trinabean

My first dog was Max, a boxer bred by friends. They told my parents they could have a pup, I was only about 2 and they sat me down with the litter and let me choose one. I chose the pick of the litter :laugh: we had him till he was 11, he was pretty awesome :)

Oh, do you have any photos of Max Aussie3? :)

We had a BC X kelpie when I was growing up.

Bruno is my first dog as an adult though, and is my kids' first family dog. We love him to bits. A Boxer was a good choice for us. :D

I found this one of him when I chose him :) I do have others I'll have a look. I think after looking at this picture I was less than 2 aswell! :laugh:

Sorry pic is old and blurry!

Haha, yes you look younger than 2. That's a sweet photo of you and little Max. :)

Geez and I was excited when I found a $2 coin the other day while picking up Stan's poo :laugh:

Wow, what an amazing find!

I'd be happy about a $2 coin too HazyWal. I've never found anything beyond a broken thong or a discarded ciggie around here.

Occasionally Bruno hits the jackpot, and finds a cat poo before I can stop him.

That is a great photo of her Kirislin. She looks like she is gleaming with good health.

My first dog was Max, a boxer bred by friends. They told my parents they could have a pup, I was only about 2 and they sat me down with the litter and let me choose one. I chose the pick of the litter :laugh: we had him till he was 11, he was pretty awesome :)

Oh, do you have any photos of Max Aussie3? :)

We had a BC X kelpie when I was growing up.

Bruno is my first dog as an adult though, and is my kids' first family dog. We love him to bits. A Boxer was a good choice for us. :D

That wasn't Boss the Boxer was it?

Boss and Diamond. Diamond was found at home mutilated and Boss found a few days later just hanging on. Bianca is a friend of mine, it was devastating for anyone to endure

Dang saw his pic on fb was hoping he'd be found and ok

Oh no. I saw this on fb too and was really hoping he was ok. They looked like beautiful, well-loved dogs.

That's just awful Donatella.

That's fantastic. Stan needs one HazyWal.

The deluxe model with the built-in fridge. :)

Oh Kirislin, I am so sorry about Kibah. She was a gorgeous girl. I always love your photos and how you write about your dogs. A fig tree over her grave is a lovely idea.

Are you able to avoid putting the dog in a situation where it may feel the need to show aggression until you are able to find a good behaviourist and have the initial consult? Each time you put the dog in a situation where it feels the need to ramp up and become aggressive is a step back in fixing the problem. Ring a few Behaviourists and talk with them. Find one you can relate to but importantly one who can provide tangible proof of being able to successfully provide tuition to you to fix this. It isn't a one person/ trick fixes all and in the meantime you need to manage the dog and try not to make the reaction worse.

I generally try to keep him away from other dogs (ie: avoiding dog parks) but I walk him every day and try to let him briefly meet other dogs. In these instances he is ok, it's a prologed sniff that leads to the lashing out. As mentioned, if I am taking him somewhere like the dog beach, I have his halti on so I have control over his head so the second he growls I can re-direct him.

I'll second Ams advice. I would walk him every day, but stick to quieter times/routes. It is neither necessary nor beneficial to "try to let him briefly meet other dogs" at this point. It may be doing more harm than good. If a "prolonged sniff leads to lashing out" and he growls at other dogs at the beach, he is showing clear signs of being uncomfortable in those situations.

I think a behaviourist ASAP is your best option.

Mainly for heart worm ( but it also prevents/ kills fleas, treats ear mites and sarcoptic mites) I use Revolution spot on, once a month. I have to dose Bruno with daily tablets for his allergies though. I do pop them down his gob if he is refusing to take treats (weird dog). Best trick food for him is a long thin slice of roo steak, tablet rolled up inside it. I feed a couple of decoy pieces of meat before and straight after. He is a professional pill-flicker when he wants to be. Then I revert to down the gob and hold his mouth closed.

What a rotten series of events you've been through RMS. Spending time with your girl at the beach sounds like a wonderful idea. She will love it, and you will have some happy memories and photos to look back on...

Paw Prints run a puppy class at Osborne Park which is pretty close, they are really good. http://www.pawprints...raining.com.au/

Yes, I'll second Paw Prints as being very good. We took Bruno there. :)

Hi Lakey, I just wanted to wish you luck with the results today.

I have a friend who wants to get a dog.

He is looking for a small to medium breed, that is easy to look after, good travellers, isn't too fluffy or feminine looking,

happy to exercise but also ok to be left at home while he is at work without destroying everything.

Grooming is also something he is ok with.

i know a lot of it is management and training, but breeds help too :)

so any suggestions would be great!

I know a couple of Frenchies that fit that description pretty well.

Canine Coach my earlier post may have been ambiguous, but my vet does titre tests. It's about $60 for a Parvo/Distemper test.

Applecross Vet Hospital here in Perth, WA. Steve Metcalfe is an excellent vet.

