Her Majesty Dogmad

He's just been taken away from his siblings and mother and trying to entertain himself by the sounds of it. He might need more company, not sure what your routine is? If you think the mozzies are getting him then he must be outside?

Hugs to you in your time of sadness.

Thank you for giving this dear old girl a very happy, loving year as an important member of your family. RIP Grandma who still had so much to give in spite of her old age.

Some of the problems are fear of men and boys, over-attachment to the lady of the house and demonstrated protective behaviour when anyone else comes near. He is also very fearful of being on the lead and will only walk if mum is there. The whole idea of this dog was to be the teenage boy's companion (he is a really nice kid) but this is not working at all and yet the dog showed none of this behaviour when he first met the family. I have given them some links to websites that help with these type of problems but they haven't looked at them. I really think it calls for a visit. If they selected Nathan then, as a male, he'd certainly get a demonstration of some of the behaviour.

What a beautiful and handsome boy, taken far too young. So sorry for you.

Someone I know is having quite a few probs with their rescue dog. They are first time dog owners and much of it is down to their inexperience which they understand. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a behaviouralist that does home visits. I recently heard about an excellent one on the central coast but I don't know if they can/will drive that far. Anyone know of someone? Thanks

Hugs to you, he sounds like such a special boy ..

Been through a lot of dentals as I do love my oldies (fosters and my own dogs). I feed only soft food for a week if they've lost teeth. My vets actually give out a leaflet of care following dentals. One thing I've often experienced is bloody dribbles from the mouth - be prepared for a bit of extra washing! I give them rice with tuna/sardines or raw mince and maybe some soft pumpkin etc - nothing cold of course, in fact I'll give it a little warm in the microwave.

Try sardines or tuna and rice with some veggies. My dogs are a fussy lot and don't all like the same things ...

When my dog was producing dark urine, she had a urinary tract infection, she was having little accidents and she'd always been a clean dog. Antibiotics soon fixed it up.

I had two dogs who couldn't cope with on the spot treatments, I'll never forget getting into the shower with one screaming dog in the middle of the night, it was very distressing and had to take him to the vet the next day for help. After that, I gave them Proban tablets and found that worked brilliantly for both dogs.

I rescued an old dog who turned out to have renal problems. She went on the Hills K/D diet but I also took her to the All Natural Vets at Russell Lea in Sydney (they will do phone consultations under certain circumstances, eg you fax through all the results of your dog's tests and they will talk to the treating vet as well). They are vets who also prescribe CHinese herbs for certain conditions. I had been warned my little girl would only live a few months but she went on the diet PLUS Chinese Herbs and lived in great health for 12 months. I would definitely go down this route in the future for this type of problem.

With Cushings, the belly is bloated, they start drinking too much and they can have a tumour on their adrenal gland or pituitary. Mine had the pituitary tumour but still had the sagging belly.

I live in the northern suburbs and pay between $55-65 for a groom of my small dogs. I know a really good mobile groomer who does the eastern suburbs/inner west area - "Clips & Cuddles" - Caroline - 0416 140 247, she is reasonable and busy at the moment but give her a call!

Although I've had experience with incontinence, it has been with older females and my male dog that had a brain tumour. I feel for you though, as I know it is disconcerting and upsetting, particularly with such a young dog. Are you sure she is wetting herself when she's asleep? Do you have any other dogs? I've had a dominant female here who wee'd in my other dogs' beds. I'm wondering if it is an infection? Best to get to the vets first thing Monday morning.

My old girl developed a sagging belly with Cushings Disease, she was with me for another 4 years after diagnosis. I would make sure he's comfortable at night, with easy access to somewhere to piddle without having to cross your cantankerous other dog's path. If he's feeling sick/tired etc., he deserves to be left in peace, not having to worry about anything. As for leaving him completely outside, it's not something I would do but I did have an old foster dog who would always sleep outside rather than inside, so in the end I put a crate out for her which made her even happier. Good luck, I hope it is something that can be helped. My vet recently said no to my request for a needle aspiration as she felt it wouldn't be accurate enough, I was surprised as I thought it was always the first thing they did.

Sorry to hear about dear Little, they may be small but they leave huge holes in our hearts when they go.

Personally, if the vet is recommending it for your dog I would get it done whilst she's being desexed. I rescued a foxy from the pound 18 months ago, he was about 9 or so. His dew claws were very obvious and for the first two weeks he was with me, they constantly got caught in things and he tore one which was obviously very painful. I booked him in for a dental and dew claw removal. He was already desexed and I was surprised that something causing such an obvious risk of problems wasn't fixed up then. After surgery, I came home to find him with the bandage chewed off and lots of bleeding everywhere ... had to go back and have it restitched and bandaged!

Remember not to treat the dog within 24 hours BEFORE or AFTER a bath. I actually wait 48 hours personally. I use Advocate once a month. In the height of summer they get the odd flea esp when we've been to parks etc. I wash all their bedding every week and immediately if I find a flea.

I really feel for you, what a terrible situation. Poor little cat. It is not your fault, you did what you did out of a great love for her. You did not let her down, it was the other people and as others have said, sadly so many people are not only dishonest but they don't always take good care of their pets and love them or appreciate them. It's hard to understand why these things happen but Millie would not want you to blame yourself. Your heart is pure and blameless. RIP sweet Millie.

So sorry for you, poor sweet boy.

Sorry to hear of your loss, look after yourself ...

Sorry for your loss Kaz, RIP Xander. Only met him once but what a character!

Very sad for Carol, I know how much she loves her pets.

My colleague raises pups for Doggie Rescue and has her own dog. She advises that there can be issues when a bitch feels she has to protect her pups from other dogs, male or female. It could be irritating to have lots of callers wanting puppies, on the phone or calling round. Depends on you. I wouldn't particularly want to be in this situation but that's me.