fifi

I wasn't the steward, but was standing next to him as group was being called, when an exhibitor also standing next to us loudly proclaims to the steward (and presumably for the judge to overhear) "HE ONLY NEEDS TO TAKE THE GROUP FOR HIS GRAND" fifi

Not sure if they were the same thing but I was talking to a lady with wolfhounds who's dog had something similar (I think it was the same condition) on the elbows and she said it was best not to drain- too much risk to the joint capsule.... I am sure other big dog owners would be a better expert than me on this though. Don't waste your money draining them. Apply something like " Domoso" roll on anti-inflamatery, you can order it online through 'the vet shed' it's under Greyhound products. Make sure he always has a soft place to lie, encourage him to use it. Most hygroma's will go away of their own accord. I too have heard don't get them drained for damaging the joint capsule, will only grow straight back then as well as potential other probs. My guys have had hygroma's and all of healed on their own with just what I have done above. I have also found that after a course of anti-inflam's like Metacam or Rymadol ( for another issue) the hygroma healed shortly after. Definitely looks to have some ridgie in there, my guess would be Bull Arab/ridgie cross. Absolutley agree with all that tasnchief has said... the only bursa/hygroma's that should be surgically attended to are one's that are causing mobility / movement problems, and then they are often the external presentation of other anatomical issues. Lovely dog - and yes, I see ridgie, especially in the first photo :-) fifi eta...we've had a few rescue wolfies come through with hygromas, they are often the kind of dog who just flumps down, whereas most dogs lower themselves. I put the hessian covered sponge mats down on their favorite spots, and within weeks the swelling was noticibly reduced.

:p Oh dog I can relate Centitout !!! two bloody big dogs who decided to finally tie at the very front of the yard......politely waving & nodding to the nice neighbours as they drive past, while we hold the leads of two very obviously 'busy' wolfhounds !! Collecting a friend's dog, when suddenly the kids from the next property up are standing looking over the fence...."whatcha doing"? is very hard to answer with a collection pouch on dog, hands in the obvious places and friend holding very excited dog and trying to sound 'casual' :p fifi efs

:p yes grasshopper...you are a quick learner !! be careful young Jedi, too many stirrs of the pot could bite you on the ass You may find chewie & her clan on your doorstep tomorrow !!! (and I'm sure she'd be a good guest) fifi the crazy with more than two dogs !!!

Great post MM !! It seems that if you want to cater for a niche market that suits your lifestyle & local guidelines - then you are some kind of offender !!! I think there is a great need for all kinds of pet friendly accomodation - WHATEVER their specific niche !!! fifi

Don't worry spiff, chewie's bite is worse than her bark !!!!! Lotsa shite-stirrirers about these parts !!! now....do you need a rope or shovel ?!! hehehehe... fifi

Love the name change !! did you get piccies of the puppy meeting ? that would be cool :-)) When is the boys' first show ? I'd love a petstock or Fido'sfunhouse here ! fifi

For many people, two dogs is all they have so your accomodation would be great ! chewey - 90% of accomodation stipulates NO DOGS, so it won't hurt the kid brigade to have one for those of us that consider a holiday perfect without kids about !!! I think fencing is one of the most important things, a hose down area for after beach romps as has been mentioned. funny how most of dog people havn't even asked about the people facilities !!!!!! :-)) fifi

Wow ! are you advertising in the Bogan'ville Daily classifieds ?!!!!! Anyone ringing here after 10pm or before 8am better be ringing to tell me someone has died.........'cause they will be !!! fifi

Probably had a big drink of water just before she came in and spilled it up. fifi

WOW, didn't know about the certificates !! what a nice bonus :-)) this one would be very special. fifi

;) sorry, I strongly disagree with this last statement. I don't think you can do some of the breed specific DNA marker heriditary tests in a cross bred (happy to be corrected here) The pounds are FULL of fluffy X rover's. Oops litters happen ALL the time, why do it deliberatley ? corner shop, vet noticeboards ect. always have these pups available fifi

;) ;) Works for me ;) I think anyone who has ever worked at a vets, kennel, rescue, pound, ect..... will be more than happy to hold them while we snip :D fifi

I'm a purist with my breed, but not elitist when it comes to owning many, many rescues mutts over the years. Apart from the on farm working & hunting lines that are already established in some areas, I see no reason to X-breed just for the heck of it. there will always be oops litters in the pound, and thousands of rescue dogs needing homes. I really can't think of a niche' that an existing breed could not fulfill. fifi

ahaaaa ! you have it nannas, its okay to have spend squillions on death row dogs, (as long as they are bull breed of course ) but not a decent purchase price on a registered purebred that will hopefully have been tested for heriditary diseases in that breed, continued support from an ethical breeder & a health guarantee ? maybe its just late, but your logic is rather contradictory !! fifi

Of course I'm only speaking of ethical breeders here, who knows what happens to puppy farm / pet shop mothers, whose litters are probably gathered up in one bundle & off for sale to who know's where. fifi

Also, have a look at the newer generation nsaids like Previcox, for post orthopedic surgery I'd be going Fentanyl patch & previcox for short term use. here's a link to some pretty good info - US names for the drugs but he does give examples of generic names too. http://www.2ndchance.info/pain.htm Sighthounds can be very sensitive to nsaids as well, I am VERY careful with them & only use if necessary for a short term issue. fifi

No, by that time the pups at many breeders are living their own lives in a puppy run /house ect or having time away from mum. And bitches by then are pretty much 'over' those needle sharp teeth ! & happy to interact on their own terms, and go back to their normal lives. Most breeder's stagger the pups going to new homes so there is not a sudden empty nest. I've been at my breeder's place for puppy pickups, and the mum's havn't even noticed. fifi

Fentanyl patch would be my choice for the first 72 hour acute pain. fifi

Its a great ad, and not many ads appeal to me. I loved the dog, and yeah - the camoflage/computer stuff is amazing !! fifi

You'll find that a large percentage of people here are in favour of desexing pets, its not to insult potential owners, but a culture of minimising unwanted litters ect. fifi

Totally agree with advice you've been given. Not only would you need to separate them, but you would have to build totally SEPERATE runs, its amazing how much flesh (ears, lips, tails, legs, ect...) that can be PULLED THROUGH heavy duty chainlink or mesh. I've been the vet nurse on duty when a staffy breeder brought in two male littermates that had accidentallly been put in adjoining runs - they both had horrific injuries, one so bad it was euthenased. I've lived the 'musical dogs' life, (one in, one out, don't ) its stressful for everyone, and you live with the fear in your gut of a mistake being made. and yes, pets should be desexed, you don't want to add that toey mix of bull breed, testosterone and a male rival to your home. Dogs don't miss their testicles, and are still the same dog - just less driven. fifi

Give your vet a call & describe the symptoms, they'll probably ask you to come in. better safe than sorry. fifi

I'd be leaving puppy at home. parties & bbq's are not a great place for baby puppies, you have people giving them cooked bones, slipping them all kinds of food that might upset little tummies, kids picking them up by a leg, a yard that might not be puppy proof ect...ect.... As a vet nurse, I've seen too many broken puppies that went to a social gathering & had some kind of oops, too many variables that you can't control. I'd wait for a day when you can visit and totally surpervise, and your pups last vaccinations have kicked in. fifi

CONGRATULATIONS SP and Ziva !! they look beautiful, nice variety to choose from. Glad all went smoothly - enjoy some zzzzzzzzzz's !!! fifi