Seren

Thanks cavNrott, Yes, he has been treated for fleas continually along with Holly (20 month old Lab). I check them every time I see them itching and can't find flea dirt or any sign of fleas. I have them both weighed and give them the proper dose of Comfortis always up to date. The Vet has checked and she is as confident as one can be that it isn't flea related. She has done skin scrapings as well to rule out mites. She thinks it is possibly the grass. But having said that I am not going to blindly rule out anything. Also hubby keeps telling me to put it into perspective, they aren't that bad and are kept really clean etc.. But I could only imagine if I felt so itchy myself so I keep looking for ways to make them comfortable.

Thanks persephone... not sure if you remember me; I am Lace's mum... (pup that was hit by car and had to be put to rest in August) I see now.. I have spelt it wrongly and it is quite different in description to the 'itchy dog syndrome'... I only found the term very late last night and was spelling it wrongly Harry's dad is marked as a "carrier"; nothing about his mother (maybe because the sire is shown and an Aust Ch.; the bitch is an unshown pet...) When I bought him nothing was said to me about this condition, I had never heard of it until late last night. I have dug out Lace's parent's photocopies and the term isn't mentioned there but her sire's side on google are 'carriers'. From the description of "ichthyosis" Harry isn't showing symptoms of it. He has itchy spots at the base of his tail and one on his ear. Holly has the exact same itches on her and both are being treated by the Vet with Macrolone. The Vet did skin scrapings and ruled out mites etc... She went over their skin (and I have also) and can't find dandruff or anything and no roughened belly skin or anything. When the Vet was looking she didn't mention anything about ichthyosis but maybe that was what she was looking for. I will ring her and ask now that you have enlightened me.. I wonder if they can do a blood test to see if Harry is a "carrier" or if they can test for him being 'affected' as it seems that being a carrier doesn't mean they are affected. ... I was not going to breed with him but, he will be desexed in the new year and Holly is spayed.. Well, now I know what other questions you have to ask when buying a Golden.. I will be passing this info on to everyone who "Ooh ahh's" over Harry when we are out walking... They already get the lecture about hip scores in the breed... Thanks so much persephone... I am going to continue to google it now but with the correct spelling which I can see now google was trying to auto-correct it is a wonder a big hand didn't jump out of my computer and wack me ..

Haven't been here for so long little Lace.. But I think of you every day, so many times a day still..and yes, I have quiet tears and still hate that car! Still miss you Baby... so much.. I know that you can see that there is a new little guy come to keep Holly company. His name is Master Harry. Cute kid.. He's a Golden Retriever like you... Holly didn't cope without you Lace, and we struggled for what seemed like a long time. So we adopted Harry when he was 9 weeks old. He is such a laid-back little dude.. So gentle with everyone and everything... Holly loves him very much but she still loves you the best.. Hugs to Heaven Lace... you are very loved and always missed...

Hi, I have looked and cannot see this specific topic covered - some on itchy dogs yes but not what itchyosis means and if it means pup is affected. I have a 19 week old Golden Retriever who is quite itchy. I read on his papers that his dad is: Itchyosis "Carrier". So I am guessing by that his line is prone to itching?? Harry came to me with fleas but was bathed before he was even put down in the house. He itches quite a lot and has licked bald patches at the base of his tail. I have given him Macrolone tablets ( I have had him vet-checked for itching) and put the cream on his bald spots after washing them in cidar vinegar water. He settles on the tablets but when they are stopped he itches again. I have him on a natural diet with Royal Canin kibble. My 20 month old Lab is also itchy. I have read the threads on itchy dogs and taken notes. But I would love any more advice on nautural remedies. I was wondering if anyone can clear up this "itchosis carrier" question if it means that they carry a gene suseptable to itching perhaps. Thanks,

