Erny

Agree to a point - Although I see far more tools such as head collars being "handed out like lollies" (made worse by the fact that they can be picked straight off the shelf) than I have ever seen of the PPCollars. I tended to find that people were far more conscientious about how they handled a PPCollar - possibly because of the way they looked - than about how they handle a head collar which by comparison *looks* benign.

That's why it was so easy to get banned here in Victoria. Those who wanted it banned only needed to leave it up to the imagination of the public, with a few prompting choice words to help those images along. No education regarding the collars, their use etc. was provided. And no evidence of harm is available either. My dog cringes when I put the front attaching harness on him.

World Par-Tea 02 6581 4833 or 0401 309 707 Shop 22/35 Merrigal Rd Port Macquarie NSW World Par-Tea Speak with Kerrie.

Great post, Perse.

:D Good onya, Stitch. Came in and was just about to mention. Would way prefer to use Calendula before using other chemical based products and/or drugs. Charjas - purchase "Calendula Tea" via health food store. It is actually dried Marygold flowers - it comes loose, in packets. Put about 1 - 2 tablespoons full of the tea into something like a teapot or (I find) better still, a single cup coffee plunger. Pour over water just boiled and leave it to steep until tepid or cool. Pour off the tea - just as you would if you were making a cuppa and use this to wet into your dog's skin. Leave on to dry (ie don't rinse). I've had much use of the Calendula tea for a variety of skin problems on my own boy and as a result have been able to avoid the use of drugs, from antihistamines through to and including cortisone. And cheap at half the cost. Keep a packet in the pantry for use as and when needed. Google "Calendula Tea" and you'll find there are many good uses for it. It can be taken orally as well and won't harm your dog if it is licked off, but I tend to find it doesn't overtly attract them to want to lick it off.

Thanks Myboyjosh and Mackiemad. Well, a small update ..... Mandela's poops are still the best they've been in a good while AND he's still not farting :D . Also, whilst I'd already noted/wondered about the extra depth of colour and gleam in his coat since beginning Augustine's SuperFood (I often second guess myself with things such as this as I'm so close to the subject and looking at him all the time for changes and Mandela's coat is generally very good anyway, but there is just something super extra about it of late and it is satin to touch), I had him at the Vet's this morning for a teeth clean. The Vet didn't know about us trialling Augustine's SuperFood so was completely objective when he remarked on how extra glossy/lush his coat was :D. Obviously it has not been my imagination at work and so far I really like the changes brought about since Augustine's SF has become Mandela's diet. Something else - Mandela is eating his breakfast and dinner as enthusiastically as he did when he was a youngster prior to the advent of digestive issue symptoms. So far, the pointers are all good. Touch wood. ETA: Oh - and now that Mandela has his pearly white's back, I'm re-introducing Plaque-Off to his new diet and quietly and patiently waiting and watching hoping that this does not cause upset.

Well, if you don't live in Victoria, I guess. My understanding of our laws here in the South are that if the council says your dog fits the pit bull profile the government have created then your dog IS a pit bull and you can't escape that even if your dog is papered as a dog of different breeding ........ EXCEPT if your dog is papered as an AmStaff, as they thought to write that one into the law (but forgot about the others). Maybe they've fixed at least that flaw (wish they'd address the original major flaw which was the BSL as a whole from the get go) since I read of it but I dunno.

Prahran Vet Clinic -the Vet there who does the acupuncture ...... He's into Chinese Medicine and may be able to assist??

The Food Intolerance testing is different to allergy tests. The food intolerance tests show up even if an allergy to the food has not built up. Email Dr Jean Dodds - she will more than happily explain it to you and much better than I can. The tests are very new and I would guess that time is needed for them to prove their worth. I was at the point of "where else can I turn other than drugs?" and so for me, yes, the results help to steer me in directions to at least try to avoid the ones we know of that are likely to cause a problem. Z/D was even back then a "last resort" - one that I'd tried to avoid. I'm glad it was available to me though, as back then and some times since I have been desperate to improve Mandela's stools and it generally worked at least for that to a reasonable degree. The Augustine food has done that and better, though, with (as I mentioned above) no smelly poop and no farting. I didn't consider I/D (and it wasn't suggested by any Vet to me, either) but for the time being it seems, I don't need to whilst the Augustine SuperFood is working as well as it is. Good point - that would be a guess.

