Erny

Listened to the download. He was speaking with Patricia Taylor of Dogs Rescue Australia on the matter. Neil was against the idea of Foster Carers having to register as a Domestic Animal Business and suggested he would possibly take the matter up with the Minister (Joe Helper) when he was expecting to speak with him later in the program. I didn't catch any more and had my own meeting with Michelle Frazer, who is a Liberal candidate running for the Narre Warren North Seat (Victoria) and who, after having albeit a fairly informal chat, has 'pledged' that she will listen to our dog related issues and concerns and will not just pay us lip service. Did anyone else catch anything further than this?

Happy to buy whatever you don't want/need - you can put the $'s in your coffee fund Can pick up/leave money at the kennels on the way home from work one afternoon if you like. PM me? I'm in between Boarding/Training dogs at the moment, so am at the kennels only for Pro-K9's Classes on Sundays until 19th December, which is the last training day before Christmas (then resuming 9th January). Let me know which Sunday would suit you to pick up and I'll leave the bag at the kennels for you then. Please note I'm NOT at the kennels on 12th December as Pro-K9 as a stall/gazebo at the KCC Big Dog Day Out Event on that date. Classes are still happening, but I won't have gone there to be able to drop off the food. 20kg Bag cost me $80. I used about 2 bowls worth (at most, I think). My number for contact is 0419 204 023 Cheers Erny SnT - thanks for the explanation. I'll bear that in mind. The Z/D advises that, after 6 weeks, to go back on to the diet your dog was on immediately before starting on the Z/D. I've already spoken with my Vet and told him I'll talk to him again as we get nearer that time because the "diet" Mandela was on was only cooked chicken and I don't actually class that as a "diet" - it was just that cooked chicken was about ALL he would eat at the time, so I don't really want to go back to that.

Only caught the last part of this early today when I jumped in the car. Neil Mitchell 3AW talking about the laws which make it awkward/next to impossible for people to act as foster carers for dogs from pounds. Sounded to me that Neil Mitchell didn't approve of the laws and was intending to look further into them. Good stuff, Neil.

Thanks SnT. I did previously try the RC Intestinal (no luck - he turned off it) and also the RC Sensible (Sensitive Stomach) (Preferred this over the Intestinal but still not wholly successful). I presume these are different to the ones you mention above? Last night I added a Z/D can to 4 cups of the Z/D kibble. He ate all of the can and all of the kibble that was 'basted' with the can, but left about 2 cups worth of the kibble (I think he licked some of the kibble clean too, going by the kibble pieces left laying around on the floor ). I usually pick up his uneaten food but forgot to last night and earlier this morning (before I got up) I heard him venture out to his "food room" (formerly the laundry but now been over run by dog food) and munch on the remaining 2 cups of kibble. Clean bowl this morning. I do swear that, with the trouble I have had with his digestives over the past couple of years, that he has paired eating certain things with his uncomfortable belly. I am hoping that he's beginning to realise his tummy is not so uncomfortable now and that this makes eating these things easier and better. It is still very much early days. I had great success when I switched him over to the VAN prepared complete mix (for allergy dogs) and he went really well on that for 7 months, before he began to go off it and his poops went back to sludge. So we still have a road in front of us yet. But I do so love to see him excited over his food. Reminiscent of his "pre 6 months of age" days. So enthused he was last night for his can & kibble combo Z/D that he scratched the back of my leg in his eagerness to quickly comply with my 'heel' command (TOT). He was actually just a bit too OT. But I can work with that . We've had a few hives appear in a couple of spots (at different times) in the last few weeks, but they've remained really small by comparison to previous outbreaks, and only about 4 - 6 at each time. They've also disappeared of their own accord without any treatment by me, within 24 - 48 hours. I'm still holding my breath that there could be a major outbreak just around the corner (major outbreak = hundreds of hives all over his body and legs), but I am really hopeful that perhaps my finding that he is low thyroid and having him treated for that, is making the difference. If I can get through the next three months without a major outbreak, I will breath easier and be more confident I'm on the right track. Rysup and JulesP - it is quite frustrating and such an expensive exercise, trying to cure/fix by trial and error feeding, and then trying to get something that will be the best for the long term. Going by the feeding guide, Mandela should be receiving 7 cups of the Hills Science Z/D daily. I can substitute 1 can for a cup and a bit of the kibble, when I add it (one cup Z/D kibble = 5/8th can Z/D). A 3.6kg bag of the kibble is about $57 One can is $3.50 - although I can save a whole $3.50 by purchasing a 'slab' of 12 cans. Yay!! Means I can afford half a cup of coffee!! :p Honestly - I'm not really whining. I'll just be happy with whatever, if I can finally get Mandela on the right track to health. But it is amazing how expensive these things are and of course having a large dog breed, it adds up extraordinarily quickly. And of course, the only things that work for Mandela are the most expensive things on the shelf :p . At least they are there though. I remember with my previous girl Kal (bhcs) who became ill and there was nothing I could do that would fix her or give her more time. I remember how I envied anyone who had options available to them, so now I wouldn't trade my present situation. In a way, I thank my lucky stars .