I'll link to their website, although it is under construction and some links are not currently displaying: Applecross Vet Hospital

Anyway, I have now received a call from the vet who took the blood and she told me the numbers on the phone but I forget exactly what they were.. She was covered for both parvo (with high levels) and distemper (a lot lower levels but still covered).

Hopefully I will get the written copy shortly so I can post actual numbers.

As it stands atm I will not be re-vaccinating next year, only titre, unless levels are too low for some reason.

My vet seemed a little concerned at the much lower distemper levels but when I said that it seems to be common as exposure is less she agreed and it seemed to kind of flick on the light switch :p

Blackjaq hopefully they will send you a written copy of the titre test. Bruno's titre levels were high for Parvo (1:80), but much lower for distemper too ( 1:5). My vet explained it just as you did. :)

Distemper is not as prevalent in most areas as Parvo is, therefore their immune 'memory' for Parvo is often stronger. The pathology report I received noted that although the Distemper levels were low, they still indicated some immunity. Or words to that effect.

My vet was lamenting that Distemper and Parvo vaccinations are combined, and Distemper is not available separately, as that was all Bruno needed. I went ahead with a C3 and hope that will last us about 3 years. I was happy that he still had decent titre levels at 3 years old, considering his last C3 was when he was 12 weeks old.

Even with a low antibody count for Distemper - immunity is still indicated. The numbers don't really mean diddly squat (other than they are an interesting indicator of recent exposure or not). Immunity is immunity. You either are, or you are not. So even if there had been a separate vaccine for Distemper, Bruno still wouldn't have needed it as immunity was still proven.

Beyond that I'll add that I do believe in cell memory and if I got a titre that indicated no antibodies (after previous titres had shown sero-conversion had occurred), it really only indicates that the anti-bodies, realising they didn't need to be on active duty in the blood stream, had gone on leave for a rest and I wouldn't necessarily re-vaccinate. It doesn't mean the body has no defence anymore - Cell Memory would recall and activate those antibodies which would return to active duty again, on exposure to the relevant disease. I must admit I do like it, though, when the titre shows anti-body count, as it provides visual re-assurance. Because I suspect that due to my boy's sensitivities his puppy vaccine regime may well have contributed to his slightly later checkered health history, I will be interested to see whether there is a correlation to a "zero antibody count in a titre" and "resumption to best of health". I doubt that will ever occur, somehow, mainly because of ever present exposure of some sort. Don't mind me …. just musing on this last bit.

Interesting musings Erny. And yes, I agree that Bruno still had immunity to Distemper. It was a tough decision really, at the time I hadn't found kennels that would accept a titre (let alone one that disregarded the noted low titres for Distemper). We had a holiday and a kennel booked over Christmas, it would have been impossible to find other arrangements at that busy time, so I gave in and got the C3 and nasal KC done. Since that holiday, I've found both a kennel that will accept titres, and a possible dog-sitter for next time we go away. :)

I would appreciate assistance in putting together a list of VETS with contact details, (all states/cities) personally recommended by people on this forum

Please feel free to E Mail me privately, or if allowed on this forum, to list here, VETS in all states that are open to more modern methods/protocols.

My puppy buyers are encountering enormous resistance to titre testing from the various Vets they go to.

In fact 1 particular QLD. Vet argued strongly to one of my puppy buyers that they MUST protect their dog by having a yearly C#7 PLUS a yearly heartworm injection PLUS monthly worming. (Sarcastically speaking, I wondered if he also asked; "Would you like immune mediated diseases with that"?)

Recently, I rang a Vet I have used in the past, to see if he would do a titre on my dogs & on future puppy buyers dogs, after they complete their 14 month old C #3. He said he "had only ever reluctantly done 1 titre test on a very elderly dog that had a strong adverse reaction from it's yearly vaccination". He said that "the OWNER insisted on the titre even though that it cost $300 from ASAP in Melbourne" . He said although his own young dog "has severe immune related skin allergies, & is on cortisone for life, that his dog HAS to get yearly C 5 because it comes to work with him & may be exposed to diseases from patients dogs"

I told him about VETPATH in W.A. & he was temporarily speechless.

Resistance by Vets seems to be a very common reaction.

I recommend Applecross Vet Hospital here in Perth. Steve Metcalfe is an excellent vet.

I'll link to their website, although it is under construction and some links are not currently displaying: Applecross Vet Hospital

Anyway, I have now received a call from the vet who took the blood and she told me the numbers on the phone but I forget exactly what they were.. She was covered for both parvo (with high levels) and distemper (a lot lower levels but still covered).

Hopefully I will get the written copy shortly so I can post actual numbers.

As it stands atm I will not be re-vaccinating next year, only titre, unless levels are too low for some reason.

