dianed

Happy Birthday Holly I love those speckled eyes that come with age. I,m blessed to have cats that live to an old age as well. My Charlotte made 19.5 and Bridget is now 15. All she does is eat and sleep as well.

I,ve only got two dogs atm, but have had 4 gsd,s at one time. Just the other day I was able to buy lamb off cuts, chicken frames and human grade mince marked down at Franklin s. I freeze their food. My dogs dont like dry food so I have to be inventive. Exercise is never a problem we live on acres, vet visits are higher with an older ailing dog who has cost somewhere in the vicinity of 6 or 7 thousand. And to think each night she looks at her food as if I have poisoned it! then gets up and walks away. I feed human grade Glusamine/ Chondroiton. Their inside bedding I made myself with washable covers, except their outside trampoline beds which I have had for over 20 years. I find fleeing and worming products the most expensive, even their heart worm tabs have got dearer since I got them last time.

So sad for you, I had a 3 yo cat pts with a brain tumor. Its very hard when they are so young

Shade cloth?

Read the Memory Foam post. My 13yo gsd suffers arthritis in the back & hips. 3 years ago I got some memory foam cut and covered, its been excellent for her. This year I also got an electric foam mattress which I put on top and I think that helped her get thru this cold winter. She,s an indoor dog, but do you have an outdoor power point you could run a lead from or maybe invest in a snuggle safe heat pad for winter and get some memory foam cut to fit her kennel.

I did a cheaper option and got a Im x 1m piece of memory foam cut and had covers made for my old gsd girl who has hip problems. Its about 4 inches thick and has worked very well for her, she lays flat out at night. Next winter I plan on getting a single bed egg carton type overlay and cutting it in half and put that under the cover for extra comfort. The foam was $40 the cover a heavy duty suede with velcro cost $20, made locally. After 3 years the foam shows no sign of compacting which I think is what you want. Over winter she has heaps of polar fleece blankets on top.

Not sure , but I think it is something to do with maybe having damaged intestines. will find out.

He is an elderly ACD adopted from Renbury a few years ago. The only symptom he showed was smelly poos and occasional diarrhea. Whilst having his teeth attended to blood tests where taken to see if they could find the cause. My friend has just moved back to the city after living in a small country town so she went back to her old vet. As you said there is concern for long term damage, that is why the vet said he may need to on a SD dry food for the rest of his life.

Yes Mino is being treated with antibiotics. He was going back to the vets today for more tests. They think he has had it since she got him as a rescue 2 years ago! He may need more than one course of antibiotics and may have to go on special dry food for life. His diet is being changed, no more chicken, cheese or smackos. All foods that can cause salmonella.

A friends elderly dog has been diagnosed by her vet with salmonella. Last week he had two cracked teeth removed so that should make him feel 100% better. Tests taken came back showing he has salmonella, which will be why he has diarrhea type poohs most of the time. She feeds him cooked chicken wing meat taken off the bone. I have told her to feed him cooked meat/rice instead and maybe some yogurt. Has anyone had this problem with an older dog and maybe some other advice I can give her.

I tried vacuuming Sophie when I got her as a youngster. She hated it and even now when I get the vacuum cleaner out of the cupboard she,s off. Btw she turns 13 today so she is having a lazy day!

We do have paralyzes tick and also brown grass tick which usually feeds then drops off. Advantix is the best to use I feel, I,d apply it the day you arrive. My dogs rarely have ticks as we avoid the bush, but in the past I have found dead ones on one dog so Advantix did the job. On some local beaches such as the Broulee big beach which by the way has the best off leash area there are heaps of Banksia trees that I have found carry ticks so I would watch your dogs if you are near any. March is a good time here on the coast and hopefully not to many ticks around if the summer is dry. If it turn out to be a wet summer then ticks will be around.

I started off using the meaty flavored dog Glucosamine tablets and have now switched to human grade tablet G & C,oh uses it daily so it was in the pantry. I crush the tablet and mix it in milk for my 13yo. When I went to purchase liquid fish oil it was flavored with lemon? The crushed tablet seems to be working very well, better than catrophen injections which wore off after a few months and much cheaper.

I would get a sample as well, I am sure a local vet would know where to get it tested if its suspect.

That is a Red Belly Black Snake, very prominent in my area in coastal of nsw. They just want to get out of your way as fast as possible but will have a go if cornered.

That,s the one, I couldn't find an Aussie site. Thanks

Lappiemum, It came on suddenly yesterday, dont know if its permanent. The vet xrayed her but nothing out of the ordinary showed up , she has arthritis and has been on Metacam. But what caused this we dont know. She can wag her tail but has no strength in her back legs.They had to take her off Metacam before giving her the cortisone injections. Erny, Thanks, I will call that number tomorrow as I think it will be easier than a towel.

My neighbors 13 yo Australian Shepherd has gone in the back legs. She is receiving vet care and is at home, tonight she had a cortisone injection. I am helping her lift Gypsy around with a towel under her belly but I wondered if anyone knows if those special handle harnesses are available in Australia.

Its not only the full moon that sets my dogs off, does anybody else dogs go off when they here the owl or fox sound on the English TV shows....

Um, I haven,t tasted it but it made my rough hands soft

I use Fido's Creme conditioner with great success on my two older animals My 13yo GSD and a 15 yo moggy, both showed signs of an old age coat. I find this gives a shine,softens and makes their coats easier to manage. I apply it by rubbing some on my hands then massaging it thru their coat then give them a brush later on. I do not wash them first......PS they smell nice also. The ingredients are Chamomile,Macadamia Nut Oil& Aloe Vera, it sounded good and edible just in case my cat decided to clean herself :rolleyes:

Each summer I have the opportunity to do a bit of snake proof training with and e-collar. My dogs have become very collar smart and wont even look at a snake whilst wearing it. I think I am pretty intune with their body behaviour and can generally tell if its a rabbit, quail or snake. I have caught my girl twice (no collar and me not in sight) having a go at a brown snake, luckly she did listen and I could call her off. My dog seems to really avoid the area that a snake is in, and wont get too close. But I still dont trust them when I am not around as Im sure natural instinct would kick in and they would defend themselves. Have heard of 4 dogs not surving over the last few days, they are out, hungry and looking for love. Rubyroo, I agree you can tell by the body behavior if your dog has a snake bailed up and I have noticed the bark is more high pitched. I haven't seen any this season but I am sure they are out and very hungry. What type of collar do you have as I think I may have to invest in one??

With this type of collar I assume you have to be there and sight the snake?

I wish someone had the answer?? I,m dreading the snakes coming out this year. I think most dogs have an inbuilt instinct when it comes to snakes, that has been my experience over the years when my previous dogs have come in contact with one. They pointed and had a different bark so I knew there was a snake around but they never pursued it. The young dog I have now is a different kettle of fish, she has a high prey drive and seems to think she can round them up and I, m very concerned for her. Last year I saw two red bellies strike out at her, she jumped back but then chased them. The first one I called her off but the second one she ignored my calls to stop and I ended up throwing a stick between her and the snake. I live on a rural property and last year we seemed to have more snakes around the house yard. I now shoot every damn one I see. Just remember they are more active when they come out of hibernation so I would say be alert and stay away from long grass and places such as dam banks where snakes hunt for frogs. I dont think you can train a dog to avoid snakes as they can be any where.

He,s a gorgeous looking boy and if that is a cat in the background and you just got him he must have a lovely temperament.