Would there be much left as far as nutrients go after all the baking? IMO and to my knowledge, cooked/processed food makes the system work harder to digest and wouldn't that be exactly what we'd want to avoid for a dog whose stomach is already on the stressed side? Stitch - I had stretches where I had to feed Mandela the Z/D. He didn't much take to the kibble, so cans were what he was fed (I think he knew they were the more expensive option :roll eyes: lol). By comparison to the really sloppy, tar-like poop which is what he expelled when he ate the raw roo, the Z/D poop was markedly improved but like you, also had times where it was a bit on the softish side. Note that the Z/D contains corn starch. Go figure. I know the response to that is that the corn starch is moleculised, but funnily enough, Mandela's food intolerance test results indicated that this body had been exposed to corn in the last 6 months. The ONLY corn he's been exposed to is that of the Z/D, so moleculised or not, Mandela's body was obviously recognising it. This would potentially answer as to why, after a period of time of feeding it, he would go "off" the Z/D as well. Mandela's poop was also a bit on the smelly side (admittedly not as bad as when on the roo mince in the absence of Augustine's SF) and he still would fart (although again perhaps not quite as much). Now? Snnnnniiiiiiiifffffffffffffffffffffff. Mmmmmhhmmmmm :D. Clean air :D.

Some will have read on my own thread regarding my own dog that I am trialling Augustine's SuperFood. In short, whilst the outcome of the "trial" is not completely conclusive as yet, I have found that Mandela's poop is the best it has ever been on raw meat AND it is the first time since I can recall where he is not farting and the poop does not stink. Those two things alone tell me that something right is happening as surely poop is a reflection of the health of the bowel/intestine, at least to a large extent ??? I am not doing the Vegan diet at this stage. I'm saving that for a "if I have to", preferring at this point to mix with roo mince. Stitch - Mandela doesn't seem to cope with fatty food either. I'm no Vet but from things I've read, Coconut Oil is one of those "good" fats and I can tell you that even before Augustine's SuperFood diet I added Coconut Oil to Mandela's food with only improved/good results.

Hi SnF and MyboyJosh. Mandela's history goes way back and has always been checkered, consequently nothing with him is established in a hurry. Since writing, Mandela has had one day where he went "off" the food and showed what I have come to believe is abdominal discomfort but after that is back to it with gusto and I am delighted at what little time it takes him to now gobble up his meals. It's been a long time since he's eaten with such enthusiasm and this is a good sign (to me) because (IMO) it indicates the absence of abdominal discomfort which I presume was something that caused him to eat more slowly and with less relish. I'm not yet totally convinced that abdominal discomfort is completely gone but given the improved signs I can't help but think discomfort has lessened. I would like Mandela to put on more weight than he is carrying but for the purposes of the trial of Augustine's Super Food and the advice of its owner/inventor, I'm not over-feeding him (sticking to a total of 1kg roo mince and 560g of the superfood each day). Provided he remains healthy in appearance (coat; eyes; energetic; etc.) I'm not too concerned about him being a bit more lean than I'd otherwise prefer. The Superfood is exxy and this will be the first admission of the owner and inventor of "A+ Augustine Approved human food for dogs". I can understand why. The 'prepared' food is not yet ready for retail (they are helping me out BIG time by providing me with the prepared food thus far) and there is a lot of preparation time and energy involved. It would be affordable if one owned a small dog, but a big dog like Mandela and his digestive issues is pricey to feed at the best of times. However, acknowledging that the prepared item is not yet ready for retail, the "in the meantime" substitute is their recipe along with their Augustine Approved Superboost and/or other of the supplements that make up the superfood. I don't think Mandela is 'right' yet and I've discussed this with the owner of Augustine Approved Superfood products. I have also discussed this with Dr Bruce Syme who has throughout Mandela's whole history seen and supported me when possible in my quest to try to resolve Mandela's digestive issues. Bruce has made a couple of suggestions (probiotic related) to further supplement Mandela with. Bruce knows well the trouble I have had and the extensive range of foods/diets I have given a good deal of time to trial and recommends I stick with food that Mandela seems to be doing ok on. So, while I'm here, I feel a big "THANKS" is deserved to Dr Bruce Syme (Castlemaine Vet Clinic - Vets All Natural) AND to Phivo of A+ Augustine Approved human food for dogs. Both these people and their products, recommendations and suggestions are things I have found helpful along the way :).

