Danois

FTPO - check your insurance policy as most have a sublimit for medications in a policy year. For example the RSPCA policy has a $1,500 sublimit.

I have a giant breed and while he is still growing there is no 'forced' exercise as such - ie long walks on lead. Exercise is free exercise in the park, the cemetery (yes it is off lead dog) and the beach. We do go for walks on lead around the neighbourhood but these are max 15 mins and are obedience training so stopping, starting etc. I will not consider long walks on hard surfaces until my dog is over 12 months and will still then be conservative until 18 months. I would not take a dog running until after it's growth plates have closed. Too much impact on soft joints and if it saves a dog from years of arthritis when they are older then surely it is worth the wait?

I think someone else picked up on it too but careful with the Malaseb as it can be very harsh and drying. I would not use it any more than once a month personally.

Why cook the chicken? Go to Lennards and get minced chicken carcasses and feed that raw. Feed chicken necks and wings - raw. I would not give a lamb chop to a dog personally. Some dogs may also find lamb too rich - feed soft bones while they are young such as the chicken, maybe some lamb flap or beef brisket. Were the lamb chops cooked? You should not give cooked bones to a dog as they can splinter and damage/ irritate intestines etc It is not a case of raw being the way to go - it is a case of ensuring that your dog has some bone in its diet - usually in addition to dry food. Feeding a complete raw diet to a growing puppy takes quite a bit of research as you need to ensure that you feeding a balanced diet with all the right nutrients, vitamins, minerals and also with the correct protein/ fat ratio. Personally, I would feed a dry food until at least 12 months and then consider raw.

Its called anal glands. Do not try and express them yourself - a quick trip to the vet nurse will have them done there. It is not a pleasant smell. Some puppies can take longer to grow into their anal passage therefore they do not get emptied naturally when they pass stools. It can also be a sign that he needs more raw bone in his diet - firmer the stool, the better natural emptying. Nothing will happen per se if you do nothing - other than waking up at 3am with them expressed on your doona after they have let themselves off due to the dog moving or licking them. There can sometimes be infections in anal glands - again, the vets will be able to tell this. So no need to panic tonight - just go to the vets tomorrow and ask them to empty them for you. I had to get my dog's emptied every couple of weeks for a few months but he seems to have grown out of it.

I was giving my dog 1500mg a day. As I said in a previous post - dogs excrete any excess so you cannot over dose them.

You're game having 2 young puppies at the same time

Would be interesting to know how big their test group and control group was respectively. There was also a reference to breed disposition. So what was the breakdown of the breeds within those groups?

I have learnt useful stop bleeding tips after Boo was wounded on his ear. Vaseline and haemorrhoid cream stop bleeding - cream is the better option. Other is styptic pencil from chemist - was $6 and found with shaving stuff. Useful for cut quicks too!

Fyscha - I looked at the article (it was simply the first that came up on google) - I also looked at about 5 others (all from within academic institutions or written by someone at Phd level and within last few years) and they pretty much advocated the benefits of additional Vit C supplementation in dogs. If in doubt - ask the breeder as they will know from experience what they have seen work. My opinion comes from readings, speaking with qualified people and also from personal observation of use of it in 2 different dogs when pasterns were down and feet were looking east west. I changed nothing else in the diet but added Vit C.

Yes, that advice is given to women who have to take supplements for osteoporosis. Women are human not canine though. Great you've spoken with the breeder but I'm not sure the advice is sound regarding the vit c. It seems to be one of those recommendations passed from breeder to breeder without a sound knowledge base. Do you think that maybe sometimes Breeders do know about these thing I think that it's possible that because a breeder knew Vit C to be good for humans they asssumed it was the same for dogs and so the word spread from breeder to breeder. It can hurt your dog's kidney's and liver. Dog's make their own Vit C you don't need to supplement it. Chocolate - this seems to be something you have knowledge of - can you perhaps point me in the direction of articles/ research to this extent as I am interested in reading more on this as it refutes every thing I have ever read and been advised. I stand corrected on the production of it - however at times a dog can require more than it can produce (teething for example) so supplementation is beneficial. Excess is excreted through kidneys. Wish I was the breeder who started it all - even research fellows in canine neuropathy in the big old States have seized on their little idea and done research on it.

Great you've spoken with the breeder but I'm not sure the advice is sound regarding the vit c. It seems to be one of those recommendations passed from breeder to breeder without a sound knowledge base. Vit C is very beneficial for problem feet (caused by growth as opposed to bad structure) - its not a 'breeder' theory but is actually widely used. It helps with the pasterns and also corrects east/west feet - especially when a puppy is teething. This is because Vitamin C helps proper calcium absorption and a dog (like a human) cannot produce and store their own Vit C. This is a well established scientific fact. Dogs excrete any excess Vit C in their urine so you cannot overdose them on it.

This is what you're after: http://www.prestigepetproducts.com.au/inde...sid=&uhash= https://www.classicshowsupplies.com.au/cata...37d8ca1d0f857bf (I used these guys)

Curious about these 2 statements. How could have the breeder noticed it and sold the puppy anyway if you did not notice the limp from (presumably) 8 weeks to 16 weeks when you say she developed it?

Second the Equinade Go Black but I have had even better results (and nicer coat) with Chris Christensen Black on Black. It neutralises brown/ red tones. I also use the Mr Groom spray - mink oil, Vit E and sunscreen most days. I got mine from an online show supply shop but I have also seen them at the show supply van at Erskine Park.

Try Sydney Animal Physio in Leichhardt - Kristine does not do chiro but rather physio (massage, stretches etc) and accupuncture.

If he flops down asleep anywhere but the crate then pick him up and put him in there. Patience is the key - crate training does happen quickly necessarily. And with a lab - lay off all the cooked bacon, cheese, kibble, liver treats and cooked sausage, rawhide bones, pigs ears - this is puppy junk food. Personally would not feed bacon, pig's ears only ocassionally at that age (salt and fat) and same with cheese.

Sorry - I should correct myself - it was not a joint tap - it was a tap of the fluid around the joint.

Joint taps are very simple and not invasive at all. My vet simply used a fine gauge needle and drew out fluid. This was send off for testing and they also put it in a petrie dish to see if any culture would grow (indicating bacterial infection). I do not remember it being expensive at all. Just the pathology cost. Go to Yahoo Groups and search for one called CIMDA. Canine Immune Mediated Diseases.

Did you ask your vet about what I suggested in PM? Did your vet discuss the fact that her immune system is suppressed due to the cortisone?

Many people do not give the third injection - only give the 2nd at 12 weeks. Whether you need to wait another week after that is also personal choice. Your puppy should still be socialised before the vaccination cycle is complete - at puppy pre-school, in backyards etc - just use a bit of common sense and not take them to dog parks or areas heavily populated by dogs. The time before 16 weeks is critical for the development of your puppy.

How have they diagnosed the infection in the hock? Generally Pred can cause hair loss issues - obviously not here though as you have the mange diagnosis. Poor Angs had very bald thighs went he was on it.

Boo 8 weeks Aged 10 weeks (when I got him) 8 months old (this weekend)

No idea but molasses is one of the main ingredients. Along with fatty mince, wheatgerm, oats or similar grain (which may warm the blood), lots of eggs and oil.

Speak to your vet before feeding them. They are rich - think pancreatitis at worst or diarrhoea/ upset stomach.