firedrop

Hi everyone, hope that you can help me :D I am looking into pet insurance and with all the policies out there I am a bit bamboozled in relation to which one would be best. I have 3 German Shepherd Dogs and I am after a policy that basically covers for everything and anything that you have and a company that you do not have dramas with when submitting a claim. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I would like to get this sorted shortly. Thank you in advance FD :)

Thanks cowanbree. I think it may be a good idea to scan her too, just to rule out ulcers or anything like that. Thanks for your reply. FD

Hi everyone, Hoping someone out there can tell me if they have had similiar symptoms. My GSD (under 2 years) had a severe bout of gastro (she had to be hospitalised and placed on IV fluids and antibiotics) about 2 weeks ago and seems to be okay at the vet clinic and when she has come home she seems to throw up. I have noticed that if I don't catch her in time she seems to lick it up so I am unsure whether she may have been throwing up all the time she was at the clinic and she quickly may have licked it up before anyone saw it). Of late she seems to be only throwing up white bile (not stiff or anything) just foamy I surpose you would call with like bubbles in it. Hard to describe LOL. But she is toileting fine and stools look good and generally is ok. Starting to wonder whether she may have a stomach ulcer as she hasn't been scoped yet to rule this out. But barium meals and xrays have been done and nothing out of the ordinary has been found. It is highly stressful not knowing exactly what is causing this and I am very lucky to have a great vet who is working hard to solve whatever is the cause. Just hoping maybe someone has had similiar symptoms and can perhaps help. She is currently being feed once a night and this may be changed after speaking to the vet this morning. Also she is about to come on heat and if memory serves me right I think she was also a bit spewey with all the hormones. When she comes home she has been crated on bottled water and is on a grain free diet and is toileted on leash to make sure she is not accessing anything that may be making her ill. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Firedrop :)

Hi, was wondering does anyone have the breed breakdown for the Kelso long weekend shows? Thanks FD :)

Hey everyone , So very,very happy today :D. My neutered boy Bruce got his very first points towards his neuter championship title today. They are extra special as they are my very first points I have been awarded. FD :D

Hi everyone , Just wondering does anyone know some good suppliers of show number holders, I am looking for the metal badge type (circular usually in shape) which usually has the dog breed on them. Looking for a german shepherd one. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance FD :D

You can park on the main road and side streets coming off same. I was parked in the car parking area and yes it is very boggy. Not sure if I am going to park in there tomorrow. FD

I would definetly bring gumboots for walking around in

I recommend Linda Vogelnest at Sydney Uni - we see her at the Camden clinic. My GSD has seen Linda for many years now as he has an allergy skin based problem. She is fantastic!!!!

I give my GSD cold pressed sunflower oil. The quantities were prescribed though by my dog's dermatologist. It brought his coat along very nicely. I agree with the other posts. Check with your vet or other specialist to ensure that it is right for your dog and how much to give. FD

Kavik seeing as you are in Sydney, I could give you the details of the dermatologist I go to. See have been absolutely amazing with Odin's allergies. If it wasn't for her I dread to think what Odin would be like. We are also allergic to quite a few things we went for intradermal testing (they test for over 70 different allergins) and found out Odin was allergic to a variety of things and decided to go along the de-sensitiving vaccine which has worked wonders. Please PM me to get the dermatologists details - she is happy to consult over the phone, in person and via email after the initial consult. FD

Or maybe it was me:) If you look back at my previous posts you will read all about Trinta's allergies and how well she is doing on the injections. As others have said, not all dogs will respond so well but its certainly worth the try if it gives your dog even 50% relief. I believe you need to foolow the course exactly for the best results. Which blood test did you have done as the one we did (SPOT) gives you food allergies also. LOL I think we definetly need a thread on allergies now K9katz glad to hear that you have had success with the injections as well Just gave my boy his injection and while normally he doesn't even make a sound tonight he was not at all pleased . How allergic was your GSD? FD

I am probably the lady sas is talking about I have a very allergic GSD which took a long time to get diagnosed. It is a very stressful situation for both you and your dog when you are dealing with allergies and trying to find out what is wrong. I did not have the allergy blood test I had the Intradermal Testing through a specialist who deals specifically in dog dermatology. I agree with sas that it is definetly a case of trial and error and what might work for someone else might not work necessarily on your dog. I am on desensitizing vaccines (it is actually needle night tonight for my GSD) I was warned before I started the vaccines that they don't work all the time and some dogs have more success than others. I was lucky and it has worked quite well and my GSD has fur again! Trust me if you saw his pics before the vaccines started you would be amazed of the difference Crysti_Lei have you gone to see a vet that deals specifically with dog dermatology? If not, might be a good idea to ask your vet to refer one to you. I credit all of Odin's progress to my lovely dermatologist, she has been absolutely wonderful and is happy to consult over the phone or email when I have any flare ups. I also did an elimination diet with Odin but we had to use a specific veterinary brand kibble as I had the same problem that you had as a GSD is a large breed dog the dermatologist wanted to make sure we did not affect the growing process in any way. But even with the de-sentizing vaccines you will still get symptoms - Odin will always have red pads and he gets ear infections still quite frequently (every 2 months or so). I think it is all about maintainance - knowing what sets your dogs allergies off, and treating them symptomatically. I have an awesome first aid kit now Any questions I can help you with Crysti_Lei I am happy to answer if I can. sas Glad to hear that both you and Dante have had success and have weaned him off Cortisone. Maybe we need to start a thread entitled dealing with allergies. FD

