goldielover

Will PM you kittyhawklee.

If your pup is otherwise well and doesn't need a thorough examination, the vet that visits the Devon Meadows pool (Near Cranbourne) is around $25 for a C5. Think he's only there on Tuesdays though.

Some great advice up there. I have babies here at the moment and they started humping each other as soon as they could stand! LOL

I used Be Kalm years ago for my girl who hated car travel and they worked quite well. I bought them from the pet store at the Melbourne showgrounds, but think that www.petnetwork.com.au also stock them?

Don't know about de-sexing, but the traveling vet who visits the Devon Meadows pool (near Cranbourne, but not a station unfortunately) charges around $25 for a C5 vaccination, a C3 is around $18 or so from memory

Maybe she has misunderstood the breeder? I would have thought that bathing would be an individual thing? Some goldies just have a smelly coat or skin issues and may need monthly baths. My girls are also different: one needs one every 2 months and the other 2 every 3 months (or sooner if they roll in something foul of course!). I actually don't bath my girls after each swim either, HOWEVER, i do rinse them off with lukewarm water when i get home, then towel dry them and brush.

I have heard of a puppy swallowing a chicken neck whole, vomiting it back up an hour or 2 later and unfortunately he died as it blocked his airway and got stuck

I do mine every couple of months (unless they've rolled in something feral!!)

I've used a few of their formulas. Currently i'm using Power for my lactating bitch. It's very concentrated compared to some other 'energy' formulas from other companies, meaning that the price per feed is comparable to lower quality brands. For my puppy i am trialling the new Holistic Large breed puppy. Prior to this she was on regular Large/Giant breed puppy. My older girl is currently on Pro Plan weight management as it was on special LOL I'm really happy with Eagle Pack.

EXACTLY! You have a great food with no by-products which costs the same amount per feed as Optimum. Blossom - EP is just a more concentrated food.

I also bath my puppies a day or 2 before they go home. I use either Fidos Puppy & Kitten shampoo or Squirt for Puppies.

CHeck out the Optimum website. They are giving refunds for up to 3 bags of 4kg bags per household (100% of purchase price). After that you also get some free bags after so many purchases. There is also the Purina challenge but not sure if that's still going on. Every little bit helps when you need to cut back!

I'd toss the Puppy milk and PAL. Some of the better dry foods (if you wish to continue to feed dry) are Eagle Pack, Nutro Natural Choice, Royal Canin, Nutrience, ProPlan. It's a matter of finding one that suits your particular dog. I like to keep the protein level at 24% or lower for larger breed pups, so feed Eagle Pack Large and Giant breed formula. I've also just been informed that they have a holistic large breed puppy formula now as well so have bought a bag to try. The super premium foods have the advantage of being more concentrated so you are actually feeding less per day, so they are not as expensive as you think. Also, less poo, better coat, etc. If you do switch, don't forget to do it gradually over a week. Good luck with your new baby!

Robbo's Pet Barn (Dandenong) and Pet Stock (numerous outlets) also sell it, plus the Mega Pet Warehouse (Dandenong and ??? eastern suburbs somewhere). You could also check with some of the on line suppliers to see if they deliver to your area.

It's a natural instinct for them to chase, but mine don't bother as soon as they figure they'll never catch them.

Hi donandsharon, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you use weed killer or something like that. My goldens love to graze and do it every day! They used to say that dogs that ate grass were wanting to vomit or were deficient in something, but i very much doubt mine are and they are on different diets. As far as i know though they don't know the real reason for it. Although i have to say that since one of my girls is pregnant she is eating more grass - perhaps she is a little nauseas? I'm not sure. Anyway, no real harm. We have a golden retriever sub forum if you'd like to pop in and say hi - that would be great. It is located in the 'General' section and then under 'Breed sub forum'. There is one for golden pictures and another for golden chat. Feel free to join in!!

Let us know how you go feralpup. I would imagine they would, but not sure.

Mmm good point, I re-checked the Drontal website and it doesn't do heartworm. Is there any worming tablet which covers them all including heart worm? Canex doesn't it appears. My dog is currently still using Revolution & Drontal so he is covered, it just would nice to find an effective but cheaper alternative to it I use Sentinel Spectrum. From the website http://www.pets.novartis.com.au/dogs/sentinelspectrum.html : SENTINEL® SPECTRUM is the most convenient way to get 3-in-1 parasite protection against heartworm, intestinal worms - including tapeworm - and fleas. One delicious beefy flavoured tablet given once a month with a full meal, all year round is all it takes to give your dog a lifetime of protection against the most dangerous worms and fleas I'd recommend Sentinel Spectrum as well. I use Interceptor Spectrum which does all intestinal worms and heartworm, but just not fleas. None of my girls have ever had any fleas so i don't need the added protection.

Most of the vets around here charge around $72, including consultation. If my dogs have no issues, i go to the vet that visits the Devon Meadows (near Cranbourne, Vic) pool. C3 is $18 and a C5 is around $25 or so.

I agree with Pandii. If you are happy with the BARF rolls you could try doing your own BARF - much cheaper! Everyone here will have their own opininon of what is best for their dogs, but everyone has different circumstances. I usually feed Eagle Pack Holistic, plus some bones, cottage cheese, yoghurt, sardines in oil, the odd egg, etc. However paying off a house on 1 wage isn't easy so if there are good deals on foods i think are pretty good, i take them! ProPlan has recently had a 2 for 1 at a local store, and Optimum has it's PHD program running, so i do take advantage of these deals when i'm a bit less financial!

Rhi, i have used ProPlan in the past on my girls, also when they're in whelp and have also raised a litter on ProPlan. I have found that my goldens did very well on it. My only issues were: protein level a bit too high for for large breeds and it contains byproducts. You can buy products without by-products for either the same amount (eg. Eagle Pack natural), or a little more eg. Nutrience, Nutro, Eagle Pack Holistic. I was pretty happy with it and in fact have just bought 7kg of it as the 3.63kg bags were 2 for the price of 1 at a local shop and i'm on a pretty tight budget right now!

Personally i believe there are better products out there for the price. There are definitely other brands that do not contain by-products or as many fillers around the same price range. Each to their own though, and if your dog does well on it, that's all that matters!

I raise my golden babies on Eagle Pack Large breed puppy - it's a fabulous product and not too high in protein like some other puppy foods, so they grow at a slower rate minimising stress on joints. As laffi mentioned, make the switch gradually and it does take a month or so to see the difference. I don't think there is a EP holistic product for large breed puppies at the moment, but there is a holistic for large breed adults.

K9 & Katz KitchenHere deliver free anywhere in metro Melbourne. They have a large range of EP and good prices. I order EP Holistic through K9& Katz kitchen as well. The prices are the same as i can get in any of the stores, plus free delivery - can't beat that. Their service is also wonderful!!

I was told a while back that it's almost the same formula, but the large/giant breed puppy has higher levels of glucosamine and perhaps omega 3 and 6?