dwynwen

My akita has been diagnosed with age related upper airway disease. She has a narrowed trachea and an intermittent cough/hack associated with it. She's on a herbal med for the cough, surgery is not an option for her due to her age (11yo) and a heart condition. I've been walking her on a flat collar or martingale adjusted so that it doesn't compress her throat but am thinking a harness may be more comfortable for her. I've been looking at the easywalk harness which has a leash attachment at the front rather than on the back like most harnesses. I need an element of control as although she's not a puller, she can still bounce around some if an off-leash dog gets in her face (or she sees a snake). I've used head collars in the past and don't really want to go back to one with her. Anyone have any experience with harnesses for walking big dogs with throat problems?? Any product recommendations? I've posted in health rather than training as this is more about looking after an ailing dog than training (she's pretty well behaved).

I have a battery operated dremel labelled a dremel alkaline MiniMite... its manual calls it a Model 760 Golf club cleaning tool Got it off ebay - two speeds - I use the low speed. eta. I nicked a tubular shaped sanding thingy from the boyfriend's corded dremel kit.

I eat herbs.

Reading their 29 Nov release downloaded from http://www.championpetfoods.com/ as well as comments apparently by their representatives on catworld and other places - I suspect what they're trying to say is that they didn't know the level of radiation used on the cat food was so much higher than that used for human food. That's my current take on it..

$132 for 5kg in my local pet supply shop... I've seen it cheaper online. I bought 1kg the other day to see what it looks like and what the actual feeding guidelines are. All I could find online was that 1kg would last some smallish dog for 7 days. The pack says 1kg will feed a 45kg dog for .... wait for it..... 2 days... $28.10 div by 2 ...

What??? That's outrageous! Are you sure it was for 15kg? 'Cos that's about the norm. It's certainly pricey - even more than orijen which was $70 for 7kg.

I've been using it as a minor part of my guys diet - they loved it and did well on it, in fact porked up a bit. I tried artemis before orijen and it didn't suit one of my two, fine for the other. Now rethinking my kibble options.. (due to supply stopping) - Getting Artemis in NSW by mail order was no problem btw - might be a rush on it now though.

The MIL will testify that his shingles treatment was much more helpful than the doctor's remedies (taken with doctor's knowledge) Can't say it changed her temperament much though.

Thanks 4 Paws, I was thinking that once it's open it may lose nutritional value faster .. I'd thought of having some on hand unopened for emergencies but then decided I really need to make it a part of their diet so they wouldn't get hit with a new food come the revolution. If the pack useby date is a reasonable guide then it's all good!

I started using Artemis grain free as well as raw so that I have a backup food. We were flooded in earlier this year and were having to get pretty creative with the pantry to feed everyone once the freezer was empty. We're in an area that sometimes loses power due to fires too ... if the fridge is kuput and the road is cut then a big bag of kibble is a lifesaver. My two love it but my boy has so-so poo after it .. I might try Origien next time. Does anyone have a view on the shelf life of these kibbles once open - stored in a lidded bucket.? I'm a bit concerned we don't go through it quickly enough.

Pretty sure All Natural Vet at Russell Lea had it last time I was there.. didn't look at the cost though .. I'm currently feeding Artemis.

We use All Natural Vet at Russell Lea (near Drummoyne) - ask your own vet first though - it's not difficult, they just draw the blood and ship it off.. they're all capable of doing it, willing is another matter.

Mine currently get herbs of gold brand from the hfs. $15.95 for 200 x 1g capsules (4 caps per day for my 40kg dog with a heart condition) I can't find any actual dosage in mg on the website for the oil you've mentioned.. hard to work out how long a bottle will last when it's measured in 'pump strokes'.....

There was a consult fee on top (as well as some other lab work) - it was an expensive day.

September 2007 - $96.80, done in WA (from Sydney) - parvo and distemper I _think_ .. don't have the cert to hand. Results took less than a week - around 4 days I think but the vet and I played phone tag a couple days.

my boy had an upper canine removed - didn't affect his eating abilities at all. I'd check with a veterinary dentist as to whether it needs removing.

Pizza here too please (no anchovies :-) Dwynwen

I've never given it to a dog but Keflex brings me out in the most awful itchy rash.

We use mattress protector pads sold for human use. Kylie pads by Tyco. about 900mm square .. a highly absorbant material on top with a plastic sheet underneath. Washable. Our girl wears pants too but she can't wear them 24/7 and is very much an indoor dog.

Fair point .. I usually end up IN the tub at some point because it's more comfortable .. and I don't wash my dogs that often anyway so can't justify a h/b.

Have you considered installing a pump on the supply from the tank(s)? -- would give you pressure for dogs AND people.

.. not to mention putting a neat little line of cuts on the finger... ouchy... way more careful with using it on the dog since I did that....

Thanks for that!! Much easier than getting it shipped over from the USA. The other ones were lozenges aswell so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I imagine they'd do a custom job for you - dog knows how much it would cost though! I have bought from them via the website and been happy with their service.

This compounding chemist sells oral methylcobalamin, although it's a lozenge (tricky dosage method for a dog) - quite expensive too.

The thing is that what they're doing with the trimmings is the technically correct thing - assuming that they're trimming the overhang onto their property and not into yours. Their dog is doing the wrong thing though.