fifi

So her last season was back in November 09 ? that would make her due now to May anyway wouldn't it ? fifi

only one problem DC, the giant breeds are often still wobbly blobs at two weeks !!! they can usually get up and waddle across a whelping box, but not quite up to the multitasking of standing and not drowning while drinking yet !!! fifi

Hannah, under theses circumstances, you can start them now on pink slushies, very fine human grade lean beef mince with warmed milk in it. I've recently sat a litter where we needed to semi wean quickly, and one of the newer vets had the same arguments. But most vets are NOT experienced breeders, unless they have a special interest, they only know what they are taught or observe in pets. Get a dessert bowl, a small handful of the mince, put a cup of milk (goats milk will heat better than divetelact) and put in the microwave for one minute. Pour 3/4 of the milk into the mince and mix with your hand. Take this to the whelp box along with the left over hot milk. One pup at a time, cradle in your arm or across your lap if easier, and put the bowl under the chin & support the head so their face doesn't fall in & aspirate. I use my (third ! sometimes you wish you had a third one !!) hand to bring some of the slush by finger to the pup's mouth. some take really quickly. Its a long and messy process, and you need to keep topping up the milk to keep it warm. but after two days you will be able to support a wobbly little body & head to slurp from a tray. PM me if you need to chat. fifi edited to make sense !

OMG Erin ! I was there at the sighthound show & watching the baby beagles and didn't know it was you !!!!!! super duper well done !!!! and congrats to Jane & Hilary as well !!! fifi

We camped at Castle hill showgrounds for the specialties, contact the council as they manage the grounds. There were quite a few caravans there over this weekend on powered sites. fifi

Maria, I"m so sad to read of your tragic loss. It's such a shock when you think they are just unwell, to find you have to make that heartbreaking decision so soon. What a beautiful boy. my heart aches for you and your family. all my love fifi, danny & hounds xxxxx

OH NO, so sad for you Dotty, little Gherks, too young to lose. fifi xxxxx

I've also found an ET tube about a size 2-3 for is very effective with a semen safe syringe. I've found some pipette's to soft and curl as you try & rise them over the pelvic rim. use the fingers as a guide too. Also used the cattle pippetes for very large dogs, but they are very firm and could cause damage if you are not experienced. fifi

If you aren't experienced then get a vet to do it. It's a handy skill to learn from a good breeder. fifi

hehehe, yep - sorry SSM, it's the bog 'Oirish genes !!! fifi

Bring on the weather, I love showing in the rain, just give me cold and wet & no heat / humidity please !! fifi

I have to agree there with you Newfsie, my mum had Great Danes in the 60's & 70's, luckily she had no bloat or GDV, in fact in the 60's she hadn't heard of it. Wasn't until the late 70's that we began to become aware of bloat. fifi

Lilli, no - it wasn't just lack of 'padding', they were getting too thin, and losing muscle tone. We just don't have a reliable enough supply / volume in our tiny town for the sole feeding of raw. I always freeze & stock up when a local farmer kills some steers or sheep, and they know where to bring all the bits !!!! fifi

Regarding the commercial food component; one of the dogs who bloated was on a raw / prey model diet. The issue I have with just a raw food diet, I cannot keep enough condition on my dogs without adding some quality kibble. It's also a supply issue, only periodically is there a high enough volume of supply to feed totally raw, so I end up using kibble as a filler for one of their meals to maintain consisitency. fifi

Labsrule, we fed no bones to the dogs of ours who had suffered bloat or GDV, and they were put on small & frequent meals for some time. futuredogtrainer, you are very right, it's one thing to type the event notes, it's another to remember the shock, and tragic losses :-((( I had tears in my eye's just trying to keep my post clinical. fifi

I think you also need to include weather the dog also suffered GDV and if it had surgery or bloated and what was done to relieve the bloat. fifi

Yep, op shop and ebay for all but one of my outfits, and the brand new one was only $15 reduced on a clearance rack ! fifi

sounds like anal glands, and they usually become blocked if there is not enough to naturally express them via poo passing that is 'textured', in other words, is your dog getting enough roughage in the form of raw bones ect ? Some dogs just have anal gland that are troublesome though, best get the vet or nurse to express them and then see how she goes. fifi edited to fix gender !

:rolleyes: I 2nd that.....it's like having the logies with no after party goss or photos !!! come on you attendees, spill the beans ! fifi

Nothing helpful to add, just my support and best wishes. What a horrid position to be in :-( I hope a solution is reached soon for you all. fifi

Way to go Hef :-)) So glad he's happy and making his mark in the ring too. fifi

hehehe ! I just nod blankly like Homer Simpson while my mind is repeating....yes...computer.....!! I'm sure Danny's mind is doing something similar whenever I begin my dogbabble, I know his eye's glaze !!! fifi

Thank you for the results Sway, and to our reporter on the scene !!! fifi

Huge Congrats to all winners & nominees :-)) Now, I want all the goss from the night and incriminating photos !!! fifi

Way to go Steph !!! :-))) fifi