karly101

Every clinic has different overheads to pay... it's never the exact same surgery, every clinic is also different and there is a HUGE range in service provided. There are clinics with NO equipment monitoring for your pet whilst it undergoes anaesthetic, no surgery nurse monitoring the anaesthetic, no warming during or afterwards, likewise you can also have a very skilled experienced vets versus others which take on a lot of undergraduates (and not saying these places are bad as I've worked with some great newly graduated vets but I've also worked with some terrible ones!). Sure there are bad vet clinics which do overcharge, but coming from a clinic that has high standards it all costs. The dispensing fee covers not just the label, but the packaging (pill bottles etc), the ordering, the unpacking and the packing of the order, the vets time and experience etc. Clinics do have to make money otherwise they won't be sustainable. If you want a cheap vet there are plenty around and they generally work on volume but cannot provide the same standard of care at a cut price.

It's nothing to do with being lazy (perhaps in the burr sitation)... but for x rays it's for staff safety (reduces x ray exposure which in busy clinics can be quite high) and for many dogs to get very good xrays of most of the joints mentioned in an unsedated and often stressed dog it is very difficult to get good x-rays. A quick sedation makes the process less stressful for the animal and actually makes the procedure much quicker. Again it depends on what you are looking at but for all those joints mentioned it is better to have a sedated animal to get a good x ray. To the original poster I would ask to speak to the practice manager and discuss your concerns... I'm really surprised you weren't shown all the xrays as even if its all okay its normal practice for my clinic to show x-rays taken at discharge. Perhaps that should be implemented at the clinic to prevent this from happening again? And perhaps together you can work out something reasonable to get the hock x-rays done. And as for the mention of overcharging.. vets have a business to run. For IV fluids.. its not just the cost of IV fluid bag but it's also the IV pump, IV giving set, extension set, IV catheter, clippers, tape, vet wrap, swabs, alcohol, chlorhex, wages of vet and nurse! All this has to be covered in the fee you pay and some of this stuff costs a lot more $$ than you'd guess. Yes vets make money off it... they have too it's their job and most vets I know work very long hours and very hard at their job.

Has he had a chest x-ray or Ct scan? I would do that before putting him through such a big operation. If that is clear then I think I would do amputation.. based on your assessment that he's otherwise very well.

Another idea is not to keep adding probiotics etc just yet. You need to identify the issue so don't chop and change things. JUST do hills z/d 100% (no chicken wing nothing else or a proper elimination diet) whilst you are doing the other medications (this is based on the fact that things did improve with metrogyl). I had the similar issues with my boy, he had giardia so did metrogyl plus panacur initially. Things improved. He reinfected himself with giardia (doh), then I decided to add probiotics cause I thought maybe they would help, everything improved but then suddenly diarrhoea again. I ran out of the probiotic and couldn't get some in straight away, interestingly diarrhea resolved! So by adding something new I actually didn't realise they actually cause diarrhea for him. He's now very stable just on z/d and there are a few treats and things I can give him by testing I've worked out they are okay with his tummy. For any dog with ongoing diarrhea they may also benefit from vit b12 injection (ask your vet).

You used to be able to order malacetic wipes - these worked great for lip fold dermatitis. For some reason they are not available anymore, the compounding pharmacy that supplies my vet clinic makes their own version so perhaps ask your vet if they can look into that for you.

I'd suggest start using a crate, place his bed in there, feed him in there, give really good treats in there. Gradually work up to closing the door and increasing time in there. That way probably by next storm season you could do adaptil + small dose valium and he will probably be a lot more comfortable. I find mileage varies with thundershirts (if the dog likes being cuddled that tends to indicate they will do well in a shirt). Adaptil I find good results for most dogs too.

I think that's why the z/d or royal canin hypoallergenic is a little bit easier as now for me too I have offered my dog a wide variety of proteins so a novel one would be tricky... The dermatologist did explain to me that these commercial diets aren't 100% as there is a chance they'll be allergic to some ingredient in the food (of which there are many, which is why I did a pork and potato diet initially)... the majority of allergies are proteins though. For now I'm really happy with the z/d and cost wise it's not so bad either, the pork and potato diet almost sent me broke! Also I added probiotics to my dogs food after a tummy upset initially caused by giardia - thinking they would help the gut, that was an oops as they actually prolonged the diarrhea and again it was only when I stopped and had him JUST on z/d that he got better! So my suggestion is to be careful with any probiotics too and if you are considering adding them in do a small trial run and then stop and see what happens.

I recommend a z/d food trial... my boy had similar issues. Initially I discovered he was allergic to gelatin (in his medication). Then decided to go to z/d - everything stabilised. I introduced one protein at the time and discovered his allergies - pork (severe reaction of vomiting and diarr), and beef (diarr). He can have lamb but only a little bit. Interesting thing is he developed these allergies later in life as at 9 months he had a food allergy trial and his diet was pork and potatoes and he was fine then! I could change him back onto a normal diet I think but he seems to thrive on the z/d so I have kept him on it - it does make it easier to identify if something has upset his tummy.

I recommend getting your collie tested, its a simple blood test and will relieve a lot of anxiety knowing what you can and cannot give. I use advocate and a tape wormer and have used that to help fight off demodex mites as a puppy. My boy is a carrier speaking to the technical vet at Bayer this is safe (it has been tested on affected dogs) but its important to stick to the correct dosage.