My vet seemed a little concerned at the much lower distemper levels but when I said that it seems to be common as exposure is less she agreed and it seemed to kind of flick on the light switch :p

Blackjaq hopefully they will send you a written copy of the titre test. Bruno's titre levels were high for Parvo (1:80), but much lower for distemper too ( 1:5). My vet explained it just as you did. :)

Distemper is not as prevalent in most areas as Parvo is, therefore their immune 'memory' for Parvo is often stronger. The pathology report I received noted that although the Distemper levels were low, they still indicated some immunity. Or words to that effect.

My vet was lamenting that Distemper and Parvo vaccinations are combined, and Distemper is not available separately, as that was all Bruno needed. I went ahead with a C3 and hope that will last us about 3 years. I was happy that he still had decent titre levels at 3 years old, considering his last C3 was when he was 12 weeks old.

My Vet is definitely an Annual pusher so might consider finding a new one, or just standing ground.

How much have you paid for Titre testing and do vets do it or will I need to find a specialty practice?

Interesting that your vet is still pushing for annual vaccinations, the Australian Veterinary Association's position statement is:

'While adverse reactions to vaccines are not widespread, there is a consensus in the scientific community that veterinarians should aim to reduce the vaccine load on individual animals to minimise any risks of adverse reactions, if this can be done without compromising the animal’s immunity to disease.

The scientific sources quoted in the AVA position statement outline the available evidence that supports extended duration of immunity for the core vaccines. In summary, improvements to vaccines have increased their effectiveness, and new studies have indicated that immunity lasts longer than previously thought.

In making the change to triennial core vaccinations, Australia follows the veterinary profession in other developed countries. Most universities have been teaching veterinary students triennial core vaccination for several years. The American Animal Hospital Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (among others) have all moved away from standard annual protocols in favour of a tailored approach that takes individual factors into consideration.'

The full AVA page is here: My link

The last time my dog had a titre test (a few months ago) it was around $60.

Mine had his puppy vaccinations. Because he reacted badly to the last one, and has allergies (and related immune issues) my vet suggested titre-testing and only re-vaccinating if necessary.

He had a C3 almost 3 years after his last puppy shot, only because his distemper titre was low. He still had excellent titre levels against Parvo, but unfortunately a vaccine against Distemper alone is not available. Bruno has had the kennel cough intranasal vaccine a couple of times, just when needed for boarding kennels. I will titre test (and use a kennel that accepts a current titre) next time Bruno needs to be boarded.

I still use Revolution spot on monthly for heartworm etc. but I use intestinal wormers sparingly. Whenever Bruno has a stool sample tested (for other issues) I get the vet to check for worm burden. Mostly he has been parasite-free.

Stan has a nice scar on the side of his head where he tried to cut Maddie off at the pass doing zoomies in the yard at my old house and almost took out the beam holding my deck up, the whole deck shook Even after fracturing his skull last year he still whacks into to things! My vet said he is the most accident prone greyhound he has ever seen

I thought of Stan straight away when I saw the thread title.

Yes Aussie3 Bruno wacked his head on a brick wall last night when my OH got home. Bruno was excited, spun around quickly and wump! The wall just jumped out and hit him, yet again. I always cringe at that watermelon-hitting-a-brick-wall sound. Of course, he was fine and happy and didn't even seem to notice. I've never heard him yelp in pain, at anything.... O.o

Going by past experience, when he has clocked me under my chin/ run into me, I think it's safe to assume that my dog's skull is made of thick, reinforced concrete. Maybe Lili's is too?

:laugh: I reckon! She jumped up and whacked me on the nose with her boofhead once and gave me a nosebleed!

Yep. Concrete I tell you! :laugh:

Stan has a nice scar on the side of his head where he tried to cut Maddie off at the pass doing zoomies in the yard at my old house and almost took out the beam holding my deck up, the whole deck shook Even after fracturing his skull last year he still whacks into to things! My vet said he is the most accident prone greyhound he has ever seen

I thought of Stan straight away when I saw the thread title.

Yes Aussie3 Bruno wacked his head on a brick wall last night when my OH got home. Bruno was excited, spun around quickly and wump! The wall just jumped out and hit him, yet again. I always cringe at that watermelon-hitting-a-brick-wall sound. Of course, he was fine and happy and didn't even seem to notice. I've never heard him yelp in pain, at anything.... O.o

Going by past experience, when he has clocked me under my chin/ run into me, I think it's safe to assume that my dog's skull is made of thick, reinforced concrete. Maybe Lili's is too?

My pups and dogs were given two puppy vaccinations with a booster 12 months after the second vaccination

Mine too.

Mine too. Have only ever done 2 puppy vaccinations, 8 weeks and 12 weeks, then the booster 12 months later.

Same here.

Zayder Asher might know someone. Maybe send a PM?

That's terrible and so sad.

Why do you feel the need to constantly re-sign up with a new username to come back and argue the same points? What do you get out of it?

I wonder the same thing.