Kazm

Rebanne can I ask a question? Why do you stop heartworm meds when your dogs reaches 10 years of age?

Schnauzer max, I do realise that now and I do wonder after using it for so long whether they eventually get a build up of it in their system and then react. I admit initially when I went down that track it sounded so easy and because vets suggest/ recommend such products I guess you just trust them. And probably too naive and never asked questions. After reading about the product I was literally horrified. Absolutely terrible drug. I feel like she’s been poisoned all this time. Thankfully though I can say she is now feeling so much better. Acting very normal. Thanks for being concerned.

Rebanne, I think I’ll be using the monthly tabs after this next 12 months go by or maybe I’ll look into not using it all. She definitely won’t be getting the injection ever again. Seriously considering the vaccine one too. Sandgrubber, Good idea stopping during the colder months. Hadn’t thought of that. Thanks Persephone, she is much better today. Not totally 100% but close. The Pro- Kolin must be working. She’s been to the toilet and I’m happy to say it’s firm again. Mairead, nobody mentioned gastro. And yes, we’ve been there, done that many years ago and this was very different. After last years reaction it all points to the proheart injection and after what I read myself it definitely points to it. It’s either that or stress colitis. And I know everyone can draw their own conclusions and have their own opinions, and yes, every dog is different but after what I read about the product itself I’m really sorry I ever used it and will never ever use it on any future dog I may own.

Just curious if any of you give your dogs the 12 month proheart heartworm injection and if any of your dogs have ever had any side effects. We’ve had quite he worrying week with Molly. She was due for her vaccinations and the heartworm injection which we’ve been doing for years now. Last year however she was also at her itchy best so we decided to give her the cytopoint injection also. The vet assured me they do it with others. Well, within a few hours we were back at the vets. Molly reacted badly and her temp was sky high and she was just not good so it was noted on her file and in my head that we’d never do that again. Fast forward to this year and when I made the appointment it was decided we’d separate the vaccine and the heartworm. She didn’t need the cytopoint. She’s not itchy at present. But the vet was concerned enough to still separate the other 2 as nobody knows what caused the reaction. So last week I took her and she had the vaccine. All good. Molly was fine. No reaction at all. This Monday I took her back for the heartworm injection. All seemed good, although I did think she was a little quiet. That afternoon her poop was a little soft, nothing to worry me. Tuesday she was quiet but I had a quiet day so hard to judge although her poop was still soft. Wednesday, Molly and I was at a friends place and she just sat with me as usual so didn’t pick up on anything, however by the afternoon she went downhill. She tried to vomit but nothing came up and she was just really unwell. She then rushed out to toilet and it was just liquid tinged with blood. I immediately rang the vet but could not get into see them as they were totally booked out. I did speak on the phone for quite a while and he assured me if she was eating and drinking it wasn’t an emergency. Wasn’t happy but she did eat a little chicken for dinner and was drinking. She did go rushing out once more which was still very runny and still tinged with blood. But she settled down for the night and slept ok. Unlike me. The next morning she seemed brighter and was wanting her breakfast and seemed pretty good. I kept her quiet and I thought she was ok. Didn’t go to the toilet until much later that day and even though it was still runny there was no blood. She was ravenous for dinner so we assumed she was coming good. However yesterday she was not interested in her breakfast and also tried to vomit again. Tail was down and I knew she was not well. I managed to get a morning vet appointment where they did a urine and blood test. Her belly was tender to touch too. Which is totally understandable. The tests came back all good which was a relief so the outcome was she either had stress colitis or a reaction to the heartworm. And they are leaning towards that. I actually read up on the product and in black and white it described symptoms that she had last year and just now. She will never get one again and the vet recommended that also. She personally doesn’t give it to her 2 dogs either. I’m so upset I put Molly through this but obviously as they get older their little bodies change just like ours. The vet gave us Pro-Kolin + to help her gut and firm up her poop. She was super hungry last night ( giving her small amounts at intervals and she’s on a chicken and rice diet for now) She slept well and has eaten breakfast as normal and seems so much happier. She hasn’t been to the toilet yet but she probably doesn’t have much in her at present. Think we are all fine now but what an experience. Id be very happy to hear everyone’s experiences or opinions.