Does sedation stop the dog feeling pain? Or just prevent the dog from reacting to it? I agree with Perse. If the ears are as bad as you described (and we have no cause to doubt you) then back to a DIFFERENT vet, rather than mucking around with a variety of drops. I'm sorry I can't help with a Vet recommendation in your State or area, but I'm sure there are others here who will be able to assist .

Thanks for acknowledging that, cj-b. I do mean well by raising these things as I do believe the drugs we apply/administer to our dogs year in year out can't help but weaken their systems and that over the generations matters such as sensitive stomachs; irritable bowel disease; allergies will (is) become worse and worse and more and more plentiful (not as though it isn't plentiful already). I'd recommend speaking with 3 or a dozen Vets though - as don't forget who makes money out of the wormers; heartwormers; vaccinations; flea treatments (all of which are administered on a regular on-going basis so it's not hard to figure out that these things are worth a fortune to them). ETA: As kids I think I remember Mum worming us once . Don't know why - whether it was necessary or whether she read stuff that made her think she should. I throw up trying to swallow foul tasting medication anyway (back in those days, all kids had medicine not tablets and all the medicines tasted revolting) so there was no repeating the medication, lol.

It's ok Bartok - I understand your question was well intended and a genuine thought. Thing is, this "law" seemed to sneak its way through and was unknown by many people, including those in the breeding and show fraternity. I don't believe that even Dogs Victoria passed the information on to its members, but someone might correct me on that notion. So the first that it was known to many was when Judy got haulled over the coals for this technicality. The very wrong of it is also that it is contained under "Animal Welfare". Exhibiting a debarked dog -vs- not exhibiting a debarked dog has nothing to do with welfare, so putting a law that relates to whether you're allowed to exhibit your dog or not under the heading "Animal Welfare" is certainly misleading (would fraudulent be too strong a word?) If you are not allowed to exhibit dogs that are debarked, and if Dogs Victoria knew of the law (which I believe they did), then why wasn't it put up as one of Dogs Victoria's laws and announced to all and sundry at the time the law went through. Or more particularly, why didn't Dogs Victoria object to the law being passed before it became law?

By knowing that all the work you do will culminate in you being able to have another and that this is what you are working towards. There will be that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, in the shape of a puppy. But you have to wait for the best . How sad for you, Bluefairy. But how completely selfless. I wish for you good karma. Regards Erny

Hi Tyler23. Yes - leave the tea to air dry on the skin (no rinsing off). As to how often - I was never told so I just did it about 3 times on the first day of getting on to it (as my dog, who was covered by estimated 500+ hives and was threatening secondary skin infection). Next day was VERY noticeably improved, so did it twice and then backed it down to once a day for the next couple of days. After that I only applied it when I thought things were beginning again or getting worse instead of better. I tend to find there is a noticeable improvement inside 24 hours, so it generally (IME) is not a case of using it for an age before you know. I used the Calendula before the antihistamine. It turned out I didn't need to administer antihistamine because the Calendula did the job. It is also good to drink as well .

Very lovely - but thank you no. I love being able to run a damp flannel over my dog and 'hey presto' he's groomed and washed almost in the one go . But it would be nice if my sister would get one of those and I could just enjoy the fun without the care responsibility :p. Beautiful looking dog.

Thank you. What cute puppies!! I really like the puppy and teenage coats :p .

Would you know how much the cords are likely to weigh on the dog?

If the dog is uncomfortable with the allergy, a sponge wash with Calendula Tea might help. Many (including myself) have had much success with it. It has been suggested that it might be prudent to test an area first, to ensure there is no allergic reaction to the Tea itself (as it is plant based) but so far, with the reports I've had from the numbers who have used it that I know of (amounts to perhaps 8 - 12, potentially more) there have been benefits without issues, even for dogs who are sporting grass allergies. Outside of that number there have been about 3 people who have reported no effect one way or the other. I don't know if this would mess with the trial you are on though, but I would think it shouldn't 'mask' the problem. I'm not a Vet.

Again, thank you PF. Ewwwwwww, one would certainly need to be dedicated and know they would have the additional time necessary for this sort of care !!

Thanks PF. I can well imagine a corded/matted coat would be a nightmare to keep 'nice', unless the dog's environment was seed and grass free. Not meaning to sound antagonistic and my apologies to the OP as this is OT to your thread but it just doesn't seem worth creating another thread just to satisfy my query/thoughts, but what makes it ok for the Bergamasco Shepherd Dog to have a matted (corded) coat and yet for people to cry "foul" when other breeds end up having matted coats? Many of the mats I see in coats end up pulling on the skin as the mat gets more and more dense. How would one stop that from happening to a dog such as the Bergamasco whose corded coat is accepted as part of its standard? I am honestly puzzled and maybe it has a lot to do with the mountain load of coat maintenance of these dogs that perhaps I am not aware of and that goes well beyond my imagining .

