Jump to content

Bindo

  • Posts

    342
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Bindo

  1. Yes, he is very good with the dogs, told me he used to wake up with 'the zoo' on his bed - Lucy, Missy and Lily (cat). They wouldn't dare try that with me! I just have to turn a blind eye to the mess that is his bedroom - there are more important things in life :laugh:
  2. We have just arrived back after a wonderful camping holiday of central Australia and the Kimberly and for most of this time our son was looking after the dogs, except for a week of boarding in the middle. Lucy had boarded before but Missy was an unknown but they both appeared to cope. However, Lucy is a foot chewer when stressed, so I did come home to brown feet and beard, and her paws were quite inflammed. We are back onto the malaseb/pyohex washes and already they are improving. She also had some weird black 'bites' on her lower belly and under her tail which were very itchy (she was trying to lick and scratch). At first I thought the worst (?mast cell recurrence), but decided to wait and see, after a good bath and some cortisone ointment. Happy to report they have reduced and almost gone and she is nowhere near as red. It was very wet wile we were away and I found a leech in the yard yesterday, so wouldn't be surprised if that was the culprit. She has had leech bites before up in the bush (the site fits, as they attach while the dogs are sitting)and they get very itchy afterwards (I know this from personal experience too!). She's eating like a horse, as usual, and still very playful and happy, so we can't complain at all. Just need to get her feet under control, but she's had a clip and looking much better (son obviously 'forgot' where the brushes were kept) :laugh: When I get my act together, I will try to get a photo of them both to post up. :)
  3. Thanks to both of you :) Must be so hard for you Shepherds to pop in here, but we all appreciate the updates and good wishes. I will update Lucy's thread now. :)
  4. Sorry to hear about all Ziggys problems. Hope he is feeling better soon and you get some answers. You have always been so generous with your help and advice with others problems so hope the karma is returned to you and Zig :)
  5. Hi gwp4me, sorry to hear of Struppie's trials and tribulations. I've been away for nearly a month without much internet (central Aust and Kimberly) and so pleased to come back and read that he is still with us, albeit with his challenges. Will update on Lucy in her own thread, but apart from looking a bit scruffy (son in charge and obviously didn't find the brush!) and some minor issues, she looks good. Take care, best wishes and hugs to you both. :)
  6. Just wondering how Struppie is going at the moment? Hope the big boy is stable and enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. :)
  7. Thanks for the update on Kayla and hope she continues to improve every day. :)
  8. Thanks to everyone for posting up their gorgeous tails! Love them all, especially those corgis and rotties. Totally agree with the body language comments too, makes it easier all round.
  9. Oh no Shepherds, just saw this. My heart goes out to you now, after such a courageous battle with your Kobe. You did everything possible to make his last few months as comfortable as possible. You are in our thoughts, take care of yourself Rest in peace, Kobe.
  10. Oh that's OK guys, any interesting and gorgeous tails are more than welcome :) Love the others so far, especially the little curly wurly puggy ones!
  11. Low grade and clear margins - that's good news! Enjoy the celebrations :)
  12. This is NOT a pro or anti-docking thread, so please don't turn it into one. I'm just interested in what the tails are looking like in previously docked dogs? My new rescue Missy (mini schnauzer) has the most beautifully shaped tail, and it never stops wagging. Everyone who meets her comments on what a lovely tail she has; it looks like a plume on a hat! My other mini, Lucy's, is shorter and a different shape. This is what the breed standard says: Undocked: Set on and carried high, of moderate length to give general balance to the dog. Thick at root and tapering towards the tip, as straight as possible, carried jauntily. Not sure about the tapering towards the tip and straight, but she certainly fulfills the bolded bit! :laugh:
  13. Sounds like we have the same problem! Will definitely check all these options out. I have recently changed local vets, so as Lucy was due for her vaccinations, we went over her other problems. New vet is wonderful and so much more thorough than previous one. She picked the cause of her foot allergy in one - cement dust. We had been re-cementing and paving some areas outside (where the dogs walk to get from the back to the lawn) and the cement dust can cause big problems in susceptible dogs. Her licking/chewing had caused a bacterial infection as well, so she is now on antibiotics and alternate Malaseb/Pyohex foot baths. However, the good news is that there was no mast cells in the affected areas. And hubby has just high-pressure hosed the back area, now that the work has finished, so hopefully things will improve. We have just had a few days in the bush and she enjoyed it all, although not keen to walk on the gravel road (hence the need for the booties). She's so funny, stops dead, looks up at me and when I go to her, she backs in and almost tries to jump into my arms (as she knows I will carry her home). Once there, she just snuggles in and enjoys the view! Apart from that, she walked willingly on the grass and was very playful every morning with her toys. Still eating like there's no tomorrow, and whatever is given, so that's great. Like others, it appears as though she is shrinking before my eyes, as again her collar and harness had to be adjusted, although her weight is constant. I've also noticed her coat is not anywhere near what it should be - she hardly needs a clip after 7 weeks. I hope all of this is just ongoing effects of the prednisone and not anything more sinister. However, compared to others in this forum, we are going well at the moment. My heart goes out to the others who are dealing with much tougher situations at the present - you know who you are.
  14. Hi gwp4me, sorry to hear about all the ups and downs with Struppie recently (I have been away for a week). It must be so difficult when they are not interested in food and you know that they need to eat to keep up their strength. I think I would also be doing the same - just give them what they want (within reason) and let them enjoy it. I'm glad that he has been enjoying his little walks, when the weather allows. Don't know about you, but I am so over this summer; just wish the cooler days would arrive. I will give a Lucy update in her thread, so as not to hijack this one, but many thanks for asking about her :)