hankodie I will be watching this post as well.... I have a 20 month old Lab who is very itchy at the moment and licking hair off the base of her tail etc. and also a 19 week old Golden Retriever who is doing the same thing. They both have bald spots on them similar to the one you photographed on your girl. My Harry (19 week old) I noticed on his registration papers that his dad is a 'carrier of itchiosis'. Holly (20 month old) didn't have any itchy problems until going through the stress of losing her mate to a car accident 5 months ago. I don't know if it is related to stress, she is very happy with her new mate Harry. The Vet says to give them Macrolone tablets but as soon as I stop them they itch again. Like you, we definately have no fleas, they are both treated and I check constantly for any sign of fleas. I bath them in oatmeal shampoo and use the conditioner. I am looking for a natural remedy for the itching. I hope you get answers from the Vet for your girl...

Yes, persephone... I have covered a bit of territory this last few days so will sit on my hands a bit for a while and think. It was my daughter's doing - thinking of a beagle. She sent me the ad in an email today and went down memory lane about her childhood with all the beagles we had. Well, we only owned 3, (nearly 4) in that time. But we were attached to Beagle Rescue and had a lot to do with them at that stage. The council was great about it - because no one complained about our yard or any noise although I do recall we were quite a noisy family back then. Having said that - I was a lot younger then,,, and I also had 2 extremely active daughters who played and played with their beagle mates. Slept, ate and played with them. Showed, did agility, lure-coursing and obedience (I mean an obedient beagle??) I am older now so must consider what I would 'do' with a beagle.. they were always 'doing' something with the girls in those days. But then again I have been 'doing' play things with Holly all day so maybe not so different. I have jumped about a lot lately, so best chill and think now...

Thanks everyone.. I have gleaned a lot of thoughts and details from what you have all written.. Now hang on to your hats and seats... I have just sent off an enquiry email about a 9 month old beagle pup, male. To a breeder on Dogzonline.. We had beagles when the girls were growing up and my daughter has just emailed me with the ad and said "Well Mumsy... you have had a lot of these in your time and know that they just lift their leg on Dad when it suits them"... And that is so true!! lol. One day at a show hubby was pleased as punch and was saying to me "Hey Dapper hasn't peed on me all day today".... but at that exact moment as if on cue the dog behind him did!! Wet pants at the show again... sigh.. they were the days So maybe a beagle pup? What would Holly think of that? Gorgeous little breed of mischief they are... so loveable...I am getting old and dotty me thinks..

What a little Hero!! Yes, he is. I think now my Holly is a little Hero too - I cry every morning and now she sees it as her 'job' to come early to me and lick my tears. She used to always let Lace come to me first and go to hubby's side of the bed first. Now she comes directly to me and says "Cheer up"... then goes to hubby secondly.

He really is an amazing dog - I was so lucky his previous owners couldn't see that and that I got to have him in my life.. Thanks Seren - nothing can ever replace what we have lost.. Zig doesn't replace Ollie dog in any way. He is his own dog and I love him for who he is and what he does every single day. Staffyluv, I agree with you that nothing can ever replace what we have lost. And I feel so much for you. Zig made room in your heart in his own special way by the sounds of it. He came to you when you needed him; not to replace your dear Ollie ever but to help you along the road again. What a beautiful gift he has obviously given to you. I will remember that when I get a new mate for Holly.... Thankyou for sharing

:) Now there is something about dogs and snakes I think persephone.. For your dog to save you when you were only 4 years old, it goes to show that they really do protect the young. Lucky that she didn't get bitten in the process but. And it sounds like your Lab was a 'mummy's girl' telling on you kids hey.. :D They are a bit too clever at times I think.

Yep and being an intelligent breed they use that power for evil or good - whichever way they have been trained to think... All up to the owner in the end I think.. how much time they are willing to spend moulding the thinking of their baby mind into an adult mind. I read one ad where they were re-homing the pup because it was 12 months old and didn't "realise how big it had gotten and knocked over their toddler when the toddler was in the back yard". Now where was the training when they got the pup (because they would have had the child by then... did they think that the dog would wake up one day and say 'oh I am big now.. better not jump on the kid anymore'!!

