Her Majesty Dogmad

I'm off to buy aloe vera juice - I'll try anything as I've sat and cried over my foxie's sore legs. Particularly as other people constantly ask me about them, I feel so bad but have tried so many things. I'm also desperate to fix the Malt girl's problem, I believe she's probably suffered for many years plus she's definitely been abused at some point.

I have 2 dogs with skin problems. I spent 100s on my own foxie cross last year trying to get to the bottom of it without any success. We tried cortisone, Malaseb baths, natural remedies (inc drops and herbs) without any luck. He is very active and his legs/paws get red raw very easily. One vet kept insisting it was Wandering Jew but I could never find any. I've noticed his legs are worse after a run on grass (some parks worse than others) and really bad if grass is damp so I have stopped taking him in the early mornings or after rain. The other one is totally different, an old Maltese that I have been fostering for nearly 2 weeks. She has red skin all over and initially some infections so has been on cortisone and antibiotics since I got her. Itchy red spots seem to come up each day so I am putting natural creams on them to soothe and I've now been given natural therapy drops by a friend. I am also feeding her on a natural diet but won't expect to see any results for a month or so. Just as the foxie was originally my foster whom nobody wanted due to obvious skin problems so I expect this old girl will end her days with me, she also has cataracts and ear problems. :rolleyes: I shouldn't have kept saying I didn't like Maltese!!!

Thanks for all the info guys, I really think K9 is a great idea and I think my boss would love to know how quickly a professional can fix his problem. I will give him K9's contact info. Just to confirm, FeralSam hasn't sent me any information. Will keep you posted on what happens.

My boss rescued a labrador recently who is a bit out of control as he was not used to being walked. He is a very strong dog and my boss' wife has difficulty coping with him. They have tried a harness to no avail and now he has bitten through 2 of those (not sure what they are called) leaders that go over the muzzle/head. My boss knows that choke chains are not good either and he reckons he needs something stronger than the material used in the leader. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of a suitable product? I did suggest taking him along to dog training classes to learn the "heel" command but don't think they will do this. Thanks in advance.

Sorry to hear this. RIP Minnie, she sounds like a beautiful soul.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, your support is much appreciated. It's been nearly a week .... still very upset, even though it was the only thing to do I miss him so much.

I first saw Barney (a tiny tan terrier cross - think Griffon) in Hawkesbury Pound on my way to Rozzie's with Murphy the greyhound. It was instant love for me and I kept in touch with HP, preparing to take him myself (although that was a big ask for me with 6 dogs already). Then he came to Doggie Rescue. In the next week I rehomed my 2 long term foster dogs (which I'd thought would never happen), I believe that it was to make way for Barney. I had to make him a ramp as he was so tiny he couldn't manage to get in and out of the door otherwise. He enjoyed my home comforts and the friendship of my dogs who all accepted him as one of the family, he helped my foxie search for lizards or lay in the long grass in the sun. He couldn't walk far but he still came to the park with us. I knew he was sick when I fostered him, what I'd thought initially when I saw him at HP was fat was actually fluid caused from a failing heart (he was about 6 yrs old). He was put on lots of medication. He may have had longer if his previous owners had looked after him but I just hoped that he would have a few months. Instead it has only been 5 weeks. He was the sweetest, dearest little dog who never took his eyes off me, no matter where or when. This may sound strange to some but we had a very deep connection. Last weekend he started going off his food. He rallied after a visit to the vet's but on Tuesday, I knew it was time. I stayed while the wonderful vet at St Ives gently sent him to the bridge. All my love Barney, I will never forget you.

Ruth, sorry to hear about your sad losses. Look after yourself.

Could it be inflammatory bowel disease - my IG has it. Any meat makes him bleed and blood comes out both ends. He has the odd attack but it's kept under control with medication and diet -eg no meat. Took a long time to diagnose and lots of attacks, time on drips etc. Good luck!

My IG was diagnosed about 4 yrs ago, age around 8. He was put on cortisone and it changed our lives, the only food he could eat was Hills Ultra ZD. He didn't like it and i tried to prepare it in various ways to tempt him. Read on the web that sweet potato was good so eventually started adding that. Each night was a fight with food, he wouldn't eat but was hungry and he would bark at me and claw at me to give him food. I would make a game of it with the biscuits but in the night he'd wake me several times to demand food. Got to the point after 2 years of sleep deprivation that I couldn't cope any more. Went to a new vet and said I can't cope. They suggested 2 other drugs. The first didn't work and we tried salazaprin and he eventually became the dog I'd first rescued. He still isn't keen on the food but he doesn't wake me several times each night any more. It saved my sanity ... I now add cottage cheese as well which helps.