sandgrubber

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/these-adorable-puppies-may-help-explain-why-dogs-understand-our-body-language Some interesting experiments on human body language (eye contact, pointing) with a large number of 8 week old puppies. " Enter puppies. If social intelligence is genetic, dogs should display it at a very young age. And there shouldn’t be any learning required. That’s what MacLean and his colleagues found. The scientists partnered with Canine Companions for Independence, which breeds dogs to assist people in the United States with post-traumatic stress disorder and physical disabilities. The group loaned the researchers 375 8-week-old Labrador and golden retriever pups: They were just old enough to participate in the experiments, but young enough to have had very little interaction—and thus experience or learning—with people."

This includes a description of what the FDA data are, specifically for the recent Soresto flea collar scare https://skeptvet.com/Blog/2021/03/seresto-flea-tick-collars-the-new-satanic-panic/

Were the meds bought online from a discount seller? I have no idea of how widespread counterfeits are, but I can believe they're causing a lot of problems.

1. Unless those are verified reports, I'd be skeptical. 2. How many Ozzie dogs would die of paralysis ticks if not protected? 3. Be aware that the data are for a 33 year period. 4. How do you know the drugs causing problems weren't counterfeit knock-offs?

something sounds wrong. Codine? I'm used to Benadryl being recommend. Then others saying honey water works as well, particularly Manuka honey. And the KC I've seen was dry, not mucusy. I'd ask your vet (or the vet nurse). KC doesn't respond to antibiotics... they're not usually prescribed unless there's a secondary bacterial infection.

She may be perfectly healthy NOW. That's no guarantee that there won't be adult onset problems. Most serious health problems don't show in young pups

I'd suggest attaching a photo of the papers. I've never seen 'pup only' on a pedigree.

I'd ditch the partner, but it's a little rude to say that, knowing nothing about your relationship and what else is going on.

Scaring people gets readers. The article requires critical review. https://skeptvet.com/Blog/2021/03/seresto-flea-tick-collars-the-new-satanic-panic/

The word 'registered' can be used to mean registered with council, and there are a few registers other than the main pedigree registration bodies (state canine associations). Some of these may accept cross breeding. Some may be commercially oriented. No registration guarantees great care to mum and pups. You really have to look into the individual breeder. To further complicate things, some people who get slammed as back yard breeders and are on no registry consider their dogs to be family members and take loving care, though they may skip health testing. The high price of pups these days makes for a lot of opportunists.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full The health effects of desexing appear to be breed specific. The above study looked at data from 40,000 dogs, including 383 pugs. Basically it found little difference between intact and desexed pugs. Pug The study population was 96 intact males, 106 neutered males, 63 intact females, and 118 spayed females for a total sample of 383 cases. In intact males and females, the occurrences of joint disorders were zero and 2 percent, respectively. In neutered males and females, there was no evident increased occurrence of joint disorders. The level of occurrence of one or more cancers in intact males was 6 percent and in intact females, 8 percent. Neutering males and females did not lead to any evident increase in risk of a cancer. There were no cases of MC in females left intact or spayed at any time, and there was a 5 percent occurrence of PYO in the intact females. None of the females was diagnosed with UI. Lacking a noticeable occurrence of increased joint disorders or cancers in neutered males or females, those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age.

I bought some when I had a chewing Lab pup. The pup chewed up the bottle.

Evidence for probiotics isn't great https://skeptvet.com/Blog/2019/10/no-good-news-for-veterinary-probiotics/

Carbs aren't just a filler. Dogs have enzymes to break down carbs. If you read very old dog books, bread and milk were commonly used to feed weanling puppies. I'm not saying you should feed hi carb diets to pups...but there's a lot of stuff written about dog diets that has a weak scientific basis, and a lot of pressure to feed expensive products.

I can see your point of view, but it could also be argued that low fertility bitches aren't the best breeding stock. IMO the ideal brood bitch throws large litters without problems and is an excellent mother. No real disagreement though. I have never seen any evidence that a bitches health is harmed by having many litters, given proper nutrition and care. Indeed, the risk of pyometra is reduced by periodic litters. (Repeat singletons would seem, often, to mean repeat Ceasars, which is a health risk).

While I agree that many governments make stupid decisions about dog breeding, I'm not sure whether a large litter is any harder on the bitch than a singleton.

For common, non-extreme (apart from shedding) breeds, eg Labradors, it's not hard to insist on the ability to mate naturally without compromise on health, temperament, or conformation. Decisions are more difficult for rare breeds or breeds that have been bred for extremes that create problems for natural mating, eg British bulldogs.

Here's a link to the article https://academic.oup.com/jas/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jas/skab028/6123189?redirectedFrom=fulltext I don't have access. The abstract is interesting, though.

I hate articles that talk about a scientific study and don't bother to give the title, date, or journal. The popular press often twists results.

Routine Ceasars are IMO BAD. I see nothing wrong with AI, especially as a means of introducing new lines. These days, being called a byb is almost a compliment. Seems all breeders are accused of being either a BYB or a puppy farmer. P. S. There is a 3rd category "Qualzucht" (torture breeder)...reserved for those who breed for extreme and unhealthy traits. I think it's this category that pedigree folks should be most concerned about.

Interesting point of view with some lovely photos https://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2021/02/skid-row-dog-training.html The crux... So what *do* they do? Basically three things: They take their dog everywhere, which means the dog gets exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation, as well as constant owner contact. They don’t tolerate unwanted behavior that makes life on the street more difficult than it already is. They teach the dog to be calm and lie down or sit for hours at time — essential to panhandling and sleeping rough with a hangover.

I'll bet high script prices are found in practices where a practice manager, rather than a vet, calls the shots.

I claim no expertise, other than having read many many accounts of fully blind dogs doing remarkably well. Would it be worth having the other eye removed, given that it is causing pain and not providing much in the way of vision?

It requires far more than the normal puppy check to diagnose this condition. Unlikely that it will be diagnosed when pups go for their jabs. From a specialist vet website "a full diagnostic work-up is advised. Some of these diagnostics may be completed by your primary care veterinarian, but you may also be referred to an ACVS board-certified veterinary surgeon or veterinary specialty center for additional diagnostics. A full work-up may include blood work, urinalysis, liver function tests, radiographs, ultrasounds and potentially advanced diagnostics such as a CT scan with contrast or nuclear scintigraphy." There MAY be a genetic component to the condition, but there are no genetic tests available. Due diligence is not sufficient to prevent or catch it. There are a lot of complaints about the price of pups these days. If breeders are held responsible for this and like congenital conditions, expect those prices to keep rising.

Scraps of high pile carpet are good