Kelly_Louise

Ignorance here - what's a DAP diffuser? Yes I think we may try a home visit next time, cause I also dont want her associating car rides with vets and working herself up. She welcomes strangers into our home so we'd have a better chance. I think it was the confined space and backed against the wall with nowhere to escape - but of course she can't run away from the vet either. I feel upset for her. She seems okay at the moment, no eating for 24 hours we'll see how she goes - plus she's drinking her electrolyte drink. Thanks for the advice

I took Sash to the vet today and both times she has gone she was petrified. The first time though was in a spacious room where she could back away and no one tried to push her (it was only to look at stitches that could be seen from a distance). Today she needed an examination. It was in a small cubicle, she had nowhere to go. She was jumpy and scared. She took food from the vet, no problem. But when the vet approached to examine her she growled and snapped (doesn't make contact) - but being a big dog it is still scary. Even when the muzzle went on she growled and still tried to snap and jumped around to try to escape. She is a good girl. She has no food or possession aggression - in fact she is very placid. She is a fearful dog but we've worked so hard on that and she has made huge leaps. But today I was concerned as she needs to be examined for her health. She would let me touch her and i even showed her the instruments to smell etc and touch her, no problem. But when the vet would approach she was petrified. They told us next time we can try it outside the surgery in the open where there are no smells etc and there is space. But how can I help her overcome it? Behavourist? And more socialisation of course. We've been working on training and triangle of temptation and it's working really well. She responds well to training. However, I'm not sure how I can help her with this issue and it may be detrimental to her health one day. Any advice?

I have a friend who used them for sep anxiety issues and say they are great and recommended them to me.

Yes it will have to be a real option. I feel terrible for her. She is such a good girl but is so scared of the vet. They said next time they will try consulting her outside in the open where there are no animal smells etc to try and alleviate her fears. I just wonder what we will do if she gets really sick or needs urgent medical attention... I guess in the meantime we could try anti-anxiety meds, but I'm not sure they will work. But they were really good and said they could obviously see she was reacting out of fear and had no intention of hurting them. She would take food from them, but as soon as they came near her with any instrument she would snap and growl and was really jumpy to touch. She was so worked up that even when I touched her she would jump but when she saw it was me she would calm down. I think perhaps being in a small room and feeling cornered with a stranger coming at her was a bit too much as well. I want to help her so she isn't so afraid of the vet and they can examine her...

They are.... Pal - base grade Optimum - Medium grade Advance - high grade I am still trying to think what Optimum was called before that name. Thats It.. Pedigree Principle. I thought that would be the case. Thank you!

Well that didn't go well... We dont have a diagnosis as Sasha wouldnt let any of the vets near her. She snapped, growled etc. Even when they put a muzzle on it was just as bad - she wouldnt let them near her. Even when i comforted her and tried to distract her. I could use the implements near her - but no vet was allowed to. We got some electrolytes and told if it continues then she will need xrays. I've never seen her like that. She is never aggressive but she was so scared. It was all out of pure fear. How can i help her overcome this? She has come so far with her fears - perhaps more socialisation and training with others is needed now. I felt so bad for her - she is not a bad girl, she is very placid but was so afraid that she was snapping and growling in fear at the vet (not at us).

Hey Fran!!! We have an appointment at 4pm this afternoon so hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it. I'm hoping it's just a gastro bug as well. She appears to be fine otherwise, running and carrying on like a clown - she's just a bit more sooky than normal - wanting to sit on my lap etc. This morning she pulled a new trick and jumped up onto the glass table (which she knows is forbidden with her weight) and did a bit of a dance to get my attention (then of course was afraid to get down) - so she can't be too bad LOL. I've just noticed that she's always been a bit of a grass eater, but lately it's been quite bad and coming out both ends in chunks... so I think it's best that I get her thoroughly checked just in case. Fingers crossed that the big boofa is okay!

Certainly will Loraine, she gets alot of hugs these days. Poor old bugger, I had to break chicken into the tiniest pieces you can imagine and hand feed her to try to get her to eat... but she was SO swollen all over even her throat and nose - poor thing could barely walk. But a few hundred dollars later and a million tablets, creams, sprays for Cushings sufferers with allergies etc, and a couple days of recovery and she has bounced back - God love her. Good news is that her Cushings is going well. She was supposed to go in for her regular testing next week but we've delayed whilst she's been sick and on so many other tablets. She is off to her normal vet though as she hasn't poo'd since getting sick - quite a few days now. Having 2 sick dogs is really not fun Thanks for caring Loraine.

Yes I agree LeeJane, my girl also is a fussy eater - especially with dry food but she will eat Advance (although not as happily as the fresh meat LOL). She also likes Eukanuba as well. I know it is a super premium, but i want to make sure that what I'm feeding her is excellent quality.

Let us know how you go Peachy - I'd love to hear which way you decide to go and hopefully the great results you get.

