blacklabrador

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My experience with Calamvale has been great. They have breeders prices and they let me hold Poppy as she went to sleep under a GA for her hip scores. I was highly emotional that day and got teary because she looked dead (oh yeah I know FFS I am a nurse but it's all different when it's your baby). They were very good with me...lol and her! They also took the time to attempt to put her IV in without shaving her leg - because she's a show dog. For me it pays to use a vet that deals with lots of show people and breeders.

Powdered probiotics will work much better than yoghurt. Expensive I know but they won't go to waste because YOU can take them too!! Of course they won't work if that's not what the problem is. Even yakult will probably be better than yoghurt - just because of the concentration of good bacteria.

LM I think you clearly stated that spray bottles cause fear in dogs. You stated that "This type of thing" (spray bottle punishment) leads to unwanted fear behaviours. There are no fear based behaviours in the absence of fear. Therefore your message was clear. Nothing wrong with stating an opinion.

Will she eat kibble when it's got raw mince mixed through?

oh dear Aber. Vets don't always understand cats do they?? I am lucky enough to have a "cat vet" who specialises in felines. She doesnt do other animals at all. In fact if a dog walked through the surgery doors I think the resident fatty, Rupert, would have a few biffs to give . It is refreshing to have a vet that understands the species entirely.

Try raw chicken mince. It might be more agreeable with her digestive system. It is generally just minced up chicken carcasses. It probably isn't enough for a balanced diet for her, but if whatever she is having now is making her vomit then it's a better start. Start with that and if it works then add some kind of dry food until you reach a compromise. Of course there might be a more serious problem behind the vomiting so a vet check might be in order.

Noisy I am open to having a new vet after my beloved vet was replaced with a teenager in the practice I was going to. Not saying that teenagers don't make good vets - but I'll be happier to see the little know-it-all in 20 years time ;). Please PM me with your newfound vet. If he is close to you he must be close to me

After my last effort at scissoring around a hotspot on my dog... I failed miserably and couldn't really visualise the edge of the hotspot. I took him to the vetnurse to have the area clipped (I insisted on no vet consultation as it wasn't required). It cost me $25 to have his rump shaved. I bought my own pair of clippers for $18 and will be using them if I ever need them again!!!! They might be cheap and nasty but they will serve the purpose if required. ETA for $25 I could have gotten a bit of a grooming job done huh??? ;)

Continuous hot spots may require that diet is looked at - or at least immune system status. Leave off the bloody dog food promotion. A single hotspot can happen to any dog. All it requires is the right conditions - a break in the skin (even a flea bite) the right bacteria and constant licking. Often from the "surface" it just looks like a continuously wet patch of fur. First line treatment for a hotspot is to break the cycle of moisture. Shave the area and stop the dog wetting it with saliva (E collars are brilliant). Application of an antibacterial solution may help (quit itch or betadine). The vet sells a great cream that is antibacterial AND has a local anaesthetic in it. It stops the itch for a few hours. If you can break the cycle of MOIST pyoderma you will generally see a huge difference in 24 hours. If you suspect that your dog may be a bit run down or stressed then try daily vit C tablets. They work wonders. If you have a diet that works for your dog there is no need to change it because your dog develops a simple hotspot.

Labsrule - My two labs are different builds too. Tbone is from the working type labs we have here in Australia. Different from the American type - Tbone has a great big head!! Poppy is the stockier type. Correct for conformation showing. The US conformation labs are the "English" type. BTW I love the name Thomas. My Dad's black lab that he had growing up was "Tim Thomas" (his Mum's surname was Thomas at the time). I've always considered calling a pup "Thomas". It's a nice strong name

RC might have a little too much fibre for my dogs... I've been cleaning up a lot of shyte (or hosing it in ). Something in it doesn't sit right anyway. Thank goodness it was a giveaway. Congratulations on your new lab Labsrule! What's his name?

oh Keely I saw you today at the show - never would have guessed you'd just lost a beloved dog. So sad to hear. Run free Timmy.

Absolutely... although he is a BYB lab - possibly not the same "sturdyness" that show labs might have?? Dunno - I guess as long as he is not skinny and is gaining weight. I clearly remember my last pup weighing 4.5kg at 9 weeks - she wasn't overweight - but just right.

Thanks for that hon - although I didn't really mind. Feed him in accordance with his weight = whatever it says on the bag of food you are feeding him. Use that as a guide and watch him closely for weight loss. Some people advise to feed whatever a pup will eat in a certain number of minutes.... but honestly the lab pups I know will just keep eating and eating. He should be pudgy at this age and he is growing at an amazing rate - so he will get ribby quickly if you aren't giving him enough.

I always set my alarm for during the night when I am toilet training a pup. They can't last all night. The reason he isn't making a noise to wake you up is that he is quite happy to pee inside on the paper. It will become a habit if you let it. Set your alarm and just keep the paper there in case he has an accident. Don't expect him to ask to go out at this stage - and don't expect him to last longer than 4 hours.

RIP little Shelby. She will surely come back as a labrador - she sure could retrieve *hugs* to Jack and Sean. Somethin in my eye... I shouldn't open this at work.

Ahem..... *cough* I feel like I've been undermined Hello Sally Congratulations on your new puppy. What is his name?? Where did you get him from? PICTURES PLEASE!! We are a bossy lot here re: how much to be feeding him -did his breeder give you any instructions regarding this? Yes start toilet training now. There is heaps of information on the net re toilet training. The whining will stop with time. Don't get up to him it only reinforces his bad behaviour.

I agree with Turboterror. Your dog is probably just losing his puppy coat. Try stripping all the dead coat out and see what is underneath. Besides that some dogs just shed a lot regardless of what food they are on or what condition they are in.

You'd be surprised how dry your mouth gets when you are in the showring!!! I have no desire to swallow the food that I need to make my bitch look interested and alert!!

I carry food on my mouth in the showring - it's an easy place to store it for easy access when I need to use it to stack my dog. She knows the food is coming when she sees my hand go to my mouth - so I get the desired effect of her looking alert and interested. I don't spit it though (might not equate to good showring etiquette).

Yep Tex was right up there in Tbone's most loved list right under Harm.

My parents have had their big yellow lab PTS this evening after 2 years of struggling with his agression and behavioural problems. Such a tragedy to be taking a big beautiful healthy 3 year old to the vet. His past problems just kept coming back to haunt him. Play at the bridge until Dad comes for you. You will be sorely missed.

Supercoat is probably a better cheap alternative to Meatybites. No colouring and they will crap less. It's about $8.50 for a 4kg bag.

Oh yeah I was walking along chattering away constantly about what good girl she is and how well behaved she is.... and how she is gonna kick some labrador ass in the showring on the weekend... etc etc.. Whenever I'd stop talking she'd turn her head and touch my leg with her nose - "Come on Mum keep it up" God she's a gorgeous girl :cool: *the neighbourhood must think I am nuts* :D ETA The whole walk was just so much more pleasant - she might not enjoy the check chain - but she will enjoy the walks and being walked more often!