Diva

I don't see why more highly sought after dogs shouldn't cost more. Presumably they aren't limiting the chances of rehoming because they know what people will pay. If people stopped paying then I guess they would change the pricing policy pretty quickly.

Every pet meat store I have been into carries kangaroo, and the prepackaged raw meats sold at places like Petbarn are also frequently roo. Personally I don't like the level of preservative used in roo for pet meat and only buy it as trim from a human butcher at my local market who carries game meat, if you want that more expensive human grade I think Woolworths or Coles has it too. I feed it rarely as it is too low in fat for my guys to have often. If you post where you are someone will know somewhere close, and the pinned where to buy raw topic in the health forum will have sources too.

I am pretty sure any doctor would get in professional trouble for writing scripts for pets so their meds can be subsidised by the PBS, not something I would be advertising was happening.

I opt for fluids with any op, I always want as easy a recovery as possible. I ask for pre op bloods if I don't have a baseline already for that dog or if it is an old dog. Not really necessary but just the protocol I have settled on for myself. 'a little daggy in the groin region' make me laugh.

Sad news, I think you sound like a great home

That's appalling.

Very sensible, surely if organisations have tax deductible status they would want to be very careful to keep their own dogs' costs clearly separate, lest the tax man come a'knockin. I don't think the rules around tax deductability allow for one's own pet dogs' costs. But really mixing up of private and rescue expenses is the type of issue that makes me donate elsewhere these days, it really is too open to rorting and too hard to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

I have always found pet network good

Sounds like something infectious maybe, have you taken their temperatures? Oops, just realised it is only one lump per puppy, I first read it as more coming up. Surely has to be related to the vet work then, I hope they have an explanation for you.

Mine have all arrived, 3 boxes worth. I haven't unpacked them yet.

If they are used to the car and don't usually get car sick I don't see why they would need medication, it is not that huge a trip.

It really depends on what part of the ACT she is in, there are three big good quality community clubs spread across town - Belconnen, Companion Dog (Symonston) and Tuggnerong, as well as some private trainers running groups. I think Queanbeyan has a club too.

Best wishes Maggie, from an article in UK Vet - Vol 12 No 1 January 2007 'Another unusual occurrence in dogs is ingestion of macadamia nuts. These originate from the trees Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla. The mechanism of toxicity is unknown; but may involve a constituent of the nuts, processing contaminants or mycotoxins (Hansen et al., 2002). Principal signs of intoxication include weakness (more pronounced in hind limbs), tremor, ataxia, vomiting, depression, pyrexia, abdominal tenderness, lameness, stiffness and recumbency. Ingestion of doses as low as 2.2 g/kg have reportedly caused clinical effects. In an experimental study doses of 20 g/kg given to dogs caused clinical signs to develop within 2-3 hours. These dogs deteriorated over the following 12 hours but then recovered over the next 24-48 hours. It was noted they developed mild elevations in serum triglycerides and alkaline phosphatase (Hansen et al., 2000). Management is generally supportive, with decontamination appropriate for recent ingestions. Use of mild laxatives may assist the passage of ingesta through the gastrointestinal tract. Care should be taken to ensure the animals remain hydrated.'

If that is all it is just lodge a complaint with his bosses.

I take it you haven't had specialist surgery done on any of yours recently, that amount is not unusual these days. Although if I was paying someone else's bill I would have asked for a second opinion and quote.

But the system should have sufficient checks and balances that personal animosity cannot drive outcomes to that extent. If a single inpsector can seize dogs out of dislike for someone the system is broken.

If you like Dobermanns and are comfortable with them they would be a good choice for you. Perhaps talk to your friend's breeder snd let her know what you are after and they could be a good source of advice. I think a barking Dobe would deter most people.

I have reached the stage were I only seek dogs of a particular breed, and even particular lines within that breed, and may well breed my next dog myself. If I couldn't find what I have come to love in this country I would import. I have not been the same with cats, they have all come from shelters, but I might go for a purebred cat if I get another, not sure yet.

I have Borzoi. It makes sense to me that that at least as youngsters they tend to leaness, a fat sighthound would not be much use on a hunt. I figured it was just selection. But whether their diets back then now affect how current dogs respond to environmental factors would be interesting to know. (I used to also have Belgian Shepherds, I swear they could put on weight by looking at food, definitely a curse)

I agree, all I was getting at, is that there is evidence that our immediate ancestors diet does have an affect on our genes. This could also explain why some dogs do very well on a cheaper grain-filled supermarket Brands, and maybe even why some have a more delicate constitution. I just think its worth considering, and I would love to see some good research on it. As all the research I see only focuses on the impact of diet on that particular dog :) I wasn't particularly replying to you Raineth, just to the OP. But I agree with you that nutrition is likely to have generational effects. From what I can figure out many of the ancestors of my breed were fed boiled grain, wheat, with chunks of boiled meat. For how many generations it was that way I can't tell. I have never seen a chronic skin issue and I am up to number 7 of my own. Fussy dogs but strong digestion, not inclined to digestive issues but often skinny youngsters. My bunch anyway, wouldn't dare speak for all.

If there is no one around I like to weigh myself at the vet, that way the vet nurse can break it to me and I don't have to face the disappointment alone :laugh: I have always been worried I would break the scales, but I have been tempted!

I think undernutrition is generally much less of a problem than overnutrition. I am not including genuine starvation of course, but I have known many dogs to live long happy lives on very ordinary diets.

If the surgery is busy I put mine in the car and come back to pay, they are friendly enough but they won't hold a sit stay while someone's long lead, or sometimes no lead, dog wanders right up to them and I can't manage that interaction with one hand while doing an eftpos with the other. And if I ask people to call their dogs back I can guarantee I will get the whole 'poor snookums that nasty lady doesn't want you to be friendsee whensy'. I hadn't really thought about the seat thing, my dogs are too big to sit on the little plastic seats and wouldn't try unless I asked them to, and if it is the cat I put her crate up there to get her out of reach of the same wandering dogs. If the dogs are under control she stays on the floor, but if not she needs the security of being higher. If a practice manager didn't like that they could control the dogs and then I am happy she stays down.

It could be perivulval dermatitis, which may require ABs to resolve but isn't an emergency. I would keep the area dry and clean and see if it resolves, if not then vet.

:)