Danois

Erny - terrific news re progress being made! We were back at the vet today - have not had the outbreak of hives like last time but the staph infection got worse - am guessing the humidity in Sydney is not helping. Back on ABs for 2 weeks and another 5 days of cortisone. Had a malaseb bath today which has cleaned up all the flakiness. Getting some mega-derm tomorrow.

when I last looked at the ingredients it didn't look promising. My dog ate too many schmackos and died. They are something I won't anywhere near. My current/future dog/s will never know what they taste like. VERY high in salt. Bad, very bad Oh that's concerning. How did they know it was the schmackos? Thanks for the link PF - $45 order here!

Great pics! Looks like you have a great time - did you climb up Mount Maunganui? Being from Hawkes Bay I have done the gannet trip a couple of times - the smell never gets more bearable!

Long term pred use in my last dog - he was more subdued if anything.

The change in diet would explain. Don't be surprised if you get the runs. Vegetables - no need to steam them especially as this destroys their nutrient value - you're better buying a juicer and feeding the pulp (fruit and vegie) and a little of the juice. In saying that, if you feed a premium giant breed specific food then you should not need to add vegies etc as the food is designed as a complete diet. I have never fed chicken necks as felt they are too small, preferring chicken wings and then moving to carcasses. Remember the aim is to grow them slow and steady and definitely no calcium supplements. Have you considered Eagle Pack or Nutrience instead of Euk? Never been a fan of it myself.

If he is only 8 weeks old then I am assuming he has only been in the house a couple of days? They can take a few days to settle into their routine which includes eating. Are you feeding the same as the puppy was getting at the breeder's place? The theory is to leave the bowl down for 15 mins and then put it away until the next meal. They will not starve themselves. As for timing - I was never one to fed at the same time every day - mix up the routine. I feed between 6.30pm and 9pm.

It is not that simple with a giant breed. Their growth plates are still open until around the 18 month mark and early desexing can interfere with their growth - eg taller/ lankier/ leaner dogs. Early desexing is something you'd have to discuss with the breeder you chose to go with as they will know how their lines mature. Owning & raising a giant breed is very different than what is required for other breeds.

I don't soak either. I do feed from a raised height simply out of comfort for the dog (dane). Only time I have added water to food was when using a supplement or to make it smell (ugh) to tempt him to eat as a puppy. Will be getting a pexy done in the next couple of months - having a bloat prone breed I will consider any measures to reduce the risk of bloat or to buy me time to get to the vet. After a while the routines around feeding/ exercise/ supervision etc simply become second nature.

Yep - giant breeds are certainly costly! It's little things sometimes - once they pass around 45kg then things like Revolution only last 3 months as you need 2 tubes not just 1. A 2 week course of anti-biotics at around 55kg costs about $70. You can't pick up a decent dog bed for a giant for under $180. Any collars need to be good quality for strength. Crates are around $200. Even the amount of shampoo you need soon adds up! The other thing for consideration - how do you feel about having to deal with a bitch in season or an entire male? It is recommended that giant breeds are not desexed until around 18 months.

Tugs are great! I have a nice collection of them from DMan Tugs and my dog loves them!

Group Five - I am so sorry to hear this news. You have done one of the most selfless acts possible when it comes to our beloved dogs - I know that everything in you wanted your boy to remain with you but you have put this aside and ensured he was not suffering any more.

Sorry to hear things are not improving as much as you would hope. What will his quality of life be if he responds to the treatment? I feel for you re this: It is a bastard of a decision to make. In one sense my decision was easier as my boy had been ill for some time before he 'crashed'. I remember walking in to see him and just knowing. I could see in his eyes that he was tired and I knew I could not put him through more.

In my experience, young Standard poodles are VERY high energy... they leap, bound and run with great vigour. They need consistent firm boundaries not to become teenage monsters. 20 minutes around the block a couple of times a week is not going to keep such a dog exercised. If you're not up for the commitment of obedience training and exercising a LARGE athletic dog, pick another breed. Perhaps a smaller poodle? Re high energy - this was not something I knew until recently. I know 3 from the park and they like a quick burst and then settle. All the ones I have seen at shows are calm and sedate. And then I met a gorgeous 14 month old at a show recently - holy heck that thing had energy to burn and the zoomies were hilarious. It was certainly a side of standard poodles I had never seen.

Hi groupfive - I recall that Fiery Di (who might now be just Di) went through this. I recommend a group called CIMDA - they are a UK based Yahoo list but with international members. It is Canine Immune Mediated Disease Awareness and all members have dogs affected by IM issues. The moderator Jo is a terrific source of knowledge and there is a lot of literature on the site. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CIMDAsupport/ I had a dog with IMPA and he developed (or it had been suppressed or hidden because of the drugs) IMHA at the end. I cannot offer any advice re treatment for the IMHA as my boy had too many fires to fight that it was kinder to let him go. Please don't take this as an indication of how it goes as each case is obviously different and Angs had a number of things wrong. I am pleased you have a diagnosis and hope that your dog responds well to treatment.

gremlins

Gomez is an international man dog of mystery!

