CountryGirl

My three dogs and I have been living in a heartworm free area for the past few years and my last vet advised me to stop the preventives when they ran out. I've just moved and I'm unsure if there's heartworm in the area as yet. Before I go looking for a new vet I want to be prepared to get whatever my dogs need. I have two elderly girls (ages are 15 and 13), and a 5 yr old. The 13 yr old has heart problems and epilepsy so I don't want her having blood taken unless essential as she has to be sedated for the procedure. I wouldn't want to put the 15 yr old through blood draw either if I can avoid it and the 5 yr old is probably going to need sedation as she's a fear-biter (I'm working on it...she's a rescue and I have no idea what's happened to her in the past). The new location is inland; the climate is very cold in winter and very hot in summer (similar to Canberra). Should I be prepared for blood tests and then a preventive? I can't find out much on Dr Google! If you have any experience with heartworm in the Young/Cowra/Grenfell NSW area, as in whether it's prevalent or not, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

I would opt for a decent behaviourist before embarking on medication. The experts can help you and your family understand what your dog's behaviour means (and in this case I mean your aunt's dog...not your own dog). I have three dogs; they are not perfect by any means but I know the difference between fear and dominance. I have just lost one of my old dogs and she was dominant. Another of mine is very fearful of just about everything. She growls and will bite if the growls aren't heeded. I'm working on this and it's a slow and steady process with lots of backward steps. We've had a few major changes in the last year so I guess she's struggling to keep up at times, and even my vet said she would do well as an only dog BUT given the upheaval she's already gone through (I'm her third home in four years), I'm determined not to give up on her. As for meal times, just feed the dogs separately. Get a baby gate if you need to - put one dog outside and the other inside - shut one in an escape-proof area - lots of ways to keep a dog from getting to another dog's bowl. This poor little bugger is stressed to the max because he feels constantly threatened and guards the little he has and steals whenever he can because he's feeling so low in the pack order...it's no way for any dog to live.

I don't think titre testing is "some fad" - there isn't a chance I'd use any clinic that hinted at this suggestion. I don't vaccinate as a matter of routine. I also don't titre test, but then my dogs are house dogs that aren't off my property all that much - as I live on acreage in the bush I don't think they're at high risk of catching vaccine-preventible illnesses and if they were to catch something, chances are it would be kennel cough anyway. They were all vaccinated when younger - all had their full puppy shots - so why vaccinate them every year? Are the vaccines so weak or ineffective that they have no residual effect in the immune system? I would think not.

Oh, he's gorgeous!

Online sales of pets can be regulated and I'm not shy of reporting dodgy breeders to the local Council. Been doing it for a while now. :) I see an ad, make an enquiry, if it seems like they're a dodgy Backyarder or Miller, then I get as much detail as I can and contact the council with what I've got. This particular person needs to be put down that bunker for the rest of their life. It's disgusting that anyone would think this is okay. It's just not on.

I've been lurking here for a long time but just joined. Your tribute was lovely. He must have been a very special dog. :)

My old staffy had a cruciate ligament repair. She took a while to recover but with crate rest and keeping her quiet, she got there. It was scary though as she didn't react well to the anaesthetic. If you trust your vet and have a good rapport with them I think that's the most important thing. Best of luck.

What's this about? I've never heard of dogs having antlers?