tdierikx

...and a front on shot of Master Derpy for his new fans... T.

You guys think he's cute now... you should have seen him at 3 weeks... OMG! Even with the ringworm, he was competely adorable... He's a smart little bugger though, and has learned that "uhhh!" means to let go of the pants leg he's tugging... and we are working on his tendency to get a bit over-excited and bitey. The foxes are very interested in the small hyper thing when he has a run in the yard... they both start making play noises and wagging their floofy tails and try to get his attention... he hasn't noticed them yet though... lol! He's so good with being alone, as he's been in isolation in my granny flat for a week before being allowed to play with the big dogs - just making sure no more flakes appearing and hair growth started. They've been able to see each other through the screen door, and Harper has taken to sitting vigil by said door, as she's infatuated... *sigh*... she so loves puppies! Prior to coming to me, he was in isolation with some kittens with ringworm at the rescue - all are now clearing up nicely, so he's been given into my care to work on his socialisation skills. We'll have to start collar and lead training soon... that will be fun... errr! He'll be going to puppy kindy too when his spots are regrown with hair properly. Here's another shot of him playing with Harper yesterday... T.

OK - I have a new foster puppy... His name is Rupert and he's some sort of pigging cross... 9 weeks old. He came into care with Sydney Fox Rescue (they don't only do foxes) at the tender age of 3 weeks with a case of ringworm. His story is a sad one, so we won't go into it - let's focus on how well he's doing now, yes? His ringworm is clearing up nicely - hair regrowing well - and he's in dire need of some socialisation with other dogs, so he's come to Chez Dierikx Holiday Camp for a while... Yesterday - experiencing grass for the first time unconfined Today - playing with the crazy Horse Puppy The play session with Harper started off a little shakily, as Ru hasn't actually met another dog since he came into care - but Harper is so good with pups, and adjusted her play style to accommodate him, so all ended on a good note this morning. Both are sleeping like logs right now... lol! T.

Oh - my current foster puppy has ringworm, so has been having 2 medicated baths a week... poor little man! I'm glad that the pet foxes (Tom and Ghost) keep themselves nice and clean... Ghost might behave, but I know Tom would crack a complete mental... and I'd like to keep all my fingers thanks! T.

Harper and Pickles have never had a proper bath... might have gotten wet in the pool at the rescue once or twice when they were puppies is all... Trouble has had baths, but doesn't really need them. None of my dogs has a "doggy" smell, so I leave well enough alone when it comes to baths... *grin* T.

She's plenty social with those she's claimed as her family...and that's all that matters, yes? If she doesn't want to play nice with strangers, then she doesn't have to. Be firm about that with strangers who think they know better... grrr! Your house, your land, your dog... YOUR rules! T.

What a gorgeous jumper Nanna has made for her... lucky little lady! T.

Using rat baits like Racumin don't affect animals up the food chain... but very effective on the targetted species. T.

12 weeks old... when was he last wormed or vaccinated? Either could have given him a bit of an upset tummy for a few days, depending on which wormer/vaccine was given... For the upset tummy, I'd try feeding boiled chicken and rice for a couple of days and see if that settles the tummy down any... then slowly wean back onto his normal diet once the soft poo and vomits stop. It's also possible that the meat you are feeding him could be a little rich for his puppy tummy - try chicken or turkey instead of the red meats. T.

*giggle* T.

You could talk to Ayman Malak at Narwee Vet Clinic 9533 5155... he's very open to owners being involved in the treatment of their pets and discussing alternate options. T.

Pudden looks like he really enjoys life to the fullest... lol! Molly looks like a thinker... and very content with the humans she has chosen to be her very own... T.

I'm scared of Pembrokes... as I've yet to meet one that didn't try to bite me. I don't know why... I get on fine with all other dogs... Cardigans are fine though... Possibly they can pick up that I'm leery of them, as I was bitten by one when I was little... T.

She had a big day out with grandma, so had a comfort suckle from mumma? T.

She was always going to be a standout... even though she hid from the xray/ultrasound... lol! T.

There was someone crossing corgis and kelpies a few years back in that area... we got a few of those in our rescue that looked very similar to this little lady... T.

She's an old fashioned girl... lol! T.

Those ears! T.

OMG... that is so adorable! She definitely has her mummy's eyes too... T.

C7 does Lepto and Corona, yes? I'd say that at between 12-16 weeks, that wouldn't have been a bad thing if those diseases were prevalent in the area the vet was located... As for my vet friend - she used to be the head of the AVA, and is well published herself in disease control - so I'd say she'd possibly be a little more informed than a regular suburban vet, yes? She did recommend that my old girl should get the nasal Canine Cough vaccine though... as many rescue fosters came with that one pre-loaded... *grin* T.

I will be looking for the new star in the heavens tonight... shining his love down on us all. Fly free with the angels sweet Ziggy... T.

I second that motion! T.

Does Schultz's study take into account the living conditions and exposure to the diseases vaccinated for over time? If his study was done using animals in a controlled and sterile environment, then maybe one could come to the conclusion that the vaccines will give "lifetime" immunity on their own - but the best way to keep up the immunity is by stimulation of the antibodies to propagate - and how is that done unless there is some small exposure to the diseases somehow - be it via regular vaccination or by the actual disease in the environment? Interestingly, parvovirus in dogs was first seen in 1978, and that is when the first reccommendation for regular vaccinations of dogs was enacted (according to Schultz)... Also - the rabies vaccine still only lasts a maximum of 3 years... not necessarily relevant here in Australia, but interesting, yes? My old girl was a voracious copraphagic - and I know she actually ate parvo infected poop more than 7 years after her last vaccination for same - to no effect. I asked a vet friend of mine why that would be so, and she indicated that the number of foster puppies I had had over those years may have been carrying small amounts of various diseases in, which helped my own dogs' antibodies stay up to scratch. T.

Technically, the C3 vaccination should give a lot longer protection than 1-3 years for Parvo, Distemper, and Canine Infectious Hepatitis... ... however, they are most effective when combined with an almost constant exposure (if in small doses) to those diseases. This keeps the titres up, as the antibodies are constantly being stimulated to propagate. If your dogs are not taken anywhere, or not likely to come into contact with any of those diseases in any way, then checking the titres and/or re-vaccinating is advised. My dogs are only vaccinated if I need to board them, as boarding kennels require proof of current vaccination - and the Canine Cough vaccine has a short half-life... T.

She's saved you the trouble of having to put in a doggy door... lol! T.