cj-b

ETA: As kids I think I remember Mum worming us once . Don't know why - whether it was necessary or whether she read stuff that made her think she should. I throw up trying to swallow foul tasting medication anyway (back in those days, all kids had medicine not tablets and all the medicines tasted revolting) so there was no repeating the medication, lol.

Haha not like that these days, it now comes in the form of very yummy chocolate squares. My kids love worming time, lol

I see your point, I think I will discuss this with the vet next time we are due to go. Thanks for the idea.

Thanks for acknowledging that, cj-b. I do mean well by raising these things as I do believe the drugs we apply/administer to our dogs year in year out can't help but weaken their systems and that over the generations matters such as sensitive stomachs; irritable bowel disease; allergies will (is) become worse and worse and more and more plentiful (not as though it isn't plentiful already). I'd recommend speaking with 3 or a dozen Vets though - as don't forget who makes money out of the wormers; heartwormers; vaccinations; flea treatments (all of which are administered on a regular on-going basis so it's not hard to figure out that these things are worth a fortune to them).

It does make sense. I remember reading how vaccinations can cause allergies as well. My dog has always had an issue with itchy skin, better these days, but still does itch a little from time to time. The lady I bought his BARF off commented on maybe avoiding yearly vaccinations. I'm not sure I know enough about it yet to go that far, but it is definitely something to read further into. Thank you for your information, I do take it all on board, and I can definitely see where you are coming from. But before I do more of my own research, I will stick to worming/flea treatment and vacc etc. until I can make my own educated decision about it all.

Thank you again to everyone for your help

Frontline and Advantix are from different companies and also have different active ingredients...I am not so familiar with Advantix as we don't stock it at my work... we have had a few complaints about the Frontline not working but its hard to comment on how valid they are as usually the product is not being used correctly (ie. applying it to dogs but not treating the cat).

You can also get away with only giving the Interceptor once every 6 weeks as if you read the product insert it does provide protection against heartworm longer than 30 days.

Karly, is your personal opinion or from what you have learnt from customer feedback, which product do you think is best. My mum only has one dog, and none of the topical drops kept the fleas off her Maltese. She now has her on Comfortis and her little girl barely has a problem with them now. Which is another reason why I'm hesitant to change, but I'm willing to try.

I worm myself and the kids, so I'm happy to use a monthly or 3 monthly program for my dog as well.

I think I will use the Interceptor along with the Advantix, and see how that works.

Naturally it is your choice, but I thought that considering your dog has the issues of a sensitive stomach, it might be helpful to reduce the administration of chemicals that may not be necessary as much as possible.

I see your point, I think I will discuss this with the vet next time we are due to go. Thanks for the idea.

I worm myself and the kids, so I'm happy to use a monthly or 3 monthly program for my dog as well.

I think I will use the Interceptor along with the Advantix, and see how that works.

I like that idea.

Do the Frontline Plus and the Advantix have the same active ingredient??? Do you know if they are made from the same company, as in same product same action different manufacturer?

Do either of these products have better flea protection that the other?? Sorry for all the questions...

I have been using Comfortis for flea treatment for 4 months now, I'm happy with the job it does but the problem is my boy seems to have a sensitive stomach and I have had to use 2 tablets twice now to keep 1 tablet down, as he vomits it all back up. It does say it is a common side effect and to give only on a full stomach, but this doesn't help with him, he will just vomit it ALL back up.

I also have been using Sentinel Spectrum for 6 months, I'm due to repurchase a 6 month supply. I was going to cut back and use the Interceptor as I'm also using the comfortis.

My concern now is, that it's working out to be very expensive to use the comfortis for the reason I mentioned.

So I was wondering, what other combination I could use for Worming, Flea and preferably tick control.

I was thinking I could get him the annual heartworm injection, use a 3 monthly intestional wormer and either Frontline Plus or Advantix.

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

My mums house is situated in a bad flea area, so I need to make sure the flea treatment, really works.

