Dog_Horse_Girl

Dogs can and do adapt to almost anything if their handler understands how to help them adjust to changes. I'm sure that Rocky will do just fine with a move as long as you have adequate coping strategies. The one thing I would strongly recommend to do is place Rocky into a secure environment before you pack up the current house and leave him there until the new house is set up and ready to cope with his needs. I would (if this were my dog) put him into a trusted boarding kennel or if you have a home carer who has cared for him in the past, this may work better for Rocky. The reason I suggest this is that Rocky has special needs which make him more vulnerable than the average dog. Movers don't understand this and are likely to leave doors and gates wide open...which can lead to tragedy. Dogs with altered senses don't cope well with having strangers in their territory. I admire your courage in managing Rocky's health issues. Dementia is particularly tough on us, but the dogs seem to cope well enough. My cattle dog cross, Aussie showed symptoms of mild dementia from about 12 yrs but I'm sure he had the disease much earlier. He had all but disappeared because of his dementia by the time he passed...and we had required of him so many adjustments in his last six yrs of life (including two long distance moves, his first-ever kennel stay at the age of 12, plus an unaccompanied flight from Canberra to Darwin and numerous changes in vets over the years as we moved from place to place). Back then, little was known about canine dementia and some vets actually scoffed at the idea...but it's commonly accepted these days that dogs can and do suffer with dementia and there are myriad ways of supporting dogs with the condition, with drugs, alternative remedies and behavioural/training methods all proving beneficial to a degree for most dogs. I wish you and Rocky the best of everything...here's to a successful move and much more time with Rocky - he sounds like a delightful old fella.

Gosh, LC I'm so sorry to hear this tragic news. Deepest sympathy to you all...what can I say? Ruby - Run Free at the Bridge, Zoomies all day and nights by the fire will be yours forever.

Yep, she's not a happy camper ATM. And carrying her up the stairs is NOT something I look forward to, but she's refusing to walk up them at all now. :p She hasn't got the same problem going down though.

Bugger. Perhaps this is what has been wrong with her legs all along? Nope, the other leg's problem was confirmed by a joint tap and X-rays. She's just a miserably unlucky dog. The surgery isn't cheap either...around $1000 so we need to start saving. Once it's been operated on, she's not allowed to exercise for 2 mths...try telling her that though.

Ruby's just come back from having X-rays this morning. Unfortunately, she's ruptured her cruciate ligament. Once the mange and allergies are "controlled", she needs surgery. Of course, this is expensive but necessary... Wish it was better news.

If only it had lasted. Ruby's been miserable again... Went off to vet again and described symptoms (latest round of symptoms), which were vomiting, skin red all over, scratching again...this suggests a food allergy. Began elimination diet of cooked fish and sweet potato - did this for one week in which time symptoms abated somewhat. Re-introduced raw chicken, her skin reddened same day, then the vomiting and scratching started again. So we conclude she's allergic to chicken, back to fish and sweet potato. Will see the vet again on the weekend... The lame leg is worse again too. This leads me to think that perhaps the lameness is partially caused by the food allergy but I'm not sure. The allergy has definitely caused inflammation so it's possible the two are linked. I feel so sorry for this dog - she's not had the best luck when it comes to health issues.

Ruby's symptoms have diminished significantly in the past 24 hours since her injections. She's not even scratching at the mange sites today. I know we have a long way to go with her, to find the underlying cause of these issues, but seeing her comfortable again makes me so much happier.

Thanks for the groups tip - will check it out. I can't remember what the cost was last time for the joint tap...but I do remember Ruby was very sore afterwards. She also had bloods and a urine test from memory. Our vet is very good with keeping the cost of his services low - with three dogs, that's important to us, but of course most important is how they are treated. Remember too, that in Darwin, samples are sent over to WA because there's no lab here - vets do the 'ïn rooms" items themselves but bloods etc have to go to external labs. That adds to the path costs significantly. You have a lot of knowledge in this area...I really appreciate your input Danois. Many thanks!