Hi all, my GSD Bruce just started tracking last month, both him and I enjoyed it immensely Went down to a custom saddlery to get him measured up for his tracking harness. I can't wait until our next tracking day next month . I absolutely love tracking, so much fun!!!!! FD

Hi FHRP :nahnah: Just need the marker, not worried about flag - I'll just use a piece of material. FD

Was wondering if anyone can tell me where I can easily find start flags they use at the start of a tracking course. Any help would be greatly appreciated. FD

I fed both my GSD's on RC GSD and I love it :D I have many different brands from Supercoat to Eukanuba but like RC GSD the best. I agree with others to check with the breeder to see what they are feeding and if you want to try something else gradually change to avoid any upset tummies. All the best FD

Allergies are definetly a pain :D . I also would wish them upon nobody. My GSD has allergies and it took a long time to get this diagnosis . We went from Puppy Pimples to Mange until finally I went to visit a dermatologist who did the allergy test and confirmed my suspicions. My GSD is on de-sensitizing vaccines which I inject every 3 weeks and also has a anti-histamine every morning. I find as someone else said that there is no real cure for allergies it is all about management and being very vigiliant - checking your dog every day and monitoring them and acting immediately to any sign of break outs. I also have spent alot of time and money on my GSD with his allergies but if you perserve you can normally find something that works for your dog. I am ever so thankful that I came across a wonderful dermatologist that is only a phone call away. FD

Hopefully it is not an allergy - my younger shep has quite a few allergies and pretty constantly is red between the toes but alas he is allergic to quite a few types of grasses. Summer brings out lots of irritables for dogs as there are alot of pollens in the air. Should all settle down when the colder weather comes in. FD

Good afternoon all , Does anyone know of any good dog swimming pools in Sydney?? Prefer Western Sydney but would love to know of any. Only know of one out at Londonderry. Firedrop

Just walked down my hallway and spied my little GSD having a chomp on what I thought was his bone, but on closer inspection it turned out to be a tea candle! Of course I thought the worst after reading an article a couple of hours earlier on first aid. I think my heart must of started pumping adrenalin straight through my body right there and then as I was straight onto my vet (which can be difficult on a public holiday) - thank goodness for after hours numbers. He should be fine, should pass through. On vet's advice GSD was given a bowl / saucer of milk. I think I need to be put to bed given a bowl of milk and be monitored like my GSD now and I thought it was being a boring day! Anyone else had a similar experience? From a recovering Bruodin.

I recommend Royal Canin as well I have used Eukanuba both High Performance and Veterinary Diet. I changed over to Royal Canin GSD formula and I have not looked back. My GSD with allergies (almost a year old) has really gone well on it and his coat and skin have never looked better . My older GSD (4 years - later this month) is going great as well and has the softest, fullest coat. Good luck with your new family member - food is a tricky issue you try all different varieties until you find the one that best suits your dog. All the best. Bruodin :panting:

Hi everyone, Gave Odin his first vaccination by myself on Saturday (my vet did the first one) after a little yelp all went well . Bit worried when I have to do the 100 unit injections . Skin on both his sides are growing back nicely and like Stormie I am also using Alpha Keri Oil to keep his skin from drying out - I use it especially after washing him. Use alot of Vitamin E cream as well along with his antibiotics, antihistamines, and cortisone cream. Hopefully we get to Obedience tomorrow night - at least his hair is starting to grow back was a bit worried that people might think he had mange or some disease. So..... at the moment things are going nicely - have changed his food from Euk to Royal Canine (GSD Formula) and hair is growing *yay* and we haven't had to go to a vet for (apart from learning how to inject) about 2 months (that has got to be a first!). Sometimes I think when you have a dog with allergies you end up turning into your own vet. I don't know about anyone else but Odin now has his own medical box which would rival any first aid kit. Stormie - sorry to hear about how bad Orbit gets. I know how distressing it can be especially if he is crying at the same time as scratching. Like Shoelace I have also used socks especially when he was doing more damage to himself - making sure circulation was still getting to the feet but disarming vicious claws. Shoelace - Was your dog's wheat allergy severe?? Odin's is very weak (#1 I think). Bruodin

Peigirl, I thought my little man was bad, when I looked at his allergy sheet as I had some 2+'s and 3's but yours I had to look twice at. I can only imagine what you have been through with your dog ! How does your dog's skin look now My GSD has alot of hair missing from his back legs and around his ribs. Bruodin