Kazm

I agree Deeds, there are so many idiots that own dogs now. And with all the news articles on aggressive dogs you’d think some of it would sink in. And I do believe it’s those that walk the streets etc with their dogs off lead that do not care for anyone but themselves. Blatantly flaunting the law at the same time. Makes me very angry. Mollys attack was one of the worse things we’ve gone through. It was absolutely terrifying. And quite a few worrisome days and nights wondering if she was going to pull through. She came out of it mostly fine. Physically very well. She is just very picky with who she wants to meet now. And yes when out walking we’ve made a lot of new doggie friends that she loves and dogs of all shapes and sizes too but then there are others we see coming our way and she’ll actually plant her feet and refuse to move until they go past. This is her new trait since being attacked. Me, on the other hand have become very nervous and constantly watch everywhere. And if I see a new person/dog coming our way I usually cross the road if possible. And wait for Mollys reaction as well. Some would wonder why I still walk but Molly loves getting out and about and always reminds me that it’s time to go.

Coneye, I do get what you’re saying but because of my incident I am now that scared, nervous dog owner who will pick the dog up if I see anything come charging at us. Done it as recent as last week actually. I am that person who demands a dog be on lead unless it’s in an off leash area. I do not go near these areas. We love holidaying and camping, remotely, and our girl always travels with us. This is where she gets free running and sniffing time. Loves it but at home she’s happy to walk beside me on leash which is what all good dogs ( and owners) should do.

Coneye, my girl didn’t even get the chance for a sniff or cower, the first she knew of the dog was when she was being shaken in its jaws. That dog had one intention and that was to maul her. Yes, I was yelling at the dog but I certainly wasn’t swinging my girl around on the lead. I actually laid on top of her to save her. It was only with the intervention of another person that we managed to get away. You can have the best trained dog in the world but as far as I’m concerned a dog is an animal and it can snap at any time. I’ll agree with tdierikx, best to go for a nice quiet walk with dog on leash and avoid off leash areas even though I admit that’s what I was doing the morning my girl was attacked. Just need eyes everywhere to be safe.

Coneye, I don’t want to sound nasty but tell this to my dog. She’s a mini schnauzer and a few years back she got attacked by a ridgeback on the loose. My girl was on lead. She is extremely lucky to still be here. If I’d simply dropped her lead and let her simply run away or cower it would have been game over for her. Your advice I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

We had an incident the other afternoon. There is a house we walk by frequently. Gates are always open. The occupants are usually sitting in the carport chatting, drinking etc. It always amazes me why when the backyard is quite large but anyways, they also have a medium sized quite solid dog. Not sure what it’d be but it’s come racing out at us a few times before. The owner has called it and it does back off. Always apologises and assures me the dog is friendly. At this stage Molly is in my arms as the minute I see anything come running I just pick her up straight away. The other afternoon though, there was a guy sitting on a motorbike, talking on his phone ( obviously a friend of these people) and the dog was sitting calmly on the driveway. I kept my eyes on it and actually thought it wasn’t interested but no it came running. I was a bit slow to pick Molly up but just managed to as the dog got to us and it went for a snap at her. The motorbike guy quickly yelled at the dog and he apologised to me profusely saying it’s a good dog, won’t hurt you blah blah blah. He did ask if we were ok. I politely told him it actually tried to snap Molly and no I wasn’t particularly ok. Briefly told him Molly had been attacked before and we do not like loose dogs. Literally scares me. I think if it happens one more time the council will be notified.

Yes Deeds, I am one of those that gets angry at people with their dogs off leash all the time. And those that say, “ he’s friendly, he just wants to play or say hi”. I really do not like it. In my opinion a dog is an animal, and any animal can snap at any time. I’m not sure if it’s different in Vic but here in Qld I believe all dogs must be leashed unless in a designated off leash area. Of course there are always those that go against the rules. Mrpickelman 96, I walk my girl twice a day but I am still one of those who go into ‘panic’ mode when I see an off leash dog. A few years back my little girl got attacked by a dog on the loose and she’s very lucky to still be with us. This dog looked fine to me from a distance but in that slit second it all changed. And it was nothing my dog did to incite the attack as she hadn’t even noticed the dog as she was busy sniffing. She is relatively fine with meeting other dogs now but she can be choosy. A trait that has only happened since the attack. Me, on the other hand, I get very nervous when I see a new dog or one that is off leash. Please don’t be judgemental of people. They don’t know your dog.

I love mini schnauzers all the way, but I’ve always wanted an Australian terrier since I was a kid. I like the looks of the Scottish terrier too. Just met one recently, it lives nearby. Molly and I just love her. Personally I’d never own a large breed, too much for me to handle.

I agree with Boronia, just pay the fine. Take it from someone who had their dog savagely attacked while out walking, that a dog racing across the road towards you or your dog is a very scary thing and personally I’d say fix your yard so your dog can not escape. As a dog owner take responsibility.

