Kelly_Louise

Good point Tiggy, I haven't tried squirting the liquid in yet, but if she doesn't like a small dabble on a cotton ball she is never going to let me just drop it in. I'll give that a shot too, if I can hold her down long enough to get near her ear. I thought I had earned most of her trust after a couple of months, but seems not enough for this ear cleaning business Her ears aren't totally folded over like a cocker etc, and she airs them out alot but I can see the start of wax in there (the dirt seems to come and go)... Would I still need to do them every week, or can I just torture her once a month? I've had her for 3 months now, hasn't been done and they aren't too bad.... Have no idea when/if she's ever had it done before.

Thanks Claireybell - looks like distraction with treats is the way to go. She's not greatly food motivated, but I'm sure some cheese will keep her occupied. Alternatively, duck poo or cat poo are also her favourites LOL!! The only thing is - table is out... I wouldn't have a chance in hell of lifting her up - the beefy 40kg girl she is!! She seems to find the garage quite soothing though - that's where we do the other grooming like nails etc and she tolerates better in there. I'm still sure she can either read the bottle, or can smell it coming a mile off...

Good idea, thanks rovaround. I've actually tried imitating, and she has no issues with you doing it - although in saying that I haven't really tried treats etc. I didn't actually expect her to have an issue with it. Not sure if it's the slight citrus smell, or the coolness of the liquid on her ears that she isn't used to. Not sure. I guess it's just down to patience, and as you said, rewarding. She can be a real stubborn bugger when she doesn't want to do something though. God love her, I wouldn't have it any other way though... makes life a challenge LOL!!

Sashy has dirty ears. They're not too bad, not smelly or anything, but I would like to clean them. I bought an organic ear cleaner with no harsh chemicals etc. Not having attempted this before, I thought I would try to put some on a cotton ball and just clean the top parts a bit to get her used to it. As soon as she saw the bottle (OMG can she READ??) she was off like a shot. Wouldn't let me anywhere near her ears, and when I finally caught up with her she let me know in no uncertain terms that she would put up with alot of things, but would not negotiate on this... no ear cleaning allowed! You would think I had acid on the cotton ball the way she carried on LOL So, anyone have any ideas that I can use to try and coax Sash into letting me clean out her grubby ears? I've managed the nail trims and filing (barely)... but the ear cleaning has me stumped. She'd never even SEEN the bottle before (I just got it out of the delivery box).... ETA: she has no issues with her ears or touching/playing/inspecting them at any other time - just at ear cleaning time. Could it be the citrus type smell?

Best wishes to you and your little one Moyu. Here's hoping that you will finally get the right treatment happening so your baby can get on track to get much better.

Lots of love and healing vibes sent you and your little man's way. I can't imagine your worry and the wait. What a tough little man though, here's hoping he soldiers through the rest as well. From Kel, ChloBo and Sashy

Scouty, do you mind if I ask which type of surgery was performed to repair the cruciate ligaments? And do you know if the meniscus was removed in this surgery? My cattle dog also has had 2 cruciate ops (tibial wedge osteotomies), both very successful for her weight. She also had problems with her hair growing back (not at the same time as the ops but a couple years later when on meds for an allergic reaction), and it was found that she had Cushings disease. Not the kind brought on by medication unfortunately, but perhaps the meds your dog is on is causing thyroid problems that is preventing the hair from growing back, or growing back VERY slowly? That is the most obvious thought to me, but I'm no vet

I'm utterly speechless... lucky that you got a second opinion. Sorry to hear of the loss of your brothers girl, and hoping his boy gets better soon.

Thank you so much Harminee, your artistic talent is amazing!

Excellent, thanks for the help guys! Deltacharlie, I certainly know the place you are talking about!!

And here's my new girl, Sasha Fave colour is red, and some love hearts cause my girls are just so divine would be great! Thanking you muchly in advance!

Chloe again

Hi Harminee, Your creations are pure magic! If possible when you have some time, would you please be able to create a signature for me of my 2 lovely girls? I will attach 4 pics. First up, "Chloe" - my 11yo red cattle dog.

Thanks Fran! Did you see the new pics I put up of your girl? She's filled out and looking mighty fine! She's got a great appetite now we've discovered her weaknesses!! I have to tell you, I am more surprised everyday with her. She has fantastic manners and some fairly strong obedience in MOST cases. To the point where if she picks some random thing up (usually duck poo/discarded bread) on our walks, and I tell her to drop it (without much hope or fuss), she will give me the sooky eyes and quickly spit it out, even though she REALLY wants to eat it. She never ceases to amaze.

Anyone know a good supplier of chicken frames in the Liverpool NSW area please? Thank you!

I prefer to always feed the sardines in springwater with no added salt. Just to cut down any nasties that don't need to be in her diet!! I've finally found Sasha's food weakness - sardines!!! She too would eat 10 cans a day if I allowed her too!!

I use Interceptor Spectrum for both my kids. Never had any issues. They love them, think it's a treat LOL!!