Seems like terrible dog owners are everywhere. Poor guy

Certainly looks like he’s living the good life. No wonder he is still with you.

Sorry to hear of your beautiful girl passing. It sounds terrible what she went through but you did the right thing, as hard as it would have been. It’s been 7 years since my girl passed ( hermangiosarcoma) and there is not a day that goes past where I don’t miss her. Take care, the pain does ease but never truly disappears. I’m sure your girl had the best life ever.

Happy birthday Rose. She looks so sweet and surely not guilty of destroying the poor little giraffe.

When a friends dog passed away she had some of this left and gave it to me but my dog refused to eat it also.

Thanks Persephone. I know it’s off topic but yes, still enjoying her camping trips. Loves going in the car. We went away last weekend and friends came with their 12 month old kelpie x border collie Max. She loves him and they had a ball. Still a young one at heart

Being a total novice when we got our first dog, ( over 20 years ago) we just fed him commercial tin food and dry food. Only as years went by our vet, at that time, started talking about what was really put into all the commercial stuff. Our boy got cancer at 10 and had to be given his wings. He was actually mostly a healthy boy his whole life. Although his skin was not real great. We had our girl Zena, by then and I started taking notice of what I should be feeding and doing with her. I fed her fresh food. Roo mince, chicken necks and veges and of course dry food as well. She was a healthy girl. No skin issues and not many vet visits either. Sadly though she got cancer at 9 and was given her wings. By this time we had our current girl Molly. She’s been bought up on the same fresh food but I had changed it up to cooking her veges and adding it to her food. The only difference is that she’s never been a fan of dry food. I can give it to her, mixed with the fresh meat but definitely not every meal, and definitely not a bowl on its own. She’s been quite a healthy girl, no major issues except for developing itchy skin when she was about 6. I know it’s environmental as I can pin point the exact dates when she needs a cytopoint injection. However last year, due to an issue my son had with his dog, I began looking at dog shampoos and I decided to change and I have since used goat soap to bathe Molly. I can honestly say she’s had less cytopoint injections. She doesn’t scratch anymore. As for her diet, it’s changed. By her choice. I bought a different roo/ beef mince mix from Petbarn as they didn’t have my usual and Molly actually refused to eat it. So I bought roo meat from elsewhere and she wasn’t fond of that either. I now buy her human mince and mix the veges with that plus some dry food and alternate that with chicken wings. All of this she goes nuts over. It’s not costing me any more and I figure if we eat it, she can eat it. And it’s just great to see her looking forward to her meals again. I don’t know why she went off the other food, she’s always been a dog that will eat anything but has decided to be a bit fussy in her older age, but she’s a very happy little girl, maintains her weight, bounces around and all is well. And it’s her 13th birthday in 11 days.

Sorry for your loss Rebanne. He looks such a lovely boy. Take care R.I.P Warrior

I’d make a visit to the vet. We let one of my girls go a few days past 63 and it resulted in a caesarean. My vet had checked her and said she seemed fine etc but my gut was telling me different but I decided to go along with what he thought best and as it turned out we lost 2 pups and almost lost mum dog as well.

Well done to 2 puppies although where is a camera when you need one Persephone

I’ve just seen another cross I’ve not heard of before. In the trading post there are Rottle puppies for sale for $2000. Apparently a Rottle is a Rottweiler x groodle

Always good to have some evidence Deeds. Hopefully it all works out before someone gets hurt.

Deeds, I’m thinking a call to your local council is needed. That dog is going to really do some damage by the sounds of it. I agree Diva that the effects of having your dog attacked on the owner are under rated. Unless you’ve been through it I think some just don’t understand. Sounds like you had an awful experience too. And it’s happening way too much.

I agree Deeds, there are so many idiots that own dogs now. And with all the news articles on aggressive dogs you’d think some of it would sink in. And I do believe it’s those that walk the streets etc with their dogs off lead that do not care for anyone but themselves. Blatantly flaunting the law at the same time. Makes me very angry. Mollys attack was one of the worse things we’ve gone through. It was absolutely terrifying. And quite a few worrisome days and nights wondering if she was going to pull through. She came out of it mostly fine. Physically very well. She is just very picky with who she wants to meet now. And yes when out walking we’ve made a lot of new doggie friends that she loves and dogs of all shapes and sizes too but then there are others we see coming our way and she’ll actually plant her feet and refuse to move until they go past. This is her new trait since being attacked. Me, on the other hand have become very nervous and constantly watch everywhere. And if I see a new person/dog coming our way I usually cross the road if possible. And wait for Mollys reaction as well. Some would wonder why I still walk but Molly loves getting out and about and always reminds me that it’s time to go.