I’ve always fed my dogs chicken necks and only ever had one issue. I have always chopped mine into pieces though ( just something I do) Molly was on prednisolone once for some reason and a side effect was that it made her ravenous and unbeknown to me she obviously gulped them down. She then started vomiting and because she hadn’t chewed them they scratched her oesaphagus which caused some bleeding but after a visit for some anti nausea meds she was fine.

I get cytopoint injections for my mini schnauzer. She has an allergy which I believe to be seasonal/environmental. I can honestly say for the last 7 years she has started itching at the exact time. The injection works straight away and with her I only need to get it approx 3 times a year.

Nice to hear of the “oldies” still doing things they love and being a happy dog.

Absolutely terrible. Hope they throw the book at him.

Last year when Molly kept getting hives ( very mysteriously at night only) the vet recommended loratadine. It held her off for a few hours but she seemed a bit sleepy/quiet on them. She stopped getting the hives but was still itchy so she was given the cytopoint injection. That fixed all.

That’s just awful. What a terrifying situation they were all in.

Oh my gosh, that’s so devastating for your friend and her dog. I’ve got no advice, I’d just like to send some get well wishes to her dog and hopefully with the right help they both will be ok.

Finally an update. My friend only heard back from the specialist yesterday about Astro. It seems they believe that what occurred was a slipped or bulging disc in his neck which referred pain to his left shoulder. They are starting him on a new medication which he’ll be on for 8 weeks. If he doesn’t improve or goes back to displaying the same symptoms they’ll do an MRI and likely surgery. Apparently the issue can sort itself out sometimes. At present though Astro has been back to his usual happy dog self. My friend is relieved and fingers crossed the medication continues to work.

Our very first thoughts were pancreatitis. We are aware minis are prone to it but I think the vet ruled that out. He is a goofy dog so he very well could have hurt himself doing something silly but at present they are living in a townhouse and the yard space is tiny. I’m sort of thinking it’s highly unlikely. I have a gut feeling there is more going on. His owner just messaged me half an hour ago and it seems like he is starting to improve. He is still sleeping a lot but he is using the steps again and following her everywhere and his little tail is up again. Acting a whole lot more normal. I think the medication is finally working on him. It’ll be interesting to hear the specialists report. Fingers crossed we hear something tomorrow.

Deeds, his coat is fine. Same as usual. Yes, they did a blood test. It showed his liver levels as being quite high. The blood test was done when his neck and ears were swollen the week before. The vet though that might be an indication of an allergic reaction to being bitten by a bug. Which she’s assuming is why he was swollen.

Good idea Deeds. I’m just not sure. I’d have to talk to her. She did say they were sending the X-rays to the specialist so not sure where he actually is.

Mollys mum, Zena was on tramadol. She had hermangiosarcoma. I’m thinking it did help her. I just wish my friend had been given something stronger than Panadol for Astro but I guess the vet should know what she’s doing ?? Hopefully she hears from the specialist real soon.

An update - at the appointment this afternoon apparently they didn’t give my friend much information at all. They basically said they were going to wait for the specialists opinion before going a head with any course of action. At present Astro is being given meloxicam, gaberpentin and Panadol. He’s been on these since Monday and we can’t see that any is helping him. He is obviously in pain and not well.

Hey everyone, A really good friend of mine had her mini schnauzer at the vet today and it looks like a diagnosis of medial shoulder instability. Have any of you dealt with this before or even heard/know about it? Astro is 9 years old ( actually Mollys younger brother). His owner and I became very close friends after she bought him from me. I’m always dogsitting him and have always groomed him too. A lovely, fun loving dog. The last 2 weeks haven’t been good for him. She noticed that on the Sunday his ears and around his neck were a bit swollen. He seemed very quiet. On the Monday all swelling had gone down but he still didn’t seem himself so she took him to the vet. They guessed he may have been bitten by a bug and had an allergic reaction. They went home. He wasn’t interested in his dinner that night and vomited twice but then he seemed more normal the next day. Last Friday I had him over night and she picked him up Saturday afternoon but I could tell he just wasn’t right. Very quiet. Not overly interested in food, ( usually gulps everything down so quick) and he was limping. This Monday she was back with him at the vet and she checked him over and noticed he flinched when she touched near his left shoulder. He was booked in today for an X-ray as she was concerned about bone cancer. She apparently couldn’t see anything related to cancer but a specialist is going to look at the X-rays anyway. Will get his opinion by Monday. She diagnosed him as having MSI. My friend had an appointment to speak with the vet properly this afternoon to see what happens from here. I haven’t heard from her yet. She’s very upset as Astro is her shadow and best mate. He usually follows her everywhere. Since Monday he just seems to have gone downhill so quickly. He will not jump on anything or use steps. He is off his food, will eat but very slowly. He looks sad, his tail is down, obviously still limping and walks really slow and just wants to sleep. It’s so hard to see him like this. I just want to help her get through this. She did spend this morning with me while he was at the vet. Any information I can give to her would be great.

Beautiful photos. Wonderful adventures

I agree with sandgrubber. Keep the media away until the autopsy results are back. Sad sorry though.

Wow, that’s great news. She is obviously one very tough, well looked after girl. I’m happy that she has proved everyone wrong.