Luke W

Thanks heaps guys - keep 'em coming.

Starting to do a bit of planning for the future...

I'd like to know what areas of Victoria (ideally outer Melbourne suburbs, or at least with 1.5 hours drive of Melbourne) - where I can keep 4 dogs or more?

I'm interested in both buying and renting so I'd like to hear about council rules and the likelihood of finding suitable rental properties. I understand that the further out I go - the more likely it is I'll find something I'm looking for - but I'd like to stay as close to Melbourne as possible.

Fire away!!

Thanks guys!

Here's a few that I don't think I've posted here:

Kepala, a tennis ball and a Collie.

Sad in the photoshop rain.

Truly the doofusest dog.

With his buddy (lolololol) Scooter.

I thought all dog owners knew what 'puppy size' was. Needs a box of tissues

http://www.dobhran.c...Rinspire584.htm

naaaaaaaw.

Barkly grunts. One of his nicknames is monkey boy.

I don't know what 'puppy size' is. But he's a bit pissed about how long it took to get the shot.

Awesome product placement, Luke!

Gorgeous photo, and lovely pooch.

if only I got a commission!

So long....

Barkly's new bed - purchased at the Nationals:

Unfortunately, Barkly's nemesis Scooter, likes it too.

BTW what is TOTW?

Taste of the Wild (kibble)

I think feeding Scooter a chicken foot was the bravest thing you've ever done! You even touched it with your bare hands :p

Yes I have to say it took me a while to realise...not that they weren't 100% but that it was ongoing, and yes this is certainly feedback and not an attack, it is a great food

I 100% believe there has been no formula change, but I am simply wondering if there could be some sort of contaminant in the manufacturing

Genuine question Sherel, is there any sort of lab testing involved in the manufacture of the food or the machines it is manufactured on? I just find it very coincidental that a number of dogs have all had similar problems, and it could just be that, a coincidence...but it could also be something else

For what it's worth (and this goes for all pet foods)...

If you think your dog(s) may have had an adverse reaction to any dog food, and your vet thinks it may be pet food related as well, you can ask the vet to report it to the "PetFAST - Pet Food Adverse Event System of Tracking": http://www.ava.com.au/petfast

Barkly has had some ongoing issues for lip fold pyoderma over the last 6 months or so.

He was getting crusty in his lip folds and it was a bit sore. Plus he was getting red stains on his coat where ever he got saliva on it.

He'd been treated by the vet (some creme and cortisone from memory) - as well as regular cleaning with diluted Maleseb. All to no avail.

Recently, I've done two things...

- changed the balance of his diet:

- About twice a week, cleaning them with apple cider vinegar

After two weeks, it's almost completely cleared. This is good news, because I was thinking surgery might be the next option.

I'm now thinking that it's possible that about 6 months ago, I increased the proportion of Artemis in his diet and reduced the raw component (I got lazy) and that this has triggered the pyoderma. My theory is that the grains of kibble would stay in his lip fold whereas the raw would not.

I'm not sure if it was coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

I'm happy - no surgery!

Anyway - this post if mainly for people who are searching for lip fold pyoderma and might want to consider diet related causes.

Your mileage may vary.

I use a Mars 17cm Thinning Scissor on my cocker. I've had it for about 4 years and it's been sharpened once about 3 months ago (and it probably didn't really need it, I just sent off all my stuff to be sharpened).

For stripping, I use a Mars Coat King (a #20 or a #26).

This is for a cocker that isn't shown but is kept in a 'show clip'.

Blackdog one?:

http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=914

http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/black_dog_single_adjustable_grooming_loop?utm_source=myshopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pet+Supplies&utm_term=Black+Dog+Grooming+Loop+Single+Adjustable+Purple#.T-49s_Xud8E

I've created a document on my desktop called "Barkly Mega Training Plan".

I keep adding to it and it basically consists of retraining just about everything!

Here's a snippet:

RALLYO AND OBEDIENCE

Take it for treats to avoid crowding, lifting of front legs, etc.

Left Pivot

Right Pivot

Heel/Sit/Stand/Down in mud

AGILITY

WARM UP

Put "shake" on cue

GENERAL

Ring Entry/Start line position/Taking Lead off/Running stay/Start Line Lead-out Stays/Start Line burst of Speed

Take it for treats to avoid crowding, lifting of front legs, etc.

Lateral Cue (for turns less than 180 - usually 90)

Post Turn (pull cue)

Contacts

Rear cross

Faster weaves, better entry

Speed

Left and Right Cues (CleanRun October and November 2010)

Plus:

Read CleanRun - From October 2010 to present!

I use Aloveen Conditioner most of the time for my cocker. I occasionally use Animal House Silk Finish Coat Spray after a brush.

