SchnauzerMax

Max is tiny for a miniature schnauzer and wears PJs. Even with fleecy blankets and a nice gas heater in the evening before bed time, he still gets cold and PJ's were the only thing that helped him.

I think it is a small dog thing - the smaller the dog, the harder it is to keep warm. Our standard schnauzer Remy has no problems keeping warm.

It couldn't be anal glands could it?

Just guessing (with the help of dr google)

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma ?

Tramadol can have some nasty side effects in some dogs. It can cause disorientation which makes the dog more anxious as well as wobbly.

The dosage does seem high. I would check with the vet.

GOT Game Of Thrones

EFS

When a dog (or a person for that matter) is gradually declining and you see them all the time, you don't realise how bad it is.

Someone who hasn't seen Kiska for a while would be shocked and that shock might reset your husband's idea of what is acceptable.

Do you have a friend who can visit and comment loudly how awful she looks and must be feeling in front of your husband?

Feather's symptoms sound like adrenal gland problems which are more common in older dogs. This sort of thing usually comes with increased thirst and peeing.

If it is, you'll need an ultrasound of the abdomen because the blood tests won't show anything wrong.

Fingers crossed that whatever it is, is easily fixed!

Box of staples!

You need to read the fine print because routine procedures like vaccinations or dental might not be covered.

Medibank has the option of covering some of that but it is for a fixed amount and very specific items.

If I remember correctly, PetPlan doesn't cover routine stuff at all (?)

The other trap is things like cruciate surgery where the first one is covered but if the other leg goes, it is not...

I have researched this recently - you need to ensure you get turmeric with at least 5% curcumin.

Sorry to hijack the thread!

I am also wanting to try Turmeric with my 10 yr old boy.

So it has to have at least 5% curcumin? What does this do?

Also it is better to be organic? And it comes in a powder that I should be able to get at a health food store?

Thanks very much everyone :)

I believe curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric.

Great post S_A! I have spent most of the afternoon doing comparisons and this is what I came up with (Chihuahuas). I'm currently with Pet Plan but looking to change after the 50% premium increase last year. PIA is looking like a good option.

Has anyone that's changed policies applied to have the cruciate ligament 6 mth waiting period waived? Not sure whether to apply or just risk it.

Yes. We went to Medibank from Petplan for Remy. It was a form the vet filled in to declare that they had examined Remy and that there were no existing problems cruciate / joint wise.

My friend's Bichon has been scratching madly, since he was given this product on Thursday. He is at the red raw stage.

Didn't have any problems before

Has he been to the vet? Maybe an antihistamine or cortisone injection will help.

It will have to be more than one injection. It's in the blood and designed to last for a month. The allergic reaction will continue until the body can break it down.

We have her evil twin at our local vet. An absolutely awful human being. I ring ahead to make sure she is not working when I need to bring one of my two in.

I pay annually. There is no direct debit arrangement. The insurance company can't take money out without me manually authorizing it.

Also, the annual amount is large enough that they must send me a tax invoice for payment.

Before you pay annually do you see any changes to the policy ?

Yes. I got last time, updated terms and conditions along with the tax invoice and cover letter. That was from both Medibank and Petplan (I had one dog with each).

The only problem was the Petplan one included a tax invoice for someone else and their dog! The cover letter was to me but the rest of the package was for a 5 or 6 year old labrador living near Melbourne Airport. I live in inner city Sydney... This was in the middle of their big meltdown.

I pay annually. There is no direct debit arrangement. The insurance company can't take money out without me manually authorizing it.

Also, the annual amount is large enough that they must send me a tax invoice for payment.

KDF

I'm sorry your whippet is going through this. My experience of spindle cell sarcoma is that you need really huge margins to have a good chance of success and yes even with no signs of infiltrates, there is a good chance of it recurring in the chest / lungs.

Something that would also work well is the BFI powder Mum had in the medicine cupboard when were kids. Google reveals it is no longer being manufactured in Aus but I found something that made me laugh

http://www.lifewithd...-dog-was-dying/

Go to the end of that blog entry and look at the picture of the "hotspot"

So sorry.

Make sure you bring the treats that you'd prefer he eat and ask them (your friends or random strangers) to make him do a trick for a treat.

Emphasise the working for a reward and talk about how bad yummy things like bacon are for dogs. You know, pancreatitis, diarrhea, vomiting etc etc.

My stock phrase used to be "please don't give him that, it will give him the runs!"

Both my old dogs (RIP) used various anti-inflammatories for arthritis. When Previcoxx or Rimadyl were used daily and for long periods of time they both developed pancreatitis which subsided when they stopped the drug.

If I remember correctly, we had to be very careful about the dosage and the timing. I think we halved the recommended daily dose and in the other instance we alternated days with Tramadol.

This is not to say that you will have the same problems but the pancreatitis stemmed from an elderly dog with an elderly liver which couldn't process the drugs as fast as a young healthy dog. Interestingly, my elderly mother has the same problem with NSAIDs.

EFS

"..OH BALL, OH FOOD, TOY, FOOD, THIS IS A MAGICAL ROAD OF GOODIES."

Oh my goodness! Isn't Spice just gorgeous!!

my husband just got back from taking the old girl for her accupuncture appointment and he asked the holistic vet what could be done about Paul. She has recommended Rescue Remedy, a couple of drops about 1 hour before travel and then a couple of drops just before travel.

The next car ride will be on Saturday to the dog park so I'll let you know how we go.

Great suggestion as well as that post by Yonjuro ( of the honey).

Months ago Horrible Herbert went ages between card rides. We had lots of dramas including great poops.

Entirely our fault. We worked on letting Herbert get in the car & drive for just 5 mins, then go home. After a week or so of daily rides, the unhappiness stopped.

Another point is to check that the tyre pressure of your car is correct. If inaccurate, it can affect the ride of the car.

Dont feed your boy before his ride either. Ginger biscuits can work too. (Unless Momma eats them. At least she feels better :) )

And don't take him for a ride after you've given him his Comfortis tablet (up to 24 hours). we've had some spectacularly bad experiences with that!

I have had success by crushing the tablet and adding a little water - enough to use a syringe and just pop it in the dog's mouth. You could use yoghurt instead of water.

I do the same thing with Max because his mouth is tiny and forcing pills down his throat is unpleasant for both of us.

Some medications can be dispensed as a paste which you then squirt a measured dose into their mouth. The last lot of antibiotics Max had was like this.

I think it is designed primarily for cats but Max doesn't know that

It looks like Readings still have some..

http://www.readings.com.au/products/17988479/dogservations-life-lessons-from-experts