Well done Blue!! It must have been amazing to have been told that story by your parents as you grew up, VizslaMomma! It reminds me again of a story - When one of my cousins was a toddler she was headed onto a busy road without her parents knowing at all. Their old dog Gunshot knocked her over and kept his paw on her until some passers-by stopped to 'save' the little kid being 'mauled' by a dog... When the people took my cousin into the yard her paents came out and it was discovered that the dog was actually saving my cousin's life. Gunshot got lots of bones after that too. Just goes to show our stories of dogs are never-ending..

That's very sad Staffyluv. My thoughts are with you. It goes to show that our dogs can be Heros in many many ways and all of them are very important ways..

Haha td, Woosie Who lol, Glad that she thought Mummy needing protecting. My husband has just reminded me of another of Bazza's escapades. This was before we met and fell in loooovee.... Well before it actually but he remembers it well he said.. His brother used to work at a produce shed where there were lots of mice and cats. Our Bazza had the run of the town back then and used to go down and chase the cats on his way to his latest girlfriend's place. (Most of the pups in town at the time were golden...mmm not good but anyways). Bro-in-law-to-be used to peg rocks at Bazza and Bazza used to retaliate. One day I was going downtown and Bazza was running free as usual. Saw bro-in-law-to-be getting out of his car and chased him. Bro-in-law screamed like a girl and ran back and jumped back into his car... I would have too I have to say. Bazza was a big boy. But anyway last year when bro-in-law heard that we had Holly and Lace.. he said "Humph, well I won't be visiting you again!!" Now hubby has reminded me of the Bazza incident... :rofl:

Really? Well, maybe my old Lab Bazza from my childhood was a purebred afterall... He was considered savage after he attacked a man who was trying to attack me.. story I started in the General Forum for interest of other 'dog hero' stories. That old Bazza put a few people back in their cars in a hurry if he didn't like the way they parted their hair. But it has made me realise I best do some serious homework before buying a dog.. Ranga - what if you had just rang up and had the dog sent up to you as I had half planned today? Not good...

No lol, PuddleDuck, this one reminds me of an incident when we had Rescue beagles in our home. One night I went to the toilet in the middle of the night wearing a dark old tracksuit. One of the beagles we were rehabilitating at the time was sleeping on my daughter's bed and he bailed me up with heckles up like a she-cat, baring his teeth impressively until I convinced him who I was. This little beagle went on to become an elderly lady's companion and he was always super-protective of her as well. They say that beagles are 'pussycats' but that one must have had a bad history and was always that way inclined. He did respond well while we had him but as I say, he became that elderly lady's guardian.

So great to read this tdierikx - I bet that guy needed to change his pants after that hey?? Good little man - I bet you hugged him close after that.

WOW, Our dogs are such amazing beings aren't they?? I think they deserve medals.. Great to read, Little Gifts.

Mm I have to say I am part of that crew now whose dog is a fussy eater... Holly used to hoover her food down like all Labs do. Now she is alone she shifts it around the yard and looks at it then at me then at the magpies then shifts it again until I put it back into her mouth and then she eats.. But I have to stay with her. When Lace was here it was a race who got to finish first and who got to get the chook necks first..... A bit of rivalry was a good thing...

