to speak to me you are very welcome to contact me at anytime. Take care. Kind regards Dmayma

@ Harley, Mita, Danny's Darling & Raineth Thank you all for your kind comments and further offers of assistance for Bazza & Cheza58 @ Cheza58 I apologize for not posting over the weekend, but as I previously mentioned in another thread, I am a proud guardian of 3 dogs (1 girl, 8.5 yo; 2 boys, 1 & 2 yo) and 3 cats (1 girl, 14 yo & 2 boys, 14 & 9 yo). And yes, they are all rescues. I take my responsibilities towards my "kids" very seriously and walk my dogs religiously 3 times a day for 1.5 hours every time, rain or shine. My weekends are nearly entirely dedicated to fulfill my dogs (primarily my boys due to their young age) exercise requirements and by Sunday night I am truly exhausted. I have been a keen reader of Dollforums since 2009 despite only recently got myself registered and, due to my busy schedule, the only window available for online activity is after 10pm on weekdays. I want to reiterate my offer and commitment to cover little Bazza's treatment costs. I believe any animal, regardless its breed or background, deserves a chance of a better life. Should you decide to accept my offer, I am happy to provide you with my contact numbers. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards, Dmayma

I apologize for my suggestion ...I mistakenly assumed it was intended for human noses. I had a few "accidents" with my dogs when they arrived to live with us (none were housebroken, what didn't bother me at all). Persephone got it right from the beginning: toilet training is the key.

Hi Cheza58 I am not a veterinarian, but often, if you noticed something similar to bite wounds and there was a watery bloody discharge, it means there was some kind of trauma. Puppy bones are very soft and I am wondering that, perhaps, there is a small bone fragment puncturing the inside of this puppy's nasal cavity and therefore, causing an infection. If his lymph glands are swollen, it indicates his little body is actually fighting an infection. If there is a bone fragment actually dislodged and continually puncturing his nasal cavity, the antibiotics will initially work, but the infection will surely return due to what is causing it be left untreated. You are 100% correct in getting a second opinion. Is it really necessary to anesthetize a young puppy to get X-Rays from his snout? I think it is wonderful what you did for Gnarla and her puppies. Sadly I don't live close to you, but would like to help you and Bazza. Would you please book an appointment with a second veterinarian (the best you can find) and have little Bazza's face X-Rayed straight away? I'll cover the full cost.

Try a product called NILODOR Please see the image on the link bellow: http://www.graysonline.com/retail/vp-30880/pet-supplies/nilodor-deodoriser-concentrate-7-5ml

Hi Puddles Weall understand your frustration with the current situation and of course it is unfair towards your own needs and working schedule. However, try to rethink the whole thing and perhaps try to understand what happens and why it happens through your neighbors eyes. For someone still so young, it is very obvious that her body doesn't quite match her age and I feel terribly sorry for her. The dogs belong to her and are already there. I also assume they are well treated and well fed. Luckily, we are the ones fortunate enough to have good health and therefore enjoy our dogs; sadly, that isn't the case with your neighbor. Often, when someone faces such challenging situations (on/off the hospital) they are quite lost, insecure and scared most of the time despite not speaking about it. Perhaps her dogs are all she has at the moment: a reason to wake up every day, stick to a routine and try to keep things going on. As said before in this thread, it is pitiful the fact our communities often don't have organized groups or volunteers able to help someone like your neighbor. As well, we shall all remember that no one (and that includes us) is free of facing the same situation in the future. Life changes continually to all of us, and eventually those changes can be far from ideal or desirable. My elderly neighbor (around 70yo now) got a Poodle puppy 6 years ago. I remember thinking with myself "what a heck!!! A puppy is a lot of work!". She did a great job with her little dog and the little thing is adorable. Around 3 years ago she started having issues with her back and her energy wasn't at all the same. Her 2 daughters always came to visit her, but regarding "her dog", none of them rose their hand trying to help her mother keep the dog. I have a great relationship with my neighbor and know very well how much she loves that dog and vice versa. Several times I caught her crying because she was unable to walk her little girl or because she needed to stay at the hospital for some time and none of her family members would take the little one in for a couple of weeks. I am a proud guardian of 3 Amstaffs and 3 cats and my dogs are extremely well socialized, very calm, trained and laid back (they are inside dogs by the way). One day, I decided to step in and offer my neighbor to let me help her with her dog by taking her in with my own animals during her hospital stays or whatever situation she needed some help with. At the beginning she was slightly concerned due to my dogs size, despite the fact they play all together with her own dog since coming to live with myself and my husband. It was chaotic I must say, due to her little dog being extremely excitable and a pocket rocket. Did it disturb my routine? You bet (she chased the cats around at the beginning), but over time I polished her dog's manners and she just fits perfectly with my own pack of 3 dogs and 3 cats. To be honest, it wasn't exactly the sort of helping hand I was prepared to offer often, but someone had to. And it all happened 3 years ago. My neighbor right now is still in hospital after spinal surgery and her little pocket rocket is right here, by my side, comfortably snoring between my 2 boys (dogs) and 2 of the cats (yes, they all get along beautifully). I believe she is less stressed out knowing her little one is safe, warm, well fed and cared for. I got a second mother and a great friend in my neighbor and little Rebecca (the Poodle) got an instant 2nd family and 6 siblings. Regardless it all, I do not think for a second "I am such a good girl" for doing it. I was only there, watching her crying for not knowing what to do to keep her little dog and Gosh knows how much she loves and needs this dog. At no instance I am suggesting you to do the same. Your life and working commitments are different and pretty demanding by themselves. Sure your neighbor bit more than she can chew on, but didn't we all do that at some point in our lives? So here is an idea....how about contacting the local Rotary Club, some Neighborhood Association or Volunteer organization? Perhaps they are able to help her keep her companion animals by working out a walking/feeding/keeping schedule. Anyway, just an idea. The main reason i did what I did was because I put myself in her skin and tried to think what would I do if I wasn't able to have my beloved pets by my side. We are all members of a community and, as citizens and human beings, should think more often in those who need our help, whether they ask for it or not. Sadly, our companion animals are unable to speak. We may not change the world, but surely we can try to change one's life, little by little, one step at a time. All the best

