Rosetta

As far as diet goes the only thing that really helps is to add some bulk - I am sure she has already tried that!

If all the vet is doing is squeezing the anal glands and charging $100 for that then she is being ripped off. My local vet charges $20 to do anal glands, it only takes a few minutes- suggest she try another vet!

Thats a beautiful story Muttrus - good for you! Gumtree breaks my heart - I find it very hard to understand how people could just get rid of old and faithful pets because of really petty reasons Are we allowed to talk about Gumtree by the way - the forum rules confuse me sometimes

That is great news I felt sick when I read that he may have been taken as a bait dog

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How horrible for that poor little dog - hope he recovers. Would it help for all the neighbours who have issues with the roaming dogs to sign a letter of complaint to the council?

That is good to hear Caz - news of those charges should be spread far and wide as a wake up call to other negligent groomers. It would be great if news of the fine could be "leaked" to the local news as well!

Is it possible to rig up a little shelter? I just use a large plastic sheet and tie between the patio post and a garden chair to create a little sheltered area for mine to toilet - otherwise he will never go and I have to constantly watch him in case he decides inside is good enough. And... he is 3 years old - they never grow out of not wanting to get feet wet :laugh:

Sure lovey - you didn't have anywhere in the shop you could have put the cat and kittens away from the public? As for the staff being upset - shows how clueless they are that they didn't think it was inappropriate.

Yes I think the Sunnis believe that dogs are unclean and do not believe in keeping them as pets though dogs may be kept in a "working" role. Don't quote me though I may be incorrect - it is quite a complex religion/culture. :)

I report the "advertising for a breeding partner" type ads cos they really annoy me - pups for profit

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I think the main thing is not to chop and change the active ingredient in the heartworm. In other words if you dose with Valueheart monthly don't use an all-wormer 3 monthly with some other heartworm chemical in it. Use an all wormer without a heartworm component and continue to dose with the Valueheart. Hope that makes sense :)

Ok I am confused now as to what can be discussed on this forum. I was enjoying the parti poodle thread too and remember thinking that it would be OK as they are purebred dogs. Is the OP considered a BYB then?

Sorry, just had to say - why is it a problem for him to be with your family during the day? One of the solutions often suggested for dogs with separation anxiety is "daycare" - in other words company for the dog. I too think it not suitable to confine him inside for that amount of time. Can you not perhaps erect some sort of run for him outside with shelter? Hopefully some of the experienced behaviourists will be along to offer advice re training techniques for you.

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Some people prefer to space out the chemical load on their dogs and give each treatment separately so the dog's system does not have to cope with all the chemical load in one dose.

I use a Valueheart tablet monthly that treats heartworm only. In contains Invermectin as the active ingredient which you have to be careful of if you have a collie breed apparently. I only give an all-wormer - not including the heartworm - every 3 months or so.

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Thanks for that - might be something to add into the mix for some variety :)