Papillon Kisses

You need vet advice re bones not internet advice. Depends on their teeth/jaw. My dog has 14 teeth left inc only 1 canine. He eats just fine including crunchy food. Cannot have bones though as per his veterinary dentist’s instructions (and other reasons I won’t go into).

I can highly recommend Dr Christine! https://sydneypetdentistry.com.au/ She had brilliant bedside manner and low stress handling of my chihuahua x who has an anxiety disorder. She waited until he felt comfortable before examining him and worked with me to keep him feeling safe. She could tell from his body language that one particular part of his mouth was very sore, so she didn’t go near it when checking his mouth in the consult. No point traumatizing the little guy when you can only have a proper look at it under anaesthesia anyway. My chihuahua also sees a veterinary behaviourist and they worked together to make sure he had the best pre, during, and after surgery pain & anxiety med protocol. It was all about making it as low stress for him as possible and giving him back a pain-free mouth. If he needs another dental we will go to wherever she is! BTW he has few teeth and only one canine left. No problems eating. And some of his best sparkling white teeth needed removal (I brush daily) when some gunky ones just needed a good clean. If they hadn’t been removed his jaw would have eventually broken as disease had eaten a hole in it, only seen on xrays.

It might also be worthwhile measuring how much water he drinks in a 24 hour period, so your vet can confirm whether it is an appropriate amount for him. Measure it each day until you can see your vet. My dog has a medical condition that when untreated causes him to drink and pee more.

Look into vaccicheck. It’s much cheaper than the ones that have to be sent off to labs. You might need to go to another vet for it.

Literal dog people.

The Baskerville Ultra. You can pretty it up if you want. You can also teach your dog to drop items for high value treats, which you can take along with you on walks. Then if he nabs something you can swap it for something safe.

We trialed it with Malcolm but it proved unsuitable (no improvement with anxiety, it just seemed to take the wind out of his sails physically). There are many other options if it’s not the right medication for him. See what your vet says... might be a dose issue? Have you tested whether he’s better taking it on an empty tummy or with a meal? When Malcolm first started taking Fluoxetine he’d vomit unless he had it with a meal.

I think you should see another vet. Also, that’s not a balanced diet.

Except she hasn’t by a long shot? She’s only seen a GP vet and tried one particular medication. It’s possible that it wasn’t even a proper med trial, given that most GP vets have no training in behaviour. There are many different medications that can be prescribed for anxiety disorders, including quick-acting ones that can provide rapid relief, while a long-acting one builds up in her system. Amy, imagine being in state of constant distress due to an untreated medical problem and having someone gag, shock or spray noxious substances at you rather than relieving your suffering. It’s not a solution. You need to see a Behaviour Vet, explain the urgency, and try different meds. They will also review the behaviour modification plan. I understand your fear and frustration. I too have a dog with anxiety (generalised anxiety disorder, noise phobias, and OCD). We have tried six or seven different medications, many combos and doses thereof, seen both a regular vet behaviourist and a registered specialist... and there are still many more treatment options we could try if needed. It’s not a case of Lovan or bust! Note that having to try as many as we have is uncommon, this is just to give perspective. You appear to be in QLD? If I were in QLD, I would see Dr Nela Graham (Calm Companions) who travels to Brisbane periodically and also does Skype consults.

You need to see a Behaviour Vet.

You might have better luck asking in an Facebook group for positive / force free dog trainers.

Happy for you both.

Hi Rose! Please consult a veterinary behaviourist as others have said. Here’s a list of them – scroll down to see others in NSW who have further qualifications but aren’t registered specialists if cost is an issue. Some travel or do Skype consults. I disagree that things are set in stone. My chi mix was finally diagnosed with anxiety disorders at age 10 and has made remarkable progress with anti-anxiety medication and continued behaviour modification (all positive). He’s now 13 and much happier than he was at 10! Environment plays a part too, his is altered to reduce his day-to-day stress. Just like you’re doing with keeping your little one at home. Definitely a thorough vet exam including bloodwork. Many behaviour vet websites have information for referring vets that you could pass on. Anything that may be physically wrong will have an impact on her behaviour, for example if she is in pain. If exams are difficult because of her fear, a vet behaviourist can prescribe anxiety medications or a sedation protocol to assist. Until you can get help from a vet behaviourist, can you keep her world smaller? It’s a lot to ask of the kids I know, but limiting guests, keeping things calm, quiet, and relaxed at home – as much as is possible with a 5 and 10 y/o! – will help in the interim. Here’s an article about cortisol vacations from a trainer who also has an anxious dog. Best wishes. It may be that you need to make some tough decisions, but I think you owe it to yourselves and your dog to get professional advice from a vet who has further qualifications in behaviour medicine. Definitely DO NOT do the board and train thing.

When I was looking at them I was considering transpet... or it might have been the transcat? Tiny dog and all. We decided not to get a doggy door in the end.

You could consider going to a specialist hospital. They have the extra equipment and training for special patients, including specialist anaesthesists if required. Our papillon with a serious heart condition had life-saving dental surgery at 15 or 16... it’s about selecting the right level of care for the patient. The specialist hospital we go to says they’d rather operate on a healthy senior than an unwell young adult! I like the dental idea.

I’ve sent you a PM.

We are cheering him on!

Consult a rehab vet!

Got in before me! This is the group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/356060287872241?ref=share And this blog might help you too: https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2013/08/cutting-your-dogs-nails-how-important-is-it-really/

If you’re up for a drive then I’d go to Polite Paws in Earlwood or East Kurrajong. I really like Lisa’s puppy school curriculum and she’s up to date with the latest science-based based methods. Incidentally, she also has German Shepherds! Otherwise contact PPGA or look here (you can change search criteria). Here’s a good article about how to choose a dog trainer: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2016/12/how-to-choose-dog-trainer.html?m=1

http://info.drsophiayin.com/crate-training-handout

When comparing prices make sure you’re comparing like with like. For example does the quote include pre-operative bloods, fluid therapy, dental X-rays, take home pain relief, antibiotics, and so on. I don’t know what you mean by ‘back tooth’ but if it’s one of the cheek ones they can be harder to remove than say a little incisor, so there’s more time under anaesthesia, which costs money.

Do you think Bunter might be in pain?

Where in Sydney are you?

Well done Gabby!! And yay for Papillons!!!