poodlemum

So sorry to hear this, Chewy - Poodley hugs from Me, Harrison & Dylan

I think paper in a whelping box is part of the trouble that starts swimmer puppies off. No grip, they just slip and slide everywhere. Giant breeds most breeders use, carpet or something heavy with plenty of grip. I had a swimmer in a litter just over a year ago - I've been breeding Standard Poodles for 16 years, always used paper for bedding, at least in the 1st week or so, and this was the 1st swimmer I ever had. I gave him physio on his legs & chest every few hours for about a week, and he came right. As a side-effect, with all the attention he got, he turned into a particularly cuddly, loving boy. I nicknamed him "Thorpy" (because he was a swimmer) but he's now living in Tasmania, very much-loved, and named Sirius!

Yoko was my beautiful Bluepoint Siamese cat. I had her PTS last night as she was developing kidney trouble and, for a 16 year old cat, the outlook is very bleak. Yoko was always the best of friend with Niki, never quite cottoned on to any of the other dogs. Run free at the Bridge with Niki, Yoky-Poky

Hi all - have asked this in the Poodle thread, of course, but no luck so far. I am moving in with my OH shortly and he lives in Menzies Creek, near Emerald. Anyone know a good groomer in that general area (must love Standard Poodles :cool: )?

All I can say is, it WILL get a little easier with time, but the memories will never fade. I still miss my Niki-Bear every day! Big hugs to you Lea, just be glad you had such a special Heart Dog.

That's right Shell - I think Thorpy wasn't too bad a case, & I caught it in time. I have been breeding Standard Poodles for 16 years, and this was the first swimmer I ever had. Of course, the extra time & attention has caused a special bond between us and I will be very sad to see him go - I do have someone living nearby who is looking for a puppy, so maybe I will be able to keep in touch with him.

I would love to keep him, but with 2 of my own and almost permanent care of ex's 2, haven't got the room - he's a real sweetie though!

Hi all - you may remember my post about my "swimmer" puppy. Well Thporpy is now 8 weeks old & walking perfectly. I spen a lot of time massaging & manipulating his fron legs. When I had the pups vaccinated at 6 weeks I asked my vet if he could pick the swimmer - he couldn't. A couple of pictures - he's a bit of a blob in one, but at least you can see that he's running!

Thorpie with "Auntie" Sascha Thorpie & Mum playing (not mum's best angle )

Little "Thorpie" is walking quite normally now - he a little character

How is little one doing? Getting better & better - this afternoon he climbed out of the whelping box & was walking around - on slippery tiles! He's a great little boy & I've become quite fond of him, what with having to give him the extra attention.

Good news. Are they minis or standards? Standards

Puppy is starting to walk!!! I've been doing some "physio" on him - helping to move his legs and he's taken a few tentative steps this morning!

Harminee - that is just beautiful, and so true.

My beautiful Nikita (Niki Bear) passed away on the 26th of October, 2006, he was born 21st May 1995. I miis him every day - he was my heart dog

But what makes me think it is not an hereditary problem is the fact that 10 other puppies are all fine! I'm going to try some of the physical therapy exercise suggested in some the the internet articles. The puppy's chest is quite normally developed - not flat at all.

HI - one of the pups in my litter of 11 is a "swimmer". Has anyone else had one of these? If so, how did you treat it, did the pup eventually develop normally?

Brolene eye ointment or drops (available from Chemist & not too expensive) is effective for MILD conjuctivitis

I give my puppies chicken necks as soon as they have teeth (4-5 weeks)- usually takes them a little while to get the hang of eating them, but Mum's always there to clean up any leftovers

George Schofield in Mickleham - a long way to travel, I know, but he is well worth it

PW - there is NO WAY I would give a puppy Eukanuba - I think it is a really crap food that Vets promote because they make so much money out of it. I would give her Royal Canin or even Purina One Puppy - Eukanuba promotes too-rapid for a puppy!

Are you sure it's no longer available? - I got a 15kg bag of RC Sensible just over a week ago (BTW - my dogs all had an EXTREMELY bad reaction to it)

I have used it on my dogs in the past and found it good. However, you should have seen a marked improvement in the eye - if it's looking worse then I would be back to the vet. BTW - Chloropt is also good for healing cold sores (although I never got around to asking the person who told me this how SHE found out)

Salt water is an old wives's cure for skin conditions - it really does work. I used to have a GSP with very sensitive skin & used to take him for a swim in the ocean - worked like magic!

They had Royal Canin before - not Sensible, but Maxi, so I don't see why it should have caused such an horrendous reaction!