Yes I can imagine how careful you'd have to be with the Ollie man. I've just had Chloe down with a REALLY bad allergic reaction too - being older and having Cushings disease it hit her hard - couldn't walk, eat, sleep or breathe properly. Thankfully she's pulling through the tough old bugger. Here's hoping that it is just gastro... she's always been a fairly regular grass eater though so I'm concerned something might be wrong in her belly. Anyone else's dog eat heaps of grass?

I'm assuming there is something special about Advance though to account for the big price difference? Here's hoping it's human grade and I could eat it myself if the economy gets too bad!!!

I'm assuming there is something special about Advance though to account for the big price difference? Here's hoping it's human grade and I could eat it myself if the economy gets too bad!!!

After a bout of diahorrea over the weekend, we changed Sash over to a diet of boiled chicken and rice. It seemed to help and her poos are firming up now... but now the vomitting has started. Once yesterday and once this morning. But she is still ravenous... So we are off to the vet. Poor baby will be petrified.

Phew, I can take my flame suit off LOL. Like I said, it's just my opinion but I am one of the fortunate ones that have had fantastic results. But the recovery WAS long, Chloe was pretty much confined for a year of her life while both surgeries healed correctly - and being older her bones were slower to heal. I did cop alot of flak for that, but the quality of life she has had since (apart from her other health problems) certainly made it worth it - she bounces around like a puppy. And she really didn't suffer - she dealt with it all nicely - but of course not every dog will. Yes when I mentioned that the circumstances should be right - I did mean that it should be suitable for the dog and the injury. And I also agree that a specialist is the way to go with these massive surgeries if they are to go ahead. I do think that due consideration should be given to the recovery and if a person is able to provide it correctly. There is no point having surgery if the proper recovery procedures can not be strictly adhered to. I just wanted to let OP know that while many people do not agree with surgery, and it does seem like torture - the results can be amazing if everything goes well. I think that doing alot of research on the net can be really helpful when making the decision. It is best to be armed with as much info about the surgeries, and alternative methods as possible to weigh up the odds and be able to make the best decision possible for your dog and your situation.

I might get flamed for this - but for long term results and a more normal life I am a supporter of surgery (if the circumstances are right and it is performed by a specialist and your dog is up to it). It's damn hard, don't get me wrong - and the recovery is painstaking and tedious and requires a load of dedication and perserverance... but the results I've had with my girl were really priceless. Just my opinion though.

Good news Loraine!! Glad Zedley is ok!!

Not sure if they are the exact same surgeries, but one of the DOLers 'Malleerr's ridgeback had surgeries on both the front and back legs for dysplasia - I think the hip operation was different but I'm pretty sure the operation for ED was the same. I believe Mallee's was very bad though, particularly her hips. After many long months in recovery, Mallee is like a new dog now - so the results, although tough, were well worth it. Maybe you could search on some of her old posts to find out more. For these surgeries, I would be expecting to pay well over $5k - probably closer to $10k. Chloe has had 2 TWO's on her knees for cruciate ruptures and those surgeries cost close to $3000 each. Best of luck with your beautiful boy, he's a stunner.

I have been using Advance dry food and Sash is doing really well and actually eats it and seems to enjoy it. I've only ever used Optimum canned food, in emergencies when I've run out of chicken etc and it seems to be the best brand to buy in the supermarket (in my opinion). Sasha actually LOVES the canned food and gobbles it up - although she's only had it once or twice. It got me thinking - if they are made by the same company and have the same ingredients but Optimum is cheaper, why pay so much extra for Advance? I can only think it has something to do with the source and quality of the ingredients. I think I will always stick with Advance though as Sash is going well on it. Don't want to change it as she has such a delicate tummy

That's what I thought... I use Advance, but the ingredients etc look pretty similar, price is better.... so I'm assuming it's just the actual quality of the ingredients maybe?

They appear to be made by the same company - so what's the difference? The quality of ingredients, or that Advance has specialty food (eg, for large dogs, small dogs etc)?

Best of luck for you and Zedley Loraine. You will certainly be in our thoughts and we will be praying it's nothing too serious. Let us know how you go!

In my experience, your friend should still get him checked out - there are so many things that we can pass off as old age (as we, including our original vet did with Chloe) only to find out there was something nasty going on, especially if there is more than one symptom occuring, or if it's something that's not considered normal for your dog. Better to be safe than sorry with our lovely oldies. They are such treasures. ETA - Chloe actually looks more like a Red cattle retriever... like a goldie in cattle dog colour LOL.

We had the same problem with Chloe - although she did lose hair, but at the same time it seemed to keep coming and not thin out as per normal. In winter last year, she lost all her coat down to a sparse dry covering. Then it grew back in abundance come summer and never quite went away, so she's carried it all the way through. When she lost her coat, she was diagnosed with Cushings. Since going on meds and stabilising, her coat has gone the total opposite way and she's the furriest cattle dog you've ever seen!!

Yep, keep the old guy with you. He will settle in given time and come to enjoy the comforts of his own home and his own 'people' to love and care for him. Sounds like he deserves it. Love the oldies...