Just been going down memory lane here (looong way too lol). Has your dog ever done something heroic? I would love to hear about it. When I was a kid (loong time ago now), we had a Labrador (? purebred in those days?? not too sure). Anyway Bazza was an impressive dark golden colour. He was big too. One day I was walking him up along the back roads. In those days you didn't have them on a lead they just ran around with you. He used to come with me when I went riding on the horse too - no lead just running free. Well this day he was off chasing bunnies and a man stopped in a car (lonely road..) and tried to get me into his car. I whistled Bazza and he came running and straight past me and attacked the man who had me by the arm. Bazza just went for him and ripped the front of his pants right off him!! I had to pull him off the man who leaped back into his car holding his privates and tattered pants! This is a true story - it actually got a mention in the paper at the time. At first I thought that Bazza and I were in trouble for what had happened until it was explained to me that no man should 'do that' to a little girl. Well, that man I am sure would never 'do that' again to a little girl who had a dog with her... He didn't know I had a dog with me when he started, it was only when I whistled Bazza and it was all too late for him that he realised maybe I wasn't such a good lonely target.... Just gone down memory lane for that one - but it really happened. Old Bazza lived to a ripe old age and he was always considered 'savage' after that incident. I don't think he was savage at all really. He was the sweetest most obedient old boy any one could have hoped for. We got him as a tiny pup, only about 4 weeks old and he used to suck on my nightie at night time I remember. It makes me realise now how a dog will protect the ones he loves. I would love to hear of stories of your "hero dog".

I have just wandered back in here thinking after today.... I have so much to be thankful for! I mean you all understand me!! Because you have all 'been there' at some stage or many times.. I remember my beagles Dapper, Tiki and Kiska... and then I named all the ones we rehabilitated when we were in Beagle Rescue too. I remember my first dog, a Lab called Bazza - bit of a naughty boy he was... but very loveable. One day he almost 'desexed' a man when we were out walking when I was young - the man got out of his car and tried to get me to get in with him I whistled Bazza and he attacked the guy - ripping the front of his pants right off him!!! True story.. it went into the paper... I was quite young. It was quite an experience.. that dog was my protector!! So I come in here and find kind posts that I haven't read yet and all the ones I have read again; and I find that you all care about how I am feeling. Yes, I am feeling like I need to hug Lace again. I went to a grief counsellor and talked for an hour solid the other day. She was good , didn't say much, just let me talk. It helped a bit. But after today I need a bit of time again. I am not going to be able to "replace" Lace. Holly is not going to just pick up life with another dog like she did with Lace. They grew up together and didn't need to question each other. They used to hug each other. So now I must study Holly more and work out who would she benefit from having added to her life now I think.. Yep, Just thinking, reading and having a quiet cry at the moment.. Thankyou to you all.... and hugs to all who know this sadness - which is all of us because we love our babies unconditionally and always; I think ... Yep, that Bazza dog, he was amazing the way he protected me that day. I had forgotten about that day. He could be quite savage I realise now.

Now that is sad - and I do believe you - a true story....

Phew... close call for me and Holly and hubby? Thank goodness I have you gals and guys out there to ask what you think!! And at such short notice too. I mean I only found the dog this morning at 8 oclock.... Thankyou so much that I won't be tempted to do that again.... Yes, Persephone - Lace must still be watching out for me in amongst chewing up God's undies and socks.... and walls... like she did here, bless her. Well He might have ragged clouds now, might not be any walls in Heaven.. No tdierikx, not Thelma, so I will dodge her too then. It does make me realise I didn't ask the obvious ????? why why why was she wanting to sell such a "loveable, trainable, sweet 10 month old pup" anyways??? I mean to say if someone asked me if Holly was for sale I would say WWWHHHAATT my baby? I put a lot of work into her being like she is - a real sweetheart. I would never consider selling her to anyone let alone someone on the end of a phone way up in Qld.... Makes me think a bit that does.....! She was keen to have that dog on the transport and out of her sight me thinks????? Harder for me to return him if I am up here eh???

I also support the suggestion that a male companion for Holly may be a better choice. If two females don't get on it can get quite nasty, but I'm not saying this will necessarily happen of course! Where are you located approximately Seren so we could look around for you? (Having two Labs here snoozing on my couch atm I'll take any excuse to look at some more lovely Labs :) ). Sorry LabTested I just read this: We are up in Qld, near Toowoomba/Brisbane. Thanks so much!!

I just love the way little Holly has learned how to go to the laundry and gaze up at her lead for walkies now she is alone. And how she kids me into a game of pull and tug when I am really needing to go hang the wash. She has learned to be very good at kidding us to play with her. I love her for it so much. My brave sweet little girl.