Polgara's Shadow

Change your family's mind. Rottie's are wonderful dogs and you sound (to me) that you'll take the time to find an ethical responsible breeder (who breeds for good temperament) and also put in the hard yards with training and ongoing life fulfillment. Other breeds to consider.. Bernese, Wolfhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, American Staffordshire Terrier.

Dogmad, I may be the one reading this wrong but I don't think the two dogs are living together. I understand that far_kenell_73 and friend hope to dog-sit for each other but are worried about doing so because of the Visla's behaviour. far_kenell_73 I don't have any advice, but can sympathise with your situation. I don't like putting Vulcan in kennels either and am fortunate that he gets along well with many of our friends dogs and they are happy to dog-sit for us (and vice-versa).

Got my tickets..thanks for the headsup Ruth!

I've an allergy dog and my vets advise me that hives are rarely something to worry about - even though they look terrible and freak me out. When I last took him to the vet I asked them to give me some antihistamine tablets so I could manage him myself when affected. Much cheaper to administer a tablet yourself and monitor their reactions than go to the vet each time the hives turn up.

Hi Monty Monster - I have a brand new innotek here if your interested. I bought it at Christmas when Vulcan decided he was houdini (and I was panicking about him getting out) - but we managed to fix the fence and extinguish the behaviour before the innotek turned up so its totally unused. I'm pretty sure its this one (but will check when I get home. PM me if your interested. http://petsafeaustralia.com.au/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/261/category/48/

Sounds like your starting to build up a picture of what he can and can't manage. Thats a good thing. I know its frustrating - I've been there and cried just like you are now when yet another thing made him react - but you are making progress You know he's been pretty good with fish except for the runs recently so perhaps try the sago with fish as persephone reccomendeds and see if it helps to clear up the runs. Personally I'd try that before switching to the dry food - there's a possibility it will work and you'll discover a basic food you know he can tolerate. You can buy sago from the supermarket - its often used as a dessert (with added sugar etc..) and is can be found in the health food section or dry goods section. Its mixed with water to form a lumpy gooey porridge. Like LizT says try and avoid the temptation of feeding a variety of things as it will become impossible to work out which caused the reaction.

Poor darling. How many weeks has Kingston been on fish only? Its probably worth popping in to see your vet and talk about his progress and the recent diarrhea. Many allergy dogs can tolerate cooked rice, I understand there's little nutritional value in it but it may help to bulk out the fish. If the runs continue you may need to find another protein source as he may have an intolerance to fish.

I have a gregarious 2.5yo SBT who adores other dogs. However on the rare occasion he does come across a dog he doesn’t like much and he will run to me for help. He rarely does this so when he does I take it seriously step in to help. I always want him to look to me to solve the issue for him rather than him feeling he’s got to manage it himself. Being an SBT I’m hyper-aware that people can be scared of them and that he’s a powerful dog. When he runs to me, I pop him on lead, holding him behind me and use my body to block the other dog from getting to him. That way I can control both of them. If I need to I’ll grab the other dog’s collar so the owner can come over and get them. I’ve never been in a situation where I felt the other dog would attack me. I think its important that your dog has confidence in you to take care of it.

I haven't got much to add for a possible diagnisis. However I really admire your perserverence in exhausting all avenues to find the cause of your adopted dog's problems. Your new doggie has certainly landed on its paws finding a home with you.

Sounds like you have a more stable food routine now Issy . Stick with what your doing for a total of six weeks. It can take that long for the allergen to get out of his system. If the itchies dissapear, or are even considerably reduced, you'll have a good idea that salmon/tuna are ok and you can start introducing other foods. Keep us posted on how you go.

Seeming you are already feeding sardines, why don't you try just feeding sardines and rice for the remainder of your trial and forget about the dry?

Good luck Deanna, we ave fingers and paws crossed here for your surgery!

Toy – long hair Chi Small - French Bulldog Medium - Whippet Large – Bernese Mountain Dog Giant – Bull-mastiff I don't think I could ever live without a Staffordshire Bull Terrier!

Good work Is that the stubborn little monster in your siggy? He's adorable!

Hi Issy, Having a boyfriend who is so allergic to your dog must be a challenge! I haven't used Allerpet before, but do have an allergy dog who's been through an elimination diet. Definitely don't use the Allerpet while your Cavalier is on the elimination diet - its not worth it. If your dog starts getting itchy you'll have no idea what caused it and will have to start all over again. Is that your pup in your avatar? Gorgeous!

Hi Pugmum, If you haven't yet I'd recommend you do an elimination diet for 6-8 weeks...much cheaper and easier than replacing the lawn. If they're still itching then get them allergy tested, you wouldn't want to replace the lawn with something they're equally allergic to - or find out its the pollen from your next door neighbors gumtree thats actually causing the problem. All that said, I've heard good things about the grass 'Sir Walter'. My siggy boy is allergic to couch and kikuyu grass (and sardines, pork & lamb), but we have an indigenous garden here so its not a big issue for us. Good luck

Naww cute pics. So sweet she also has a lovely bulldoggie friend to hang out with. Looks like she's landed on all four paws this time. Well done everyone involved, what a life transformation she's had since Carlo11 was brave enough to get her out of there

OMG OMG OMG I just got me some happy tears!!! Awesome work Kelskats & Carlo11!!! Vulcan and I wish you a wonderful life with your new people darling Pearl :cheer: :cheer:

Gorgeous boofead puppy

My experience too is they are super consant hyper littlies, mellowing to bursts of super hyper as they get older. Sufficient regular exercise and training has always kept mine manageable...miss a few walks tho and you'll soon get a pain in the bum on your hands. At 3 or 4 months old tho...lots of training and mental stimulation, they're bodies are still a bit young for too much exercise at that age. I recommend your neighbor has a go at clicker training.

Oh..and we ended up throwing his bedding out - it was passed its used by date anyway and got him some new flea free things. This may or may not be practical for you. I've never had much success with flea shampoo's.

I had a persistent infestation a couple years ago. Its a pain. I suggest switching from frontline to advocate/advantix. Washing your dogs bedding in eucalyptus oil and flea bombing your house. You can get the flea bombs from the supermarket - they look like a can of fly spray, you set them in each room, get out of the house for a few hours and let the canisters empty.

From http://www.lsu.edu/d...ss/genetics.htm Huh.. how fascinating. Its especially curious that (according to your source) the deafness occurs after birth. There's so much we don't know about how living things work. Thanks for the info :)

All the best

Pure curiosity...why does a lack of pigment in the ear lead to deafness??? My basic biology knowlegde isn't helping me understand the link.