Elfin

I just worked out what liquid capsules you were talking about.... Atopica, which is an oral form of cyclosporin. It is HIDEOU$LY expensive (just ask anyone that uses it for skin probs!), and it acts on the entire system as an immune suppressant, not just on the eyes like topical medications do. Needless to say, we don't use it, although apparently it works quite well. An excellent gel-based lubricant that you can get very cheap from the chemist is Viscotears.

How old is he? I am assuming he is an Elkhound? The white part of the eye when you lift the upper eyelid, is it red? Is his pupil responsive to light? When you say the redness is "around his pupil", is it the iris (the coloured part) that has gone red? Any cloudiness on the front of the eye? Any discharge?

Calendula tea works really well for conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis, too!

http://www.animaleyecare.com.au/aec/dryeye.html Optimmune is very effective in most KCS cases. It is not a very strong form of Cyclosporin (an immuno-suppressant), only 0.4% if I remember correctly. It is also quite costly. We use Cyclosporin in a 1% or 2% solution, and if that doesn't work, we use Tacrolimus, which is a next-generation immuno-suppressant. These medications are not cheap, but are cheaper than Optimmune. Oral medication (pilocarpine) for dry eye is only effective in cases of neurogenic dry eye, which is not common. It also makes the animal very nauseous. Hope this helps...

My boy chatters his teeth and dribbles when he sniffs female dog's wee. And then he sticks his tongue in it and chatters some more. He is a dirty old man.

Coming down the Princes Freeway from Melbourne, take the Hoppers Crossing/Werribee exit (so you are then on Princes Hwy, the main road into W'bee). There will be one set of lights, with shops etc on your right, and Mercy hospital on the left on the other side of the lights. (It's not a big hospital, just single story) The vet school is about 800m past Mercy, on the left. It is well sign posted. For small animals, go to the main reception area on the left as you drive in. For large animals, go around the back. Good Luck!

Thank you, inspector rex. She is considerably brighter today, she even ate a full meal. Her lymph nodes have not gone down at all. At the moment, the vet seems to think it may be a virus. She has done a couple of hideous sounding "reverse sneezes". I don't know if that is related... Thank you all again for your thoughts.

Thank you both for your kind thoughts... Puggy, your vibes worked, we just got a call from the vet to say the pathology results had come back and she does NOT have lymphoma. I have had the bejeesus scared out of me after reading lots about canine lymphoma on the net . Sometimes Google is not your friend. We still don't know what is wrong with her, the vet is now considering other options, but she seems a little brighter today. You can still SEE her lymph nodes on her neck, they are that huge. Her lymph nodes all over her body are huge, like golf balls. The vet said it may be viral, but our other dogs are all fine. Anyway, thank you again puggypuggy and LucyCharize, and my thoughts are with those who have lost dogs or are nursing dogs with the horrible disease.

Had our 8 month old pup to a medicine specialist this afternoon as she has not been "right' for a couple of days. They are testing for lymphoma. Once they said that, I didn't hear much else... results on Monday. Does anyone on here have any experience with symptoms/diagnosis/prognosis/treatment in young dogs with lymphoma? My heart is breaking.

Hi becks I have worked for a veterinary eye specialist (Ophthalmologist) here in Melbourne for 19 years. During that time, I have taken time off to study under leading veterinary ophthalmologists in Nashville, Tennessee and Dallas, Texas in the USA, and in Birmingham in the UK. There is a formal qualification available in the USA but I unfortunately cannot afford the time/money to do it (it takes several years). I am a member of the Veterinary Ophthalmologist Technicians Society of the USA and have attended their (incredible) conference. I got into it by accident, but I find it very rewarding. If you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer them, but probably best by PM so as not to hijack Luke and Barkly's thread. N.

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! We had the BEST time today!!!!! Our first lesson with Erny and my pup was a different dog after 20 minutes! It is amazing how much difference it makes when someone shows you the CORRECT way to use a martingale! Thank you soooooo much Erny, you may have created an "obedience monster" though, as I had so much fun and was so excited by how quickly Ronnie picked things up, that I am (crazily!) considering doing proper obedience with her! :p Anyone ever done obedience with a Deerhound? :D :p

Ellz: your advice was excellent! It's a long drive from Tassie to East Malvern, though!!! becks: I am not an eye specialist. My job really has no title here in Australia, but in the USA or Europe I would be called a Veterinary Ophthalmic Technician. Fancy name for a vet nurse that knows NOTHIN' about ANYTHIN' apart from animal's eyes, be it dog, cat, elephant, seal or snake eyes. I have been doing it for 19 years and love it. I have been lucky enough to study in America and England, and I get to teach vet students about eyes too. Luke W: It was lovely chatting to you today. I am glad Barkly is doing so well!

