Scottsmum

Week 13. Title: "No Mumsy, I didn't bury my breakfast" Alternate title: "Ole Brown nose" IMG_3556 (3) by Superspanger, on Flickr

Well - he's clearly a poo head. With bad eyes.

Firstly, I'm sorry you've had to learn the hard way. I hope you and your girl feel better soon. Secondly; Willem just does that so don't feel obliged to take anything on board. In over 10 years of desexing females of all ages not once have we had hemangiosarcoma occur so scaremongering is less than helpful. Thirdly, as a rescue; We've had lots come in at all stages of pyo and despite many being in the life threatening stage we haven't lost one yet. We had six bitches in a row once! The more advanced it is, the longer it will take before they feel better. They do get very very sick and miserable, sore and full of pain meds and antibiotics. I think the worst one - a rotti cross- had 5 to 7 days in emergency hospital and was zipped up with staples. Went through litres and litres of fluids and flushes, drains, drugs; the lot. Looked and felt like crap for a while. And she went on to be a very happy pet. Around 3/4 of those pyo dogs also had mammary tumours. Some requiring a mammary strip. Some have had the trifecta of pyo, multiple mammary cancers and large hernias. Even they pull through and toddle off to new homes. Ages range from around 6 to 14 yrs. I find it frustrating that it's so common but so avoidable, and I'm in total agreement with Oakaway more people need to be desexing their girls if they are either a) not breeding from them or b) unable to detect or treat related conditions. No offence to you personally because I wouldn't wish this on anyone nor their dog. I hope you can sort out an extra credit card or loan. You've come this far, she will get better and eventually you'll have your gorgeous girl up on her feet again. :) If she gets well enough to be moved to your regular vet then I'd go for it. Great post Powerlegs.

Yeh I was impressed - I like the neck flap -it doesnt wick water like the other coat I have with a collar and its nice and long - covers his butt. Unfortunately its also got a lovely thick belly flap which is what gets pee'd on. Making it "useless"...

Ah. Such a shame. Scottie manages to wee on a lot of things making them pointless. He once managed to get wee on a rug and then sat down and refused to walk any further. I couldnt think what was wrong with him and thought he was in serious pain. When I finally realised and took it off him all was good - except I had to carry a wee soaked rug home :/ Maybe try Chilly Dogs coats? http://www.chillydogs.ca/ Edit: Looks like they don't have them anymore k9 pro used to have some - that's who we got ours off.

My old man drinks like nothing else - well - I think he drinks a lot. To the point where I specially had bloods and a general check up done to make sure he was OK. He is - well was - last time I had bloods done. Maybe you could take some more specific measurements - like I'm sitting here thinking "how much does his "small bowl" actually hold? I know he goes through at least one "small bowl" a day - but that means nothing to you or the vet. If you haven't already - fill the bucket to the brim and note how much the three of them are drinking in a 12 or 24 hour period. Do that a few times to get a good average. If you crate them or separate them at all at any stage - same thing - measure out what you're giving her and record it. Fingers crossed it's just nothing and if it is something - the earlier you catch it the better. Edited to add: Are your two others bitches? I was - still am - amazed at how much more my male dog wees compared to my last dog who was female. He's a little wee machine. We often joke he needs to keep his pee reserves up.

Pink sounds wonderful. :)

Week 12 & yes week 13 is due. We ended up going to the town with the windmill. The windmill was a bit crap (surprise surprise) and a lot of places in town were not dog friendly (boo) but what we did find was a lovely beach which was dog friendly AND it's only 30ish minutes from home. We kind of feel lie dunces for not realising how close it was at the beginning of summer. Not that we're big beach fans... but you know... Anyhow... week 12. Ocean Beach, Foxton. The colours were so muted it was hard to get a good shot. B+W was really the only option for the not so flash images I grabbed. IMG_3511 by Superspanger, on Flickr

LOL - that second one of someone on their back. Actually made me laugh out loud. Too cute for words

Too cute Rebanne

About right for the Sydney property market.

Well that's just the cutest thing I've seen all day!

Lol I don't mind! When I brought this I was overcompensating by buying her loads of stuff and she was indoor only at the time. It was the only coat instore that would fit around her chest (retrospectively not made with long barrel chested dogs in mind!) It is not up to scrap now. I do have two other coats, which fit much better and made for the hound shape, but as they're walking/raincoats not so comfortable for the sleeping. I found this place: http://www.anniescoats.org/ so going to try and line up with one of their upcoming stalls so we can get a proper fit. No more naked bottoms! It's scandalous ;) We understand Thistle. Scottie is quite a large "little dog" his bum well and truly sticks out of a 45cm weatherbeeta but the 50cm swims on him.

