Pretty Miss Emma

So, as some of you know Emma is in the wars so spending a lot of time in hospital at the moment. But it's Kenzie I"m observing for now. Do dogs get "depressed"? Yes, an anthropomorphic question - I don't have better terminology to use at the moment!! Mainly today, Kenzie has been asking to spend time out in the backyard on her own, she just goes to a spot on the grass and curls up. This is a dog who if I shut the door and she's outside will happily run to each window to find the closest one to me and knock on it to let me know I left her outside! So for her to be choosing to go out on her own and then just curl up is a bit odd. Emma spent a few days in hospital late last week and was readmitted again this morning. I'm wondering if this is Kenzie's coping mechanism for her not being here. Have you noticed your other dogs do strange things/get "depressed" when their doggy housemates have to be absent for some reason? And do you have any suggestions for trying to keep them a bit happier?!

So after having a slightly emotional visit with her the vet has given me an update (emotional because I don't like my beautiful girl being sick and I'm a bit scared that we are getting closer to big decision making that I don't want to make :p ). Her problem today is not her pneumonia, that's actually doing really well (comparatively to 5 days ago). They're quite happy with how her lungs are looking given the short time frame and obviously the antibiotics are doing something. Bad news, her diabetes has gone haywire. Her BSL was 36 I think, just borderline for ketoacidosis but she hasn't produced any ketones so this is a good thing. But they're trying to work out why her BSL is so high, how to get it stable, and is there anything else underlying. Apparently when diabetics get pneumonia it can make their BSL go out of whack so I'm hoping that is what's going on because that feel like it might be able to be managed. So fingers and paws crossed.

It's starting to appear that there could be many problems, or the pneumonia could be causing lots of little problems. But yes, she has her eye "issues" - to be honest at the moment I'm completly giving up on them because this current problem is just so much worse and could end up with me having no Emma (I'd rather have a blind Em than no Em at all). Today the vet said her pneumonia was actually looking better. She was x-rayed again as she's been readmitted to hospital - I wasn;t happy with her resps, but it turns out that it may not be the pneumonia it seems to be her diabetes playing up, which is likely caused by the pneumonia. So it's a viscious cycle. Anyway hoping for an update later that says we have some hope and I'm clinging on to the "pneumonia is looking so much better" bit at the moment.

Keep animals and child separate - for everyone's safety. Plus if your son is struggling to understand how to treat the animals this type of behaviour could become habit, then it becomes an even longer term issue. I've worked with quite a few kids who have autism or aspbergers and they function on so many different levels. For some animals are their gateway to the rest of the world. For others they are just things the way anything else is a "thing". In terms of your son, definitely see a specialist (and someone who deals with early childhood to adolescent issues not just any psych). The local school may have recommendations of good people in the area or if your son is at 3yo kinder or creche they may have contacts. Seeing kids with these problems in the educations system, I would also suggest see more than 1 - it is always good to have a second opinion with what his problem could potentially be, and you want to minimise the risk of misdiagnosis (which can occur frequently with health issues such as these ones). No matter what you will be able to create a system that works for you household, but separate the animals and your son so that you don't need to have anymore angst about this until you know what you're dealing with and can develop a strategy that is going to work for all of you. Good luck!

I have a BC that had horrific recall. Simple answer she wasn't allowed off the lead. Now she is, but only in places where I can have minimal distraction and I know she can't hurt herself (ie by chasing bikes, cars, anything else moving!!). How did I get there... Get a long line, I bought a horse lunging lead for $25 at the stockfeed store - best investment ever! Dog can run to end of line and you can recall, plus dog covers twice the distance you do! I would call Kenzie back about every 2 min or sooner, so she was literally bouncing in and out from me. Each time she came back I grabbed her collar and treated her. If she didn't come back I turned and walked the other way. When doing our street walks on a short lead we practiced recalls about every 2 houses. So even though it was a short lead there was lots of distraction but she was close enough to me to manage it. I think we did these 2 things for at least 6months before I was game to try her off lead again. Things that I think are important - make recalls a fun game (be exciting, have treats, let them go again so they don't think coming back to you means they're stuck with you forever - by this I don't mean every single time, but letting them go again seems to cause them to come back and check in just to see where you are). You can play hide and seek at home to teach recall, they seem to find it fun. I also just do random recalls when I'm at home and Kenzie gets a big treat for coming. But if you don't have reliable recall don't let the dog off lead - it's not safe for them and they can also learn when they hear you calling that it's ok to ignore you (even though it's not, but they've learnt that they have the option to not come back and I think it would be harder to break that than to teach a strong recall to start with). A book I was recommened (but am still yet to read!!) was "Control Unleashed", you can also find videos about it on youtube.