It seems most of the clubs in Melbourne use the GD system.

I think you're reading the table wrong! 600g is for a 20kg 6-12 week old puppy.

http://www.blackhawkpetcare.com.au/puppy-food/

:)

It is up to you. A young and healthy dog - if it were me, I would have fluids only if a spey, nothing if it was just a normal castration ..which is basically only a skin incision ,and takes hardly any time .

Some pain post op helps the dog keep still and quiet for a little while ...

Well, apart from the ball removal of course!!! Spoken like someone without :D

I had the lot done with Barkly...blood tests, IV fluids, post op pain relief...If the roles were reversed, I'd hope he'd do the same for me.

Up to 180pm for puppies up to one year old from here:

http://vetmedicine.a...TP_dogfacts.htm

and here (probably the same source):

http://www.dog-healt...heart-rate.html

up to 220 in young puppies from here:

http://pets.webmd.co...-heartbeat-dogs

Probably shouldn't be worried :)

I hope this eases your mind a little.

43% is fine. Even lower is fine as well.

You'd need to look at:

The percentage of crude protein in the food

How much you feed.

The weight of the dog.

YOUR DOG'S NUTRITIONAL NEEDS - A Science Based Guide For Pet Owners

From the PDF:

As far as I can tell, too much protein is not a problem (except possibly in puppies and possibly dogs with existing kidney problems), as long as the other requirements are met.

I know my Artemis is BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin free - I'm not sure about the (still unopened) Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch I bought while at the Nationals.

I emailed Earthborn and they confirmed they don't use it. Happy to share the email reply.

Thanks English.Ivy! Good to hear.

I emailed them this morning too - now I don't need to wait for the response before I open my bag :)

Yes Luke you are quiet right about the Ethoxyquin, however the same cant be said for BHA & BHT, these are listed as carcinogenic and banned in many countries including most of Europe, Japan and California. Royal Canin always used to use these in their foods as a preservative, since I understand most of their food is made in Europe this would probably explain why they have now taken it out. You cannot assume that no pet food manufacturer uses these just because they are not listed on the bag, although some do like Hills ZD for example, so as previously stated you have to ask the manufacturer of the foods the question if you are at all worried. Interestingly enough you can still find BHA & BHT in many of the foods we eat ourselves here in Australia.

Thanks k9katz...

I know my Artemis is BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin free - I'm not sure about the (still unopened) Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch I bought while at the Nationals.

For someone who has no idea, what exactly is Ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT?

Is it something I should worry about with my dogs? They're both fed Royal Canin Sensible (medium and mini).

From what I can tell, there's no scientific evidence of harmful effects resulting from Ethoxyquin (it's used as a preservative) in the levels found in pet foods. There seems be be some anecdotal reports of a myriad of health concerns surrounding Ethoxyquin - like just about everything our dogs (or us humans) eat.

Some of the stuff on Google is just plain hyperbolic scaremongering.

I don't know about the others.

PS - According to the Royal Canin FAQs:

Do you use the preservatives BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin?

BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin are not used in Royal Canin Canine or Feline Health Nutrition products. All our dry formulas are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), citric acid, and rosemary extract.

http://www.royalcanin.ca/index.php/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Ingredients

It looks to me like Sheena's topic on Ethoxyquin was removed, that's a shame as I wanted to reply to her. Here is my reply for those who are interested. As far as I know this doesn't contravene any rules and regulations.

I'd like to thank you for pointing out that the website listed in my DOL profile is no longer valid, you are quiet correct, that business was closed over 12 months ago and I have now removed that. Just goes to show that there can be lots of info on the internet that is out of date and incorrect and if you are not sure about the validity of something, its best to ask first and obtain the correct information from confirmed reliable sources.

I notice that you double posted this also in another thread ( not sure of the relevance in that thread but still...and that you had never heard of Ethoxyquin until "today" - posted 13th June 12 so presumably you have no idea what BHA & BHT are either. These are also contraversial preservatives that can be found in many pet foods that are manufactured both here and in other countries, including the USA.

Many thanks.

I agree on getting information from reliable sources. Peer reviewed journals and the FDA are a good start. IMO, you can find links to health problems with pretty much anything our dogs (or us eat) - toxicity is always dose dependent.

Slightly OT - I'd like to see any medical claims by pet food manufacturers be backed up with scientific evidence - same as we require for human food.

4 days, 11 runs, 1 meltdown and no passes but I learnt a lot and had a awesome time. Barkly had some good runs with 1 knocked bar getting in the way of a pass. Need to do a lot more training and fun stuff. Glad I came. Congrats to everyone. I'll be cheering for the Vics tomorrow in the finals!!!