zenchel

Thanks for your response - the situation is improving :)

I'll try to keep this short, but I do want to include all the relevant information. A pair of older Labs have been rehomed due to the sudden death of their owner. The 10 year old is very much a "me me me" dog and seems to have increased his attention seeking behaviour in the new home. He will also growl sometimes when being handled - this behaviour was noted on his previous vet records. The 12 year old has terrible hip dysplasia, seems to be in a fair amount of pain and will put himself face into a corner, between your legs or under a chair - I am thinking this is a response to the pain and not head pressing as such. He is on a course of pentosan and has just started anti inflammatories - hoping to see an improvement shortly. The new owner is extremely caring, but unfortunately is possibly interfering in their communication She reprimands the younger when he humps the older - am I correct in thinking she should actively ignore the humping behaviour, as it is being done for her benefit? She is actively rejecting the pushing in of the younger dog when she cuddles the older dog - will this increase his inappropriate behaviour? I really want this new home to work out - she is prepared to give them the life they deserve for however long they have, however I think she's over thinking the situation and her interference, however well intentioned, is causing more problems. Grateful for any thoughts?

The DNA test for EIC is very stable and accurate. The problem can be with the laboratory that administers the test - there have been many incorrect test results issued, not because the test is invalid, but because there has been a mistake in the handling, administration or reporting of the test results. (I speak from sad experience) Having said that, there are other forms of collapse in Labradors that may not be EIC. I would suggest you have your dog tested for EIC with the laboratory in the US that discovered the gene mutation. http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vdl/services-and-fees/canine-neuromuscular/canine-exercise-induced-collapse-eic/submission-guidelines/index.htm Your vet should be able to organise the taking of samples and sending them to the US. Depending on the result, you can then follow up the parents' results, or maybe who the parents really are!!!!

With no particular relevance to the OP's problem, I would just say be very careful about citing lay interpretations from the internet. The above site has no references and the author has no qualifications!! At least Karen Hedberg is a qualified veterinary practitioner - as most of what the author above writes involves Labradors, there is enough information there to convince me that he doesn't know what he's talking about. As always, on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog !! JMO.

'Scuse me? I guess you aren't a member of Dogs Victoria, which would explain why you haven't seen the posts on the DV Facebook page or the DV website asking for DV members to read and respond to the second draft review of the Code of Practice. Any input you may care to offer would be welcome.

From Dogs Victoria Canine Health Committee: Our health testing experience survey is now available at; https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/health_testing_experience_survey We'd like to know your experiences health testing your dogs. What tests have been good, what's been bad. If you haven't had your dogs tested, why not? The survey is for purebred dogs born after 1 January 2003. Please complete a separate survey for each breed you own. The survey is anonymous. Feel free to pass the survey along. Please do let us know at [email protected] if you experience any problems completing the survey, or have other information concerning your use and experiences with health testing of your dogs.

The proposed revised Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Establishments in Victoria is open for public comment Code This Code must be complied with by all breeders that have more than two fertile females. Under our Applicable Organisation status, membership of Dogs Victoria entitles those members that have less than ten fertile females exemption from compliance with this Code. So if you have more than nine fertile females, you are required to register as a Domestic Animal Business and you must comply with this Code. If for any reason in the future DV no longer holds Applicable Organisation status, then every DV member will have to comply with this Code. It is in every dog breeder’s interest that there is a thorough and knowledgeable response to this proposal. Please take some time to read it closely and follow through with the online response pages, or if you wish send in a hard copy submission. Dogs Victoria will be formulating a detailed submission, but it will be advantageous if every DV breeder submits detailed responses based on experience and common sense. If you have any queries, please forward them to [email protected]

In my experience of maybe eight GDVs, anything past the beginnings of Phase 2 is too late It becomes a matter of instinct - one older Irish Setter, who was a regular visitor to the kennels and also one of my girl's friends at obedience classes, was just standing the wrong way, head down, drooling a bit - couldn't put my finger on it, but just wasn't happy with her. Took her to the vet, they tubed her and said "no, she's OK" but I left her there anyway. She torsed about two hours later - thank goodness she was at the vet and they had time to do the surgery and give her a chance - she made it and lived another three years :) There have been only two that were already bloating that actually made it through surgery - a Boxer and a Dobe. Those that didn't make it? A Dobe, two Irish and and a Wei..... it's a heartbreak.

Thanks for your recommendations - off to Hallam I go - hope he's not as expensive as my dentist

One of my boys has broken off part of one of his canines - I think it needs filling and possibly capping. Removal is not an option (show dog). Has anybody a recommendation for a good dentist? Thx

Hi Mojopoodle, This is a cut and paste from the ASAP website: Please note, tests marked with * are patented/licenced. Restriction in certain geographical regions may prevent us from offering these tests. Clients in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand please contact us to discuss availability. and where the disease is listed by name, you will see the asterisk next to it: Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration - PRA *

No, it's always been the case that Animal Network holds the licence for prcd PRA and CEA testing in Australasia.

Due to licensing arrangements, Animal Network is the only company that Australian breeders can use for prcd PRA testing: http://www.animalnetwork.com.au/tests/index.php?testid=20 They have a list of accredited collectors on their website or you can have your vet take the swabs. It's worth calling Animal Network to discover what discounts are available e.g. online or volume. Sylvia Power Chair, Dogs Victoria Canine Health Committee

Not saying that she will know any more than your vet and also hoping your vet is willing to seek other opinions, but Dr Karen Hedberg at North Richmond Veterinary Hospital in NSW breeds Frenchies, so she may have some experience/knowledge with this issue. She has been unwell since breaking her hip, so don't know whether you will be able to contact her. Good luck!

Yep, I'd definitely go with bull koala.