Ptolomy

I am still giving fish oil - 3 tablets a day + EPO - 4 tablets a day - Beans is 16kg. Yeah, my guys are 22.4 & 31.5kg, so they get 5 & 6 salmon oil respectively, I'd then give 1-2 caps of EPO as well, Mandy said to give them the same level, which would make 10g and 12g of polyunsaturated fatty acids for my guys... so I'm rechallenging it and then I'll add it in slowly at the higher level if they tolerate it. That's a fairly high amount of PUFAs, esp. when I can't add Vit E back into the diet, until its rechallenged and ok. At the lower level, it didn't do much more than the salmon oil by itself, so I will be interested to see if feeding it at the higher dose will make a lot of difference. If it doesn't, I'll swap to Borage oil again (its more expensive though), as that is what held Zayda together through her second elimination diet. When did you last see Mandy - just wondering as I saw her 3 weeks ago the day after she got back from the US and I think at the conference she went to that is where they were discussing the results of giving much higher doses of EPO's and the success they were having. I am definitely a fan

I have a 2o and 2o on Ciderbear on the dog walk, see-saw and a-frame and she stays there until released. Woo Hoo not bad for her first session. Hmm we did have trouble doing things on the right though - lets just say its a work in progress ;) She already has more skills than Beans ;)

I would/will trial again in NSW .......hmm just not sure when

If money wasn't an issue - which state would you like to trial in and why, or if you don't want to trial anywhere else - why not. For me its NSW as the sudden death rule got me last time

Um - will need to check the K9 Mag to see whats on - I think Caffy said obedience is on saturday - so yes to that - but whats on on Sunday? I think I am showing at least 1 days this weekend too.

Bedazzled is on her way back from Geraldton where she did very well

I am still giving fish oil - 3 tablets a day + EPO - 4 tablets a day - Beans is 16kg.

We did our first dose on Friday... They come in spot on tubes and the only smell is a mild alcohol one. They go on like a spot on, so I'd suggest doing each tube in a couple of spots to spread it around more... They're quite oily when you put them on, but by the time we woke up the next day, you wouldn't know it had gone on, maybe a very slight feel of it on the coat, but not unpleasant. Dogs didn't mind it, but were a bit annoyed with it running down their backs (we don't use spot-ons, so they're not used to it), but I'll spread it a little more next time and they'll get used to it. No reactions from either, which is also great! That's about all I can say for now... will see how we go over the next few weeks... Let me know how you find it when you get them Mine was posted to me by Murdoch - along with the invoice LOL. I am yet to start it as I have had so much success with the 4 EPO tablets a day. How do I know I these have been successful - because Beans has eaten Beef and 1/3 of a large fruit and nut toblerone without going into meltdown - UNHEARDOF!

Do those grounds hold some fond memories for me ;) . Although I also DQd myself in Masters Jumping there because I didn't realize under the new rules you couldn't cross back over the startline - oops. Just as well she pulled a bar I would have been majorly annoyed if she had run clear. From a baby - I used to let Lara out of the car to chase the seagulls at this oval, that was before I knew about dog trials and trailling. When I realised there was a trial at this oval - I was so excited that it was my home ground, I arrived early, opened the car doors and out jumped Lara and off she took chasing the seagulls - OOPS

What club have you joined? I bet they were watching you in awe ;) . Rockingham - its about a 2 minutes walk from where I am living

I decided to join the local club today as Cider is in need to some distraction training. I did some work outside the clubhouse while the lady swept the verandah, this had Ciderbear in a spin and staying focused was very difficult. Working around an agility tunnel proved easy as did working 30m from the heeling group. Stand stays are improving! Will start her agility training tomorrow night, but will do some obedience training while I am there as well.

Cortisone is not the sort of medication you should stop and start willy nilly - so be careful. With the antihistamines - the first generation ones eg Polarmine, can make the dog drousy. The second generation ones eg Zyrtec - don't. So because I compete with my dogs Mandy made sure the first one we tried was a non drousy one which lucky for us - worked. I get my antihistamine from the chemist - buy them in either packs of 50 or 70 for approx $32. A client that uses our boarding kennels gets them from the US in large quantities. They did give me the information, but I never went down that route.