As you can see, I'm not sure which way to go, I would love any advice on products and combinations.

Thank you

He has become an adolescent, the dreaded stage of a dog's development and this is when they do things they have never done before and can be right royal ratbags getting up to all sorts of mischief. My current Lab youngster (14mths), was a fantastic pup who never destroyed his toys and had only had an odd chew on the TV stand, but once he became an adolescent the little bugger decided to go big and the couch seat cushions became his first victim. I started crating him after this when I went out for anywhere from 1-3 hrs (I worked from home) for a few weeks and then gradually let him have his freedom in the family room with my older lab boys like he used to and he was great for awhile, then decided to have another go at the couch cushions, so once again into the crate or outside he went (weather dependent) when I had to go out. Once again after a couple of weeks, I gradually gave him his freedom inside when I went out and apart from dragging the dogs beds and futons and blankets around, he never did any more damage.

From about 9months he seemed to have turned a corner, no more couch cushion chewing, no more pulling clothes off the line, no more counter surfing etc Apart from a couple of these couch chewing episodes, he has really been a fabulous pup and the only one out of all my lab youngsters that I have allowed access to both inside and outside when I am not home as I have two senior labs that mainly live inside during the colder months with outside access.

I love this idea, my boy is 9 months old, so I'm keeping a good eye on him. But will use your ideas if he decides to turn into a wild teenager. Although, he is only a small dog, hopefully he will soon be turning to a know it all early aged adult, lol.

Help!!!!!!! My 6 month old rr puppy just chewed a 20 cm hole in our leather couch :D

He regularly destroys his beds (doesn't eat them just shreds them to pieces) so we bought him a canvas cover for a trampoline bed and that seems to have fixed the problem.

But tonight i was putting the kids to bed and the puppy was left alone in the family room for less than 3 minutes, and I have come back out to find the puppy happily chewing a 20 cm hole in the leather couch. He has never shown any interest in the couch before (besides jumping on it).

He has lots of toys and likes to chew plastic bottles, and there was a fresh plastic bottle only 40 cm away, but he chose the leather couch!!!! I have put eucalyptus oil around the hole he has chewed to try and deter him from making it any bigger.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to stop him from chewing things he shouldn't and any phone numbers for a good upholster!!!!!!

:D

Your fault, you never ever leave a puppy unsupervised with free run of the house.

If at any time you can not watch a puppy you need to put it in a pen or crate.

I was just so shocked as he had shown no interest in the couch before than.

Why so shocked? It's a puppy, they chew stuff. Next thing it will be your Sunglasses, Remote Control, Coffee table. Very simple solution....as per above....NEVER ever leave your puppy unsupervised with free fun of the house....it's like giving a toddler a can of paint and a brush and leaving them in the house when you go to work.

i had roused on him for jumping on the couch just before i left the room, so maybe it was a revenge attack!!LOL

That's just a joke eh, you don't believe the puppy can reason like that?

OMG of course she wasn't for real.... haha I wonder if she had also said she thought he can talk, play cards, or do all sorts of tricks to show all the know it alls out there, sometimes puppies can get into mischief and not do as they are told and not follow the books, you thought she has for real. ;) OMG of course it was a joke

ETA Maybe I shouldn't have a dog if I'm not going to cage it up or watch it every single second its out of it's cage (or crate, which ever wording makes you feel better). Come on, in reality young puppies do naughty things, you can try to prevent it, but sometimes you can't.

Huntia, I hope it can be fixed.

Yes we are in the process of sourcing smaller bags hoping for a 2kg & 10 kg will post when we have them but we are hoping to have them before christmas

Regards

Sherel

Can anyone tell me if only comes in a 20kg bag? Can you buy it in a smaller bag?

I only know of it in a 20kg bag... not sure for sure though

You could ask for a sample bag if you wanted to just try some

Thanks.

I hopefully will have a sample soon. I was only wondering if we did decide to put him back onto some kibble, that 20kg worth for a dog that is only 7kg is a lot, especially if it's not going to be the main part of his diet. But will see if he likes it first before I go any further.

