fifi trixibell

Tell me about it! I know how you feel. Our girls went in at the same time a couple of months ago for desexing and microchipping and I was a nervous wreck They both came out of it extremely well and Lily in particular was jumping all over me when I picked them up like she had spent the day at the spa instead of the vets Lulu on the other hand was ignoring me as she also had some baby teeth that had to be pulled so she was even more sore than just the operation ;) Within 24 hours they were back to their old selves - zooming around the house. Sending my thoughts to both you and Joey Ange

I couldn't be bothered reading it either. I know what works for my dogs and it is NOT canned food. What cute guy thread Ange

I understood that fleas, like ticks, can be picked up anywhere in the garden. My OH's father regularly sprays his garden as the area they are in is prone to fleas infesting - perhaps this may do the trick. Especially considering that you have 'bombed' the house and treated the animals. I can ask OH what the product was if you like and PM you. Let me know Ange

So sorry . . . . Run free Nelson Ange

**bump** Any more info? Ange

Lulu is much better. She is alert and chasing Lily and yes, wagging her tail which was too painful to do yesterday. Her stools are much better, not as thick/hard as they should be but much better than the diarreah before. I am so relieved Definately no more dry food for her though. I will call the vet and let them know she is better and perhaps ask about putting her on the allergy sensitive puppy food for intestinal/allergy problems pending our getting her tested - pending referral from the vet. Thank you so much for your thoughts and support - horrible thing when the furbabies are sick. Make you realise how much of a part of your life they are. Ange

No, no mucus. I jumped online and the 4th product is fish meal in their dry food. It seems like the most possible explanation. Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Fish Meal (source of fish oil), I think that actually having her tested is the best means of knowing what is going on. There are just so many variables involved. I will PM you. Ange

Thanks guys - your support is very appreciated Dan - He did say it could possibily be an intolerance to food. I did mention to the Vet that she has not had another actual reaction to her food as she did with the fish, but have noticed sometimes that her "eyebrows" seem a little bigger after some meals. He said that it may be a food intolerance. I have been thinking for a while that the dry food they are on probably has trace amounts of fish to boost the protein levels so it may have built up in her over time. We were trying to piece the puzzle together as to what may have been introduced and realised that the girls weren't on dry food last week (we ran out) but we got some more for when Monty came so they had it on Friday night. She fell sick on Saturday Hopefully it clears up and I will definately be looking for an allergy friendly dry food for her. She seems a little better this morning in the fact that she no longer has diarreah, however is still a little sluggish. One of the girls threw up last night but I don't know which one. I think it is a safe bet that it was Lulu but ??. Grant is going to try and get home from midday to keep an eye on them because I have to work. I am going to call the vet and tell them that one of them one of them threw up and should I bring Lulu in. Ange :p

Well, it is a little more serious than stress The vet said that her intestines were inflamed and her colon very fragile. Poor baby. Her glands were swollen (I knew they were from how she winced when she scooted on the floor) and when he drained/squeezed them Lulu was crying so badly I hate to see her in pain. He waited a while before doing the next gland but just as bad. She is very sore and inflammed. I can't remember the name of the diagnosis - intestinal, intes . . . not gastro because she is not vomiting. He has given me some canned food to give her that is intolerant friendly so I will give her twice daily and see if that helps her upset tummy. If she starts to vomit - straight back to the vet. Hopefully it will clear up within a few days. She also got a dose of all wormer just in case it is worms - she is due now for her next dose anyway. If she hasn't improved by Friday (7 days from the start of diarreah) then she will have to get a biopsy on her colon Poor baby :p Ange

Thanks Chicko - I will give her a hug for you WSM - I went an bought some rescue remedy during lunch and will keep it on hand. I have heard about it here often but never tried it on myself or the dogs. I suppose I will see what the vet says and use it if it seems the right thing. I am assuming the vet will just say to give her boiled chicken and rice and wait it out. Will send an update tonight. She will go to the vets in about 3 hours. Thanks guys Ange

My poor baby is not well at all . Still has diarreah, very quiet, won't even sit down without whincing. Will take her to the vet today - perhaps her glands are swollen up from not pooing properly for nearly 3 days. Will update once we find out what is going on. Ange

Lulu has seemed to be a little out of sorts since Monty (our foster) came along. We noticed that one of the dogs had diarreah yesterday but thought it was Monty until I found today that it was Lulu. She has been very quiet and not herself and I was wondering if it could be stress induced from having another dog in her domain. Things like taking her toys, hanging around her while she is eating keeping her on edge. Where Lulu used to follow me everywhere, Monty now is and she seems to prefer to stay away from him. If I am cuddling her, up comes Monty looking for some love to. We never had this problem with the two dogs, but three seems to have pushed her over the edge. Monty will be going to his new foster home tomorrow morning, so it is not a long term issue, but was after advice as to if this infact stress or anxiety? What is the best way to help her? Ange

mjk05 - Can you suggest any other training clubs around the northern suburbs then? Our girls are only 6 months so it is novice classes I am looking at with room to grow within the club as their training expands I use a clicker at home and would prefer to continue using it through our dogs training. I have noticed one in Carramar - is this any good? Appreciate your help. Ange

