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Hi KimberleyZ, I'm not a vet but the diet your Staffy is being fed sounds very good to me - a sign of real care. Which is why I feel compelled to ask: for how long has she been on Fluoxetine & Gabapentin for anxiety/discomfort; and if more than a couple of months, have you begun treating the cause of that anxiety/discomfort, so that she can be weaned off the meds, in time? My personal experience as a dog rescuer since ~1996, & guardian since ~1980; is that once a dog's natural needs are routinely met for a few months, they will no longer suffer the degree of anxiety that requires medication, at least not sedation with Fluoxetine. In short, I think every mammal has dual psychological needs for: (1) daily safe exposure to nature, ideally with some autonomy (for dogs: off-leash, generally under voice command) with space to run & expend energy and ample things to explore/sniff; and (2) positive companonship: feeling valued & purposeful within a pack/tribe, including regular socialisation with at least one other member of their own species. I've had some experience of Fluoxetine's effects with a couple of Bull Arab-type dogs (one likely a cross-Amstaff) I've helped rescue. Each had traumatic histories thanks to narcissistic & violent humans. The first dog initially needed high doses of Fluoxetine thrice daily to remain sufficiently calm - not get overstimulated - when he was (finally) exposed to nature and exercise, including seeing others of his species, initially at a distance while his self-confidence and trust was rebuilt. He suffered profound separation anxiety for several weeks before a suitable fostercarer allowed him the affection, time and freedom he required (on a rural property) to reduce his med dosage and significantly lower his baseline anxiety. Soon after that period (~6wks) a permanent home was found and his meds ended about 3mths later. The second dog was put on anti-anxiety meds by his interim owner/fostercarer (who factually misled her vet about his and her behaviour); when I didn't believe he needed them. While he does suffer some anxiety, it takes the form of PTSD-like symptoms - reacting to particular fears when triggered; but this is of a transitory nature and he calms himself quickly. He has always been relaxed on walks - is calmer during and after than before them - and enjoys positive interactions with most other dogs, as well as most people, provided he doesn't feel confined/crowded. He's being weaned off his Fluoxetine at present, and has become noticeably less tired, grumpy and fearful after each lowering of his dose; more responsive to instruction and more self-confident, overall. I feel his meds were probably only of limited use (more disadvantage) by reducing his suffering whilst in neglectful care, as he slept through more through it. The next step will be to very gradually wean him off the SSRI anti-depressant he was also prescribed - in error, I suspect (but we will see). Hyperbolic tapering seems the safest way to do this, which should take about 3-4mths. Weaning off Catapres/Fluoxetine is easier/faster), and all reductions are under a new vet's advice. Just in case have been told by some vet/behaviourist/trainer that your dog is too anxious to have the above needs met and come off medication, can I suggest you find a new, science-based vet/behaviourist/trainer. While certain human mental illnesses certainly require life-long drug therapy that can be extremely beneficial, I'm unaware of any dog illnesses of this nature. They seem far more flexible and positive of mind and, therefore, resilient, in my experience, than humans. Good luck, and if you're already working on this, please ignore my concern.

I'm sure life time registration rather than yearly would see more compliance. The higher fee for entire dogs makes sense, but I feel should could be lowered if all entire Dogs were asked to 1st have DNA health/breed testing results attached to microchip records. This would ensure all (council registered) Dog owners have at least some understanding of what they have and its potential risks in unplanned or random random breeding. It gives more responsibility to those keeping entire dogs, and those who might buy them. If such information is automatically available , it promotes the mutual expectation between buyers and sellers that it matters and should be used.

I have a 3 dog permit in Victoria. It's for any 3 dogs. It's an old permit that the council had to grandfather in You can still get a permit for more then 2 dogs but you can only get it after you get another dog. So there is always the possibility you get another dog but you get refused, very stressful. When I got my permit the council wrote to neighbours to ask them first. My next door neighbour has 3 dogs and multiple undesexed cats. I've never been asked about their animals, so highly doubtful they have a permit. And as the cats wander 24/7 who would know who really owns them. At least two of the dogs were registered because the Rangers called in several times after my complaints about the cats and excessive barking.