My boy had the same issue with regurgitating when he had Canine Cough. He responded quite well to the doxy - he is immune suppressed and tends to get hit hard by these things and due to the response I suspect he had developed a secondary infection. I even did give him some of the cough syrup when he was getting distressed by the coughing at night (his nickname isn't Princess for nothing!). Hope your girl continues to improve quickly :)

It is a common occurrence to have the 2nd ACL fail just because suddenly its been loaded with all the weight from doing the first. If surgery is done before other problems set in that's where we tend to see the best recoveries ...he would still be able to go on walks again just not running around. If he were mine at 10 years and a basic bloods screen that was all normal then I could scrape the money together and do the 2nd leg. I would speak to the surgeon in regards to whether to do it straight away or give the first surgery more healing time.

The ones I've met have developed bladder stones... Certain dogs can thrive on it (ie my dog is sensitive to proteins so is on hills z/d so would probably do okay on a vegetable protein diet) but I think the majority just survive on it.

my boy was on canidae sea for awhile - he put condition on whilst he was on it... did have some gas issues though! The problem I had was the supply was so iffy my from local pet shop. I got sick of the supply issues and put him back onto z/d which he does seem to digest the best as he only needs 2 cups a day versus the 6 cups he used to get to maintain weight!

Just support the puppy with a good diet (don't keep changing things around), the ivermectin will work and the immune system just needs time to fight the mites off. The only time they don't do well is if the puppy has a problem with its immune system. Don't chuck a whole heap more chemicals at it the ivermectin is enough (and this is on advice from dermatology vet). Just be aware... I kept wondering why my puppy was taking longer than usual... I was thinking I was still having a few issues with demodex but turned out my puppy was just developing atopic dermatitis. If your friend is seeing no improvement after a couple of months (and it can take that long) and the vet is getting no mites on scrapings (though this isn't unusual they can be tricky to get) then consider that the pup could have developed other skin problems.

cat nail clippers can work quite well.. otherwise with the blue one I do find the blade does get dull.

I know a handful of dogs that went down the allergy vaccination route and all doing very well. Unfortunately my dog isn't deemed allergic enough to start the vaccs. He's going ok on the medications but they aren't cheap, the allergy vaccines does seem to be more cost effective long term.

No its not steroid based... Its very specific and reduces inflammation and itch itself which is why it works for not just atopy. The good thing about it is that it acts VERY quickly whereas atopica takes ages to build up. My dog did have mild diarhoea which on it which settled down.

Comfortis for cats will be available soon.... I was told next year for apoquel here ...my dog was on the trial ans did well on it...he's also on atopica now and doing well too but I guess it depends on price for the new drug as to whether he'll swap ...

Just remember not a good idea to feed raw eggs with immuno suppressed people around or give to immuno suppressed dogs (especially puppies) due to salmonella risk. Older healthy dogs seem to handle it fine though you can also be super safe and cook the eggs :)

Ask your vet for some 1ml syringes and you can use one of them to get right into the ear and also allows you to accurately dose the product. There is possibility of truama around the ear canal so be gentle with application as that could also cause the shaking. The oilyness is just part of the product and doesn't affect its effectiveness.

With a positive blood test they can make desensitizing vaccines for the allergies...I've met a couple dogs where they were very successful. My dog is clearly allergic but didn't get a strong enough response to make any vaccine. He can't tolerate pred so is instead on atopica. Allergies tend to be a management thing but on atopica he has a good quality of life. Boots weren't a long term option for us and even without contact to the allergen he is still affected by inhaling it. Unfortunately it is expensive (though much less than the initial stages of diagnosis where his skin was out of control and I was at the vets all the time). And it is still possible for new allergies to develop. If I don't treat him he looses half the hair on his legs and is red and extremely ITCHY. He has had bouts of vomiting on and off since starting meds and it just took us this long to key into the fact he is allergic to the gelatin capsule the atopica is in!

I posted on your other thread but also a suggestion to stop the tea tree oil shampoo! As someone with allergies myself its super irritating. You need a very gentle shampoo and make sure to dilute it heavily. I like epi soothe or aloveen but I have also heard of some dogs who are allergic to oatmeal.

It doesn't sound like mites.. sounds like a allergy. Demodex mites are rarely itchy. Also the improvement on cortisone probably wouldn't happen if mites were the cause. But I would keep using advocate monthly. Please see a specalist - think of all the expense you've spent up to now without a diagnosis. In the meantime whenever your dog goes outside put on water proof boots and gently wash the feet when comes inside. If you can you could do a trial of keeping dog on concrete only for walks and toiletting (I couldn't do this, just wasn't possible at my house). During the day you cannot leave an allergic dog outside all day - my dog only goes outside for walks or to toilet, if he's outside for longer than that his skin will flare up. My dog isn't only allergic by contact but also by inhaling the pollen. Diet could also be a cause and that can be ruled out by doing an elimination diet (whilst monitoring the skin) and then challenging it. I used these boots, they are very cheap and reusable but remember they can only stay on for short periods of time as the paws will sweat and create a moist environment perfect for bacteria to develop - http://www.petzympatico.com.au/clothes/boots-socks/pawz-dog-boots-waterproof-reusable-disposable-rubber-boots/ My boy is now on daily atopica and doing very well. He now only sees the vet for check ups compared to the initial skin thing where I was there all the time!

Advantage or advocate have been tested on a very small amount of MDR1 positive dogs with no side effects as long as given correctly dose to weight. Revolution is the same as long as given only in the dose rate advised.... higher doses or more than every month application (ie. for dogs with demodex mites) is not safe for MDR1 dogs. Also make sure your dog has absolutely no chance of licking the application site as oral ingestion is much more toxic.

Julesp can she have deer antlers? My boy has a very sensitive tummy and can't handle bones but goes ok with these and they have done wonders for his teeth.