AmandaJ

You could also look at this one... http://netobjects.com/html/essentials.html

I keep 3 large buckets of water out for that very reason. I actually don't mind Bonnie doing it - she's even learned how to do it with her back feet. At least her feet are always clean

Freedom Press have a book out called "The Colostrum Miracle" - the anti-aging super food that can boost immunity - you may want to have a read of that. forgot to add - C O'Driscoll's - "Shock to the system" - the truth about vaccination, pet food and how to keep your dog healthy..

Probiotics are great for re-balancing the gut flora. Anytime the vet gives your dog antibiotics you should finish them off with a week on probiotics. If the "poop" is fine after a course but soon change back then I'd be looking at what you're feeding. You could also try increasing the proteolytic enzymes in the gut too (papain). Generally if the diet is balanced and the dog has no gastric problems then supplements shouldn't be needed - but dogs are no different to us and we do all get "tummy problems".

Your vet is correct - the immature parasite needs to get thru the circulatory system into the heart and lodge in the heart. If the dog has a good circulatory system (is fit and healthy) it can't lodge - if it can't lodge then it can't reproduce. They also need both sexes of the parasite to reproduce and it is common for a population to consist of a single sex. Since they need mozzies to carry them keeping those parasites under control will aslo minimize the possibilites

You may also like to contact the MDBA about their courses....well worth doing.

Not any type of pineapple will do - Don't use canned - it must be fresh - Pineapple and Papaya are high in proteolytic enzymes. These break down proteins - which includes the proteins in food (and can breakdown intestinal parasites - depending on whos work you read). Without proteolytic enzymes in the gut neither you or your dog can break down the food you eat effectively and will therefore not absorb as much of the nutrients in what you do eat. The reason for fresh is simple - the canning process destroys most of the enzymes in the heat treatment. And again - depending on whos work you read - puppies eating poo could be due to the poo containing traces of proteolytic enzymes. I have in the past suggested the addition of fresh pineapple to the diet of dogs which are difficult to put weight on - it has worked. proteolytic enzyme, also called Proteinase, any of a group of enzymes that break the long chainlike molecules of proteins into shorter fragments (peptides) and eventually into their components, amino acids. Proteolytic enzymes are present in bacteria and plants but are most abundant in animals. In the stomach, protein materials are attacked initially by the gastric enzyme pepsin. When the protein material is passed to the small intestine, proteins, which are only partially digested in the stomach, are further attacked by proteolytic enzymes secreted by the pancreas. These enzymes are liberated in the small intestine from inactive precursors produced by the acinar cells in the pancreas. The precursors are called trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, proelastase, and procarboxypeptidase. When the pancreatic enzymes become activated in the intestine, they convert proteins into free amino acids, which are easily absorbed by the cells of the intestinal wall. Trypsinogen is transformed to trypsin by an enzyme (enterokinase) secreted from the walls of the small intestine. Trypsin then activates the precursors of chymotrypsin, elastase, and carboxypeptidase. The pancreas produces a protein that inhibits trypsin. It is thought that in this manner the pancreas protects itself from autodigestion. http://www.livestrong.com/article/278997-foods-high-in-proteolytic-enzymes/

Use white vinegar - I even add it to the water when I clean the carpets

City of Playford (SA) has a 2 dog limit before you need to apply for a permit for each of the next 2 (making it a 4 dog limit) - permits are approved based on the size of the dog and the available space. I'm still waiting for them to approve number 3 but you have to register them first....go figure - I'd have thought it would make more sense to approve before you get the dog.

Pineapple is high in proteolytic enzymes but you are better off using fresh than canned. The canning process kills off most of the enzymes. I use it as part of a parasitic control program as the enzymes help to break down proteins. Depending on whos research you read the "poo eaters" are obtaining proteolytic enzymes from the "poo" they eat - so it could be one reason for doing it.

Peter (Pt Pirie shows) has always been good to the neuters but there are definitely a lot more neuter shows in SA now - today is one of them...(go Charlie! ) Hey Lyndsay - "fat boy" AKA Charlie - got neuter in show.........I love the neuter class.....

I'd like to be there but there is a car race here (Clipsal 500) and it's his turn after so many away trips with the dogs....

Peter (Pt Pirie shows) has always been good to the neuters but there are definitely a lot more neuter shows in SA now - today is one of them...(go Charlie! )

I agree with the others. Giving chemical treatments for conditions the dog does not have is detrimental to the immune system and can work against you in the long run. Diatomaceous earth (food grade), fresh pineapple, grated carrot are all good for treating for worms. I control and treat the environment before I treat the dogs for fleas - and one of mine has a chronic allergy to flea bite. It is not unheard of for a high protein puppy food to increase the body temperature of the dog and inadvertantly cause itching. It is recommended that some breeds even have low protein diets to counter the body temp/ itching problem (PON's are one).