Victorian councils have been doing this for years now, and the end result has generally been a significant drop in the numbers of pets registered with council. If you want to own more pets than the limits set, you also then have to apply for a permit to have more, which also comes with a fee. In Victoria's case, that has led to a significant drop in revenue from those registrations and permits, as pet owners try to avoid all those extra costs. Victoria charges annual registration fees for pets which are generally around $70 for a desexed pet - but the registration fees are set by each council, so could be more or less than that depending on where you live in Victoria. NSW has a one-off lifetime registration system which charges $80 for a desexed dog, and $70 for a desexed cat. Both states charge around 50% of the registration fee to pensioners. As part of my role at Animal Care Australia, I regularly contribute to submissions regarding consultation on such Domestic Animal Management Plans (DAMPs) across the country, and it's eye-opening stuff sometimes as to how far removed from reality the authors are. Funnily enough all the Victorian councils are very concerned about why there has been a steady year-on-year drop in the number of pets registered... and one is wanting to run a 2 year study into why before possibly doing anything about it... ummm, the answer is glaringly obvious as noted above, don't you think? Personally, I think that the annual fee is set too high. If they dropped those annual fees to maybe half of what they are now, then there may be better uptake, and as it's an annual fee, it still gets council some revenue to go towards animal management on a regular basis. Many Victorian councils don't have dedicated animal management staff either, their officers are tasked with all local laws enforcement and don't seem to specialise in any one of those areas. Charging such high annual registration fees and then not channelling those funds into dedicated (and trained) staff for the management of animal matters is ridiculous. Each Victorian council pays the State $4.10 for each animal registration fee they collect, so charging $70 or more each year is reaping some significant revenue for each council - if they can keep residents paying it of course. As noted in the article, the actual number of pets is not a driving factor into what constitutes an animal welfare concern - a single pet can be poorly cared for, just as multiple pets can be very well cared for - it comes down to the person who owns or cares for them, not how many they have. T.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-12/dapto-dogs-greyhound-racing-ends-after-nearly-90-years/105758074

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/pets/council-spark-backlash-over-ridiculous-household-pet-ban/news-story/7c227169efe59f482955f9be26b1d243

Considering that amendments to various animal welfare based legislation over the time AJP has had a representative member in the NSW Legislative Council have directly helped to create the issues we are seeing with pets in general, I don't think that anything she has to say should be taken as any sort of authority. This same AJP member recently chaired the NSW inquiry into cat management, which produced a report NOT advocating keeping pet cats contained to their owners' properties - which not only means that they are free to predate on our native wildlife, but the cats themselves are exposed to the myriad dangers of life roaming the landscape (in urban ares, this leads to more cat deaths by misadventure than should be tolerated or normalised). Multiple amendments to companion animal welfare legislation initiated by AJP and the Greens has also severely limited pet dogs' exposure to and socialisation with other people and animals by imposing strict limits on where and when dogs can be out and about in public spaces. In what world is that going to make them more sociable? Add that to the requirement that any physically healthy dog or cat in a NSW pound must be farmed out to private rescue for rehoming, meaning that rescues are becoming overrun with animals that require substantial behavioural rehabilitation before they can be rehomed, and in some cases where dodgy rescues are rehoming unsuitable dogs into the community in order to make room to take in more unclaimed pound dogs. The excuse "it's a rescue" is NO excuse for antisocial behaviour, no matter the breed or size of dog. All that said, pet ownership is a privilege, not a right. If you get a pet, you have certain responsibilities with regard to that pet and the community you live in. If you are unable to meet those responsibilities, then maybe you just shouldn't get a pet. T.

"What I would really love to see is some more research into [aggressive dog behaviour] so that we can understand what's happening and why," Dr Starling said. I doubt research will crack this. Multifactorial questions generally yield muddled research recommendations (how do you control either genetics or environment, having established that it's no JUST a matter of breed?) Better response to complaints to Animal Control would be a good start.

Did they give muscle relaxants ?? The spasms often hurt the most . Rest ,physio ,heat packs/cold packs . Find a specialist rehab vet clinic or good dog physio/acupuncture person

Better a day early than a day late . She is dying the decision is a slow long one or with dignity

If AJP are involved, it can only be bad news. Sounds like another attack on IGP from a clueless leftie "While it may not be related to this tragic incident, in NSW it remains legal for members of the community to train dogs to be guard dogs or to attack people," she said in a statement.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-11/fatal-singleton-dog-attack-prompts-call-for-nsw-pet-law-changes/105756076

What Boronia said. You will regret it if you delay. Bless you

You know the answer to your own question otherwise you wouldn't have come here and our answer will always be to say goodbye today. We all know the hell you are going through but it is always best to take the sooner than later option. Your little Lucy has had a good life and to prolong it now is just causing distress to her and you and what is another day going to bring? You can't fix old and sick I will be thinking of you and your dear Lucy today B

There is a poem that may help you make the decision: The Last Battle (poem, not novel) It starts "If it should be that I grow frail and weak ...

