toughgirl27

He may have to be put under anaesthesia or heavy sedation for the x-ray to be done - putting dogs under GA/sedation is not something the vet will do lightly. Zero has hip problems and our vet has told me to explore other options before having him xrayed because last time he was put under, he took a long time to come around. Your vet may be concerned about putting a sick dog under sedation if there are other options. If in doubt, call your vet and ask. Lestat is the same (Zero's brother from another mother ). Last time I had him under he had everyone worried for awhile (didn't help that I was in the room to helping the nurse!) The vet at the time suggested that I avoid putting him under again unless I absolutly have to. Took him a very long time to come around again. I'm sorry to hear that, Wolfsong. I would be a mess If I were in surgery with my boy!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for your post. Thanks to everyone. XXtoughgirlXX

Thanks Charleswentworth Your cavy is super cute XXtoughgirlXxxx

Simba has been under GA b4 twice. Once for his hip X-ray and again when he swallowed a plastic toy with a piece of string attached!!!! Maybe the vet is concerned about that, I will ask. Simba had diarrhoea for a day. really bad. looked like water and was yellow in colour. He is three years of age, i feed him twice a day 3/4 cups Eagle Pack Holistic Select Salmon & Anchovy Dry food. I have been changing his feeding around, I'll admit. As I wanted him to lose weight. He was getting 1,1/2 cups once a day, and b4 that 1 cup twice a day. He is currently 30kg but I would like him to be between 27-30kg because of his joint problems. I don't feed him canned food. Oh I do add kangaroo or beef mince for him to take his glucosamine, fish oil, asnd celery seed tabs. I ran out last week and put them in cheese. But only a couple of times. Mum and Dad have also been giving him Dog carob chocolate treats. He was last wormed on the 21st of feb. Advocate. But I am changing back to Sentinel as I think it is easier because it covers all types of worms. Oh, and his poo tonight was solid YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XXToughgirlXX

If you want xrays, you can get them. You're paying, it's your dog. Just ask for the xrays to be done! Yeah I know Bindii, and I will ask. But I feel bad as I have an account with them. I'm a proud person and it's not easy. XXtoughgirlXXx

Thanks, Wolfsong. He didn't have a dirty butt tonight so here's hoping he's over the worst of it and the i/d and powder will do the trick. Cheers for your post Flyingfurball. SecretKei, Simba has only really had diarrhoea for a day or so and apart from a couple of times when he has had too many different foods eg treats from dad, biscuits from me, bits of my pizza (bad I know!!! But I don't do that now.) He hasn't really had any tummy upsets. The chiro seems like a good idea. I'll look into it Asap. Thank you guys for your support. It really means a lot to me. XXToughgirlXxxx

Dogs "turning" is largely a myth. The fact that the victim cannot identify the trigger for the attack doesn't mean there wasn't one. Which, to me, is fairly alarming. If someone's lived with a dog for 3 years, and, apparently, they know each other reasonably well, why can't they identify the trigger? Is it due, then, to the very nature of the dog? I have no answers; I'm just wondering. No some people are just thick (NOT speaking of the case at hand but another example) and have no idea about how their behaviour is perceived by a dog, and in turn, how to interpret behaviour exhibited by a dog. A member of my family is thick when it comes to dogs (of course he cannot see this and thinks they all get along well.) He makes sudden movements in front of their faces, and with one particular dog, pushes him in the chest and stares him in the face at close range. I say, "dont do that you will get bitten" and go into xyz reason why. Thick ignores what I say because he cant see how uncomfortable the dog is and the signals the dog is giving him. Then one day the dog snarls and lunges at him. I say "see that was a warning, do it again and you will get bitten." Thick keeps going, until the dog really has a go, knocks him backwards and the dog's teeth stop about 2mm from his face. I say, "that's the last warning you're going to get. The next time he's going to bite your face off / maul your head and it will be all your fault." The penny drops and Thick no longer behaves like an idiot with that particular dog any more. Isn't that all the more reason to place certain conditions on dog ownership? Compulsory training for a start should be introduced to train both dogs and humans. I don't see pet ownership as a right I see it as a privellidge, like driving a car it comes with certain conditions and responsibilities that have to be learned and followed. The larger our population gets the more idiots there are going to be, it has to be regulated somehow. I also think that it shouldn't be tied up in endless discussions about rights, most people have the right to get a driver's license but some people don't because it impacts on the safety of others, it should be the same with dogs. Totally agree. "pet ownership is a privillage, not a right." Training should be for both humans and dogs they need to understand the risks and responsibilties of dog ownership. Too many idiots get dogs for the wrong reasons with disasterous consequences. Also agree that the general population don't know how to read a dogs behaviour and in this case I feel sorry for the dog. That said I do agree that dogs that kill should be PTS. It should not be tolerated, unless the dog was defending itself. I also wonder what set the dog off in the "grandma attack"? It certainly was horrific and I hope the woman recovers. XXtoughgirlXX

I just watched the Hugh Wirth interview on 7pm project. I'd love to know what prompted the attack? XXtoughgirlXXxx

Just had a look at the English Shepherds. Beautiful colours They do look similar to Border Collies. XXToughgirlXxxx