As an employee, treated exceptionally well - but that can have a lot to do with the personalities of the people in the area you are working. In terms of pay/conditions/provision of services I would say they are better than some places I have done some work. I do get discounts on the purchase of food, toys, supplies not sure if you get vet discounts (I live too far away to be taking my animals there for vet treatment). A lot of the issues I've seen on DOL I would suggest are policy issues and things that many employees do not have control over but have to work within - almost all of the people I work with do not 100% agree with all RSPCA policy and do what they can to petition change from within and often do express frustration at having to work within some of the policies (so I would certainly suggest looking into the policies within your state and figuring out if you are prepared to work within them). That being said sometimes you don't agree with the policy but the animals who are in the care there still need people who genuinely care about them to provide the best they can for them in their time there (and that is certainly what all the people I know are focussed on). As for training, I know down here that has been an issue that is being addressed and again the training depends on the department you're working in (so difficult to make an overall comment). But would be good for you to find someone in your state who can give you the inside word there!

And back to hospital we go. Not breathing quite the way I'd like her to this morning. Certainly no where close to as bad as it was the other day, but I guess better to get on top of things sooner rather than later. However, she has to get better soon - the money is running out!!! Fingers crossed she might be able to come home tonight if they are happy with how she goes during the day.

Thanks. Em has been put on Norclav and also Baytril, I'm assuming she'll be on it for a while. I know she has to be kept pretty quiet for at least the next few weeks, but good to hear that it was 3 months for you - I'll be watching her closely to make sure she doesn't over do it for quite some time yet! I'm your boy is better now, hoping Emma makes a similar recovery!

Sort of odd, but not really looking at everything that's been going on. She's diabetic, had cataract surgery (heaps of post-op complications which we are still trying to manage), just recently developed a new problem with her eyes, so was put onto a steroidal anti-inflam - this has caused havoc with her immune system and we think she had a residual chest infection/pneumonia. So looking at the timeline of recent changes and knowing that there was the possible residual problem it all links together quite well and points to the steriod as the trigger for the downturn. They also said it is quite common with pneumonia and pseudomonas (the bug she may have) to see them go downhill within a few hours. And it looks like all her test results are pointing to the same conclusion. She's looking good today, and doing what every BC does - pushing herself further than she should!!! So it's close monitoring to make sure she takes it easy. Who would think that a 12yo would keep pushing themselves too hard!! We're heading back to the vet tomorrow just to have a bit of a check up. But she seems soooo much better and I think is just happy to be at home! If you ever have problems with your dogs and you're near Essendon Animal Accident and Emergency I can say that our experience has been wonderful with them, they were so caring, it cost me a lot but no where near what I thought it would, they were happy to allow me to be part of the decision making process about keeping her in or sending her home, and they were just lovely all round! Just my experience but it's all I can go on and for me it ticked the boxes with my emergency!! Thanks for well wishes, Emma sends you all a tail wag!!!

Which state are you in? I think that would make a difference as while it is a national organisation each state is run differently so it's probably most useful to get information relevant to the state you are in. I do some casual paid work and also some volunteering for them, so can give you a little info about Vic if that's where you are.

Oh good to see a photo....that really helps. My boy is just 12 mths old now. It doesn't look like a lot of room to spare but I have read that they feel safer in more compact spaces. Would you agree? I didn't see the cat in the crate until I clicked on the photo to make it bigger. How cute. I wish my Jed and 2 cats got on. She actually has quite a bit of space, the cat was taking up too much at that time!! She usually curls up when she sleeps and she only takes up max 1/2 the crate, probably 1/3 really. And she can also sleep stretched out completely. If I put her in a drop position in the crate she probably still has 25cm of empty space. If you'd like a clearer photo let me know!

When I got Kenzie she had met over 100 adults and children, and 25 dogs in the first 4 weeks I had her. Just make sure you know that the dogs are vaccinated and healthy and be sensible about where you let pup on the ground. There's so much debate over the vaccination vs socialisation issue, but the majority of opinions I've seen/heard (including from many many vets) is that if you are sensible you can do really good socialisation before the pup is fully vaccinated. But anyway on to the real reason I was replying... a barrier a pup can't get through. My parents used wooden trellis in their house (open plan and pup was allowed on tiled areas, wooden trellis was solid and she couldn't get through, also was short enough to take a big step over for the adult humans - obviously a smallish pup!). I used the metal wire compost bin panels that you can get at Bunnings ($25 I think for 4 panels) - I actually bought 2 packs and made myself a large crate for my pup and dog to be able to use. If you don't find any pics let me know and I'll get it out and take a photo for you!

Personally, I just wouldn't be able to risk it!! And I say that as much about my state of mind, I would spend all my time worrying "what if". I don't know what the factual issues of disease transmission would be in this case, I just know that I mentally wouldn't cope!!!

Well, Emma got to come home tonight! Yay!! She's very weak. Couldn't stand up to eat her dinner, and then after a while couldn't be bothered putting her nose in the bowl (although was more than happy to be hand fed so I think she might be playing me a little!!!). But she's so much brighter!! She was able to walk in the house on her own, and also out to check the back yard and make sure Kenzie hadn't ruined it for her!! Of course that's worn her out now so she's blissfully sleeping in her spot at the front door. More drugs added onto her med sheet - oh well, so long as she gets better. So I have to make my 12yo BC who loves having her daily jaunt at the park have bed rest for about 2 weeks (other than a little pottering around!!). So happy she's home and looking close to being back towards my usual beautiful girl!!! Oh and her photo is from earlier this year, she hasn't bounced back that well yet!