Yes, definitely heaps for a dog that size! Maybe enquire and see if they at least do half sized 10kg bags

this would be awesome,

Can anyone tell me if only comes in a 20kg bag? Can you buy it in a smaller bag?

I only know of it in a 20kg bag... not sure for sure though

You could ask for a sample bag if you wanted to just try some

Thanks.

I hopefully will have a sample soon. I was only wondering if we did decide to put him back onto some kibble, that 20kg worth for a dog that is only 7kg is a lot, especially if it's not going to be the main part of his diet. But will see if he likes it first before I go any further.

Can anyone tell me if only comes in a 20kg bag? Can you buy it in a smaller bag?

Lilly is a gulper and a guts so our two get red 2 or 3 smaller meals a day. The first is always something they work for, like Roo tail or chicken carcass or lamb flap or pork hock. The next is less work, Roo mince or sardines or chicken necks or offal etc.

If they get the easy feed first Lilly takes guts to a whole new level. I could never feed them their whole days food in one sitting.

I really like the idea of 'hiding' the meal in small portions to be found.

Also I know several dogs that can't tolerate beef. Might be something to look at.

I really believe now it's chicken that sets him off. The kibble I used to fed that he would sometimes throw up was chicken based. And since I changed him over to a Lamb based kibble before giving the Raw another go, he didn't throw up once, and his itching subsided big time.

The barf he is being fed, I was told didn't contain chicken, but the box does say it does contain chicken carcuss, so I will check with again tomorrow, as if it does, then I'm certain it's the chicken that upsets him.

Does he actually vomit as in working up from the stomach or does he simply regurgitate as if it comes from the throat?

A healthy young dog should NOT throw up that often.

Works it up, does the tummy tightening thing 3-4 times them up she comes. What do you think this means? Should I take him off Raw?

I have been doing some thinking today and I'm not sure it's raw related, as he would do it occasionally when he was fed only kibble and or some wet food added. So I wonder if it is that he can only handle smaller amount of food more often.

I gave him a smaller amount at lunch, and he kept it down, so I will try this again at dinner and if it stays down, I will try offering him 3 smaller meals a day and see if this works.

If it is only a few minutes after- then by all means let him clean up! And, if he doesn't vomit again- I would suspect it is not a 'reaction' to an ingredient....

perhaps make feed time a game... break his meal up into 4 or 5 little mouthfuls , and place them on plates around the yard/house for him to seek out?

(don't let him watch)

Also make mealtime boring..... don't let him watch preparation ..don't use you voice to get him excited about dinner ;)

That's great advice thanks.

After he vomits- what happens? Does he eat it and keep it down- or do you give him something different?

Is it ok for him to eat it? I have been wondering that, if it is, sounds good to me, stops me from having to clean it up, lol. He really wants to, and eats some of it before I get to it. Nothing happens after him eating it, so that could prove your theory about him gulping it down to quickly, what do you think??? And is it ok for him to eat it. And depending on how much he has thrown up, if I usually give him more of the same or a natures gift small tin, probably shouldn't be doing that, and thinking about it as I type I feel silly for doing it. So if it's alright for him to eat his vomit, we might stick with that lol.

Does he throw up immediately.. or some minutes after?

Does he gulp it all down, or is it meat with bone he has to work at ,chewing?

Often pups will just gulp a big mouthful down.. it hits the bottom...and bounces straight back out again!

I think you might be onto something here, as it is premade (big dog barf) he is getting at the moment, and he does gulp it down. I was first excited he was so eager to eat it, but also thought it might be the reason he vomits. It's not usually straight after eating it though, maybe 10mins after.

I offered giving him lamb flaps again the other day, as we have had no success with him eating bones, and he ate it, so again, I was excited about that as well. He still isn't overy fussed on bones, so I'm trying to slowly introduce them to it him. At this stage I will give him a lamb flap twice a week. Next week I will try to increase this to 3-4 times.