This. I also spend my life doing dog laundry. .. between towels, bkankies & rugs. A Waterproof collar was one of the best investments I've made I've managed to break my washing machine a few times with dog stuff Coats are usually okay, as are blankets, provided something else equally heavy goes in on the other side. The bane of my washing machine's existence.. dog beds. Beds for 30+kg dogs do horrible things to the washing machine and I've yet to figure out a more efficient and hygienic way of getting them clean and then also enough water spun out so that they don't break the clothesline under their weight. Current method is to bypass the spin cycles (because that's where sh*t starts getting hairy) and then drag the water-logged bed up to rest it on the centre bit (whatever it's called) until enough water has dripped out to make it light enough to carry outside and chuck onto the top of the clothesline. In winter, they then take at least a couple of days to get dry enough to bring inside to finish drying. And that's the best method I've figured out over 10 years of washing the damn things Gurney / high pressure hose ;)

This. I also spend my life doing dog laundry. .. between towels, bkankies & rugs. A Waterproof collar was one of the best investments I've made

I'd probably be clipping him, to be honest. I know it might look funny at first, but I'd rather have them look a little strange then worry about mats and other problems and if he's not keeping up with the grooming there is no harm in helping him out. Just my 2 cents worth.

Short version of the answer: I rug when I am cold, Scottie comes looking for body heat or the insides of his ears are cold to the touch. Occasionally I leave him rugged unsupervised but it has to be really cold for me to consider that. I try to keep him as warm as possible for his old joints and general "old man-ness". Much longer version: When my dogs were younger they always had one rug a year - Waterproof and winter weight. If it was killed they didn't get another one. Off during the day, on during the night. Always had access to a cozy kennel - usually under shelter (the old BBQ shed or car port). Edited to add: Guin was always a snuggle monster and knew where to find heat. She'd often take herself off to people bed to keep warm. Scottie has no freaking clue & will stay cold. Dork. I know with dogs Thistles size it can be hard to get rugs which don't have clips and buckles but if you can find velcro closing fronts that should reduce the risk of her getting caught and really stuck. These days, as I said, Scottie is rugged a lot. He's got quite the wardrobe. Including a "dapper dog coat" which I call his "day rug" https://www.ozpetshop.com.au/products/1219/dog-coats/dapper-dog-coats.html He's actually got the little blue one half way down the page. I like it because it's fully velcro, very light and fits him well and it washes and dries fast. Also I got mine off gumtree for $5 so YAY. It's only downside is it has a little collar thing which you can turn up or down but I find it wicks water and makes the coat wet in very wet weather - so if he's out in it and it rains suddenly its useless. All that said, I really hate leaving him in a rug when I'm not around and tend to subscribe to Perse's methods too. I always "insulate" the bottom of the kennel with something - most recently I discovered you can use one (or more) of those foil things you use on a windscreen to act as a barrier between the ground and the kennel (they crinkle less than the foil blankets used in first aid and rescue but similar theory). I also try to keep the kennel up off the ground a bit. Basically I try to employ as many of my dads old camping tricks to help keep him insulated (air pockets and layers). Also line the walls too - which can be harder. Did you ever find a cubby to convert for her? You could insulate that quite easily with a few big cardboard boxes I'd think. This year we're going to grab a few high rated sleeping bags in the next army disposal sale for him to snuggle into in his beds. Just a tip - I usually try to buy things which wash and wear well. Not sure how the sleeping bags will do - but we'll trial it. We've had pure wool blankets in the past too - they don't wash so well and do get a distinct smell- but they're always warm & well loved. Kmart usually have $5 polar fleece blankets. They're queen sized and they wash really well and dry nice and fast. Some times they almost feel dry coming out of the machine. Try to get the slightly nicer ones with a more fleecy look and feel - they're a big warmer. We have a number of them on the go - they usually double as knee rugs for the couch :) Oh - and I know they're as expensive as sin but if Thistle isn't a chewer I highly recommend investing in a snuggle safe. Those things are incredible. They really go hold their heat amazingly well. Last year while Scottie was a 100% outside dog while we lived with dad he had one day and night and his crate/kennel was always toasty.

We had one of those for a while but scottie learnt to pop the latches & it was on for young & old + He also learnt he could knock the flap & get the attention of my parents. *eye roll* I'd probably look at having a cat flap installed - in a spot which is good for the cats & look at other options for the dogs - probably another door with a more robust lock

Just as a note - I find the zip locks on the 3kg bags to be utterly useless and break at least one in two. Glad to hear she scoffed it down. She'll be happier with a full belly.

Wasn't the owner or handler also the secretary of the Dane club? not really an relative outsider if so?

We got Guinea (dog before Scott) at Easter time - I think she lived the first 2 weeks of our lives together eating almost exclusively chocolate. Makes me shudder to think about what she and us kids got up to.

Something about the look on Justices face reminds me of an ex. But Justice is much more handsomer

Good to hear you're not fussed what if you get if a male isn't available he he he .... in all seriousness - can't wait to see photos ...

Yeh Jules - in more recent times he's started getting a really off belly if he skips a meal and as I said - I have had to make a trip to the vet for AGs. More than 24 hours without a decent meal and I entice him / force him into a meal of mince and yoghurt or something equally yummy. It usually only takes him a few mouthfuls to remember that he's hungry. Little bugger. Also - odd that she likes tinned I/D. Yuck. :)

Yes - I buy the smaller ones as fussy bum goes off it after its been open "too long". Fortunately for me I can only get the 3kg bags over here. Amber too. I get glared at. We just stop eating.... we can go up to 4 days before Mumsy gives in. Good to know who's boss eh?