Glad to hear the anti-histamines have helped and there are no long term side effects to using them. Take it from me - its best to buy them in bulk as it works out much cheaper.

If you can - make an appointment to see Mandy - she calls a spade and spade - just don't have anything to drink the night before your appointment so you can keep up with everything she tells you. Pssst - make sure you tell her you have tried some alternative things and then tell her you know me - that will get her started

Does anybody else train inside at nighttime when they haven't managed to get to the oval in the arvo? If so, what sort of things do you do?

P-L-E-A-S-E this newbie needs all the encouragement she can get! Bad dress rehersal, terrific performance Bad dress rehersal, terrific performance Bad dress rehersal, terrific performance Bad performance, terrific dress rehearsal oops! LOL Onsard Christian soldiers.... I am giving you 30/30 for enthusiasm

Yee Har - will sing and dance for you - this is terrific news. Usually they are not prepared to say the immunotherapy is working for ages. We are on the weaning off stage but as the dermatologist keeps telling me - its an art not a science when you get to this stage - so stuck on 2 weekly injections for the next 6 months Beans has done several 6 week stints on antibiotics for infections - so know how you feel - but would rather AB's than steroids if given the choice. So onto the novice debut in just over a week

Sure does Soggybear - cos she likes to stand out in the rain

No her vet wasn't especially cooperative this time apparently. We were talking about it, do you need a referral? What if MM was to see a vet at Murdoch, would she have a better chance of getting a referral do you think? I rang my vet and said this is what I want and went down a few hours later and picked up the referral - they had only seen Beans once for allergies. In all our woes Beans had never had steroids (thank you Mandy at Murdoch for supporting me with this) - we have Cortivance in the fridge - but it is unopened.

ooops! But what sort of a name is Beans for a girl anyway?! Her real name is Jenna - and her Pedigree name is Jelebean Classic - as a baby she had so many yippee beans that the name Beans stuck I will often run an agility course sometimes calling her Beans and sometimes calling her Jen - I have been asked before by a judge if I had forgotton which dog I was running

Did you get a referral to Dermatology at Murdoch?

Lovely to meet you too Barb and a huge congratulations on all your passes at the Nationals. Winning the Best looking handler award :p was the icing on the cake. Have to say the Tasmanians who came over for the Nationals did a fantastic job considering the distance they had to travel - lots of success's and I understand a good time had by all As founding member and president of the One Bar Freddie Club I officially make you a life member!

Beans ended up at the vet last night ;) I couldn't put my finger on it, but something wasn't right, she was cuddly, she was quiet and as time went on she started squealing if Cider went to pull on her or when she tried to lay down or get up. Couldn't find what the problem was ? gastro from eating the chocolate, less likely a blockage or a pulled muscle somewhere from doing something - little darling wasn't very cooporative for the vet. Can rule out a blockage so she is on boring food and reduced exercise for a few days and will see what happens.

Seekback I use FIND Scent I use FIND Gloves I use FETCH Dumbbell I use FETCH and even with only 2 commands sometimes I still bugger it up Stays for anything (recall, sits or downs) I use WAIT

Seita - We will let you read the book Deb and I have written called 101 ways to fail directed jumping Just wait until you bring a judge into the equation it changes everything The story for most going into UD - your first trial you know your dog can do everything so although you are scared you have put all the work in you need. Things go well for the first couple of exercises - there are a couple of minor hiccups - but you are still on a pass. You get to the signals exercise and your heart starts beating extra fast - only 2 more to get through + stays and you will get your first pass. Signals and they miss a position - hmm not done that before in a trial. Judge tells you to leave the dog - which you do you about turn and you give the signal for the down - the dog hesitates but does go down. You give the sit signal and it is like you have just signaled the Queen Mary to do a U turn, the dog looks at you like it has never seen that signal in its entire life - and there ends your first UD experience...... so close and yet so far.