Kenzie has a 36" crate that she sometimes uses! Plenty big for her. I don't know what sort it is, but it is metal wire and completely - she managed to lift ones that don't have bottoms and she learnt to open soft ones (clever cheeky munchkin!!). I got it off ebay for about $70 and it has been great. In the photo she was 12 months old.

Thankyou puglvr!!! Can I ask how you did the steam tent? As in logistically! Emma is a border collie, do you think this would be logistically possible??

Our eye specialist was about $80 for the first consult (I think$60 susequently - this is consult only). And basic testing using just instrumens they have there seems to add around $20 to the bill. But as soon as there is more comprehensive testing required it jumps up, and obviously any meds add to the price. If meds are required find out if the canine med is the same as the human one. Human meds are still heaps cheaper than vet ones even when they aren't PBS, and your vet can write a script that can be filled at a pharmacy. Most of Emma's eye related meds I get at the pharmacy as they are identical to the vet product other than the label (so 3 sets of eye drops and blood pressure tabs - all this costs about $80 at the pharmacy and would be closer to $150 if I was buying the vet version of the products. And they are all on prescription). So check as this could help you save a little bit.

I used to take Emma to work. She was Delta tested first, I would have thought very hard before taking her without some sort of temprament testing even though she is perfect (I work in a school). She probably came about once a week or once a fortnight, day carefully chosen so that it didn't coincide with meetings etc. Always stayed by my side, sat under my desk, and made no noise! She did wonders for the morale of most staff, the kids loved having her in (she certainly helped break some boundaries for them socially and psychologically), and I have to say the kids never worked better than when Em was in the classroom (the rules were that they couldn't pat the dog unless she went to them or if they were coming to ask me a question - never had so many questions asked in a class!!!!). The kids loved the responsibility of being allowed to take her out to the garden bed to go wees, and really showed how much they can respect something/one they value (particularly late last year when she wasn't too well and would come in just prior to a vet app). But now they are putting policy in place so dogs can't be at work. So this has prompted me to re-evaluate my position there and I'll be looking for somewhere/thing that is a bit more accepting. And no ones really interested in hearing the evidence there is for dogs being excellent social ice-breakers for kids, or the benefits their presence can have in terms of the kids psychological welfare and confidence building in learning. Not that I think that dogs should be in every workplace, but I want to make a bit of a stance against the whinging few getting their way and the overwhelming majority being ignored. Plus really it's just a good excuse for me to look for a job I'll like better where I can be with the ones I want to be with!!!

My dogs often take themselves off to sleep when they want to. But their offical bedtime is the same as mine. I take them outside for wees and then tell them "off to bed" and they both head to my room and settle in their beds. Generally I don't hear from them again until morning!

I have a friend with 2 min pins - Sausage and Pumpkin! I also used to have a bunny called Peanut!

Leave her with your parents. Good for her to know that she can have a sleepover somewhere and you'll come back, plus nice opportunity for them to bond with her too!

Well, I went in for a visit at about lunchtime today. Vet is very happy with how she is going. Has been off the oxygen since 5am and hasn't seemed to had too much trouble with her breathing. She's still on IV antibiotics and fluids. They said I could have taken her home but would prefer that she stayed at least one more night - I said I'm more than happy with that!! She was very happy to see me and we were able to walk her from her bed to the clinic door and back (yesterday she couldn't even stand up), that's about as much daily exercise as she's allowed at the moment. So she's in good hands again tonight, and hopefully will be home tomorrow night - but we'll play that by ear because I just want to make sure she gets fully better. Thanks for the well wishes all!!

That bit of park is good!! Also if you head further upstream (so go right instead of left - near the Boathouse) are the other ovals where there are lots of dogs. It's a bit of a drive but they love it there!!! Both Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong councils seem to have better facilites in terms of dog parks than Moreland. We have one of the worst councils in terms of provision of resources for pet owners.

This is sort of 1/2 OT. Is it worth lobbying the state kennel associations and ANKC to have some sort of publicity/advetising about using registered breeders. Not an anti-pet sops campaign (although I know we'd all love that!!), but something that is big and out there. I know that there is information available, but it is often not in people's faces, whereas puppies in pet shop windows are. As has been said in so many threads here, the lay-person on the street often just doesn't know where to look, what to ask or why. So if the dog community is concerned about that then would it make sense to actively try to change that. Yes it would cost a lot of money, but in the long term it probably might be worth it. I would suggest that most people want to do the right thing but often don't know what that is (again a comment made by so many people here, then they come here and learn about it!). I don't know, it's an issue that tends to run around in circles and it seems that most of the people concerned do what they can (ie OP and everyone else here who gives their friends/potential puppy owners information) but the message just isn't getting far enough.

The dogs must be on main register and then you need to submit their desexing certificate to get them put on the Neuter register. To get a dog transferred from limited to main, you just need the breeder to assess the dog and then complete the relevant form if they agree the dog meets the standard. If already desexed, you would have to get it transferred from limited to main and then resubmit the paperwork to get it transferred to neuter. Thankyou for a fantastic plain english answer!!! (maybe you should write the guidelines so newbies like me understand everything without getting stressed!!)