It could be IMPA, and the prednisone certainly had a negative affect on her immune system while she was on it but that side effect hasn't diminished significantly as yet IF the mange is attributed to a lower immune resistance and I think it is. Unfortunately, she was very resistant to its treatment as a young dog, but apparently this is less likely as the dog ages? In other words, the mange should respond to treatment more readily now she's aged almost 9. But it could be Lupus too. The symptoms from yesterday are almost certainly from a food source - I'd given her some "dog roll" for breakfast yesterday, which she doesn't normally have (vet says it's most likely a preservative that she has reacted to) and I would think that is more than plausible. ;) She had Niramine (anti-histamine); Dexadreson (also for allergic reaction) both by injection this morning - no prednisone due to the inter-relationship with the joint issue. Plus the Ivermectin for mange, and she has 10 days supply of Cephalexin tabs (antibiotic) - vet is trying the path of least resistance first in terms of the joint problem due to her history with joint infection. He prefers to try a broad spectrum antibiotic first rather than push for X-rays and taps due to the invasive and expensive nature of the latter. If the symptoms are still present in five days, we can be reasonably confident that the lameness isn't being caused by infection or infection alone. We can only hope her comfort levels improve as she's quite miserable ATM. And she keeps looking at me as if to say, "Why do I feel so crappy?"

It gets worse. When OH got home yesterday, Ruby had vomited several times. She then had another vomit followed by the runs, then another vomit, more rushed toilet trips...PLUS the worst hives I have EVER seen had sprung up between the time we left for work and getting home. If you can imagine the most dejected and uncomfortable dog, then multiply it by 1000 times, that would be Ruby at the moment. Our lovely vet thinks the latest reaction is definitely a food allergy response - the gastric upset is a likely indicator combined with the speed at which the hives developed. So begins a novel foods elimination diet (sweet potato and a fish protein source), cooked - if no reaction after two weeks, re-introduce foods one at a time. She's had three injections this morning: mange/tick, anti-histamine, antibiotic, plus oral antibiotics for two weeks. ;) We weren't charged for the consult, just the medications - I can't figure out if that's because she'll be a weekly patient for a while or because I volunteer at the shelter which is run by the practice but either way, I'm so grateful for his kindness towards us. I can't believe the run of bad luck Ruby's had. :D He suspects the lameness is yet another infection in the joint; he also says she may have an immune-deficiency disease such as Lupus but these things are very tricky to diagnose. For now, it's a wait-and-see scenario in regards to the allergy response and the lameness. Please send Ruby some calming, healing vibes. Poor love could do with it. ;)

Mange mites are present in low levels in most dogs. In Ruby's case, in 2001 she developed a severe case of mange which resisted ALL treatment for a period of nearly 12 months. We moved from Darwin to a cooler climate and the mange symptoms abated. We also realised that she had allergies which probably didn't help with the itching. She has been symptom-free since late 2001 and a skin scraping in early 2002 revealed a low mite load. The hair loss has only just recurred in the past few weeks but she's been itchy since the start of the humid weather (Oct last yr). She's going back on Saturday for a second injection and to have another look at her lame leg.

Yes, pred it is... No firm diagnosis just an educated guess based on two previous episodes with very similar symptoms. She's lame (completely lame) in the leg. She'll be going back on Saturday for her second ivermec injection so I'll be asking for a joint tap or X-ray at the same time. She has to be the least lucky dog (health-wise) that I've ever known.

Ruby can't take a trick. She had mange as a young dog and it took a move down south before it was "cured". She's also had an infection in her hock joint, TWICE. And she suffers from skin allergies - very bad reactions that see her constantly scratching. Anyway, she's been on pred for the skin allergies and instead of getting better, the itching has gotten worse. Plus she started losing fur on her head...so off to the vet again yesterday. It's mange again. Also she's started limping and we thought the pred had arced up her hock but have just realised today, it's the OTHER leg. So, weekly injections for the mange, and I guess we go back for a diagnosis for the hock, more antibiotics for the infection...plus painkillers to help her feel more comfortable. This poor dog has had no luck from the time she was whelped. Except in us adopting her, of course! Please let this be all for Ruby...she could use a bit of good luck.