Hi there! I don't have a lab, but my red cattle dog blew both her cruciates. We opted for the tibial wedge osteotomy surgery, as it suited her needs/weight/age requirements better than the rest. Outlook - well she was 8 years old when she had her first surgery, and I have not had a single problem with either legs 3 years on. She actually has problems with her front legs now (arthritis), which gives her more grief than the operated legs ever will I think. I was frightened, but the results were everything I could have hoped for and more - she was like a puppy again. I was really pleased as it is alot for a dog to cope with, but all the hard work in her recovery was so worth the results we got, and continue to have. I would never allow her to do really full on jumping and strenuous exercise, although she could probably handle it (except for alot of jumping for balls etc), however I bet she could outrun any 10-11yo old dog she could find... for that matter, she could probably outrun younger dogs too. For larger dogs, personally I would recommend these types of surgery over the suture methods. This was also confirmed by our specialist who said the cheaper suture methods may not be as effective on larger/heavier dogs. We were also made to wait before having surgery (they waited for Chloe's to rupture totally), however in our case, it was left a little too long (months). So work with your vet to determine the right time for surgery. Leaving it too long can do further damage than needs be (Chloe's meniscus were totally damaged and practically non existant and also had to be removed, and DJD had set in), however they usually do not jump right in straight away and do the surgery - rather monitor to see the severity, do x rays to make sure surgery is best etc. Being an older girl, Chloe took a bit longer for her bones to heal after they were rodded and screwed together. But it was roughly about 4-5 months that we kept her fully confined for the first leg (it was slow to heal the break in the bone), and around the 3 month mark for the second leg which healed much quicker (probably because the other leg had healed completely by this time and could take the extra weight). The hardest part was keeping her confined. I don't know how we would have coped with a younger dog! But it was tough for her, so we had to spend alot of time with her keeping her company and entertained, and lots of 'non active' things to do - I was also lucky to have someone at home with her that whole time. Also it was difficult to always keep an eye on anything she could potentially hurt herself on, trip over etc. Most are quite brave and will attempt to do way too much before they should. Financially... well each of Chloe's leg surgeries cost approx $3500 each plus follow up xrays, meds and anything else needed in her recovery. There were cheaper options, but this is the surgery I felt most comfortable with after doing much research on the net. If you have any specific questions you would like to ask, please feel free. I remember it being such a worrying time, so the more help and the more prepared you are, the better you will cope!!

Sasha's Blend has been really good for my old arthritic, cruciate-challenged girl. She's been on it for a couple years now and has seen her through the early days of joint problems... To see my girl through with legs like hers, must be good stuff (even if it only helps a little).

Hi all! I am thinking about getting some in home private training for Sashy, just to strengthen and enhance her already pretty good behaviour (we get numerous comments on our walks), have better control for emergency situations etc, and to work on some smaller issues she has (ie barking - not nuisance but need to be able to cull it if she goes on a bit). Since we got her from a wonderful rescue org, she's settled in and come on in leaps and bounds and we are conquering most of it all on our own, but it would be helpful and interesting for me to learn more as well and be able to help her through all situations. Does anyone have anyone in particular they would recommend please? I was thinking of going through: http://www.dogobedience.com.au/courses.php#private But am open to suggestions!! Thank you very much!

Hi Moyu, I didn't actually bring up the thyroid, but it's good she is being tested for other things to determine what could be the problem. I do hope it's nothing too serious. Cushings is one of those things that is very difficult to diagnose, Chloe had a range of tests before we were given the results. So it's good that your vet is keeping it under notice just in case. I guess it is good news that she does not have a Cushings diagnosis, and hopefully they can get to the cause of her issues soon. I know what it's like to know your dog is sick and feel helpless. Our normal vet was taking a long time to diagnose what was causing Chloes illness, so I took her to a specialist as I could not bear to watch her suffer and be uncomfortable. It was only then that we got a diagnosis and were able to get it under control so she was feeling better. Please do keep us updated - I understand how worried you must be, not knowing what is wrong, how serious, and how to help your girl. Best of luck and hoping your girl is okay.

Any news yet Moyu?

Yes, Chloe also had a ravenous appetite - she would almost eat your hand off if you offered her food. Once her treatment starts though, that should subside - as well as her insatiable thirst, and eventually the weight as well. Fingers crossed that the tests will give you some peace, and that your little dog will soon be on the road to recovery. There's no cure of course, but at least it can be managed so that your dog can hopefully live a happy and normal life - and also yourself as I know how worrying it can be. Best of luck to you and your little one.

My lovely old cattle dog (11yo next year) was diagnosed with Cushings in March this year. It was terrifying, but after the initial diagnosis (she has no adrenal tumours - so we are under the assumption it is a pituitary tumour)she was put on Trilostane tablets - just given with a little food twice a day - that's all. It is expensive, but has brought her to almost perfect levels and doesn't seem to have any bad side effects. Her coat has come back with a vengeance - and I mean she has so much hair she looks like a barrel on legs. She has her testing every 2nd time we need a prescription - so about every 3 months just to make sure her levels are all okay (which they have been right from the start of meds luckily) and to see if her dosage needs to be adjusted - this will taper off soon. She is still on 2 tablets a day, but is doing well so we can't complain. Her arthritis IS playing up a little more now, but she is still a happy girl and loves her walks. Most of the symptoms of cushings went away very quickly after starting her meds. So far, so good for us - and we were really lucky to have had a good experience so far (other than the cost OMG!). We were told that most pituitary tumours are slow moving, and in most cases do not cause the dog any problems before they pass of other causes. Of course, this isn't always the case... but Chloe has not ever shown any signs of it being a problem other than the actual Cushings symptoms. And I pray that it doesn't affect her before her time comes. There are alot of scary facts out there, best to be aware of them and be as informed as possible - I can't tell you some of the scary things we were told that kept me awake, but best be guided by your vet - every experience is different. Once the initial testing is done and you find out exactly what you are dealing with - at least you will understand which is the best course of action and know you are doing the best possible thing. I understand how scary it is... and I hope that if your girl does have Cushings, that you will be in the best possible scenario for your situation. Our girls adventure with Cushings is far from over, but it has been good considering what others have been through - and pray that it continues as my girl means the world to me. Best of luck - please let us know how you go.

Thanks for all the advice. So far, she's doing well on the Eukanuba, and putting on a little weight. She doesn't always eat it up though, so perhaps I will try a different brand when it's finished to see what she likes best.