Clyde

I agree Greentea. At least if you dont have am emergency stash come to an arrangement with your vet that you can pay it off next pay day. Yeasty ears can lead to heamatomas which are a lot more costly to treat.

Will do, thanks for that!

Yep, she has started shedding already I use a rake, however saw a coat king in action last weekend and was very impressed! Do you have some tips Deb?

Thanks Fifi Would anyone have an idea which blade I should get?

That's not it, if you could find out the addy that would be great Dali-Love. Thanks

How do you think they'd go on a Saint Bernard? Smooth coat but sheds more than a rough and the hair is still quite long.

My previous Saint lost his marbles, turns out it was a brain tumour But like you said I am often freaking out that Victoria is losing hers, lol, then realise that she is simply aging and I am looking too much in to it by being in denial. I hope it all works out for him, and he is just going thru a phase

Sorry Dru!! ;) I'm not game to shave him now!!! Everyone's right though it will stuff up his coat. Like I mentioned I am tick paranoid, but I also can't deal with long coated dogs anymore - Im surrounded by three long haired pets and so over the grooming of them all. I guess Ive gotten lazy and clipping for my swf in summer is now my easy way out The main problem is dealing with the swf's coat during winter now when it grows back. It's totally stuffed and matts very easily, if he wasn't so tiny I would shave him in winter too ETA: I love that pic, I swear he is laughing at me!!

Glad everyone like my suggestion ;)

If you are in a tick area then I would shave him. Although do be warned that it does ruin their coat...well I think so anyway, although I know others don't . I find it grows back alot coarser and thicker. Although better to have a coarse coated dog than a dead one from a tick. I've lost a dog from a tick before despite regular checks so I realise I am a little paranoid ETA: oops, I'm not a Golden Retriever expert though, sorry. But I am a vet nurse and a groomer ;)

Hi, not sure about diet, I think a few might use ACV. However they sell 'rocks' in the larger pet stores which you place in their water to prevent the grass burning. Works a treat ;)

I've used Nutrience before and was very happy with it, however have found Eukanuba better. Have you thought of trying the Fish and Potato Eukanuba for Sensitive Skin? I'm not a fan of Supercoat, sounds like the switch is a good thing

Greentea- could his scooting be from impacted anal glands perhaps? Next time you're at the vets just ask them to give 'em a squeeze Gorgeous photo!! ETA - just re-read your post, sorry. re . his scooting is from poo getting caught

The Malaseb is just about the best stuff you can use for hot spots so worth every cent I wouldnt use it as an everyday shampoo, it does get a bit too drying with overuse.

Usually allergies (flea/grass etc) trigger the spot, causes a lesion then the dogs scratch and lick at it which may lead to infections. Ive found that they usually crop up in warm areas , neck folds, behind ears etc). Labs and GR's are supposedly more prone, Rotties seem to be prone too.

Crikey Nadia, thats good going! Can't believe you haven't had burn out yet. That would have to be the longest time I know of. You must be a natural at it, and very strong/fit :rolleyes:

Grooming isn't something I'll be doing in the distant future, but for now it's good money and flexibility. I had a bad back before I started grooming which hasn't helped, but sometimes I just wish for a nice, clean office job again Although, love being my own boss and generally I have good clients with really nice dogs these days.

Another one here who thinks that people over wash their dogs (and I am a groomer ). The more you wash them, the more you need to continue doing it. I wash my dogs every week I would leave things as they are

Split the matts lengthways with scissors, then work on whats left with a slicker and plenty of detangling conditioner.

Poor Ollie, you must be so frustrated. Hoping his pain killers have kicked in by now

Oh my God Karen, I am SO sorry Billy was the most delightful Chow in the world, you couldn't fault him. So ready to accept strangers in to your home, regular foster dogs, kittens and children. Billy was my first introduction to Chows for this reason, I have always had a soft spot for them. Such a special boy and so affectionate. Words cannot convey how truly sorry I am for you and your boys. To be taken from you so suddenly.... Thinking of you all Karen, run free at the bridge Billy

Let us know how you go Rugerfly. Magic stuff that Malaseb

Interesting......thanks for the sharing. Altho' I have to admit I am having quite a chuckle at the thought of a Saint Bernard with her ears pegged up on top of her head :D I am tempted to do this just for the laugh value :D Although wouldn't then the worry be, of flies etc getting in there, altho I s'pose pricked eared breeds do okay. I will certainly have my chemists sympathy when I start buying ongoing tubes of Canestan In fact I'm off to get some today, so I have it on hand for the next flare up. Edited to add: It's nice to meet you too Ken Thanks for the advise.

Mmmmmmmmm, the Canestan certainly sounds like a goer!! Think I'll give it a shot next time Victoria's ears flare up. Like you said, I don't see how it could hurt. Thanks for that ;)

I do my Saint in my own hydrobath and my swf in the bath tub with a detachable shower head. The pressure is too hard for him in the hydrobath and he shivers soooo much even under warm water. ;)