karly101

Prices all seem very standard and reasonable to me, it can also depend on your area (inner city generally higher priced). I wouldn't be changing vets based on those prices especially if you are happy with the level of care and service you receive. The 'optional' extras for desexing are also standard ways of pricing - working in a clinic we don't like it and try and get people to come in before a desex so we can explain everything as we also think its misleading when others quote $150 for a spey when the cost is really $300-400 to do it with fluids/hospital/buster collar & pain relief especially when we won't do a spey without fluids & pain relief!

I've found this website very useful - http://www.petalert.com.au/faid/fa1.php

That is the bizarre-est diet I've read recently hahaa. So much honey? Almond meal? Creamed corn?? Coconut and to top it off Supercoat! 2nd what ReadySetGo suggests - pick a premium dry food and add good raw meaty bones, the occasional oily fish, egg, yoghurt, leftovers veg/pasta/meat.

Perhaps you should look into Sentinel... does heartworm, intestinal worms and stops the fleas from breeding. One chew every month - very easy to remember.

Try emailing AQIS with the foods ingredient list - most likely you will need an import approval. If you send without it will just get seized by Customs.

The Hills U/d would probably be a better choice- http://www.hillsvet.com/pdf/en-us/FINAL_LUTD_Flyer_-_Urinary_Canine_P9670_(5-11-09).pdf I know Hills is rubbished a lot but the prescription diets are good - in the clinic have seen very good results with all the dogs that we have put on u/d in that they haven't been back for stones! We do have a few clients feeding l/d as well which does seem to help support the liver - Hills do have vets available to discuss cases if you are open to considering it. Your dog has been on medication as well? I would be worried the vegetarian diets may not be able to keep the urine pH level right... but there are also homemade diets listed in the veterinarian nutrition textbooks.

I currently have a limited slip collar for my pup - I wish I'd had one with my GSD... http://www.windchill.com.au/collars.htm No buckle, no weak point.. they are also very adjustable size wise! For him I had a Rogz Collar then a Black Dog one, both okay collars.

Wagon - dog in the back wearing a car harness which is connected to the child restraint point, reason I still use a car harness is so that if you are in an accident and the glass/tailgate is compromised at least he won't be thrown from the vehicle. I can also travel with him in the back seat strapped in if needed.

We recommend desexing at 12-16 weeks (kittens at the younger age), we have a vet who is very experianced with desexing at this age (coming from a shelter background). We have a high number of 'oops' litters from animals in their first season and generally these owners don't want to spend the money to vaccinate/worm the pups - we discourage this by offering a cheaper price to desex their pet at a young age. We have some people who prefer to wait (some from advice of breeder) and that is fine too they have all the options explained to them and will also have our support if they decide to breed too so that they are at least producing healthy puppies.

Our first dog came from our next door neighbour (he was from what would be called back yard breeder) so she always kept in touch to see how he was going and let us know how his litter mates were doing too, he lived to be the oldest out of the litter. Bought my first dog from a registered breeder and have to say she's been fantastic had some initial problems and she was on the phone trying to help, consulting her vet, loves photo updates (and shares all the litter on facebook) and we also go over for visits. I'm very happy that she's given me the privilege of having such a nice pup and that she's not one to end the relationship once cash changed hands.

I haven't personally had experience with one but was speaking to someone with a collie with one at a dog park, they said it was the best thing they did for the dog! No problems getting used to it, asked for it to be put on/off, they imported theirs from the USA as it was much cheaper. The one they had was fully adjustable so you could alter the position of the rear legs allowing them to touch the ground or be lifted away - they had a nice pair of dog socks/boots fitted to the dog as sometimes he would attempt walking/other times he would not be able to and initially he was having issues with them rubbing on the ground. What i liked about it was how adjustable it was - also very light weight.

Alternatively ask for a script and find a clinic that always keeps it in stock. But I would probably have a word with the head vet, most clinics I've been at have a regular ordering system and as long as the supplier has it and the order is placed before 11am, it comes in that day. If they are having supply issues I could understand it but to consistantly not get your pets regular medication is a pain and shouldn't really happen. Perhaps suggest 2 bottles as a viable alternative as to have your order constantly stuffed around isn't very good.

Check out your local $2 shop, I bought a $7 one but it was also ripped to shreds pretty quickly so now he's just getting polar fleece blankets until more trustworthy :D

I missed the seminar.. but thanks for sharing.. I've signed up for Puppy Peaks .. with the money back guarantee it was a no brainer for me too

You mentioned that having another dog would solve problems? What are they in particular? Because getting a 2nd dog would most likely mean double the problems! You sound like you are going to have your hands full very soon and I'm not sure it would be the right time to get another dog which will require a lot of time (even adult as there is always some retraining involved) and money. Perhaps some money would be better spent getting a dog walker to come round or to provide some enrichment toys? And then once you are settled and in the swing of things you could look into getting a rescue?

Another vote for QV wash Have also used Aloveen and the Natural Shampoo by Dermcare which are nice but some dogs can react to them.

It is an immune reaction to the vaccine, very common. It can take up to 4 weeks to disappear in some cases we have noted - if you are concerned though please call your vet.

Have you asked the breeder? Perhaps they may know someone who would love to mind another pap during the day. Otherwise I think a pet sitter would be a good option as then you can request certain hours et but I would be sure to check out some references first.

The advice from the rep is not to split... but plenty of our clients do, I know the Drontal chews you can split, I find it a bit weird that the active ingredient wouldn't be spread around. I would imagine splitting one into quarters may be a bit tricky as well.. we usually recommend a half split.

Have you ever had a toothache? Absolutely kills... please take her to the vet and get it pulled- she'll feel 100% better. Along with the risk above of infection impacting internal organs, the longer it is in it will affect how she is eating and more plaque will build as she won't be using that side to chew.

If after a second opinion I can recommend Dr Charles Kuntz at Southpaws... a few clients we referred he recommended against surgery which I think is a sign of a good surgeon! I wouldn't go through a surgery like that without seeking a specialist advice.

Just keep a bar of soap handy dampen it, drag nail across it - stops it very quick! In the clinic we use Quickstop.

Search the microchip number here - http://www.petaddress.com.au/ And it will tell you which registry its under

Poor boy, I can understand your anxiety, thats barely any food at all! Get some nutrigel/nutripet, and Hills A/D possibly, you may even have to force feed some into him but he needs energy. I think this is beyond grief I would highly suspect there is some medical cause, I would consider seeking an internal medicine specialist. Is he drinking?

This is normally the time for outbreaks.. straight after easter where a lot of dogs are boarded, pick up canine cough and come to local parks to spread it around! We have also had dogs with kennel cough for months so be aware it can last awhile. Some can develop pneumonia but most commonly they do get over it and go back to normal but it is distressing