Erny

Noopy - it sounds to me that you are certainly carrying a mountain of responsibilities and for that, I admire your ability and yes I acknowledge that it is easy for anyone (ie me) to say from this side of the internet screen that "you need to get it together". For my bluntness, I apologise. But you know? .... the times I fall down in a heap is usually when people are softer on me. Sure, that's needed at some stage, but if you can keep going without causing yourself an illness (heaven forbid), then you need the strength for that just now, at least until Noopy comes through this and her situation is manageable without being critical. I don't know your personal situation (other than what you have shared already) but if you are on your own, and given that your daughter is so ill (I hope she will improve with time and I hope that is as swift as it can be), is there any assistance that you can apply for, even if it is to help you with organising transport for your daughter? Please make sure that you eat well, even if you don't feel like it. And take each day as it comes. And seek help, if you feel you need it, if even only for talking it out with someone. That in itself can make a difference.

Not for you as it seems you're just about through the need for this, but whilst I was just now browsing for something else, THIS link came up showing "The Strock" which is basically a sock you can put on to stop chewing/bandage removal, without the need for a bucket. Haven't looked into it and I don't know how good/bad it would be, but thought I might as well snap the site and link it here, seeing as you are on the subject .

Thanks IJDavis. I was posting whilst you were. Thanks for that. Will now go look for those articles and work out which one made reference to the word that had me a bit puzzled. Cheers Erny

Ok - answered one of my questions. "Ventral" is basically the underside of the dog. Opposite to "Dorsal" view, which is where we would be looking down upon a dog, seeing its back. Now all I have to do is dredge through what I was reading (is ok, because I need to refresh and clarify my understanding of it anyway) and check that "ventral" is the word they mentioned.

Or maybe it said "Ventral side of the dog". Dang. I'm reading so much lately, much with medical terms, that it gets confusing. Now I'm going to need to back track to the article and re-read it to see exactly what word it said. But even then, what's the "ventral" side of a dog?

I was reading something to do with 'cyst' type lumps on dogs the other day and one article made a reference to a certain skin/symptom condition that seems to affect the "ventricle side of the dog". What's the "Ventricle" side of the dog? Is that the left side, the side the heart is on?

$100+ taxi fares? Yes - it is too much. The expense of flights is enough, then accommodation .... without adding more for the cost of travel. Personally, I think Cranbourne area is way too far out, as much as it would be particularly handy for me.

I went to a few functions a number of years ago, put on by a big business crowd. I stayed there as well. Can't remember the name but I've emailed a friend who worked for this 'big business' and have asked her. It is CBD. I've also sent her a copy/paste of the criteria that you've mentioned in your post, Steve, as she might have some other ideas as well. She worked in Melbourne for many years and was involved in entertaining clients at special functions so she might have a few ideas. I'll be in touch once I've heard back from her.

"Mdba Dog Owners Choice Awards, Next year in Melbourne ... " YAYYYYY !!! :D :) :) Get the impression I'm happy about this ??? :) Ok .... once I'm down from my excitement, I'll put my thinking cap on. Steve - how many to accommodate/cater for? Do you want something that is more central Melbourne (it would likely be more expensive, though) or is it ok to be outer suburban? I agree the Bear House has nice meals. Don't know what the accommodation is like as I've not stayed there nor looked, but I can check it out if you would like. Settlement is nice although I think I prefer the atmosphere of the Bear House. That's not to suggest there aren't other places. What's the criteria for location? Public Transport?

Yep ..... good wishes coming from here as well. Hang in there, Pepi.

What brand would that be, Steve?

Agree that it is a personal thing. Me? I think I'd be more saddened to see my dog without the 'life' that makes him shine as he does. I'd rather remember his physical state with the 'life' that makes his personality, his 'sparkle'. I'd be spooked out to have him taxidermied and standing lifeless and still in some corner. I'm a bit of an 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust' person and prefer to let them return from whence they came. It's their spirit that counts and is what we cherish, not so much their bodily form. I would have preferred burial for my avatar girl (bless her cotton socks) but it wasn't feasible at the time, so I had her cremated. Receiving her ashes was special, and they are in the nice box in which they came, but I've buried that. For a while, I felt that's where she was, but that feeling took a shift ............... and I know that she is in my heart and around me, that it is not 'her' in the cremation box. I would feel the same if she had been buried but at least, if I move, I can bring her remains with me. Sorry - Can't help you with a name of a good taxidermist.

News? Good, I hope.

