fifi

very sweet baby. looks like a typical hunting mix - I think I see some bloodhound there too. fifi

Another big fan of straw here! I use bedding straw and each weekend I put the used straw in the compost & refresh. If you have a flea problem it can be difficult to control with straw, but generally I find their coats are clean and fresh smelling. fifi

What a sweet old fella', sounds like you did the bravest and the hardest thing of all, to let them go... hugs from fifi & the wolfies

wounds may grow over, but when you think to look, the wound is still there - buried deep. Your post made me so sad for you and your little Tina, and so freaking angry at the betrayal by your parents. hugs Rom, As someone said, Tina paved the way for the dogs that where to fill your heart. fifi

It was very sad, but happened years ago, Ricey - did you know this little dog ? Is it the anniversary of her passing ? fifi

;) two in one day your heart must be breaking. hugs from our family to yours. fifi xxxx

:nahnah: huge hugs Nehkbet, run free and happy Krueger. fifi

SP, it never gets easier - If they are like your little Rascal, very old and knowing it is 'their time', you can reconcile it in your heart a little, but with the giant breeds - 'old' is never really a very long time to have them. Sometimes when my heart is breaking and the sadness is a physical pain - I vow never to do this again, and then you look at the joy and huge part of your life a giant breed brings, and you go and do it to yourself all over :-) Spike will leave a big peice of your heart hurting for a long time, and then that piece slowly turns to loving memory - one you will always treasure. hugs fifi

A lot of the new grads favour titre testing & some are quietly fans of minimal vacc. and the practices they work for are afraid of losing money on vaccinations. BUT one of the problems is encouraging yearly health checks, if the public think the animal only has to see the vet every three years or so for titre testing, many, many health issues that could have been picked up early - won't be seen until they are beyond treatment. So we need to educate for a new mindset of yearly health checks - not to line the vet pockets, but preventative health care :-)) fifi

Oh SP, I'm so sorry, It rips your heart out. run free at the bridge Spike. our heartfelt hugs - you've been so brave to honour him and let him go when it was time. love fifi, danny & hounds xxxxx

Maybe a full programme of re-training ? sounds like more than rescue remedy will address. one of my girls was traumatised at a show as a pup, and became fearfull & agressive when we tried to show her again. I tried several times with the same results. We kept her out of the ring for a year, then began training with a local trainer. things were still not going well, and I was considering the worst case option :-( I decided to try light sedation, so with my vet's support & the trainer's, I very lightly tranquilised her with ACP & took her to some training sessions. next, we did the same with her as a spectator at a few shows, & trips to town & controlled situations meeting people. End result......she was shown that when in a state of mind (lightly tranquilised) she could experience positive social interaction, being relaxed - she was able to interact & not feel as threatened as previously. We ended up getting her back in the ring - & taking class in show awards ! This girl has what I would describe as an edgy personality anyway, and was traumatised in a situation that other dogs may not have been worried about. I do stress though, this was done with a vet & trainer's full support. fifi

Oh Trish, I'm so sorry to read this, poor Rowdy, goat & chickadees, I wonder what set the whole thing off ? I feel so sad his life ended this way, I hope his carer is okay too. fifi

Yep, always have ilium or apex on hand for itchies, both human or canine ! Have taken AB's (the correct one for the illness) that are supplied for animal use, most of the vets will dose themselves with animal meds. I've stitched up a vet years ago at the vet clinic, after a nasty cut !! same as hospital - cleanse, local anaesthetic & suture ! plus a dose of AB's !! fifi

I'd be asking for x-rays, as you have so far to travel, you don't have the luxury of 'see how this goes and bring him back tomorrow' ! He may have a nerniated disc, a foreign body in the bowel, a gut infection.......anything ! at least radiographs may help eliminate some of these, and being only a teeny dog, it wont take many plates to get the views they need. Is he pooing, weeing & eating normally ? Hoping Mickey is well soon. fifi

I kept checking the thread - and am so sorry that Asher didn't make it. You all fought so hard. run free at the bridge Asher - gone far too soon. fifi

:rolleyes: and you think your quite clever taking us for a ride - I just find you a sad insult to dedicated breeders who have carefully nutured the breed by doing the right thing. you have been given information to do the right thing, but would rather f*ck up the breed rather than better it. fifi

I think its obvious we are all aware of the dog as an omnivore - but if you look at the diet of wild dogs, even if it's small reptiles, insects or carrion, they will seek out a meat source. While I'm fine with being a vego, I think its animal abuse to deny a prey species their basic dietry variety. I really think that if you feel the need to turn an animal into a vego - get a species that ALREADY IS ONE !! fifi

Let her free run in a safe fenced area, but don't take her for long extended road walks just yet, just a toddle around the block & to socialise, its better for her to develop fitness on more forgiving ground like grass. fifi

Just Keep her warm but not hot, & dry, keep fresh water available nearby that she can access. I hope you were able to get an early appointment ? Even the best kennels can have a dog brought in incubating Canine cough, and your dog can also catch it anywhere where there are other dogs. The vaccine does not cover all varieties of the bug. Hoping she has a quick recovery. fifi

Take her into the vet, you would never forgive yourself if it is serious. fifi

Trish, I can't remember the actual levels, but Wolfhounds have a lower than average T4 level, you'll need a TSH & not just a T4 for accuracy (not sure what you've had done) It's one of the first things I check for with weight loss & change in behaviour. with some wolfhounds, in planning a litter, in order for to give them a better chance of concieving, the breeder may choose to supplement with thyroxine, six weeks before season is due, in order to have sufficient levels. Other's opt for a raw beetroot & kelp supplement. fifi edited to add; some breeds do have increased or low levels specific to that breed or line - if its a purebred dog, talk to the breeder who may be aware of the issue.

NO stairs !!! and I would be keeping any zoomies for outside in a well fenced yard. Growing large breeds have growth plates that are still open (the knobbly & bumpy bits on the lower legs) and you could end up with bits broken off in the cartilage of elbows ect (OCD) play it safe for the first year, and you will have much less chance of leg problems later on. fifi edited to add; stopping her may include things like a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs, and keeping some parts of the house off limits, or having a large crate inside - and teaching her that INSIDE is for sleeping and laying quietly.

oh joy, another bundle of byb staffy pups - have you looked in the trading post and pounds lately? more staffy X's & byb staffys than you can poke a stick at. I do hope you seriously look at juvenile desexing before you sell them. Registered staffy breeders - the big difference is specific health tests for the parents. I can forgive 'one of' mistakes, but not byb for $$'s. fifi

I'm a vege, have been for 35 years, but NO way would I impose a species inappropriate diet on a dog - their enzymes/stomach acids ect. are designed for eating prey type food & their contents (in other words - eating vegetarians !!) mine have fresh meat, offal, quality kibble, vegies, chicken frames, bones ect. I've seen the results of vegan dogs, and a very sorry sight they are with dreadful coat, sunken eyes, no body condition ect... tell your friend to buy a rabbit. fifi edited to add stuff I forgot !

Sorry to ask Kaffy. Life can change so quickly with one gate latch, or split second. I'm so saddened at what's happened, and can only imagine the ongoing shock & grief your family must be feeling. fifi