Coneye, I do get what you’re saying but because of my incident I am now that scared, nervous dog owner who will pick the dog up if I see anything come charging at us. Done it as recent as last week actually. I am that person who demands a dog be on lead unless it’s in an off leash area. I do not go near these areas. We love holidaying and camping, remotely, and our girl always travels with us. This is where she gets free running and sniffing time. Loves it but at home she’s happy to walk beside me on leash which is what all good dogs ( and owners) should do.

Coneye, my girl didn’t even get the chance for a sniff or cower, the first she knew of the dog was when she was being shaken in its jaws. That dog had one intention and that was to maul her. Yes, I was yelling at the dog but I certainly wasn’t swinging my girl around on the lead. I actually laid on top of her to save her. It was only with the intervention of another person that we managed to get away. You can have the best trained dog in the world but as far as I’m concerned a dog is an animal and it can snap at any time. I’ll agree with tdierikx, best to go for a nice quiet walk with dog on leash and avoid off leash areas even though I admit that’s what I was doing the morning my girl was attacked. Just need eyes everywhere to be safe.

Coneye, I don’t want to sound nasty but tell this to my dog. She’s a mini schnauzer and a few years back she got attacked by a ridgeback on the loose. My girl was on lead. She is extremely lucky to still be here. If I’d simply dropped her lead and let her simply run away or cower it would have been game over for her. Your advice I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

We had an incident the other afternoon. There is a house we walk by frequently. Gates are always open. The occupants are usually sitting in the carport chatting, drinking etc. It always amazes me why when the backyard is quite large but anyways, they also have a medium sized quite solid dog. Not sure what it’d be but it’s come racing out at us a few times before. The owner has called it and it does back off. Always apologises and assures me the dog is friendly. At this stage Molly is in my arms as the minute I see anything come running I just pick her up straight away. The other afternoon though, there was a guy sitting on a motorbike, talking on his phone ( obviously a friend of these people) and the dog was sitting calmly on the driveway. I kept my eyes on it and actually thought it wasn’t interested but no it came running. I was a bit slow to pick Molly up but just managed to as the dog got to us and it went for a snap at her. The motorbike guy quickly yelled at the dog and he apologised to me profusely saying it’s a good dog, won’t hurt you blah blah blah. He did ask if we were ok. I politely told him it actually tried to snap Molly and no I wasn’t particularly ok. Briefly told him Molly had been attacked before and we do not like loose dogs. Literally scares me. I think if it happens one more time the council will be notified.

Yes Deeds, I am one of those that gets angry at people with their dogs off leash all the time. And those that say, “ he’s friendly, he just wants to play or say hi”. I really do not like it. In my opinion a dog is an animal, and any animal can snap at any time. I’m not sure if it’s different in Vic but here in Qld I believe all dogs must be leashed unless in a designated off leash area. Of course there are always those that go against the rules. Mrpickelman 96, I walk my girl twice a day but I am still one of those who go into ‘panic’ mode when I see an off leash dog. A few years back my little girl got attacked by a dog on the loose and she’s very lucky to still be with us. This dog looked fine to me from a distance but in that slit second it all changed. And it was nothing my dog did to incite the attack as she hadn’t even noticed the dog as she was busy sniffing. She is relatively fine with meeting other dogs now but she can be choosy. A trait that has only happened since the attack. Me, on the other hand, I get very nervous when I see a new dog or one that is off leash. Please don’t be judgemental of people. They don’t know your dog.

I love mini schnauzers all the way, but I’ve always wanted an Australian terrier since I was a kid. I like the looks of the Scottish terrier too. Just met one recently, it lives nearby. Molly and I just love her. Personally I’d never own a large breed, too much for me to handle.

I agree with Boronia, just pay the fine. Take it from someone who had their dog savagely attacked while out walking, that a dog racing across the road towards you or your dog is a very scary thing and personally I’d say fix your yard so your dog can not escape. As a dog owner take responsibility.