Rosetta

"Nothing they could do" ?? What the heck are they for??

Private rehomings can be fine - it depends on each individual case. There are many genuine reasons to rehome. Those who are willing to provide vet details etc are best. All shelters and rescues advise people to try and rehome their dogs themselves rather than surrender them.

It may even be preferable to acquire a dog from a family home rather than a breeder whose dogs are not brought up in a home environment. A mature dog used to a kennel setting may have some difficulty adjusting to a home.

I don't think anyone here has forgotten Buddy or the shock at reading your story. Hugs to you - it does not seem 1 year ago.

HAs anyone seen the IQ test for dogs in todays paper? You do all these simple tests and see how long it takes your dog to figure it out.

I'm proud to say my poodles are dismal failures!

I tried the 'put the treat under a soup can' one. Dog 1 sniffed the can and walked away. Dogs 2 & 3 didn't even go that far. They aren't allowed to take random treats, you see.

'Put a towel over the head and see how long it takes to get it off'. Right. He's still walking around with a towel over his head. He likes it. He likes ribbons and hats, too.

'Put them in a sit-stay, say Refigerator' and see what happens. They look at the fridge.

Obviously, the test is designed for average dogs, not weird ones.

:laugh:

So sad to hear these stories - poor little mites. Maybe Yellowgirl will pop in - she seems to have a soft spot for the oldies.

Thanks Rosetta :) Yes I'm hoping her seizures are seldom so as I don't have to put her on meds. I am going to look into natural aids as they may help her. Has your boy always suffered seizures ? They are frightening to witness aren't they? Gosh if Stel has them too often she wont be the only one on meds. She may have to share her Xanax with me :laugh:

BC, Jack had one a few months after we adopted him aged two - he may have had them before but we don't know. We rushed him to vet but he had recovered by the time we got there and they could not find anything wrong. They are mild compared with others in that it is mainly ataxia and confusion and shaking. Interestingly the vet is reluctant to prescribe him any drugs to help with his separation anxiety as they may bring on a seizure but your Stella has Xanax?

Rosetta, sandgrubber is correct . It is a process of elimination. They test for other things that can cause seizures. Stella's test results came back perfect. Otherwise she is very healthy. She wont be put on meds unless the seizures become frequent. Everything crossed here that they don't. Some dogs that are Epilepsy effected may only say have 2 seizures a year in which case can be managed without meds. Apparently Stella's grand dam is effected like this. She is almost 12 years old now I believe. Never needed meds. Still enjoying life to the fullest.

Some dogs are seizuring a lot & that can take its toll on the poor dogs mind & body. Thats when meds are very necessary.

Atm we just go along as normal. See how Stella goes. I am regulating her exercise/ stress levels to ensure she doesn't get too hot or try not to let her get too stressed as both these factors are big triggers for her to seizure.

Oh OK BC - I thought you meant that they had diagnosed it by blood test. My boy Jack has an episode about every 4 months - no need for meds at this stage. I can't identify any triggers either - seems random.

Hope Stella isn't too badly effected.

Got our blood work results back for Stella today & she is Epileptic unfortunately The tests showed nothing sinister going on which is good to know though

I guess. Just got to keep a close eye on her & note any seizures/turns she has. If they become more frequent the Vet will organise medication for her. I am getting my head around this now & learning more about it is helping to do that.

Wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her if you saw her atm. After a 3 hour walk/swim/ball retrieve, just got home & she is flying around the backyard with

an empty milk bottle in her mouth, growling her head off She's back.... :laugh:

BC can they diagnose epilepsy from blood tests - I didn't think they could? I have a poodle boy here who has occasional seizures and I was told it is a process of eliminating other things rather than being able to definitely diagnose epilepsy.

Its scary when it happens

I would just draw up a simple document for both you and the cat's owner to sign regarding the extent of the expenses you are willing to pay. Something along the lines of "I agree to pay veterinary costs in the amount of $$$ for the care of ......"

I commend you for taking responsibility for your dog's actions.

Google "kikopup" - she had a good training video on how to train pup to be left alone using an indoor pen.

Behaviourists can't always fix things - they are not some magical solution. I have spent plenty of money on behaviourists - which many (actually most) people would not do and the problem has not been improved. I think some understanding that some adopted dogs can't be fixed would be more realistic. I know quite a few people with adopted dogs and many have some sort of problem. Not saying I would not do it again but definitely would go through a rescue with the dog in a foster home and a trial period.

To Dear Jed,

Thank you so much for this thread. I have had a really good laugh at all the indignant members' replies to your initial post.

It is a real shame that they are not up-to-date with all the latest or proposed legislation or what most rescues and pounds now expect !

Keep well !

I am interested in this comment. I get where some rescues may require potential adopters to be at home but what proposed legislation are you referring to and what do pounds expect?

what a load of crap

the reason most of the 'disasters' you speak of are from people that work full time is because..... most people have to work full time

we're not living in the 80's here where families can live off one income.

I haven't had a puppy for a long time but we have a 6 year old cocker who we had to get a friend for because he suffered from separation anxiety when he was alone.

This is a dog who spent the first 10 months of his life with his breeder and after that always had another dog around to play with. Can't help but think he'd be better off if he spent more time alone in his younger days :p

Sorry but :laugh: . As someone who had kids in the 80's and paying a 17% mortgage one wage would have been a bit of a struggle.

Breeders obviously can sell a pup to whoever they think is suitable and if the breed is "in demand" then they can be more fussy. I think it is better to treat each application on merit.

I don't mind paying a reasonable mark up to support the vet business - same as I buy the branded milk and not the supermarket brand to support dairy farmers (apparently most people don't agree and go for the cheapest).

I do baulk a bit at paying double and triple at the vets for non prescription items I can buy at the pet supply shop more reasonably though.

Your friend should contact her vet for a statement and contact the animal lawyers urgently.

If the RSPCA inspector and ranger have ganged up on your friend then she needs to take urgent action. I hope this can be resolved asap. Imagine how scared those poor little old dogs would be ..

That was my first thought also Dogmad. Taken from their home and put into a shelter - poor dogs

I am surprised any vet will give out prescriptions for medications they sell at considerable mark-up. Mine certainly would not - they charge double and sometimes triple the price available on-line or from the chemist.

.

I would always take a rescue in preference to any other dog.

This. Too many dogs needing homes out there.

If that is aimed at me I raised my children years ago - and they had very good manners :laugh:

Just reading some of these responses I now have a better understanding of why so many children and adults have such a degree of self entitlement - it comes from the parents. It does the kids no favours as it will come back to bite at some stage when all these "self-entitled" people come together all wanting things to suit themselves.

It used to be that children were taught that it was good manners to offer seats to adults - now it hurts their feelings and people are offended at the idea? Really?

It amazes me that some vet businesses - and they are businesses - have "clinic" dogs and cats wondering around waiting rooms. Where is the risk management? Do they not have any health and safety procedures in place? The cavalier attitude towards the safety of their clients - and their "clinic" pets - is gobsmacking really.

Did the company advise you what to do if a reaction occurs? I have read that a wash in mild dishwashing detergent straight away is the best treatment - but you would need to research that further.

Hope your little dogs have no more troubles :)

For dogs that age Skip I would tend to just not treat at all unless you are in a tick area or you actually see fleas on the dogs :)

Skip did see fleas which is why the dogs were treated.

Of course - should have read properly

Here is the link with the dosages

http://www.ingleburnvet.com.au/antihistamines.htm