Hi Mericury. Yes, there are some good vets around. Mont Albert Veterinary Hospital 443 Mont Albert Rd (cnr Elgar Rd) Mont Albert VIC 3127 ph: 98901728 web: montalbertvet.com.au Ask for Dr Alain Marc or Dr Alastair Fearn Box Hill Veterinary Hospital 767 Whitehorse Road (cnr Hotham St) Mont Albert VIC3127 ph: 9890 6071 web: bhvet.com.au Ask for Dr Elaine Ong or Dr Jayde Kunst Hope it helps Regards, D

Yes, there is hope Jellybush... Believe me, I understand your problem pretty well because I have been there not so long ago. I adopted a amstaff girl 3 years ago and she had severe separation anxiety. She didn't go tho the extent of self harm, but was destructive and used to wee and poop everywhere. Differently of some previous opinions, I fully disagree that rescue dogs or mixed breeds are more prone to separation anxiety than pure bred dogs. I have plenty of friends who purchased dogs from breeders (pick of the litter) and their dogs also developed issues like separation anxiety, aggression, etc, just like any other dog. Adopting my girl was the best thing I have ever did and trust me, euthanasia is not the answer for everything. At the time I got her, I had no idea what separation anxiety was and naively assumed she was friendly towards other dogs. It turns up she wasn't and I was devastated. I hired a behaviorist from a very famous and well known group for 3 "at home" and "one-on-one" consultation and 2 extra sessions and was appalled to pay $380.00 for the 45 minutes initial consultation alone. His verdict? Her separation anxiety wasn't "fixable", she would never be able to live with another dog and I should consider euthanasia. After the initial shock, I then decided to take action, learn all I could about dog behavior and help my beloved. Euthanasia wasn't an option for me because: 1) I really liked her and wanted to help; 2) She wasn't born that way; 3) had I resorted to euthanasia, I would be going against everything I believe and wanted since the very first day I decided to adopt & welcome a dog in my life: help an animal in need. I then decided to learn everything I could about dog behavior & body language and boy, did I get an education! I credit my success to 2 "dog people" I truly worship: Dr Patricia B. McConnell, PhD and Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer.Ms McConnell is an adjunct associate professor of Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Ms McConnell can be defined by one word: outstanding. Her vast knowledge, training techniques and fantastic insight how a dog’s mind and emotions work (posture changes, facial expressions, etc), and how to better interact and understand our best friends are fascinating. Cesar Millan is very well known and dispenses presentation. I shall say as well that my girl's behavior didn't change overnight: it took me 3 months. I completely changed my attitude towards her (no excuses, no more pitying her) and pay a great deal of attention to both: her body language and my body language around her. Yes, she had a few setbacks over time, she isn't perfect after all and the only way she could consistently learn was making mistakes. Six months after she was able to be inside the house by herself (crate was no longer necessary) and her destructive behavior disappeared. Once in a blue moon she wees on the floor, but the last time it happened was 5 months ago and the gaps between these "mishaps" are getting longer and longer. It is an interactive process: you have to do your homework and be prepared to change your approach as well, commitment and perseverance are the keys. Dogs are amazing creatures and their ability to learn is enormous. What about her "diagnosed" dog aggression? Well, cutting the story short, I am pleased to report she now lives with 2 other dogs and is best friends with the resident poodle next door. I have a booklet which I'd like to scan and send to you by email. Would you please post message me a suitable email address? I do believe you love your girl as much as I love mine. Such relationship/commitment/trust is unique and must be treasured. My girl is a member of the family and, no matter what, we are in this together. I consider myself privileged to share my life with a living being that teaches me every single day more and more about loyalty, love, hope, humility and above it all, forgiveness. Yes, there is always hope. "Never" is a very long time and a pretty big statement. Yes, you can. All the best

Utterly disgusting. Stressful and unfair for the puppies to say the least. Furthermore, the puppies are not t-shirts or household items...they are living beings, not "things" and should be treated with a little more respect. It is appalling enough that this store supports puppy farmers , let alone its overnight lay-by. How is it possible such people are still in business? They should be shut down.

Why is that Shmoo? I'm going to follow this up, and really hope he does get treatment and care that he deserves. Anything that is of "Pit Bull type" is being seized and destroyed. I am afraid you are someway misinformed about what has been happening is VIC Shmoo. A very basic example can be found on AAPS Pet Rescue Listings: gorgeous Amstaff Sammy was recently rehomed. Link bellow: http://www.petrescue.com.au/view/161096

It might not be very close for you, but he is one of the best vets I have ever seen, very kind, very gentle and knowledgeable Greencross Vets - Sandringham Specifically request an appointment with Dr Rob Graham I copied their link for you. Please see bellow: http://www.greencrossvet.com.au/Clinic-37/Sandringham-Team.aspx Hope it helps and good luck