Kirty

That sounds great, good work!

How common is VWB in Australia? Is the DNA test the most accurate way to test?

I think too that some breeds of dogs find that position uncomfortable or unnatural and its much harder to get them into that position. Bulldogs and Pugs would be high on that list! At puppy school, the only dog in our group who wouldn't drop was a little Aussie Bulldog. Its like making greyhounds sit - its just not natural so its more difficult to train. My Pia will sit but she looks like a bit of a retard when she does! LOL!

I work at a specialist clinic and every single animal has pain relief, ABs, fluids, etc - it is not an option. We don't do pre-surgery bloods though because a lot of our surgeries are needed regardless of the results (eg if the animal doesn't have surgery, it will need to be PTS). However, if it is an 'elective' procedure on an older animal or an animal we have any concerns about, we may recommend bloods.

Yes but not everybody is like you. Some people baulk at having to pay just $100 to desex their pet. Therefore, if it is a young, healthy animal the vets will offer them the cheapest option possible. However, if something happened during surgery to warrant fluids, etc then I am sure the vets would not hesitate to give it to the animal.

Its just a glucosamine supplement I bought when my dog did her cruciate. I will check the bottle when I get home.

Yep, I have taken two of my dogs to rallies before and they are pretty much bomb-proof, but its a daunting environment even for them.

Thanks for that interesting post lilli. Its certainly something to think about. She is currently on glucosamine and a good diet including lots of meaty bones. I did have her leg bandaged and it seemed to help until the bandage was removed. I might try again. Time is not an issue for me, so perhaps your suggestion is the way to go for now. I can combine that with low-impact training, socialising, etc and see what happens. If I am going to leave her though, I will have to provide pain relief (even though she seems fine).

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8351301 Talking to dogs and cats our pet hobby More than 80 per cent of Australia's dog and cat owners believe they can understand what their pet's woof or miaow means, a survey has found. The survey of 800 Australian pet owners found more than 95 per cent of dog owners talked to their pets, while just over 89 per cent spoke to their cats. And 87 per cent said they understood what their pets were trying to say, according to the survey commissioned by an animal healthcare company. Veterinarian Dr Alister Webster said the results raised concerns that we might think we know more then we actually do. "Pets are important parts of our lives, and most of us believe they know their pet well - and can even communicate with them," Dr Webster, from Pure Animal Wellbeing, said in a statement on Friday. "Particularly in winter periods I see pets that have been generally unwell or struggling with continued pain for extensive periods of time and their owners are not realising this. "Their owners may not have picked up on the signs, or have read them wrong. It's not as easy to understand what pets are feeling as people think." Of greatest concern, Dr Webster said, are owners' perceptions of what happens to their pets as they age. The survey found 57 per cent of dog owners and just under half of cat owners thought their pets became grumpier as they aged. "They rest this belief of seeing their pet being less inclined to go for a walk or play; they are maybe slowing down and experiencing more stiffness, becoming intolerant of people or no longer jumping up on the furniture. "But these can be common signs of arthritis and joint pain, rather than grumpiness." The survey, Read My PAW, was conducted by Empirica Research for Blackmores, of which Pure Animal Wellbeing is a division.

I'm so sorry for your loss. He looked like a gorgeous old man. RIP Blake

I think those prices sound very reasonable. I generally get most female animals put on fluids when they are desexed but boys are in and out so quickly, I don't bother. As for pain relief, again I generally get it for the girls but no the boys (but they all get a pain relief shot at surgery).

Thanks guys. I will let you know how we get on. I have pretty much stopped crate resting her now, it just stresses her out and the leg is stuffed anyway. Hopefully with more freedom she will settle a bit.

The vet has explained all the options and thinks all three are valid for their own reasons. Unfortunately I don't generally get donations for the Border Collies - thankfully, I have never needed them before.

Exactly pers - if it was my dog or if I had the option to keep her if it went pear-shaped, that would be very different. But I already have four dogs! I cannot have another dog. I am hoping to catch up with Tamara (Cosmolo) soon so will see what she thinks. She has not seen a specialist, however her x-rays and vet reports were sent to a specialist and he was the one who gave the initial suggestion of rest, but most likely arthrodesis. Thanks everyone for the thoughts.

My Greyhound loves to 'kill' fluffy toys but happily lives with my 7 cats, plus foster cats and kittens, foster dogs (including small fluffies), etc. She will chase the cats in play sometimes, but she has never hurt them. I agree with the previous poster and would advise you to adopt from a reputable rescue group who temperament tests their dogs. You should also be able to meet the dog with your dogs and see how it responds.

I personally feel no dogs would be better. Can you imagine the hysteria if there was a fight or something?

Apologies in advance for the huge post, but I really need some help here. I have recently taken on an 8mo Border Collie x (working type) who has a broken leg. Owners told me it was broken and just needed cage rest, which they couldn't cope with. However when I contacted their vet later, I found out it was actually a nasty bone chip in the hock and their vet had recommended 6 weeks cage rest with a cast, but that it may need arthrodesis (fusion of the joint). The previous owners didn't confine her at all, so by the time she came to me 4 weeks later, she had done significantly more damage to the joint. I then had her on strict cage rest for 2 weeks and kept the joint stable, but the damage had already been done and her hock is stuffed. My vet has given me 3 options - > arthrodesis which costs $3000 and she would need 12-24 weeks strict rest post-op (and this dog hasn't coped with 2 weeks cage rest, I think 12-24 weeks would send her round the twist). I have also read that arthrodesis in the hock is often not as successful as others joints. > amputation (which is my preference) however my vet is concerned that because she is so highly strung and so crazy, she may well damage her other hind leg which would mean she may need to be PTS. > PTS which is obviously my last resort. But can you ethically rehome a crazy 3-legged dog? Can you rehome a dog who NEEDS to be doing something but won't be able to do agility, flyball, herding etc. Would anyone want a BC who you can't do anything with? Has anyone amputated the hind leg of a super-active, super-smart dog? What was the outcome? I feel sick having to make this decision and would appreciate any advice.

Thinking of you and Mindy. Keep fighting Mindy!!

LOL!! Dogs are stoopid!!

I am hoping to attend the rally too, but it will depend on work.

I have a few dogs you could use, but not sure about the hours.

I'm so sorry for your loss. RIP Elly

Great pics Gayle. I love how you got them lined up merle, tri, merle, tri etc in the first pic! LOL!

There is SO such a thing as a puggle - not sure why she would be contacting a Pug breeder for a baby Echidna though?? :p Tell them to contact Pug Rescue in Vic - I know they sometimes get Pug crosses in care.

Any breed of dog can breed with dingoes. So yes, when people dump their entire dogs they may well breed with dingoes and they may well kill stock. All of Australia's wild/feral dogs (not dingoes) are dogs that were dumped/strayed or the offspring of such dogs.