sandgrubber

Little Yoli sees a need to spring into every clump of vegetation that 1) has a rabbit in it, 2) has had a rabbit in it, or 3)might possibly have a rabbit in it some time in the future. This time of year, the result is an ongoing stream of sticker burrs in her gorgeous ears. I don't want dreadlocks but am tired of grooming out the mess, and I don't think Yoli much likes all the fuss either. I've never had a dog with long haired ears before. Do people ever put clippers to this situation?

My Springer pup was a car-puker, but immediately converted to head out of the window when it warmed up and I started rolling the windows down. If you haven't tried it... worth having a go

From ANKC regulations 28. A member shall not conduct or permit mother / son, father / daughter or brother / sister matings. The member is fully aware that puppies as a result of such matings will not be registered without first gaining approval from the Member Body for the mating for scientifically proven welfare or veterinary reasons. (Added EAP 07/11)

I agree with the first article on creating an environment unfavorable for yeast. Vinegar to lower pH, yes. Also increasing air circulation and drying out by clipping back hair (obviously not for yeasty ears).

Agree. Vet required. You might find a vet willing to look at videos prior to bringing him in... worth asking. That's unlikely, but not impossible.

Do you approve of using a dog over not only his daughter, but also his granddaughter and great granddaughter? Do you think that extreme coat is a good thing? Breeding for looks that require high maintenance results in dogs whose only use is show.

I've followed these forums for more than a decade. Years back, everyone knew that PDE stood for Pedigree Dogs Exposed and it seemed like most hated Jemima Harrison (for showing their dirty linen?). Worth reading the latest PDE post. http://pedigreedogsexposed.blogspot.com/2020/01/wasabi-win-confirms-show-world.html?m=1 The issue hasn't gone away. I, for one, agree with a lot of the points raised on PDE. But I don't think the pedigree is the problem. Rather, it's closed minds, closed stud books, and putting THE STANDARD as interpreted by show ring judges ahead of health and temperament... and failure of most of the pedigree world to keep records of longevity and causes of death and morbidity. Pedigrees can be used to good.

Maybe you could work out some sort of dog sharing arrangement with a friend or neighbor?

Call kennels in advance and ask if they will accept with a veterinarian's note. Many won't. If you are in an area where distemper hasn't been seen for years you may be able to get by with just parvo. Basically, a kennel can't put other dogs at risk by accepting unvaccinated dogs.

There's a lot of uncertainty. Try to imagine the testing required to get a rock solid understanding of when you can be absolutely confident of immunity, given breed differences, maternal antibodies, and different individual immune responses, and you will understand why. Better safe than sorry. Parvo is really nasty, and risks are high in hot weather

Happy to report she's back to wiggle butt mischief and begging for food. Not so worried if she still has the runs.

Yoli (14 mo old Springer) is usually a good eater. She has been refusing her usual food, and has had the runs for a couple of days. She still gnaws bones though, and just demolished a large cooked chicken breast. Won't touch a mix of pumpkin and yogurt, laps up raw egg. No fever, drinking a normal amount, a little lethargic, perhaps from not eating. Not the easiest time to get a vet appointment or to shop for alternative foods. My inclination is keep an eye on her, give her what she's willing to eat and see if we can make it for a few days until vet service is available. Am I overlooking some way this could be something serious? (I've had Labs with cast iron stomachs for decades...not used to more delicate eaters).

Yoli new hobby is fishing in the fish pond. She quickly killed all the goldfish with white patches. She hadn't caught an all orange one yet

The incubation period for parvo is 3 to 5 days, so if the pup came down with it after one day, there's no question your vet is right...it was infected (but not necessarily showing symptoms) before you picked it up. Most likely the whole litter is infected. That's about the worst thing that can happen to a breeder. Quite likely you have a strong legal claim. But if the breeder is a decent sort, please go easy and allow time for them to work it out. Getting hit with several thousand dollars of legal claims and the need for a massive and difficult disinfection job just before Xmas... perhaps care for some deadly sick puppies as well... is enough to ruin someone.

Not to say vets have the dream job many of them expected when they were accepted to vet school. But many jobs end out tearing people apart, and some jobs are economically as well as emotionally crushing. And fact checking is in order as to high vet suicide rates are in relation to other jobs.

https://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2019/12/nonsense-about-veterinarian-suicide.html Solid debunking of claims of high suicide rates among veterinarians. US based, but I'd be surprised if it didn't apply in Oz as well. Other professions, including farmers, fishermen, forestry workers, construction workers, miners, lawyers, etc have higher suicide rates.

Use a bucket, 10+ liters, and put it somewhere where splash will be OK. Outside, maybe. Dogs are fine with walking some distance to get water.

My Lab pup looked like a Shar pei after catching some insect with a stinger. I gave her antihistamines... with veterinary advice. She was fine, and became more cautious about catching flying insects. Bottom line, ask your vet for a recommendation as to what to do if she gets a bad sting/reaction BEFORE it happens. It's hard to teach them not to catch flies.

No true. My Springer pup came to me at 14 weeks due to some transport problems. She came as close to screaming as a puppy can every time she met a strange dog, and sometimes went on to 'attack' in a rather pathetic and harmless way. I simply ignored it. She got used to my other dogs (Labs... Big but not aggressive) pretty quickly. Took months before the screaming stopped for unknown dogs. She's just over a year now... It's all passed. She's good with almost everything and not nervous. Sometimes it just requires patience.

My labs love the furminator. The handle broke off but it works with just the head. I have heard that the furminator takes out too much, and isn't recommended for show grooming. Personally, I care more about reducing the amount of f hair on my carpet.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/28/scientists-have-come-up-with-better-way-convert-your-dogs-age-human-years/ I don’t buy it... Varies by both breed and individual. Mental age and physical maturity may be different as well. Nor do I buy the other methods.

Every breeder does this differently, but the answer to your question is no, it's not unusual. Another reason, in addition to those Dogsfevr gave, is that one visit often does not tell you what you need to know. Say you want a pup with high drive, and the most appropriate pup in the litter has just eaten so much that he can hardly move (or you want low drive and the most layed back has just waked up and is feeling vigorous). You will not choose the right pup for your needs. Also, people who don't have a lot of experience with pups tend to go for the cutest color pattern, or the pup that comes to them first ('he chose me'). That isn't the best way to select.

I found this fascinating, but can't figure out how a 2 month old pup got frozen. Wolves and presumably proto dogs whelp in the spring. So 2 months old should be high summer. Not the most likely time to get encased in ice. Even in an ice age.

BBC News - Siberia: 18,000-year-old frozen 'dog' stumps scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50586508

I was asking about Lenny's pet store spot-on. (I use nothing these days. Haven't seen a flea or a tick since I moved to New Zealand... Bravecto used to be my preference).