Unless the RSPCA front up to every dog owner they believe are breaching animal welfare laws, with TV Crew on tow, one can ONLY think you're right, RJ - it would have had to have been a PR opportunity, one that was intended to go to air as one of their many TV shows but maybe which is now quashed as a result of the Court outcome ???

Nothing against the breed and this is just a personal thing, but I need a dog I can stroke and actually feel the dog. But I do like the look of the dog - I'd like the brushed out version though, lol. Question (dumb one) .... what is the difference between the matting of this long coat and the matting of the coats of other dog breeds who are not 'supposed' to be matted? No offence to anyone who admire/raise/own/show/breed these dogs intended.

It would be interesting to know, Anniek. I have tried mixing his (various) kibbles (that he'd gone 'off') with his previous diet of cooked chicken (that he would eat) and that could be enough to have him turn away and refuse his food, no matter how much I took it away or how long after I'd offer it back to him (within the limits of the fridge life of the chicken). Regardless, this Z/D is a trial diet and he has to stay on that strictly for 6 weeks. We then go back to normal food - one protein at a time, to see what that does. The Black Hawk delivery is not expensive here - as far as I'm aware it is Victorian based so here would be the cheapest of anywhere. I'd be happy to sell it to you, Anniek although I may need to keep a bit of it for "trialling" at some stage after the Z/D diet is completed. But don't feel obliged if you find the cost wasn't as much as you thought it was going to be for delivery.

Naturally it is your choice, but I thought that considering your dog has the issues of a sensitive stomach, it might be helpful to reduce the administration of chemicals that may not be necessary as much as possible.

Yeah - I guess you're right .

Why is it cruel to use a collar that "might cause harm" (even though there is no recorded evidence of harm - but plenty of attestation to its benefits) and therefore worthy of its use being banned, yet NOT cruel to use a collar/s that HAVE caused harm (and where there IS recorded evidence of harm) and which seem to deserve support from a certain number of *cough* well known orgs? This is the State we are in. Laws that don't make sense; don't make any difference to animal welfare (and can infact work against the very essence of the Act they are listed under); and which the Government cannot (evidenced by the fact they will not) answer to or explain. There is no figuring it. Many of these laws were bullied through and IMO the reason for this is politically based - nothing to do with wisdom or the "we care for dogs" factor.

Worming : I think we tend to over worm our dogs, administering drugs every 3 months when they might not even have any worms for those drugs to be deemed necessary. Dogs' systems are designed to deal with a small-mild worm burden. Instead of worming on a regular basis, what about dropping a stool sample into your Vet periodically and ask him/her to do a worm burden count on it and worm your dog using drugs less frequently?

That's interesting, Sllebasi. Any chance of a photo from you so we can see what you are describing?

CW EW .... Can't offer you any advice, I'm sorry. But I do wish you and Emmy good luck. It is not as though you haven't already had your fair share of trials and vet bills.

Ok - so my boy seemed to enjoy the Black Hawk ..... UNTIL I went ahead and purchased the 20kg bag . I have unused dog food around the house everywhere - I almost need a special room (let alone freezers and cupboards) to store it in!! Sorry Black Hawk - no reflection on your food. As I mentioned, my boy seems to be a 'special case'. Anyway, I spoke with our Vet a week ago and we are putting together a plan which will likely blend a couple of necessary procedures together under the one GA - one of those possibly being an endoscopy and biopsy to diagnose (rule in or rule out) IBD. But first we decided to try the Hills Science Z/D. I came home with a bag of the kibble and also a couple of cans. He ate the kibble quite enthusiastically initially and then, as seems to be his pattern, began to be less and less interested in it. But his poops have improved and this is great news, although I'm not sure how short lived that improvement will be. I decided to try him with a can last night, into which I mixed a couple of handfuls of the kibble. Looooooved the stuff. Great . Did the same tonight (save that I mixed 3 cups of the kibble in with it), and he was going spare just to get at it (we do TOT and I was working him through one of his routines in the family/lounge room, and he barked his way through it, so gee'd up was he to be released to his meal awaiting him in the laundry). I haven't seen him so worked up for food for a long time and it was an absolute joy to see. Even better was the empty bowl afterwards . I'm still fingers crossed. It is early days yet. If he continues to do well on this diet it does indicate a food intolerance (at least that's as I've understood it) and I'd rather that than IBD or any other more serious issue. Although if it is a food intolerence I'm not sure what food that leaves him to be able to eat, as I've tried just about every 'single protein' food available (to my knowledge) and I've tried those without the wheat, etc etc. But one step at a time - I'm sure I'll be able to work that out as we go. Time (and money ;)) will tell. ETA: I'm still waiting for him to do a poop for me to see what it is like, having now consumed the canned Z/D. ETA: Has pooped. All is good .