If it was a reaction to the raw itself, would it happen every time??? Sometimes he is fine, but 75% of the time he brings some of it back up. Not sure, what is happening.

What am I doing wrong??? My 9 month old puppy, when he eats raw, premade or homemade, he throws it all back up, 75% of the time. I thought maybe it was becuase I was giving him too much at once, so I have offered him 1/2 am and 1/2pm (used to do 1/4 in am and 3/4 in pm) but he still vomitted this morning. I have tried different protein sources, but he still does it.

I tried cooking his barf for awhile, this worked he kept it down, but I know it's killing off alot of the good stuff, so reluctant to keep cooking it, but I feel I have no choice.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions???

Doesn't look like I'm getting my samples of this I emailed a lady in QLD about samples, she said no problem but that was about 3 weeks ago, was very eager to try this one, oh well, nutro it is.

thank you guys will go investigate today

thanks smooch, I will investigate

Sandra, good idea, there is a butcher at the end of the street, might have a chat to them about the shavings. Otherwise if I don't have any success with smooch's idea I think I will have to go with the calcium powder, I guess at the end of the day, it's the same thing, sort of

I would never have either of these two dogs treated with prednizone or any type of steroid, and I would advise you not to either. I prefer to manage their problems and I usually get good results.

Some dogs have allergies so bad that they need Prednisolone for short periods of time and sometimes permanently, my dogs life is sometimes a misery because of his allergies and without using some form of cortisone he would have probably been in a lot more discomfort to the point where I would rather put him to sleep then see him suffer like that.

Agree, my dog suffered terribly with his allergy and I think it's a bit ignorant to think that all allergies can be managed effectively in a short time frame without steroids. My boy pretty much itched 24 hours a day even with "management" including Aloveen baths, keeping him off grass, antihistamines, etc. He didn't sleep at night, he had an Elizabethan collar on for weeks straight, he had weeping hotspots. Sorry, but cortisone was a lifesaver for us so that he could actually act like a somewhat normal dog for a little while.

I don't think some people understand that in some dogs the allergies are hell and in others the allergies are minor - there's always people here who thing that what worked for their dog should work for others and just because they've been able to keep their dog off Cortisone others should be able to - mind you I've read some very sad stories on threads like this from owners who refuse to use Cortisone whilst their dog suffers.

I'd rather my dog have a shorter happy life span than a horrible misserable one.

Although there are many dogs that have been on Cortisone all their lives and lived normal life spans, one just hopes that you can find the most minimal dose to keep the dog on that isn't immune suppressant.

totally agree

The differentce for me is the food is available locally. The Black Hawk, which I really want to get, comes with around a $60 freight fee.

However the fact it is an import product put me off even though the food it's self looks good.

At this point I may have to stick to the Optimum. At least it doesn't have wheat.

Personally I think Optimum is a fantastic food, if my boy didn't have an intolerance to chicken, we would have sticked with that. It has better zinc, vit e and omega levels than Nutro, and it's much much cheaper. These things are important for us in a dog food as I have one with skin issues. The BH doesn't have as high levels of the EFA and I'm still waiting to hear about the zinc, but it seems to work well for a lot of dogs, so I'm going to give it a go.

He can't chew it, or he won't, but it will sit there until it starts to rott, then I worry about my kids handling it. I think it maybe have been to solid, as he would tackle the chix necks but they would give him either the runs or he would vomit it back up straight away.

Have tried lamb flaps & shanks, turkey necks, chix necks and wings wings, beef brisket & marrow and he either won't touch them or they will give him the runs or make him voimit.

Do you have another suggestions???? I'm keen to try more. He is a bugger.

Yes it is for him, and he can't eat raw solid bone. He is intolerant to chix, gives him the runs or makes him vomit, so can't use necks or wings.

I'm wanting to add some to his home made mixture, and can't find a butcher that will ground any other bone except chix carcuss.

It's very popular in the States, but can't seem to find some here.

Does anyone know if it's available on it's own.