YOU need to get it together for Noopy's sake, if you can't do it for your own. Glad Noopy isn't as bad as you imagined (ie wasting away) and hoping that Noopy is well enough to come home soon.

I'm sure I read recently something else - it might make the ear fur a bit "manky" but at least it wasn't about applying yet even more in the way of chemicals/drugs to our dogs' systems. Just can't remember what the stuff was. Perhaps direct attention to this thread from the Health Forum (via link). ?? ETA: I'm trying to find what it was I am looking for, but in the meantime, "Bag Balm" is something I've heard others talk about, except I don't think you can get it over here.

As you say - no news is good news. for your dog, Pepi.

Sorry - misread post. I'll shut up.

Swap you for the Euro Wasps. No ......... wouldn't wish them on anyone. I can just imagine them : ..... "Breaker, breaker ....... we have a convoy ... " Yeah, but us Melbournites had some winds down here so we blew them all back up to you.

Not sure why you would want to stop them spinning either. Don't they remove the bad air (IE carbon monoxide) allowing fresh air flow?

Yes they are, Pepi. I think no matter how much you read of them, no matter how much someone tells you of them, you still undergo that awful panic adrenaline rush which is made all the worse for the fact that there is really nothing you can do, save for making sure they can't hurt themselves on nearby objects. It is such a helpless feeling, and the seizures can be so violent. My avatar girl had some Grand Mal seizures - I remember the first one well. After the violent episode had diminished I was straight on the phone to the Vet. I don't know what I was expecting, but I think I was a bit surprised at how calm and matter of fact the Vet Nurse and Vet were. I don't know what I felt - "heroic" wasn't quite the word, but I did feel as though I'd been through some wonderous yet devistatingly frightening and horrible thing, yet others were taking it all in their stride. When my girl had another couple of Grand Mals, they were still horrible to watch through; still that helpless feeling - but even I was more matter of fact about it now that I understood what was going on, what to expect and what to do. I hope your dog recovers and that a management plan can help to sort it out and keep your dog stable.

I was only thinking the other day that the flies around here have left. I got a fly trap a month ago, but by that time was not troubled by the few flies remaining - even they seemed to have gone. Perhaps they've all gone up to visit at your house, Tilly LOL. I'm finding the problem at the moment is European Wasps and have to really watch it in case my boy has left an uneaten bone, because the wasps swarm it and I know will challenge my dog if he decides to return to it. I used a hose the other day so that I could get to a bone to throw it out, and the little blighters threatened to have me. Rotten things - pity they don't seem to be good meal tickets for our native birds. I had to spray the bone with mortein, then I had to hose off the over spray from the lawn so that it wouldn't die and so that my dog wouldn't accidentally ingest, roll or walk in it. Then I washed the spray off the bone (so that wildlife wouldn't suffer when the bone was taken to the tip), bagged the bone and threw it in the bin.

I think the solution of choice (in the interim of seeing your Vet) is saline solution. I am a "good ol' salt & water" advocate as well and admittedly have cured a mild dose of conjunctivitis in my previous girls eyes with its use. But I think it might have been Rappie (or someone else knowledgeable - sorry if I'm misquoting the author name) who pointed out that you have to be careful with salt water into the eyes as it is possible to burn the cornea with it. I'd be using saline solution and also dosing the dog with some Active Manuka Honey (UMF 20+ or higher) to help boost the immune system if you have these things. For me, they represent a permanent stock in my medicine cabinet, along with Colloidal Silver and Calendula Tea. This in the interim of seeing your Vet, of course. Conjunctivitis isn't something to muck around with, but I agree that it wouldn't warrant a rush to the emergency Vet. Oh - if you don't have saline solution but do happen to have Colloidal Silver to hand, you can use that to rinse your dog's eyes with. You're supposed to be able to use the Calendula Tea as an eye wash as well, but I concern myself with the doubt on sterility and also the possibility of particles from the tea stock, so I'd be more comfortable using the Colloidal Silver.

Give him a few doses of Active Manuka Honey (UMF 20+ or higher). If he has scratched his throat that will help it heal - it has natural antibacterial qualities in it, stronger than normal honey. I use the AMH for cases of Canine Cough as well.

How is Noopy today? Has she had the second scope done?

That's really sad. But Beam is in a good place now, and as horrible as the incident was to bring her to pass, she is now free of all her ills and I expect dancing in the grassy fields on the other side of the bridge. Condolences to the owner. I hope she doesn't hold it against the dog that was the perpetrator to Beam's death. It was quite possibly a natural instinctive thing that she did from the dog's point of view, not necessarily something "wrong".