Poppy's mum

I saw the lovely Betty today at the Dog Day Out at Frenchs Forest Showground. She's a credit to her owners and Greyhound Rescue and a real darling!

Betty, ex -Greyhound Rescue is on tonight.

I used this for Tielle my greyhound: https://secure.synflexamerica.com/products/?utm_source=synflexamerica&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=August2011 (ordered the human version because you can't import the animal version of anything). She had very little joint stiffness when put to sleep at age 13. No idea if it made a difference. I think you can buy liquid glucosamine locally too from some pet supply outlets but I preferred this one at the time. Vet said it couldn't hurt. Current code for 10% discount is "Happy" - they have monthly offers of this kind. I used it and found it helped my sore knees Most of the evidence seems to be anecdotal for these sorts of products. My 15 yo chi is on rimadyl from the vet - it works well for her knee stiffness.

Akita: Kyojin Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Bree, Ingrid, Jersey, Lacey Chihuahua: Chelsea and Pansy Finnish Lapphund: Halo, Vienna, Jaana German Coolie: FlashBazil, Latte Golden Retriever: Onslow, Matilda-Rose Griffon Bruxellois: Mocha Labrador Retriever: Lestat Samoyed: Mistral, Alchemy, Yngvie, Dante Siberian Husky: Akira Rescue Bitsa: Keely, Fred and Ginger And it's alphabetical too!

I'd love one - I haven't been able to find anything good in the shops. What's the drill? Sorry, didn't read the lengthy thread...have been away from DOL for a couple of years.

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Have owned half a dozen chihuahuas over the years 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? Mexico (for food, as I understand it) 3. How common is it in Australia? Very common - check the homepage - 20 litters available seems to be the average 4. What is the average lifespan? 10 - 14 years but can be longer. The very small tend to live a shorter life (anecdotal and my experience). 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Brave beyond their size, outgoing if properly reared although there are individual variations depending on parents etc Clever and manipulative. A very smart dog but generally not into high level obedience. Capable of great affection and loyalty. Very hard to live without the big heart in a tiny package once you have had one. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? 15 minute walk but they are surprising and will go as far as you want when they are young and healthy. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? Ideal for a sensible person who will not 'spoil' them and treat them like a substitute child because they will take advantage, since they are so smart. Tendency to become yappy and bossy if left to rule the roost or encouraged in bad habits such as snapping to protect the owner from pretend assault (Dr Harry had this on once and the people had let it get away with it because they thought it was funny and then not so funny). 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Yes, although I'd advise anyone who wants to leave a dog alone for long periods to get an adult. 9. How much grooming is required? Minimal - a little more brushing with the longcoats but not in the same league as a poodle or shtizu. A couple of brushes a week will easily keep a longcoat housedog in good nick. No clipping etc apart from toenails. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? No - but the children should not be allowed to handle such a small delicate dog. Perfect for the infirm of elderly or older children ie over 10. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Slipping patellas seem common. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) [Toydogs or one of the breeders should comment on this]

The poor wee chap. I cannot believe how common this seems to be from all these posts! Glad you are now with a vet you can have confidence in. Hopefully it will just be a distant memory soon!

what colour is he? I have heard that coat - thinning is common with blues (greys/silvers) and so they are often sold off as pets rather than for show. Try asking on the chihuahua thread in the general forum - breed specific threads. There are some chi breeders on there.

can also be ingrown eyelashes that make eyes weep. fixable with an operation. vet needs to assess.

I don't know how keen you are on training but when Ginger did Agility, I did a mock -up for her until she got the hang of it. I used plastic bubble wrap between boxes/chairs ie wrapped aroound them plus some dining chairs. Sorry, it was a while ago but you get the idea. She is a 4kg dog so this may not be robust enough for a larger dog. From memory, tunnels cost a lot! It was enough for her to get the hang of it. At the end of the tunnel, I placed a chair (as the lid over the tunnel) and hung/attached a tea towel over it to simulate the cloth part of the tunnel so she had to push through it. This worked a treat and she never hesitated in the cloth tunnel. There was a bit of a mess in my lounge room for a while but this did the trick - from the only one in her class too scared to go through the tunnel, she became a pro (in my eyes at least). Initially, it seems to me that agility is only about practice, baby steps!!! (and reward, of course)

Leichhardt, Hawthorne Reserve, Sunday mornings 10 am. You need you vaccination certificate and a dog over 6 months of age. I went there when I lived in Leichhardt with 3 different dogs. Enjoyed it - they are not too stuffy. i think there are also classes in Concord - Innerwest dog training or something like that. I liked Leichhardt - they have Cafe Bones for coffee etc. you probably know it? Go down one Sunday and check it out. Edit to add: we are talking basic obedience here (and higher classes). I think the western suburbs dog training probably do stuff like agility etc

Thanks for that 4 PAWS - do you know where you get it? I had a feeling it was vet prescribed? Ta Wendy

There has been some talk around about a new anti itch spray that works miracles. Anyone heard of this? I have had it third hand so don't know any details at all.