  15. Many thanks Shepherds, will follow this up. Glad to hear Levi is doing better and Kobe's ultrasound was clear - great news!
  16. So sorry to hear about Coco, such a difficult time for you. Really hope Kayla is improving from her illness and feeling better soon.
  17. Hi guys, glad to hear that Struppie is feeling well enough to take a dive in the river and that Adi is improving. Re the head shrinking issue, I have noticed the same with Lucy - head and neck area. I've had to adjust both her collar and car harness. My vet told me it's a side effect of the prednisone, as they get muscle wastage and it's very visible on this part of their body. I think Lucy's has improved a bit these days, she doesn't seem so 'sunken' around this area, but maybe that is just wishful thinking? Must compare some recent and old photos to see the difference. I just arrived home after 5 nights away without the the girls (took my elderly parents on a short break) and it's so lovely to be back with dogs at my feet :) My son does a great job as dog sitter and general spoiler.
  18. Sounds like a good snooze to be having. Have you thought about getting some boots for Lucy? I have just bought some boots for my eldest boy Levi. He had degenerative myelopathy and if you are not familiar with it, it is a very cruel (but painless) disease that robs them of rear end function to eventual paralysis. Somewhere over the past couple months, in amongst all the Kobe issues, Levi has had a fairly big downhill slide (DM tends to deteriorate, plateau for a while and then slide again). I got the boots for him to protect his nails (one had started to bleed from the scuffing of his rear feet), plus also the boots provide support and stability and stop him slipping on the tiles/carpet. The boots are brilliant and he has taken to them like a duck to water (trendsetter that he is). They make 3 different style of boots depending on what they are needed for and are honestly the best thing I have got for him. As for Kobe (thanks for asking), he continues to have his ups and downs. Food has become a real issue again, refusing to eat and he has lost weight. I have him booked in for an ultrasound on Monday as I need to know whether the lack of appetite is as a result of things deteriorating, or he is just being a shit (said with love) with his new food regime. I'm obviously hoping he's just being a shit....my head is telling me to be realistic...and the heart doesn't want to know. . And with Levi's deterioration, it's all getting a bit much If you are interested in the boots, I will dig out the link for you of where I got them from... Great service and price. Hi Shepherds, thanks so much for the help. Yes, i would be interested in the boots. I did get some when Lucy was first recovering from her surgery, but they were only from a local shop and didn't stay on very well. I ended up using the velcro from them and wrapping it around a baby sock on her foot - very princess like for a schnauzer! It would be a great help up in the bush, as she still loves going for her walks, but I find that the dirt road we tend to use is hard on her paw (she has had two toes removed)and she starts to limp after about 1km (and I end up carrying her home!). Would also be good for protection from grass seeds and burrs for that sensitive paw. I'm so sorry to hear about Kobe and Levi - what a time for you! I hope they have Levi is feeling better and that Kobe has decided to enjoy his new diet. Fingers crossed that the ultrasound was clear.
  19. I don't think most people do sas, unless they need it. I also think the only ones to reply are those who have been through something and have used the resources the threads have to offer.. I never used to frequent the training forum either until I got Zig because Ollie had no issues with training (unlike the new lad).. I think Staffyluv has nailed it. As a current active poster in the palliative care forum (my dog has mast cell tumour) I have found the advice and support invaluable from others who have been, or are going through, similar times. Prior to this, I was an infrequent visitor and didn't post as I really didn't have anything to offer. When Lucy was diagnosed, one of the first things I did was a search for MCT and bang, up came all this very useful information. I have no problem with infrequent replies or not much traffic, but I can see why this issue was raised in regards to the renal failure thread. I guess most people think the palliative care forum is for cancer cases only, which isn't true; there are many other terminal diseases. However, I guess I would be a bit disappointed to have these threads merged with the general health forum as it is like a little 'community' in there and we all try to support each other, as best we can, through the roller coaster of palliative care. By the way Kayla, I can't offer any experience or advice for kidney failure, but I really do have empathy for what you and your dog are going through at this time.
  20. Those grass seeds are a real bugger - glad you could get them out before they caused any more trouble. Sounds like Struppie is happy at the moment, hope all goes well so he can have his treatment this week.
  21. So sorry to hear this, but you did the right thing for Zephyr. He looked like such a lovely, smoochy boy. Take care.
  22. Hi Shepherds, thanks for thinking of us. :) Lucy is still going well (every digit crossed). She has a bit of trouble with her paws, they tend to flare up after bush visits, but malaseb foot baths, polaramine tablets and some cortavance spray when needed, seems to work. I've noticed the skin between her pads in her 'healthy' front paw tends to get inflammed and swollen, from time to time. I always get the oncology vet to check this when we go, but so far so good. Of course, I am paranoid whenever I see a foot problem, as this is probably where the MCT will recur, if not abdominal secondaries. They are both asleep in the sun now, after a big walk down by the river. Edit: How is Kobe doing?
  23. Cassie, I don't know about the treatment for lymphoma, but just want to say how sorry I am to hear about Zephyr and what you must be going through at this time.
  24. Love the photos! Hope Struppie is feeling better today?
  25. Anne, I was so sorry to hear about Monte, after all you have been through recently with the dogs. He sounded like quite a character. RIP Monte, run free.
×
×
  • Create New...