Mad Mary

My Dalmatian had bloods sent to Jean Dodds back in April this year for thyroid panel. Consult & blood taken by vet $71.00 Courier organised by vet $22.00 Then $128.15 fee. Vet downloaded and completed the forms. Hope this helps.

One of the few things that helps my poor old "smelly dog" car is a product called "no vac foam carpet sanitiser and deodoriser". It says it kills bacteria that causes odour in carpets and the smell is pretty strong but not unpleasant. You can get it from Coles/Woolies from the shelves with car stuff on them. Nil Odour is also pretty good. Hope that helps :)

Good to hear Steffie has come through surgery well. The first bowel movement will be the most painful for her and then get better over a few days. I'm sure your vet will have given you advice regarding diet while she is healing and pain relief if needed but if you have any concerns before her check up get in touch with the vet.

Not sure what happened to my edit on the previous post but should of course be "abscess".

Had this surgery done on a large male dog who had a long history of accesses in the anal sacs.

Yes there can be complications and yes it is painful for a short while after the operation for the dog, however, my dog recovered well. No incontinence issues afterwards and a much healthier dog.

Like you, we found a vet who had performed this operation many times.

Edited to read "absesses" (can't find my glasses!)

I think there was a British actor who had a goodish one, dogs with Martin someone perhaps? He did a horse one too... They were a series teacher than one-offs I think.

Dogs decoded is alright

Edit: it might be Martin Clunes? He's a British actor, right?

You are right - Martin Clunes "The Secret Life of Dogs".

Have you been to Lake Parramatta? This has good bush walks and amazing views over the lake. Gates close at 7.30pm daylight savings. The walk around the lake is about 3.5kms with some rough terrain up and down hill - better than a gym workout.

OK, I've just checked with Hornsby Council. There is no access after the gates are closed at 6.30pm. I was told this was due to security reasons for the facilities and buildings. Hope you are able to get there within opening hours as it is well worth the visit.

Hi, I am a frequent user of Fagan Park during the day. Arcadia Road and Carrs Road are the major entry points for cars although you can park on the road and walk in to avoid car park fees. I think there is pedestrian access after 6.30pm but I am questioning that in my mind now because I do remember large entry gates. I will be going up there in a couple of days and could check this out for you if nobody else can give you an answer. Sadly no off leash areas here but my dogs are happy on longlines. Such a beautiful place :)

Wow ... so sorry to hear this news. RIP Ralphy

I am so sorry that you and your poor dogs have had this happen to you. I walk my dogs with a lady who owns two greyhounds and before they got their "green collars" she told me having them attacked while they were wearing muzzles was a major fear of hers.

Hoping you all heal quickly both physically and mentally.

Especially enjoy cuddling up with your loving dogs today on your birthday.

I took my 2 dogs to the vets today for their annual k9 cough vaccinations. Same practice, new owners. The previous owners always routinely gave C7 vaccinations & because I'm getting a new puppy next week I've been looking for a new vet. My dogs have been going to the same practice for about 30 years. My parents & my aunt also used to go there in the early '60s.

So, I thought I'd suss out the new vets who have practices all over Sydney & Figtree South Coast. They are called vetfriends. Does anyone in Sydney use any of their practices & if so how do you find them? http://vetfriends-px.rtrk.com.au/

The vet I saw only works there Mondays & Tuesdays & I found her to be very willing to answer all of my queries. I asked about their policy on vaccinations re puppies & she told me they routinely use C5 vaccinations & only give C7 if the client asks for it. Dependant on when puppies receive their 1st vacs, they will do 2 or 3 puppy shots, but mostly seems to be 3 which is what the old vets always did. Both dogs had their tri-annual vaccinations last year & looking back 2 years to when Tilba had her k9 cough vaccination the bill this year was about $20 cheaper & for some reason Panda's JS was $12 dearer than Tilba's?

Anyway on the whole I was happy with the visit.

ETA While I was waiting to see the vet an old lady & her 17 y/o mini foxie came out. She pointed at I thought my BC & asked if she was a Husky. I said no a Border Collie. Then I realised my mistake :laugh: & said (my little white fluffy)he's a Japanese Spitz & that huskies were also Spitz. She said she'd never heard of Spitz before. I then told her that Poms were also a Spitz breed.