Skruffy n Flea ..... that was a lovely post. Thank you very much for the compliment . I feel humbled, but very appreciative of such sentiment. ETA: I can't help but agreeing with you with the "universe must have been speaking with me" comment. I think there is a reason Mandela came my way .................... :D.

Update : I've been using the Augustine the Boxer's "Super Food" (ready made) and adding that with human grade roo mince. It was a bit difficult at first to get Mandela "into" the new food mix and I had to work a bit harder by heating the meat to encourage him to eat. He'd initially leave some of the food when he did eat it and there was more mucking around with storing the left overs and offering them back at the next meal time. (Mandela is fed twice a day, generally.) There were some meals he skipped completely. After about 4 days of this though, he suddenly developed a taste for it and has taken to it with gusto. In the past few days he's eaten every morsel enthusiastically both morning and evening feeds. He appears to be gaining weight and I must confess he appears more comfortable in his torso, and happier within himself. Ok .... here's the part where I am still holding my breath. Over the years, Mandela has had some foods where he has "come good" and gone well on it for a reasonable period (several months or so) then suddenly gone "off" with a hive break-out or some other symptom, discomfort etc. So, whilst I am undoubtedly thrilled with the improvement I've seen in him on the Augustine food, I am loathe to party too soon. I am quietly optimistic though. See, the thing is, he is still on roo mince. Which indicates to me that the addition of the Augustine food has to have had some part in helping his digestive system cope with it. These are of course my layman's thoughts and rational, but it makes sense to me :D. Mandela's coat is generally very good, but I must admit he seems to sport a deeper colour and lustre since feeding Augustine's food. For the moment, I'm pretty impressed with the food. Holding out with a "time will tell" (having gone through this so many times before, I just don't want to get too happy for fear I'll be disappointed again) but so far so good

Hi Nic.B. In the 4 years I've had my boy since getting him as a pup, he has gone through a whole gammit of symptoms. Hives; inter-digital cysts; abdominal discomfort; ear flap rashes; rashes on the insides of his rear legs; symptoms that appeared very much as furunculosis; going off food; vomit (but rarely bile); sloppy poop; farting the stinkiest rotten farts ever; irritated bottom (which would have come from irritated anal glands which resulted from too much sloppy poop for too long); inflamed cuticles; and perhaps some more symptoms that I've forgotten about.

Hi Bianca. I think that is the person Dr Jean Dodds has referred me to as well. Have a couple of 'leads' in the pipe line at the moment. One that I'm trialling (Augustine the Boxer Super Food) . Must admit Mandela's stools are the best they've looked for being on raw meat. Will fill you guys in a bit later on as so much going on just now it is awkward to spend the time at the computer.

I have found that the Calendula does relieve the itchies as well as helping the skin to heal. In my experience, the itchies were at least reduced if not removed quite immediately. If you noticed improvement in the skin, I'd be inclined to use the Calendula a few times before you deduce that the itchies persist. Calendula is not a cure to the cause of the itches, so if the cause persists, the itchies will too.

Calendula Tea. Wet up the skin. Leave in (don't rinse off). But still give consideration to what might be the underlying cause for the dandruff. Diet? Medical? etc., if the dandruff continues to return.

I actually find that Going to a school where the environment is well controlled and NOT centering on getting your pup to play but letting your pup learn that other pups/dogs are simply 'there' but nothing to worry about and that YOU are the best thing since sliced bread and all your pup needs to focus on is a good way to go especially for shy or timid dogs. It gives them a chance to learn at their own pace and without feeling pressured that other dogs are neither here nor there.

