Danois

My last dog was ill and never made it to his 2nd birthday. We had vet bills in excess of $6k and I have a vet who is reasonable and no emergency/ specialists were needed.

It is US only and is old news from August last year. Here is the FDA notice - http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm365154.htm?source=govdelivery Don't know why people don't go to official sources to verify them before spreading further.

You can't be paranoid about bloat as that will rule everything you do. Know what the signs are, have a bloat chart on the fridge and know your local vets - including emergency one. There are no firm answers about what causes bloat - for every study that says its X, another study says it's not. In my opinion, if you have a dog that is going to bloat they will bloat regardless of what you do or don't do. I have only grown giants of another breed not BMD but I have always switched to 2 main meals a day and a small supper from 11-12 weeks as that is the practicality of being an owner who works full time.

There is no new standard on the manufacturing and labelling of Pet Food in Australia. There has been in place for some years the Australian Standard - it is AS5812-2011. This Standard replaced the PFIAA Code of Practice. There are audit requirements under the Standard re the places of manufacture. Like all Australian Standards, you do need to pay for it. However it is a technical document - so it is not really designed for general use as it is what the manufacturers etc use to ensure products are compliant. The PFIAA website does contain some information too. In addition to this, those in the pet industry must also comply with the Consumer Law in relation to not making misleading and deceptive claims etc. There is also a requirement to comply with the APVMA Regulations so far as not making therapeutic claims about pet food if it is not a registered product - dental claims for example. Finally, the Weights and Measurements legislation may also have some applicability. The standards above re Woolies and Coles only apply if you were making a product for them - it would apply to someone who is making their own products and selling to them. I don't know what PRIMESAFE is and note that HAACP plans are dealt with as part of the standard. So yes - locally companies are supposed to comply with AS5812.

Mars has a factory in Wadoonga but I'm not sure which brands it makes - pretty sure they still import Royal Canin. Like Purina who makes ProPlan they are an Australian company. A majority of the small brands like Blackhawk etc are made by contract manufacturers - I.e. They are made by a company for the brand rather than made by the brand. The small names don't have the capability or infrastructure to make their own food.

Gaming Regulations in each state deal wit animals as prizes.

Check out dharf.com. They are an Aussie company. I got one from them at the Sydney Royal and am very happy with it.

I think people are misinterpreting the request - I don't think they are asking that you drop off the dog and let them play with it. Hey why not if you're there to supervise - better to give someone the chance to spend time with a breed they love than them going off and getting a puppy.

Given you've only been a member here since the start of the year you may want to be a bit more supportive of topics that you have seen before, you'll see it alot more in the future, if they irritate you just don't click into them. Who died and made you god? Lol the irony is beyond amusing.

Wrap them in cotton wool?? Dogs are a living and breathing thing - no matter what you do or don't do, there is no way of ensuring that your dog stays 'young' and healthy. All you can do is ensure that you purchase a dog from a reputable and responsible breeder who health tests so you have a good foundation - but this is no guarantee and sh*^t still happens despite this.

I was at work the day after I had my last dog put down (in the evening). It was a good distraction and my colleagues were none the wiser until some dear friends had flowers delivered to me. It would have been harder sitting at home with all the reminders around me. I'm also someone who is able to box up things - work is work and I maintain my professionalism there.

Yeah - for keeping dry you don't want a chest piece as wet fabric in that area could rub and also be too cold for them.

Terri - many Danes do better in the likes of what D&D make (on Facebook) or the Chilly Dogs Chilly Sweater as it slips over the head, there's a chest piece and it buckles over the back. They don't move like weatherbeetas.

I have allowed it before - but I take my own blankets for bed and couch (freshly clean) and cover everything up. I have done this because I physically cannot fit his bed in the car along with him (giant dog = giant bed) so unless he slept on the floor, he'd have nowhere else to sleep.

You should only be using warm water - hot water will affect it. Most kibbles are essentially a core biscuit with a coating and you don't want to destroy that coating.

Get yourself a copy of "Give Your Dog a Bone" by Dr Ian Billinghurst. Should be able to find a reference to feeding up thin and arthritic dogs. It is a good book to have on hand, in any case :) Raw diets in danes not yet finished critical growth are to be avoided unless you are extremely competent in being able to assess and deliver the correct calcium to phosphorous ratios. I would be feeding quality proven dog food (no one knows what growing a dane on a new food like Sunday Pets is like and I would not be experimenting with compromised danes) like Holistic Select, Canidae, ProPlan or Euk (with the correct Cal:Ph) and then using a supplement for joint care/ arthritis. I would suggest that you go here and scroll down to Foods and then Supplements - this is a resource written by dane people for dane owners as there are many considerations that simply don't come up with many other breeds - http://www.greatdanerescue.com.au/downloads.htm You will also see there links to where you can find online dane communities - in addition to the dane thread under Breed Subforums here.

BH & NG dry cat food were identical. That is why I suggested it. A pet shop even showed me a order form for BH cat food were the food was called NG. Not sure how that works as they are made by 2 different manufacturers.

I agree with this. I don't think it's something that should be legislated but I also think employers should just show a bit of common sense and compassion when appropriate. I know that my boss would have no issue with me taking a bit of time for something related to my dogs and I'd be the same for my staff but there are plenty of people who take the piss at any opportunity. Agree. My boss has no issues either - I have been able to work from home to monitor an unwell dog and have also been able to leave early or come in late for vet appointments. I know I will also have no issues taking a couple of days personal leave if I lost one of my pets. I rarely use my personal leave but others may use a couple of days a month for child related things like illness etc

Satin balls should be approached with caution or you will get a case of pancreatitis on your hands.

Adding a few pieces to a meal will not make a difference. To get the intended effect it is supposed to be their main food.

Porridge made with water and then cooled down with rice milk and feeding a performance food (RC, ProPlan, Holistic all have them).

Quakers Hill vet is good. As is Karen Hedburg at Vineyard I believe. Many Dane owners use Ian at Pennant Hills Vet - which is North west.

I have a Subaru XV with a giant breed. He's a back seat dweller.

Vaccinate the dog and board it at the vet.

My housesitters don't charge. Most housesitters do it full time so move from gig to gig - means they are not paying rent etc If they are charging then it is more a pet minding service.