Issy

I think it depends on the type of dog. Mine stayed someplace I wont mention for about 10 days and came back a different dog with kennel cough to boot. Barking all the time and had bit paws etc from boredom (he didn't mix with any other dogs as far as I know). He went back to normal within a few days but the barking I had to work on for a few weeks.

Mine isn't really used to being alone for very long though so I don't know if it'd make a good comparison. I would think if your dog is used to being alone somewhat it'd be safer to keep him away from other dogs if possible.

Similarities are endless

Goodness

Happens frequently in my household with my girls too

In country NSW Woodstock near Cowra about 3 hours from Sydney we have 1 acre and 2 bedroom house.

Way too far from me, otherwise would've loved to help.

A list sounds like a great idea.

Indeed, you must be over the moon, congrats!

The beard gives him so much character! such a gorgeous lil man :D

Good on you for steering your mum in the right direction

Love this one!

Jack Russell Terrier: I can reach it! I just KNOW I can reach it! Another twenty jumps, and it's mine, ALL mine!

Jed, yes of course, I didn't mean to put her in a bad light. She did all she could do. My reply was more about the fact that a heart murmur can be in fact very dangerous and one should not take it lightly. I went with my heart and not my head and had a bad experience.

That being said though, at the time I did research it quite a bit and it seemed that some people got lucky with some puppies living until the age of ten or so...

If he is an only dog, is there a possibility you could have a friends dog come over at dinner time, or borrow for a few days? Nothing stimulates appetite like competition!

No dogs around that I know of Hopefully will meet some at funday this weekend.

Your poor little man, I don't have any advice I just wanted to say good luck and I hope he's feeling better soon

He is feeling much better, thank you!

I have a sheltie that has reacted to fish, chicken and turkey (statistically, chicken and beef are the two most common proteins that dogs suffer allergic reactions from).If you are attempting a food elimination diet - it will be more successful and easier to observe if you feed a single source of protein and a protein that the dog has not had before.Rabbit is a great source to start with if you have not fed your dog rabbit before...? or kangaroo? Really depends on what your dog has eaten in the past...and what is locally available and accessible to you.The main sources of my sheltie's diet is wild caught rabbit, hare & roo plus he also gets lamb a few times a week. My vet advised that true food allergies (especially a dog like mine that has never been fed grains) are not that common. Most allergies are contact -ie. grass, dust particles etc.I believe Dr Jean Dodd's is currently working on a blood test for protein allergies - that will be useful in the future for dogs with suspect food allergies.

Yes I have a feeling he is allergic to some plant/weed outside. I know for a fact that he is worse on chicken/rice and dry food too. Hopefully the dermatologist can figure it all out when my trial is done.

He is doing suprisingly well so far, no rashes right now and itching is minimal. I'm also trying to keep him away from plants and the like for walks. He is eating the canned/cooked fish but he wont touch the raw.

You don't want to change your normal routine whilst on a diet trial! If you are avoiding plants etc whilst on walks now how do are you going to know if its this or the diet that he is responding too? Pls speak to a dermatologist as you may have to repeat this diet trial again if its not done to how they specify.

Yes I know this but I'm just trying to do the best I can to help him now. Once I have it under control I can let him near the plants again for about a week before I try another food source. This will tell me if it is the plants.

Right now eyes are all clear and he has none to minimal itching, no rashes etc so the plain fish diet is working very well for now.

Before I had Kingston I had planned to buy another pup from a breeder. I went to her place and picked one at 6 weeks old and I was waiting until he was old enough to bring him home. In the meantime I got updates on him with pictures and the like every few days.

Then a couple weeks later when he got vet checked he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Now the breeder gave me two options - either I could get a refund or buy the puppy but at a reduced cost. By this time I already felt he was a part of the family and decided to buy him anyway. Unfortunately a week after the diagnosis (we were supposed to pick him up the following weekend) he passed away

I was devastated to say the least. My breeder was shocked too and it was just a horrible experience. I got a refund and needless to say did lots of homework before I picked another breeder.

I'm quite sure that guide dogs have a pass or identification of sorts. Not sure how a person who isn't blind can get away with such a thing?

I never really thought about it personally. All I know is that I wouldn't trade my little guy for anything in the world :D

Wow! This is amazing. Makes you wonder what else they can do!