I work at a boarding Kennel, too. I'm a senior staff member and I also do inspections. Don't you hate that when people bring their kids down and the kids put their fingers through the pen gates Even after I told the parents specifically not to let the kid do that I've even had adults put their finger's through!!!!! Too bad if the dog decided to take a bite. Thankfully this has never happened. We have certain times for inspections during the day and this ensures we do have enough time to care for all the dogs, perform our work duties, and keep the pens clean and dry. All our staff genuinely care for all the pet's we have boarding with us and are experienced, knowlegeable, friendly people. I have worked there for 11 yrs. And yes it does keep you on your toes!!!!! XXToughgirlXXXX

Hey Everyone, Simba had really bad diarrhoea yesterday. He went to the vet (AGAIN$$$$) today. Not his usual vet, another vet at the pracice. Anyhoo, he is now getting i/d can food 1/2 can three times a day with a heaped tablespoon of PAW Prebiotic Powder. She gave him a noroclav injection and his weekly cartrophen inj. She doesn't think it's a reaction to the macrolone or other tabs he has been given previously. And is still saying that if his limping doesn't go away, he will need an x-ray. Why don't they just do the x-ray? It would be better to at least know if there is anything major going on with him wouldn't it? My parents have been taking him to the vet lately as I have been working. But I think I need to say something about this. I'm really stressed out about the whole thing. XXToughgirlxxx

I have heard that celery seed tabs are also good for reducing pain and inflammation in the joints. XXtoughgirlXX

I may try the Anchovy and Salmon from the next bag as he is a very itchy dog, dont know if it will help any, he scratches a lot at this time of year so I know changing the food probably wont help all that much but we will see. He has also never been on a food with no chicken in so it will be interesting to see if it makes a difference at all to his scratching. I feed around the same at the moment, Mason weighed 32,5 Kg the last time I weighed him but he seems to have lost a bit of weight as I have been watching his weight. Hey Mason's Mom, Sorry, I'm not really sure whether Anchovy and Salmon helps with itchy skin. You could try going to the Eagle Pack website, they may have more info on that

I use four legs as training treats for Simba, too I wouldn't use it as a meal either. Simba also likes the ecopet dog rolls. XXtoughgirlXXxx

Hey Everyone, I have a few thoughts on this topic I thought I would share. Megan - Cheers for the link to the visual chart for body weight. I've added it to my reference folder. Mason's Mom - Your boy looks beautiful. He is a good weight I also like your choice of food. Eagle Pack Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult is a great dry food :D I feed my boy Holistic Select Anchovy, Salmon sensitive dry food. He seems to like it In regards to the fat content of these foods. Large and Giant Breed Adult has 13% Sensitve has 12% and there is also a Reduced Fat Formula that has 9%. But I do like the fact that both Large & Giant Breed Adult and Sensitive have added glucosamine which aids in the treatment of many joint problems. I feed Simba 3/4 cup twice a day, as I am trying to get his weight down. He currently weighs 30kg, but I want him to weigh between 27-30kgs. As it will reduce pressure on his joints. CHeers, XXToughgirlXxxx

Hi Koemi, I pay around $30.00 for one injection. Simba has to have one every week for 4 weeks. XXToughgirlXXxx

Also is diarrhoea a common side effect of macrolone? Simba has had the squirts all day today. I had to wash his bum and feet off after work. He is going to the vet tommorow. Toughgirl

That's good. I usually give Simba his tablet in the morning I'm giving him 2 meals a day, so he shouldn't be too hungry! I have to halve his meals, though as he needs to keep his weight down. He is 30kgs at the moment. I would like him to be between 27-30kgs. Thanks for your replies. XXToughgirlXxxx

Simba needs to wee a lot more since he has been taking macrolone tablets. I think this is a side effect of macrolone. Is this right? Anyone else had the same thing happen? XXtoughgirlXX

Teekay, Jenna is gorgeous! She definately looks very much like a sammie! XXtoughgirlXxx

I think I'll try Joint Guard as most of you speak so highly of it Thank you all for your replies Mooper, thanks for the link for Joint Guard I'll give everyone updates on how Simba is going. Cornell, I hope your girl is feeling better soon. lillysmum, my thoughts are with you. I hope Ruby improves with the cartrophen and the physio All of you give big hugs to your dogs from me It's not nice when they are in pain. XXToughgirlXX

Thanks Wolfsong, I'm looking into trying Joint Guard, too. There is so much out there to choose from. I'll let you know how Simba goes. XXtoughgirlXXxx

I feed Simba the Eagle Pack Anchovy holistic select. Or any Eagle Pack dry food XXToughgirlXX

Joint Guard sounds great. I'll look into it. I just don't want Simba to have to go to the vets every week for injections if there is a better natural alternative. XXToughgirlXX

Thanks Mooper, I'll see if I can find some info on Joint Guard The smell wouldn't bother me though, as I can't smell anything! cheers, XXToughgirlXX

Hi Everyone, Has anyone had experience using "Sasha's Blend" for joint problems. Have you noticed any improvement in your dog? My 3yo Samoyed has mild HD, over extended hock joints, and currently shoulder problems. I'm considering trying "Sasha's Blend" as my vet has recommended it for my boy. Any thought's opnion's are welcome Cheers, XXToughgirlXxxx