aliwake

The aus instructions say: The effect of swimming, bathing or shampooing on efficacy has not been established. The collar should be removed before swimming, bathing or shampooing the dog because the active substance is harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. The USA instructions say it can be worn in the water and remain effective, and it's been available there for a lot longer. Also, if it works through the same mechanism as a spot on, and they're fine for swimming, then I don't see why scalibor wouldn't be? Once you've built up the initial protection over 2 weeks, I doubt a swim or a bath would mean you'd have to start over?

There's nothing like having the perfect excuse to do lots and lots of shopping!!

We use a tick collar called scalibor and it's been effective for us. we haven't yet seen a tick. Apparently it is delivered using the same principal as a spot on, but it lasts for 3months. We just leave some extra length in the collar for growing, and use a tiny zip tie to stop the extra from flopping around.

Thanks guys, it's so nice being able to share with all the other neurotic puppy mummies (and daddies) on here. We have antibiotics now, and he'll hopefully feel better soon! He's fast asleep in the bathroom right now which proves his not well - he'd normally be within cms of me at all times :) The vet did say to be careful, because tick paralysis can sometimes present as a cough first. FYI. Lisa, that's so exciting you have your first show coming up!! I'm sure you and Nova will nail it!

He looks so snuggly!!

Thanks minimax, that's good to know - just can't believe our (lack of) luck. Taking him to the vet this afternoon. He's much sicker with this second one - more severe, more frequent coughing, and he also managed to bring up some phlegm last night, and has a snotty nose. Still seems fairly bright, but he's really going to hate being quarantined again (and me too!) He was also due to finally do his last basic obedience class and graduate next weekend (he missed the first one due to KC, so've waited 6 weeks for the next class to come through). Looks like he'll be missing out again.

Cracked me up!!

That sux Lisa - I can't believe they were taking sick dogs out and about!! That's disgusting!! Nixon has probably been retching for a couple of days now, but once again I was a bit slow off the mark to realise it was 'coughing'. Last night and this morning he was doing it a lot. He's also been quite unsettled during the night which is usually a sign he's not too well - otherwise he's usually out to it til morning. We probably had about a month without coughing I think? So I assume what he's got is another strain again - surely he'd already have immunity if it was the same one?! Any ideas for boosting the immune system?

sounds like there's a lot more to that story Lisa! Nova is super adorable when he's wet though :) I have a sneaking suspicion that Nixon might have kennel cough again.... Either that or there's something else that makes him sound like he's trying to vomit all night Lucky we still have some cough medicine, and even luckier that he doesn't seem to mind taking it much! He is going to miss going to the park again so much if it is KC. ETA I'm starting to think his desire to play with absolutely everybody might be his downfall. There is no dog at the park that he does not share spit with on a regular basis. Maybe we need another puppy so he can just play at home

OMG, that is hilarious, but gives me so little hope for the future! Nixon is too heavy already, and it's only going to get worse!!! Maybe I need a car ramp :)

Wow - he's getting big!! Nixon will put front paws up on the car seat on the way to the park, but not on the way home... ratbag. He's getting way too heavy to lift now too, but it's either that or leave him there!

Cheeky Hank!!! Nixon has only made his way all the way onto the couch twice, and both times I think he was just as surprised as we were! It doesn't stop him from getting front paws up on everything and anything that he shouldn't though - nothing is out of bounds... Now that I think about it he's only jumped all the way into the car by himself once too - it's probably a good thing he doesn't realise what he's capable of!

Tyrion's ears are awesome! He's definitely getting big!

If the dogs aren't that into swimming, colleges crossing would still be a great place to take them - there's a lot of ankle deep areas I'd still feel happy to splash around in. It's the deeper bits that make me nervous... ETA I did a fair bit of googling after hearing about the sharks and it seems pretty credible actually. I usually wakeboard in the river and the idea of sharks doesn't bother me that much, because the river is deep and they tend to be bottom feeders from what I've read - but, in a relatively shallow swimming area with puppies slashing around - that makes me nervous!!

I was thinking the same thing, so I'm glad you asked. I'm particularly after places to go swimming safely. We took our pup to Colleges Crossing near Ipswich on the weekend, and it was great! perfectly set-up for dogs (if you go slightly upriver of the main area, there's a little causeway over to an island in the river, and it seems quite a few people take dogs there). Lots of shallow water and deeper bits, and sandy rocky areas. He had an absolute ball. I was feeling really happy about it, until I heard yesterday that apparently it's really well known for having bullsharks there I'm very glad we were swimming in the middle of the day, but I'm freaked out now! Looking for somewhere to swim without any nasties!

I just had a look, and they sound wonderful!! Do they genuinely not charge for their services? I'm not sure what I'm missing - they seem too good to be true! :)

I looked at these over the weekend and forgot to say how lovely they ALL are! You must be so stoked they worked out so beautifully. He's definitely a looker :)

Hopefully Hank is ok. fingers crossed!

Thanks, that was the link I'd found too, and it looks like their shipping is quite reasonable for Brisbane. I'm sure there will be a stock feed place around here somewhere though. I saw one right near where we took Nixon swimming on the weekend, so might have to go back again this weekend!

It sounds like it's full of lots of lovely things! Now I just have to figure out where I can buy it around here. Maybe sunbaking is Nixon's problem too? I have no idea what he gets up to all day.

Thanks Lisa - I had a sneaking suspicion you'd have a good suggestion ;) I'll see if I can track some down!

Hey Lisa, his halti is going pretty well, thanks. He still doesn't love it, but he'll sit very still to let me put it on, so it can't be too bad. I think it's the main reason he did so well at the fete the other weekend :) His walking is definitely improving, though we're not really doing enough of it. But when we do, there are actually times (occasionally) where he's walking next to me, and even (when he's tired), behind me!! :) Whenever I get home from work late-ish (which seems to be fairly often), we just do a mad dash to the dog park so he at least gets a change of scenery and a decent run around before it gets dark, so there hasn't been too much loose-leash training going on lately. Thanks Jack - he's doing really well! Apart from refusing to sleep-in ever, and biting my ugg boots (when I'm wearing them) at night, he's absolutely adorable :) Actually, I do have a question for everyone. Do you do anything special/extra to get a shiny coat? We ran into some people with another choc lab a few weeks younger than Nixon the other day, and he was super shiny! I'm a bit jealous - being so dark he looks much better shiny. I'm hoping he just needs a decent wash, but if you have any tips, that would be great. The other pup is on Eukanuba which we used to feed Nixon, but he hated it. He's now on RC, which I figured would be on par really.

pooing on the concrete is better than pooing in the crate! I too think the courtyard sounds like a good place to leave your pup. As long as it's very secure, and the pup has access to the crate, and toys and water, it should be all good.

Would I have to set up a youtube account? sounds painful. :) Hopefully the fb link might work for some... If you like the drying off pic, you'll love the video! Raw bones are great! I gave Nixon one yesterday morning so we could have a little tiny sleep in. I think he was whining at the door again within an hour though, sigh. So 2 hours sounds great! We get lovely meaty lamb marrow bones from our butcher and Nixon loves them. They usually halve in size within a few hours, so don't freak out.

I'll push my luck and see if I can make video work too! this might work? maybe? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151874185052889&l=1693982179644716124