If you get any leftover wabbit, send 'em my way!!! Wabbit pie is the best!! (Sorry, rexiam, I'm sure your rabbits are lovely too, just in a different way!)

I know a good one if you need it! ;) ;) And Ellz: do you want a job?! I think his name was Robin something or other. Let me know if you do decide to see a specialist, and Barkly will get extra special care.

I know a good one if you need it! :laugh: And Ellz: do you want a job?!

We routinely anaesthetise 16, 17 and even 18 year old dogs for cataract surgery. They cope fine. Haven't lost one yet *touch wood*. Last anaesthetic death we had was 3 years ago, was a dog that (MRI showed) had a massive seizure while under anaesthetic. He was a healthy 5 year old dog. Sometimes, there are no rules. Glad your dog is ok.

Great photos!

Hi Elfin. Ditto here ;). Call me when you're ready. Cheers! Erny (Pro-K9) I have been working till late all this week, and don't want to call you this time of night! Can I organise a lesson by PM?!

Elfin, I just use whatever frozen veg mix is on special . Others may use more specific vegetables. The main thing is to mush it up to break down the cellulose so the dog can digest it properly. OK, thank you! Your recipe is the easiest I have seen and seems to be approved by experienced raw feeders... I may ditch the VAN and have a go!

Can you please tell me what veggies you use in your mix?

What colour is the "snot"? The most common causes of "eye snot" in a boxer would be allergic conjunctivitis (steroid drops will help a lot and the amount of cortisone absorbed into the body is negligible. Prednefrin Forte would be ideal), extra eyelashes (causing irritation, sometimes can't be seen with the naked eye), over-sized eyelid openings, or ulceration. As sas said, you could try anti-histamine tablets and is they don't work, think about seeing an animal eye specialist.

It is not a question of time. Time is not an issue, nor was time never mentioned as a reason for my preferring one-on-one training. I am just one of those people that learn a lot better if I am shown how to do something, rather than read it off the net/watch a DVD/read a book. I am old fashioned and prefer human interaction rather than spending all my time with a computer. As part of my job, I teach, and I find students learn a lot better (and retain the information) if they are shown how to do something rather than just reading their text books. And if you read my second post, you will see I have tried your "Slingshot Method" of-sorts. I am so pleased it worked for Buster, but it didn't work for me. I look forward to working with Erny (in person!) to resolved my problem.

Give Erny a call, Elfin. She'll sort you out Great idea, huski.. Erny, I have just had a look at your website and will call you about a lesson or two! :D Thank you!

Hi Erny I have used the correction collars, all with a short "tug" of varying strength, accompanied by the command "Heel". She ignores it all, straining at the end of the lead, leaning away from me at a 45 degree angle. She nearly has me in tears as I try to stay calm and relaxed. :D I have also tried treats every 2-3 meters (then extending the distance between treats) at hip-height, but she very quickly bores of that. I have tried circling her around me, and also stopping completely until she is relaxed and then walking again... I need one-on-one, don't I?! :D

I have always had large dogs that have walked on a loose lead, wearing a flat collar. I have almost been quite "smug" about my beautifully behaved dogs and how they "Heeled" beautifully, like they came born with a Heel Function Button. Karma has bit me on the ar$e BIG TIME with our 7 month old pup. Her Button is broken; she will not heel. I have tried martingales, a correction chain (which has trimmed her coat all down the right side of her neck), and a nylon correction collar. My left arm is now 2 inches longer than my right arm and on-lead walks are no fun for me or her (or my other 2 dogs). Off-lead, she is wonderful. Good recall, good social skills. Put a lead on her, and it's like flying a kite. I am obviously doing something wrong. Is this something a little forum advice will assist with, or do I need to be trained one-on-one? If so, can someone recommend a trainer in Melbourne? Thank you in advance.