Lucy had a tumour. We never found out if it was cancerous because there was no point, given its situation in her throat. She dribbled and it was brownish in colour. She was off her food and sluggish as well, when initially diagnosed. Treated with cortisone and she lived happily for only 3 months though, before it increased in size and obstructed her breathing. Best to find out for sure what you are dealing with. Hope it's nothing much.

Hi Sounds to me like it could be malassezia. A quick check by the vet will tell you. He does a sticky tape test and when he/she outs it under the microscope, they can see if it is or not. My little Chelsea has it. It is under control with once or twice weekly washes wuth Malaseb (following the instructions like leaving it for 10 minutes etc.) Unfortunately, the EPO shampoo did not work for us. She has had omega oil supplements (Megaderm) for 6 months but they did not seem to make a difference. She is on a chicken/rice/Natural Balance organic biscuit diet and that seems to make little or no difference. There is a lot of info out there if this is what she has: eg http://www.balgownievet.com.au/7_medical_malassezia.htm and somehwere I found an excellent Westie site with lots of pictures, so you might want to google a bit. There is a bit of a smell associated with it but I never noticed it till the vet pointed it out. Chelsea also has panalog ointment for when he gets a dry itchy nose or lips and I sometimes put this on her feet when she chews. For her ears, a dilute malaseb solution 1:30 is used. I know my vet says there are other things she can be treated with but so far we are managing OK with what we are using. Good luck! it would certainly be helpful to developing a treatment program to know if it is seasonal allergies or a fungal infection (such as malassezia which won't ever go away).

what's a beard trimmer? Edit to add: I did a google to check this out - there is also a women's beard trimmer (not sure if better for pets)

Like Garethh says. I waited until Tielle's annual check up (a couple of months) to get a wart like spot checked. It had to be removed. It was a tumour. The vet said it was 'deep' and I felt terrible I had waited at all assuming it was nothing (because she had had a benign lump removed before). She is Ok now but I have to watch for any recurrence. It was all removed according to the path report. And if it is nothing, at least you have set your mind at rest.

I am not surprised. I tried adding a non-smelling garlic capsule to food once and my dog at the time promptly threw it up, consistent with the article. I have never tried since, although I know Nature's Gift dog food contains garlic and I have had no obvious adverse effects from that.

Thanks - was for a friend...I will advise of potential issues and get some research.

It is a prescription medication for arthritis in dogs. Anyone know where it is available at reasonable prices?

After 2 malaseb baths, she seems to be back on track - just a couple of minor itchy spots and a bit of foot chewing. I will take the suggestions of sebazole and phisohex and keep them for next time. She really is a lot better so doesn't need cortisone. I am trying to avoid if poss but wouldn't hesitate if she got worse. my vet has said there are other things I can try but as she seems more or less under control i didn't want to put her on other med.s (with possible side effects as yet). Thank you Gallomph and Puggy Puggy for your kind thoughts on Chelsea's behalf and sorry about the semi-hijack everyone else! Disappointing the labs weren't diagnosed earlier - there is a distinct 'smell' according to my vet who spotted it straight away and the sticky tape test takes about a minute...

Be real careful with the heat of the dryer - try it on your hand at the same time. It can be a lot hotter on the skin than you think. I would have thought the low setting and still check for overheating on the skin. Unfortunately, we have had to give up with the shampoo (Vet grade EPO). Chelsea's skin got a lot itchier and she came out in lots of crusty itchy spots (typical of her malassezia). Last night was the final straw. When I looked at her back she had scratched a small section raw with her back foot. First time she has ever done this. Each time I used the shampoo (admittedly only twice) she was noticeably itchier and chewed her feet constantly. I had been applying according to instructions and blowdrying. Horses for courses I guess, but neither of us slept a wink last night for her chewing. She was under reasonable control on the malaseb which we had reduced to once a week, so she'll go back on that. Still on her megaderm oil supplements... Good luck to everyone else! I am so glad it has helped. Nothing worse than an itchy unhappy dog.

Wingus, Totally agree that frequent washing is undesirable and can 'ruin' a coat, dry it out or make it produce excessive grease to compensate (same as human hair). However, I have found it absolutely necessary with the skin trouble dog. Frequency to be reduced once problem under control (or seasonally as itching subsides). Personally, I do not think you would wash a dog more than once a month under normal circumstances. I prefer every 2- 3 months and only if smelly or some reason (rolling in bird poo). May depend on the breed...

I emailed on Friday. They rang me Friday night (Archie) and my shampoo arrived Wed morning in the post.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will try the nutro lamb and rice for a change... I am lucky that her conditions is not severe otherwise I would try the prednil for occassional relief. I have heard the rdio vet mention curash. Thanks guys.