Allerzeit

Thought I would update you all on how the boy is going. Unbelievably he is off Rimadyl completely for now! He was a little tender last night, and I thought we would have to give him some Rimadyl this morning because surely he would be limping, but nope - he's happy and active this morning. His last Rimadyl was on the morning of the 5th - so I'm really pleased with that. Going strong on BARF - although hates his vege gloop He's really enjoying his bones though (they all are), and I'm actually really surprised just how much bone they get through. I had a look at the beef bones and thought there was no way they would eat the bone as well as the meat - but without fail they all ate every last bit. He also started on herbal supplements two days ago. Osteosarcoma/Bone Cancer Support and Maritime Pine Extract at a double dose initially to help kick start the immune system. He hates it, and it smells vile - we are currently injecting the stuff into his chicken necks to get him to take it. Incredibly, the lump has not grown at all over the past week - so I'm tickled pink with how he's going for now - couldn't ask for better I don't think. Stewie sends you all a sloppy kiss! Trace

Thank you everyone for the support, well wishes and suggestions - I'm sure you all know how important it is, but you deserve be told anyway. A big thankyou to you all. Well, Stewie's pretty good at the moment - we've dropped him from the recommended 200gm per day of Rimadyl to only 50mg per day. This seems to be completely removing his pain at the moment (pretty low dosage for a 53kg dog). In the meantime, we have pulled our fingers out and switched him over to BARF feeding (the girls are half and half, and will go completely BARF next week when I get more supplies!) - which he's absolutely LOVING! Chicken necks for breakfast? Oh - If I must! We also have some Osteosarcoma / Bone Cancer Support herbal treatment on the way from Robert McDowell (http://www.herbal-treatments.com/dog_osteosarcoma_bone_cancer.html if anyone's interested). Hopefully it will assist us to manage his pain without having to rely on Rimadyl. So, it's enjoy him and spoil him rotten for now, and count each day as a blessing. Will keep you all informed of how we get on. Cheers, Trace

I'm so sorry to hear about Buddy - bet he's at the bridge giving all the GSD a hard time though! Lots of hugs going your way.

Just back from the vet We didn't go as far as x-rays to definitely confirm it - the vet is 99% sure that it is Osteosarcoma. Definitely swelling in the bone, right spot, right breed, right age. We will now just manage pain for as long as Stew still has good quality of life. I thought I'd run out of tears, apparently not. Thanks for the support everyone. Trace

Thanks mita (and everyone else too! - hugs to you all), Vet appointment is for 3pm today - so will report back when we return. Poor OH doesn't want to go to the vet because he doesn't want anyone to confirm what it is

Thanks for the well wishes guys - Stewie is getting many, many hugs at the moment. Poor guy can't work out why I'm so distressed - but the more I try not to be upset, the worse I am. We've lost too many Rotts to bone cancer

The word that strikes dread in my heart Stewie has been mildly lame over the past week. The lameness is on the same side as his arthritic shoulder, and the weather has been getting colder - so naturally we thought it was the arthritis starting to play up and started up his Sasha's Blend again. Unfortunately, no. OH has just found a swelling in the radial bone. Obviously we need to go to the vet for a confirmed diagnosis - but from past experience, it looks like the news won't be good. Damn it!! He's not even 7 years old. Everyone - hug your furbabies tight - they're never here for long enough

Ohhhh poor Bella! Big hugs and licks coming from Enya - cut feet are horrid Please let us know how you get on at the vet this morning.

Ooohhh Jenny - I don't have much better advice than to try and relax - and I know how easy that is to say, but hard to do. I really think if you have fun training, then you will have fun trialling. I was exactly the same as you a couple of months ago - I was sick to the stomach with nerves. But, guess what? I found the encouragement judges to be great - they understood the nerves and tried to make it as non-confrontational as possible. We bombed out in both trials - but Jenny, I think that was a good thing as it then took away my fear of messing up. The world didn't end and it was still a heap of fun! Hope you both have a wonderful time! Make sure you let us know how it goes Cheers, Trace

Ezza - I was drinking coffee when I read that!! Now it's all over the place No - we've never put coats on our dogs. I could just imagine the look on Stu's face if I tried to dress him in a cute little coat. He thinks he's a tough dog, you see ;)

Oh Fido, I'm so sorry Run free Jessie

Good News!!!

Fingers crossed that Amy is OK. Our thoughts are with you.

Lablover, that's wonderful news!! What a relief for all concerned, I'm sure!