We are having a bad run at the moment. Our other CKCS nearly 14 yo girl Lucy was diagnosed with acute renal failure & kidney stones around 3 weeks ago. Leading up to the diagnosis she had gone off her food on/off but still drinking water. Vet said as long as she is eating and drinking all is ok. She is in visible pain & on painkillers and has lost so much weight I can count the bones in her spine. She refuses to eat anything but chicken which I know is not ideal but even then sometimes that's a stretch. Yesterday she ate nothing. This morning she ate a good amount. Enough to get some meds in her anyway. She is very wobbly on her feet so I can't walk her. The vet seems to think that this is from a sudden onset of arthritis which she has never had so I'm more inclined to think its part of her kidney disease. We said to each other when she started refusing food again we would put her to sleep. So we decided that last night but after she ate this morning now I don't know. I need someone to please tell me what to do. What would you do?

Gosh it has been so long since I have posted on this site. On fathers day our beloved 13yo girl CKCS Zara woke up screaming in pain and unable to put weight on her front paw. We rushed her to the emergency vet who did a thorough check up on her. She came to the conclusion that she has a slipped disc in her neck. Gave us anti inflammatories & pain killers and advised us to give her strict rest. She is in a tremendous amount of pain even with the painkillers & cries throughout the night whenever she moves. When I am at home all she wants is to be cuddled. Its heartbreaking. I'm off the our regular vet tomorrow to get more of her heart medication for her heart murmour & I'm going to ask for stronger pain killers but just wondering if anyone has any experience with a dog recovering from this at her age?

I'd leave it be.

Horrendous

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-09/teenage-girl-dies-after-singleton-dog-attack/105751342

Pretty sure that any vet looking at that nail will want to remove the entire nail surgically under an anaesthetic, which will result in him requiring the foot to be bandaged and protected while the new nail grows in, including regular bandage changes and vet revisits to check healing. I had a Rotti boy who'd do the same thing on a regular basis (clumsy boy) - he was also anxious, but only when confined in small spaces, so I used to have to be with him for his pre-anaesthetic, and post surgical recovery, before taking him home once he could stand... so he never had to go in the vet cages. You might be able to get a vet to make a housecall if that would be more comfortable for your boy - how is he with visitors? The vet could bring injectible sedation if that would make it easier to look at and possibly treat the issue at home, maybe a dremel might allow better access and drainage of the split while the rest of the nail grows out. Good luck... T.

I am so glad my friend recommended Rosehip Canine Vital (RCV) to me in ~Feb 2025, after her Jack Russell showed miraculous improvement (from barely walking to running with ease). I began a trial with my 2 older working dog crosses (12 & 15yo). Both suffered serious malnutrition as Aboriginal camp dogs pre-rescue. The younger needed 2 consecutive knee reconstructions for her congenital luxating patellas when she was about 16-18mo, and her knees which then served her well, have since (predictably) grown arthritic, one especially bad since Feb 2025. She is also suffering kidney disease, was found to be stage 3 in Jan 2025 but reduced to stage 2 after 4wks on renal diet. My 14yo's spine is fused by arthritis; and he had very dodgy hips & weak back legs by Feb 2025 when he started RCV - he was stumbling, struggling to stand and walking very slowly. He also has liver issues. Daily 200mg SAMe with 15mg Milkthistle supplemental powders (from capsules) have kept his liver working since ~Jan 2023. A week into the RCV loading dose - easily mixed into their tinned fish+water+dryfood breakfasts & tinned chicken+water+vegies+dryfood dinners (they also each have a free-range chicken drumstick for lunch) and both dogs began showing improved mobility and general happiness. I weighed them at start and 4wks later and my older dog - who'd started spontaneously running a lot by then - had lost 3kg. He was too skinny for the first time in 13yrs! I had to double his dry food to cover all the extra running he was doing and keep him at a stable and healthy weight. RCV has been amazing for him, with one scoop now, morning and night, on maintenance dose. I've since heard of one case where guardian doesn't think RCV worked in his dog refusing to walk up stairs. A vet told me it helps with kidney disease, too. My younger dog's bad knee is still poor, but she's gained general mobility & muscle on RCV, and both dogs seem happier. I've even taken some myself for my own joint and muscular pain (after sports injuries/falls), and find it's got an amazing anti-inflammatory effect, fast-acting. When I pause it, the aches & pains return. So... I definitely recommend a 2mth trial, and note it's cheaper to buy online direct , with free & fast postage, too. I'm not suggesting RCV healed my dogs' arthritis, only reduced their pain to allow more mobility and that may then help their joints. I was sceptical at first but am a definite convert, now, 7mths after starting RCV.

Can you give him a tranquilliser before you take him to the Vet. Your dog may require antibiotics at the very least. A similar incident with the nail on the front paw happened with my Giant recently. We took him to the Vet who operated and stitched the split skin. He had a bandage with a sock over it for quite a few weeks. He could still walk but was limited to restricted daily walking. And because the nail is so sensitive they don't like it being touched. I always gave my dog a mild sedative (Trazadone) prior to visits.

and we will never know. It was obviously still powerful

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-08/greyhound-advocates-lobby-tasmanian-government-ahead-of-shutdown/105724644