Mel, I've only just spotted this thread...sending hugs your way! Jack, stop scaring your mum and dad...keep on keeping on. Ruby has to go back to the vet as her allergies keep spiking despite the medication. We suspect something else is going on, but no idea what. She's suffering hair loss again in the pattern which occurred when she had mange all those years ago. They worry us...don't they?

Wow, that's a turn-around. Last time I asked, I was told it wasn't possible due to the cost of freight. That's great news! I like these things as 'emergency' meal options as well as occasional treats. They're quite good and the dogs love them.

It has been discussed many many times, often with your involvement, Have you forgotten? No, Gareth I haven't forgotten. But perhaps you haven't considered that there are new members all the time and as with many debates, it would be useful for those people to have this information provided when these threads commence. That's why I said "so I can see this from someone else's POV" because it could be that some of the newer members are not willing to ask the question I posed. Given your response, I'm illustrating that point perfectly. I understand that there is great passion on both sides of this debate (as with many other topics) and unfortunately, passion has a tendency of making views narrowed further rather than by opening the topic outwards for further scrutiny. I'm pro-desexing for all but appropriately registered breeding animals and I make no secret of that - my views are based on an animal welfare and rescue stance, as well as the health and well-being of the individual animal being a very strong reason for desexing pet dogs and cats. Equally the anti-desexing campaign has its own views and reasons for its stance and wouldn't it be nice if the anti-desexing views could be aired without emotion getting in the way of the facts? But if you'd rather not continue the discussion, I guess we have to leave it at that and everyone can just go off and find the information they "think" they need to make an informed decision. :D

There are medical benefits to desexing, too. Exactly. I see no reason to keep a non-breeding animal entire. But if there's a really good one, perhaps the anti-desexing views could be more properly aired so I can see this from someone else's POV?

Daisy I'm so so sorry to hear of this sad news. You must be devastated. Run free Hazel! There are so many doggies waiting for you and so many interesting things to do and see and you'll have a blast until you meet your family again.

Alix I'm so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. You gave him nearly five wonderful years of love, kindness and compassion. Charlie, run free at the Bridge - chase all those pesky butterflies to your heart's content.

PL I'm so sorry she didn't make it. Charlotte - you'll meet all the others at the Bridge...fly free little one.

Molly has been diagnosed with epilepsy as everything else was ruled out by testing... She's on Phenobarb, low dose which is definitely working. We haven't observed ANY seizures since she started on the meds but we both work full time. I noticed her seizures were mostly in the late afternoon/early evening when she did fit. Her liver function and med levels were checked two weeks ago - liver is functioning well. Levels are effective and not causing any damage so if needed, we could increase. It's the best result for us! No seizures, meds working, not affecting liver function. I was of the belief that seizures *may* cause brain damage? If that's so, then preventives are surely a better alternative?

That's excellent news Jodie.

I'd hate to think of how much public money is spent every time there's a fireworks event - lost, straying and injured animals pouring into the pounds and shelter... I sent a letter of complaint following the Queen's Birthday long weekend in 2006 - and NEVER received a government response. That's just slack IMO - don't governments work for US in the end?

Paula I saw the tribute on the CGAS page. I'm so so sorry for you all. What a tragedy. Let's hope this brings about positive change and a complete ban of fireworks in the hands of 'ordinary folks' and much better advertising of planned public displays - surely we can't hope for an outright ban? Although that would be my idea of a good thing. Harvey, RIP darling. You knew love, kindness, compassion, and most of all, what it meant to be a loved dog. :D :D

Do you share this house with the owner, or are you his tenant and he lives elsewhere? Either way, I think it's a tad irresponsible on his part to use rodent bait when he's obviously aware you have a dog. As you live on the premises, IMO you do have a choice as to what is used within it. I assumed you would take your dog to the vet again should it ingest another toxin, however there will always be people reading forums such as this who wouldn't necessarily take a poisoned dog to the vet IF there was a way around it - such as by inducing vomiting. There are enough threads here and on other forums that start off, "My dog has x-problem, but I can't afford to take it to the vet, what can I do?" for me to know that some people just won't want to spend the money required of a vet visit. Have you tried refusal training with your dog?