I would think of it as latent learning as well and habituation is one of the 'up there' prime examples I use of it. I love latent learning ..... To see the surprised and rapt expressions on the dogs' owners faces when it has occurred is delightful and priceless.

Whatever it was (and I'm so sorry for the loss of the dogs' lives and what they would have gone through) I do think the general populous is a bit complacent/unaware about how much we administer in terms of chemicals not to mention the overlapped (and sometimes unnecessary) use of them on and in our dogs.

Thanks JulesP. I can't help this feeling of dejavu ...... I'm thinking I've rung them on this topic once before when the notion of trying horse meat arose (but where the problem at the time resolved - temporarily, as it turns out). I can't remember what came of it other than it didn't eventuate but I'll give them another call to check. No answer ATM but its after hours so will try again tomorrow. Cheers Erny

Thank you thank you, Mackiemad :).

A Victorian Vet Behaviourist has said the same in a lecture recently too. Reason is that fear/anxiety is an emotional response and you are not going to reinforce or increase it by comforting the dog as it just 'is'. Makes sense, really. I think it is because of the fine line between someone picking the wrong moment and manner of reassurance for the wrong Behaviour. I see more evidence of reinforcement of fear Behaviour than I do of dogs who have not been "comforted". There are so many variables to this - the dog; the situation; the level of fear response; the regularatory of it; the learning history of the dog .... And more. Be calm. Be assertive in in a quiet manner. As a general rule of thumb I think would cover more situations with less risk of inadvertent reinforcement. Along the way of working with my own boy, he came to understand me when I would say "it's ok". Although not began as a reassurance for fear, I find I can help him relax more in tense situations by using that phrase. But as I said, it can be a fine line and if putting it out to the general public to reassure their dogs when their dogs exhibit fear responses, it needs to be explained quite specifically ...... And that can be difficult to do when many different and individual contingencies need to be taken into account. IMO. :) Sorry to put such a long post up in your thread for Bailey. I've been following it and I hope all proves to go well for him. At the beginning I wondered if the fright that made him suddenly lurch could have been the result of static electricity from one of his bed blankets. That's happened with my boy once as he moved around to get comfy and made him jolt off his bed as though something had bitten him. I really do hope he continues to recover well. :)

Thanks AtB for the explanation regards barley grass -vs- barley grain. Thanks Moosmum ..... I'll let you know if I need your help in sourcing horse meat. And Andisa - thanks. That's a definite tip I'll be sure to make use of. I don't like any meat looking too much like its live origin, much less a horse Sas - cheers .... I'll follow through the slaughter house with that query. Trifecta - the only food sources that have been tested are the ones I've listed. The test is very new (first came out last year) so it is limited although has at least expanded a lot by comparison to the first test. So anything not on that list has not been tested because the test for it has not been constructed. I've avoided pork though, ever since I fed Mandela a pigs trotter or two when he was younger and he went off food for a day or so and threw up the little bones of the pigs foot. This was before more obvious signs of food intolerances/digestive discomfort became apparent but I've not been game nor thought it would be good to revisit. Right now I'm even suspicious of roo mince but have found through experience he will tolerate it for a while before he goes off it. So far, it's been the better of the meats I've fed him - to my knowledge. Dancinbcs - I have been very judicious about feeding too much in terms of sardines. I can't say I've noticed an obvious reaction though, but then again they've not been enough for a whole meal so if he has been a bit 'off' its been pretty difficult to tell the culprit apart. Are sardines 'white fish' though? Pardon my ignorance in this respect. I can't eat fish myself so I don't follow the varieties/differences that much. Sweet potato is something I feed my boy - I use it to add fibre to roo mince. Same with pumpkin but the sweet potato seems better and like more. Haven't tried tuna as yet. Anything I have to watch for regards where it comes from etc? Thanks for the comments and interest everyone. I still have some questions and puzzlement regards the results, what they mean for the future, and even why some of the results are what they are (I've only given a summarized version of the results and not the IgA and IgM results for each food source. I've got a fair amount of homework to do and I'm going to need the help of a digestive vet to help explain it to me and I expect, the help of a canine nutritionist (anyone know a good one?) to work this out a bit. All this has certainly been more than I bargained for when I bought him but I'll do what I can.