Thanks Karen. Will keep an eye out for an update in August :rolleyes: Ange

Hi - Sorry to hijack the thread I have been thinking about my girls doing agility if they are suited. I am mainly thinking for Lily (BT) but Lulu (CKCS) too if she shows the inclination. I really need to get the girls into some basic obedience training and they could be socialised more but was put off as my last enquiries all hit dead ends. They are not completely unresponsive - there is a recall but I wouldn't call it 100%. I generally perfer to train with the clicker too. Any suggestions of places worth checking out for them - they are 6 months old - in the Wanneroo area? Thanks Ange

Eukanubra over here Just because that was what one of our girls was on when we got them. No complaints though and certainly not thinking of changing. Ange

Axel What was the outcome on this? Is it going ahead? Cheers Ange

BF and I were discussing this last night We were saying that knowing what we know now about dogs diets, I would never give them canned food. Not just the amount of money it would cost, but it would compromise their health I believe. I have a boston terrier and a cavalier king charles - both 6 months. I would estimate we spend $10 for both dogs per week. They get 2 meals a day and are made up dry eukanubra, chicken wings (1 each in the evening) some offal about 3 nights a week, veges chopped as fine as I can get cause I haven't got a blender, and perhaps and egg and yogurt here and there. They also get sardines but I believe that Lulu, the cav, is allergic to these so I have been avoiding them for the time being. Ange

I agree with ML. Our girls were on fresh chicken necks bashed with a rolling pin so the cartlidge was broken up. They vanished immediately. Our BT Lily tends to inhale her food - like a vacuum ;) The first time I gave our girls chicken wings they tried to treat them exactly as they did the necks so I ended up holding the wing in my hand with them chewing it for a few minutes to slow them down and encourage them to break up the bones, etc. Ange

My cav Lulu had three out on Friday. She went in for desexing and then the vet called and said that she had 3 teeth that should have come out by now (she is 5 1/2 months old) and they would have to be removed soon. Apparently the adult ones were waiting to come through but couldn't so they would have come out on an angle. At $33 a tooth it is not inexpensive, but at least they caught it so she doesn't have to go under anaesthetic again.

Most definately interested for Perth

We have only had our girls for a couple of months and they are still pups but they love their vegies. I have gotten into the habit now of making pumpkin and carrot sticks and keeping them in the fridge for a little treat for them instead of the schmacko things as we use them all the time for training, etc. They sit there and just munch and munch - I think they like the texture of the root vegetables. I swear our girls eat better than we do some days! I also grate most vegies direct into their food, zucchini, pumpkin, sweet potato. I haven't got a blender but read somewhere that dogs can't digest vegetable matter like humans and it should be as pulverised as possible Concerned me at first, but haven't seen any vegetables come out they way they went in. Any experience with this concept? I am still experimenting with what is in season, but am certainly going to try some of the other suggestions such as bok choy, apples, silverbeet and the like. Great suggestions

Hanksy Mum - I agree that the heartworm is horrible and just one of the many possible "illnesses" that our dogs can pick up. I am extremely cautious about which is best as our Kelpie X, Zac, that was rescue was diagnosed with it when he was about 5 yrs old. The emotional burden, not to mention financial, was extreme on our family and I don't want to go through that with my new little girls They are currently on tablets I got at their 12 week vaccination, however curiously both of our breeders posed the question of "heartworm being an issue in your state". I thought heartworm can be contracted anywhere nationally and internationally? I mentioned it to our vet and she raised her eyebrows too. Regardless, I want to make the best decision for my dogs. At the moment I am leaning towards the monthly dose of heartguard (we actually used it with Zac before and after he was diagnosed). Rappie - I appreciate the explanation of what makes up the dose as opposed to the flu "vaccine" for people. I thank you all for your comments - certainly raised a few good points.

Thanks for your responses. I can't let them have the needle for another 8 months, they are only 4 months now but am certainly entertaining the notion. I like the idea that you don't have to remember each month or 4 weeks - just one hit and all done. I just don't know if I am willing to run the risk of getting the needle and then in a years time with their next checkup find they are sick. Especially if it takes one year for it to be absorbed properly. I keep likening it to being like our flu injections. Many people experience the worst case of the flu in their life after their first shot and then gradually, with injection upkeep, build an immunity. Not willing to take that risk with heartworm if the same is with the pets needle. . . . . make sense ?

Hi all I am a newbie and the proud parent of two little girls, a boston terrier and king charles cav (couldn't have gotten two more different looking dogs if I tried). I am tossing up the option of the heartworm prevention needle that is annually as opposed to monthly heartworming tablets. I understand that the economically it balances out pretty evenly. Can anyone offer any experience in this area and advice? I am not sure if one is proven more effective than the other. Thanks in advance.