KateM

I can see what you're talking about. My dog had a compressed nerve recenlty and metacam did nothing to relieve her pain. In the end we gave her steroids and it immediately helped. She wasn't able to get up for 2 days yet 20 mins after the cortisone injection she rose, very gingerly, and walked. It was a huge relief to me and I'm sure to her! Looks like your dog could do with some more comprehensive x-rays?

I walk my dog at Little Austi nearly every day. Its a great spot for dogs. Ticks are bad down here - I work at the local vets and we had 8 tick paralysis patients in hospital just last week. However, I would say that generally down at the beach you should be safe. There are bushes up the back of the beach and of course there is the possibility of your dog picking one up from there. My dog has had one tick since we moved here 3 years ago and we live right up on the escarpment which is prime for ticks. Lucky? Maybe. Sharkeys beach is also good for dogs but I prefer Little Austi myself. I am able to walk along the grass at the back with my dog and keep her out of the way of others as she's not the most sociable animal in the world. As for Cafes, there is a good little cafe called Fireworks on Moore street just back from Austi Beach which has tables outside and is dog friendly.

Another thumbs up for Horsley Kennels. I have used them several times for my dog and she always comes back in good shape and is not too unhappy to get out of the car when we arrive. There are very few kennels in the Illawarra. I've heard good things about Mount Kembla too but have never been there. I personally wouldn't do Hanrob but only because it is such a huge operation and bit impersonal. Also I hate having to pay for every added extra. Letting the dog out for a run should be a given, not something you have to pay extra for IMO.

Sorry to hear about your dog, KateM. It is difficult when they develop problems in the joints and spine. I will keep that problem in mind and definitely ask for a X-ray if this ever occurs again. Did the pain for your dog just start suddenly overnight, or did it develop over a period of time? Glad to hear your dog is pain free again. Yes, my dog's issue did develop over time. She's had trouble with her rear end for years - normal activity seems fine but if she overdoes it she doesn't have the strength (or is in pain) to get into the back of the car and is sore for a few days afterwards. I've always managed this with Metacam on those days she is bad. Then recently she had several episodes over about a month's period where she went very wobbly in the hind legs (looked like tick paralysis but was short-lived). This would last 5 minutes or so and then she would be back to normal again. I had her checked by the vet both times and they didn't find anything abnormal apart from pain. Then a few weeks after the last episode like that was when she suffered the extreme pain. Apparently when some nerves get squished they just lose function, and other nerves cause the pain. Anyway, I don't really understand how she has made such a great recovery from this but just relieved! Like you say, they cause you such worry. I was devastated when this happened to her and really thought it was the end. A week later she was running around like nothing had ever happened! She does my head in! As for your dog, I would call your vet to see what they advise about taking her off the metacam - it does have side effects on kidneys but it would take more than a week's use to do any harm. I would probably not use the metacam tomorrow and see how she goes, if she looks a bit stiff or sore you can always give her another dose - there is no cumulative effect. Good luck!

I had a similar issue with my dog a few weeks ago and she couldn't lie on her side without crying in pain. Metacam did nothing to relieve her and I had her x-rayed the following day and the vet said she had narrowed disc spaces in her spine which was pressing on the nerves. Nothing seemed to relieve her discomfort and even methone injections didn't help a whole lot. I had to wait for the Metacam to wash out of the system before giving her steroids and after just one steroid injection she was back on her feet. Could be something similar with your dog? My dog is 8 years old, similar build to a rottie and has arthritis problems for years. We are managing her pain these days. She is off the steroids and seems to be going well so far. Fingers crossed!

Berrima Boarding Kennels has an indoor swimming pool for dogs - I used to board my dog there when she was younger so that she could get some swimming exercise!

Thanks! Love to watch Badminton and haven't been able to for years. I will try to record it.

Me too! Some might call me obsessive but I just can't miss a walk, no matter what. Even if it is just 15 mins round the block I think mentally it just does my dog good to get out of the house twice a day and she prefers to do her business away from home. I even got up at 5am yesterday morning to walk her in the pitch black and rain because I had to go to work early and husband is away.

I think you're probably right that it is loss of muscle around that area. If I think about it older dogs do seem to be more angular in the head (and elsewhere too I guess!). So just a sign that she is getting on

Hi all I've noticed recently that the top of my dog's skull (think it is called the Sagittal Crest?) has become slightly more prominent just recently. Do you think this is normal as a dog get's older? She is turning 8 soon. Just wondered if anyone else had noticed this in their dog?

I shipped my dog to and from Dubai. We spent 18 months over there. I would do it again. You have to be on top of all the requirements but its not that difficult and she only had to spend a month in quarantine when she came back in to Australia because we kept up her rabies vaccinations whilst away and did titre testing etc. Your dog will cope with quarantine fine. Even my friend's stress head Weimaraner managed with a month in quarantine. He didn't like it much but he came out none the worse for it. I hated the thought of my dog being locked up for that long and she was over the moon to see us again at the end of it but a month is really not that long. So all in all I would recommend taking her with you. Its so much nicer to have your dog with you and is an adventure for them too!

I often take my dog to a friends 100 acre property for weekends and it is not fenced. Chilli does not wander out of sight at any time we are there. It really depends on the dog rather than what they are used to. I wouldn't leave her outside if we left the property as I would be worried she'd come looking for us but whilst we are there she is happy to stick around. I guess you'll just have to take him there and perhaps stick him on a long line at first and supervise him at all times to see how he reacts. If the other dogs stick around he will probably tend to stay with them I would have thought. As you say, it seems a shame to have him locked up at home whilst you are there and he could be running around having fun. Good luck.

Excellend FranCQ, that would be great if you could let me know how you go. Good luck, I hope it is worthwhile for you.

Thanks for these replies. I have since learnt that it is severe separation anxiety. The dog is extremely destructive when left alone and will chew through doors to get out if left alone. I will forward those links thanks Bigdogg.

Hi there Can anyone recommend a good behaviouralist in the Rockhampton area of Qld? I have a friend living there with his young Weimaraner and he's having some problems - not sure of the nature of the problem - but he's looking for some help. He would probably be willing to travel some distance for the right person. Would be grateful if anyone can point us in the right direction. Thanks