My favourite is a Cavalier.

I don't have a least favourite breed, I seem to find cuteness in all of them!

He only went 5 days without eating because he didn't want the dry food. If I give him something he wants he will eat it. Basically he holds out until I give him something he wants but has never done so for 5 days before. Since I've been giving him plain fish he's been eating. I'm experimenting with different fish - he seems to love tuna and salmon, but turns his nose up at mackerel and sardines

Thanks for answering that. I live in Sydney and my dog is indoors. We only go outside on walks and sometimes to the park - but not often.

When I came here a year ago my vet told me I had to do Heartworm once a year as it is very dangerous here? I've never had it done in the USA so is this Australia only?

So, none of you vaccinate at all? or do you only stop vaccinating after a certain age?

Lol so cute!!

Is the sixth a baby rabbit?

How about you try 'teaching your dog to eat', with these instructions from Sue Ailsby:http://sue-eh.ca/page24/page39/

Actually this is what I was trying to do but it isn't working. He still goes 4-5 days between feeds so how much longer should I hold out for?

He is doing suprisingly well so far, no rashes right now and itching is minimal. I'm also trying to keep him away from plants and the like for walks. He is eating the canned/cooked fish but he wont touch the raw.

I'm planning on taking him to Dr Linda Vogelnest (Dermatologist) next time I take him to the vet and get a referal.

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated :)

I'm not sure about interstate travel but I can you tell you that sedation is certainly not neccessary. My little guy came all the way from the USA to Sydney and he was fine. I'm guessing sedation may work for some dogs who have health issues and the like? which I'm guessing yours wouldn't since you are planning on taking him for a holiday.

Not sure what breed he is but he sure is gorgeous!! :)

On the advice of some I gave him plain tinned sardines mixed with tuna last night and he ate it all! In the meantime, I am going to buy some fresh fish and try giving him that with one carb and see how he goes. If he doesn't eat that either I'll take him to the vet and book him for a dermatologist? Can vets do allergy tests or does it need to be done by a dermatologist?

He isn't terribly skinny, just lost a bit of weight it seems but he's still hopping around and happy!

On note of his teeth, when I took him to the vet on his arrival here from the States a year ago he remarked how great his teeth looked, sparkly white and all clean. Last time I took him 2 weeks ago he has 2 decaying teeth, I asked if he needed a dental and the vet told me it wasn't bad enough for one and just to keep an eye on it. So that is the state of his teeth at the moment.

If your dog has allergies, it may be worth seeing Dr. Linda Vogelnest (dermatologist) at Sydney or Camden Uni.

I will ask for a referal next time I go to my vet and will take him after the diet is concluded.

Can you mix the fish with brown rice and veggies? I cook up turkey mince with rice and veggies regularly and my dogs can't get enough of it. You could also use or add potatoes and some oats?I know he's young but is there any chance he has a sore mouth?

He will eat cooked foods so I could try. He can't do rice though, it sets him off badly.

Also, has he always been like this since he was born? Have you moved house? Have you contacted the original breeder just to see if they have heard of any of their other puppies having a similar problem?

I used to live in the US but moved back here a year ago. So originally he was born and raised there for 2 years. So he's been in Aust for about a year now, seemed to of developed in the past 6 or so months. It could be environmental but I'm trying to rule out food first. I did try and send the breeder an email but it just came back, I'm guessing she may of changed it. I'm still trying to find a way to contact her.

Beef is one of the worst food for allergies.What exactly where you feeding before ??Do you have any plants that could be a issue??Was he a fussy eater before the diet change ??Has his tonsils been checked

I fed him everything really...he loves cooked food. He's had raw/canned/cooked for the most part. I really wanted him to stay on the raw but he only managed to eat it for a month or so before he stopped (apparently the company changed formula) then every brand I tried after he wouldn't eat. I've tried all dry kibble in the past and no go. He's never had anything with by-products etc in it, I've always given him the premium food.

There is some plants outside of where I live, I could possibly walk him out towards the driving path and we could avoid them. I will start that tommorrow and try keep him away from plants the next few days.

Yes he's always been fussy but I don't remember him to go so long without eating.

PM me for info about a true elimination diet and how to go about it...been there with my highly allergic (skin, stomach, eyes) stafford mix.

Thank you so much! Will do so.

Edited: forgot to answer some questions!