Another one is Andrew Mladenovic at the chiropractic clinic in Kilkenny - 8445 8507 - he does a lot of greyhounds and show dogs (as well as people)

Good idea but you also have to remember that part of your code of ethics is I shall refrain from making negative or malicious statements about other breeder's, their dogs or practices - so Im sure its not just because you might be sued. Really? MDBA members can't make negative statements about other breeder's practices? What if the practices are clearly unethical? Sorry for the double post, I'm just interested. Star - it's an ANKC member body rule

Good idea but you also have to remember that part of your code of ethics is I shall refrain from making negative or malicious statements about other breeder's, their dogs or practices - so Im sure its not just because you might be sued. Yes I know it's part of the code too - but is it malicious when it's true......

I'm more than happy to give recommendations to people and to explain why I'm recommending a particular breeder, but when I'm asked about a breeder I WON'T recommend I'm forced to stay silent. We have one "breeder" (term used with gritted teeth) who has been known to threaten to sue people and she's registered! Perhaps all MDBA members could include our codes of ethics on our websites?? - show people on the site what proper papers look like and explain it - use our websites to educate people???

Unfortunately - NOTHING actually "repels" biting insects - what they actually do is deter them from biting again or remaining on the host. Some types of mozzie have been scientifically proven to "smell out" specific blood types to feed on but other than that if they like the first bite they stay around for the subsequent bites. Yes heartworm is transmitted by mozzies - but for the dog to become effected by the heartworm a few things need to happen... - the dog needs to be in a parasite area - hot dry locations are not mozzie country - check if you are in a mozzie friendly area - if you are and you have still bodies of water around you check with the council about the mozzie spraying in your area - the parasite needs to imbed its'self in the heart wall - first it needs to get there - if the dog is healthy, regularly exercised etc and has a good strong blood flow - all this reduces the parasites ability to actually get where it needs to go Did you know - - only about 60% - 70% of effected dogs are picked up by blood tests? - That is because - the population may not be migratory throught the circulatory system at that time - or - single sex communities do exist - therfore limiting the volume of the parasite in the host and reducing the parasites need to migrate. My dogs are not given any anthalmic medications for parasites (I prefer the time tested method from nature - sometimes it takes a bit more effort but my dogs are worth it) and I only treat for fleas if they get them - but again our environment is the first thing treated here.

On the worming products - some of the research which was provided in the MDBA Parasitology course indicates that the anthalmic levels in the supermarket (lower quality) products is below the effective level. Since there is already evidence to show that intestinal parasites are becoming "immune" to anthalmics the research suggests that you should stay away from the "cheaper brands". It also suggests that where possible treat for known parasites individually - don't treat for something you don't have - use parasite specific drugs.

Our Neuter is our first Beardie - we committed the same sin - he slept on the bed as a pup. The more dogs we got the harder that got, so now he's on the floor. The dogs are allowed on the bed when we aren't in it but it's ours at night. We get the "finger" from them when it's time to get off and Charlie "plays dead" rather than move, but eventually he gets off - no growling, no real fuss - it's more like a game to the dogs now. I'm more anoyed when he steals my chair - EVERY time I get up!

Beat you to it Star....lol http://search.avg.com/route/?d=4d2198e2&am...y=&ychte=us this one is on spay/neuter http://www.physorg.com/news178913565.html This one is a news article related to ovarian research - unfortunately I can't link the original paper as it comes from Purdue University and their site is "locked" Basically that paper links keeping ovaries to longevity. PS - I'm not good on links in here...

Incontinence is one of the issues which has been raised with early age spayed bitches.

Only one thing to watch for with high quality dry puppy food - the bones can sometimes grow faster than the soft tissue causing nutrition related problems - easy to detect and easy to correct if you get it early enough. Lift the pup off the ground and face into a mirror - note how the legs fall and where the feet are placed - place the pup on a flat surface and look again at the legs and feet. If they bow or toe in or out change the pup to a quality adult food to slow the bone growth to match the soft tissue growth. That comes from Pat Hastings from "Puppy Puzzle".

a much better idea.... (and shhhh...don't tell the toy people that actually group 5 preferred the side we got moved to. Glad they demanded that they get the other side for a change. I liked having more shade and not looking into the sun... note to people who have the 'grass is always greener attitude'.... thank you very much, we were much happier) That's the same lot the complained about ring 1 at SACA park and got moved there too....