Abrham Ali Andrew Andy Angus x 2 Angus Rip Anzac Apollo(different spelling!) Appollo Archie Arkhan Armand Arq Ash Ashke Attila Atlas Bailey x 6 Baloo Balou Bandit x 2 Banjo Bardigrub Bart X 2 Barton Baxter Bear x2 Beau x 2 Bender Ben x 2 Benji Benny Benson Billy Bing Bluey Bob Bomber Boo Boof Bosch Bosco Boxer Brady Brian Custard O'Doggle Brock Brockie Brody Bronson x2 Brownie Bruce Bud Buddy Bumble Bundyx2 Buster byron Caleb Cannon Caramel Carl Cash Casper Champ Charlie x 5 Chevy Chief Chip x 2 Chok Clifford Coco Cooper x3 Cory Cowan x 2 Cowboy Crikey Cuba Danny Darcy x 2 Dashx2 Deakin Dean Declan Delgado Denim Dennys Dog Diablo Diesel x2 Digby Digger x2 Dillon Dinky Douglas Dumas Duncan Dylan Ebon Echo Eddie Edward Elijah Elliott Elvis Edge Ernie Esky Fergus x 2 Fox x 2 FlashBazil Fleming Fletcher Flynn Focus Forester Foo Frank Fudge Gandor Geo George Greedy Grover Guiness mcGuinness Hail Harley Harri Harrison Harry Henry Hogan Hudson Hugo Ivan Jack x 3 Jake x 2 Jasper x 2 James Jay JayDee Jed Jethro Jet Jett Jonsey Joop Jordan Joshua Judd Juggie Kahn Kai Kaiser x 2 Kane Kasper Kaos Kiba Kei Kingston Kippy Kisho Kynan Kyzer Leo Lincoln Lenny Leroy Lestat x2 Logan Luca Lucius Ludwig Lughie Lukas Lukon Mac X 2 MacKenzie Mark (the cat) Mason Max x 7 Maxie Maxwell THE DOG Maze Mel Merlot Merry Milky Milosh Milton Minook Mistral Mojo Mokha Morris Mr Darcy Nammu Napoleon Nelsson (yes two s's) Nicky Nigel Noah Nova Nudge Nugget Occy Oliver Omar RIP Onslow Oscar x 3 Oz Pal x 2 Payton Pete Phoenix Phantom Piikki Porsha Punch Quick Quincy Raffy Ralph Randy Reeve Reagan Rex Ricky Riku Riley Ripley River Rocks Rodney RIP Rolly Rory Rove Rover Roy Jones Jnr Rudnick Ruff Rupert Rusty Sam x2 Satchmo Scooby Scout Scrap Scratch Shadow Seth Silas Snitch Sonny Soul Spartan Speed Spencer Spike Sport Spud Sterling Stig (The) Storm Stryker Sumo Swanky Tana Tazz x 2 Teddy Terry Tey Dog Thomas Thunder Tiger Tirra Toby x2 Tolkien Tommy Tournie Tub Tusca Tye x2 Tyson Udo Ulf Valdez Wags Walker Watson Weave Whisky Willow Willy Wilson Woody Wycomb Yoshi Zac x 2 Zedley Zeppelin Zephyr x 2 Zeus

Oh - poor thing. Here is the link to them - cannot recommend them highly enough: http://www.pennanthillsvet.com.au/

This is what Boo looked like after we'd started on a 2 week course of ABs and 5 days of cortisone. You can see the damage to the coat from the bald patches - is that how you dog is looking? If you're prepared to see another vet - go to Ian Murdoch at Pennant Hills Vet Clinic (on PH Road) - he has an excellent knowledge on allergic dogs.

If you're using Aloveen - make sure he is not allergic to oatmeal! I have been told to not use malaseb as it can be too harsh. Sas mentioned she uses goats milk soap. I am using Palmers Cocoa Butter Shampoo and then MooGoo MSM cream on my boy at the moment as we have had a similar sounding problem. Based on what we have just gone through - sounds like the bald patches with are flaky is the remnants of a staph infection? Did he have hives? Has he had anti-biotics? I was told that it takes at least 4 weeks for a food to make a difference. I have noticed an improvement in coat since going on the EP Fish. Someone mentioned the other day that when switching to this food expect the coat to go downhill and then improve - something about the toxins being flushed out. I'd be inclined to switch over to the EP now regardless - its a much better food.

The two thoughts I initially had was on the early desexing policy - what about the giant breeds who should not be desexed early and where does that leave exhibitors who show undesexed dogs? Does it mean you can only show if you are a breeder? I was not a fan of the idea of licensing all 'breeders' - whether puppy farmer or registered breeder. There is already enough confusion in joe public re what a breeder is and what 'papers' mean - using the term licensed will add to the confusion. I fail to see the comparison to real estate agents and car salesmen - they have one thing different than someone who breeds dogs as a hobby - professional indemnity insurance!

Not odd at all and in fact is odder that you choose a name linked to the country of origin and not something which you like and which suits the dog. Never would have considered only german names for my dog. Oops - I hit no in my vote when I meant yes - the poll is worded opposite to the question in the OP.

I am so sorry to hear this news and my heart goes out to you. We get such a precious short time with the giants as it is and when they are taken from us too early, it hurts that much more. Your photos have given us such a beautiful insight into Rocco's character and it has been a privilege to get a glimpse of the bond between the 2 of you. Big hugs to you, to Ralph and Ralph's mum. xx The Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author Unknown

Not from my experience. Yes there is the theoretical element - ie explaining the exercise and having it demonstrated but then everyone gets the chance to work on it. Having a puppy sitting quietly is also a good thing for them to be learning. Another puppy class I did elsewhere - everyone took turns as not enough people there running it - gets a bit dull by the 10th person doing a sit.

I heartily agree, I think sometimes we get a bit too precious about everything, but keeping informed is good! Marlin was given ice cubes when she was teething and absolutely loved them she would hold them against her gums before crunching into little bits, she still gets one or two before bed, thinks it is the greatest treat but never after a run or when really hot. I do make larger blocks in old butter containers with a few treats frozen in water flavoured with a little stock. Keeps her occupied for ages licking and licking, especially on these hot days. She is especially fond of having her belly rubbed with an ice cube Exactly. I'd rather be precious than have a dead dog.