Yes Vetfriends is a franchise, they took over the vetinary practice where I take my dogs some years ago now. I have used my local one for years and been very happy. They may not be the cheapest but they are certainly not the most expensive. PM me if you would like further info.

Heartbreaking for you to lose to such handsome boys so close together.

RIP Oscar & Charlie

Thank you moosmum, to you too.

A beautiful tribute to your very special Dobermann girl. I too have felt unable to write about my girl Mary who passed away over a year ago. My constant companion, who shared many of the wonderful attributes of Lou. I feel your pain and like you will be thankful for every day and memory.

Oh no, I had been wondering what was happening. My heart is filled with a deep sadness for you and your family

RIP Blacky, you were loved in this life, run free and healthy again at the Rainbow Bridge with your friends who have gone before you

I am so sorry you had to make this heart wrenching decision so soon. Please take care of yourself and know that you did your best for Molly.

RIP Molly, run free over the Rainbow Bridge where all our dogs can be happy and healthy again

It is not good to alter the dosage of cortisone really quickly - so you could try cutting it down very slowly.<br style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(238, 242, 247);">ie cut the tablets in quarters (yes I know it is a pain as they are so small) and give her one & three quarters, then drop that to one and a half and so on until you find the minimum dose that will control her condition.

YES!!!!

..and not just a few days, either . If the vet did a sudden halving of dose ..perhaps find another vet?

So sorry that you are going through this with Molly. I am not a vet or a medical professional but I have had first hand experience using cortisone long term with my heart dog who had severe arthritis when other drugs were no longer suitable/working and my son who suffers from IBD. In many ways it can be a wonderful drug but, as you have said, it can cause other serious problems and be extremely difficult to get off.

Definitely agree with reducing the cortisone slowly. I was able to work with my vet to reduce the cortisone level gradually but maintain two doses per day which we found she did far better on over the 24 hour period until we found the minimum dose that gave her quality of life for just over a year.

Have you spoken to your vet and told him what has happened when you reduced the dose? I could be wrong, but from my quick "google" search this morning it seemed pancreatic encephalopathy was not that common. If you are in any doubt about Molly's treatment a second opinion from a specialist may be helpful.

Wishing you and Molly strength to get through this together.

Just read your posts Juan61 and see you are not in a position to see a specialist - sorry

Sorry to hear Bonn is unwell juice. It is such a worry when our pets are unwell and I hope something can be done to help her.

With humans you have to coat the hair in conditioner and brush them out with a nit comb, and keep doing this over the next few days until they're gone. It's a time consuming process. :)

X 2. I think the conditioner has to be left in for 10-15 minutes if I remember correctly.

Wow Jed, that is amazing. Thank you for sharing with Caz and all of us.

Thanks for sharing Jed. I feel sure this will comfort a lot of people who have lost beloved friends.

Ohhh Nic.

While it is wrenching for you & your mum to lose this link with your dad .. it will give dear Annie peace , and send her straight to where your Dad is calling and waiting .... You know what ? I think of it as the last gift you can give your dad .. kisses on Annie's head as she goes to find him :)

lots of thoughts for you and your Mum .. what an awful day it will be for you .

This says everything I would like to say.

Wishing you and your Mum strength to get through this difficult time.

It is a partnership designed not to be broken ....... :laugh:

My old Pajero (13yrs old with 250,000 kms on the clock and still going strong) is fondly known amongst family and friends as "the dog's car". I can spend all day vacuuming, damp cloth wiping, sticky taping and individually picking out Dalmatian hair (the worst offender for hair loss I have ever owned!) and still only get up 75%. I think it looks better but my grown up kids look at it with horror still. They dread the day the old 4wd goes and beg me not to put the dogs in the car they share because they don't want dog hair everywhere :)

I feel so angry and upset after reading your post. What a terrible thing to happen to you, your family and dear Buddy

As others have suggested, getting a report from the vet and contacting the RSPCA and council seem a logical place to start.

Hugs to you and your family. RIP Buddy, you were loved very much.

What a terrible shock for your family. I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Samantha.