Oh My Lord!! You know, my mum was over here from Adelaide last October and while here she purchased some Apple Cider Vinegar to make fish batter. So I have this almost full bottle of the stuff sitting in my pantry, and I keep looking at it thinking "what on earth am I going to do with that??" Well - now I know!!! So many things to try, so little time!

Keep on fighting little chap!! Keep on hanging in there Lablover!! We will keep our fingers crossed, and our thoughts with you that your boy keeps recovering. Name suggestions: Brandon - which means "Fighter" Clifford - which means "Brave" Cohn - which means "Victorious" Arnold - which means "Strong"

Lots of hugs being sent your way Lablover. Praying that your baby pulls through. :rolleyes:

I think you know the feeling was mutual M-J :rolleyes: ImaShepHead - OMG, small world!! If your dog was the one I think it was, then she was AMAZING!!! Well deserved wins - what a dog! :rolleyes: The judge on the Saturday was pretty thorough with his exam - it was along the lines of a conformation exam, minus the mouthing.

Not sure how you register your dog as an associate, but you can do it - plenty of associates in obedience trials :rolleyes: Get yourself joined up with the VCA, and at the same time ask them how to register your baby. Once you're a member you will start getting the journal once a month, which lists all the shows and trials. Simply find any close enough to you, and send in an entry :rolleyes:

I'm pleased my story has relaxed you a bit bonnie :rolleyes: I was so nervous (and I'm sure I will be next time), but you have to keep telling yourself that you're doing this because you love working with your dog, and that you can only do what you can and try to enjoy the experience. The judges were both really nice too - particularly Mr E Howden, who we had on the Saturday - made a real effort to relax his encouragement handlers, and - well - encourage them :rolleyes:

Well - what can I say? What a blast!! To start with, let me assure you we failed spectacularly both days :rolleyes: So we can only get better! Last night, got there and of course the first thing is vetting. Enya was not impressed. No way - not doing this vetting thing, you're planning on doing WHAT with that tissue??? ;) Encouragement was on last, so we watched the Utility dogs do their thing (stayed away from the Novice and Open rings, helen ). Utility always leaves me in complete awe. Finally we were up.... Failed heeling - totally lost the plot on automatic sits, I don't think she did a single sit without being told (several times), downs and stands were fine, figure eight wasn't bad considering, but overall she was dragging a lot. Stand for examination was great - until I returned to her - at that point she turned around to follow me. Stand stay was fine, I think she moved one foot, so I was very pleased with that. Sit stay, no problem - big distraction when the Irish Setter on her right decided to bolt out of the ring (I could have cried for that dogs handler - that was my nightmare coming into the trial). Down stay - longest 3 minutes of my life - also fine, another distraction ignored when the dog on her left decided to come over to the handlers (what, does Enya have BO or something??) Totally exhausted, headed home to bed. This morning, bright and early, encouragement is on first - and we are the first ones in the ring! Vetting this morning was much better. M-J was wielding the tissue (Hi M-J! ) and must have had a way with the girls, or something :p Got most of the automatic sits in heeling, missed some drops though - and was overall worse than last night (I think I was a little more nervous being first in as well). Stand for examination - the judge seemed a little hesitant compared to last nights, and I think Enya wanted to make sure she was ok, so when the judge went behind her, Enya turned around to say hi :rolleyes: Stand stay - perfect, except as I returned that seemed to be the signal for Enya to sit down and have a lick at what people kept wanting to wipe with a tissue. So all in all - Enya left her brain at home, I took my nerves with me, we failed both days - and as yesterdays judge said - the world didn't end ;) Despite nerves and messing up, it was just so much fun to do, we both had a ball. We will be out there, continuing with our training and looking forward to the next opportunity! Cheers, Trace

I will take that advice, helen - getting more nervous watching other dogs and handlers make mistakes is definitely something I would be vulnerable to!

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys! Will let you know how it turns out Corine, I'll PM you those names now - thanks

Ooooohhhhh - tomorrow evening is our (Enya and my) first time in the obedience trial ring. Only Encouragement class, but I'm so nervous I feel sick I keep telling myself - breathe, smile, don't worry the judge is not out to get you... Keep your fingers crossed for us, I'm sure we will have a fun time regardless of how well she does (or doesn't) do Cheers, Trace

So sorry to hear that Roxanne Obviously it's really hard to offer advice without seeing your pup, but have you approached the breeder regarding the situation? Surely they must have noticed something about this puppy prior to selling it to you. If I was in your shoes, I would want to know what they have to say for themselves. Did the breeders provide any sort of health guarantee?