Erny

It could be that he's a bit stressy when you're away. It might be that he is drinking, but perhaps only smaller amounts. My boy often has a good long drink of water when I've been out and return - obviously especially on warmer days. In some of the worst heat, when I've had to be away and him outside, I am certain that he would lap up some water from time to time if he needed it. I suspect you might find that's the same for Diesel. To put your mind at rest, pick a warm day and set up a bit of a web-cam exercise from where you can see Diesel approach his water bowl.

2tollers - I think my greater concern would be the 'pressure' that I would feel if the dermatologist prescribed medications where other professionals are suggesting I steer clear. So many Vets are so fast at and frequently prescribing AB's and Cortisone for all manner of things (even when they don't know what it is that they are treating) that I think I've learnt (sometimes the hard way) not to trust that advice. But the part of me that is responsible for carrying guilt would be betwixt and between to ignore that advice. I think those reading will understand where I am coming from (I hope). IE What to do? Who to listen to? It might seem a bit like "stick head in sand" approach, but I think it is more that I need to KISS and not have the clarity of my thinking turn into a head spin. By no means am I made of money and I've already spent thousands on Mandela and in that I'm not complaining. But it doesn't mean I don't wish to try to be practical by saving some money that I don't need to throw away if I can help it. BUT, the practicalities come into it only after Mandela's immediate health. Now - if someone were to tell me that by not having the derm tests done today (ie urgently) is possibly going to result in something so far worse that Mandela's life is likely to be affected by it more permanently, then I will go to the Dermatologist post haste. Assuming that is not the case though, if I hold back a bit (not too much longer, but a bit) to see if this bout of hives are on their way out (as I am only just suspecting that they might be), I'll be clearer about two things in the future : (a) If the hives return and reflect the same pattern, I will know that the treatments he's on are not doing the job and that the pattern of his condition occurs regardless. (b) I will know that the retreating of the hives IS due to the natural pattern (and/or due to naturopath treatment) and not because of any treatment the dermatologist prescribes. © If the hives don't return, then I will know that the tests (and the expense) would have been unnecessary.

I'd be inclined to trust your dog and go the whole raw meal diet. If he turns off that, THEN I'd be suspicious of either something wrong or him 'playing' you.

Hi Danois ..... Your dog's coat condition seems to be scarely similar to what my boy suffers. He too has been a dog that is very difficult to get (and then keep) weight on, even when his appetite is not diminished. I've posted pictures in THIS thread (Allergies) - refer pages 6 & 7.

Does he enjoy meaty bones, raw meat?

Your power of memory never ceases to amaze me, Jed. Dog age for following pointing cues

Or if the collar was too strong.

Thanks, ZA. I do intend to and don't wish you to think that I am or will be ignoring your informative and helpful input. I'm trying to take things one step at a time, otherwise I am confounded with confusion with the advice from too many professionals wanting to do different things. I may be wrong in delaying going to see someone about the skin testing, but this is what I had in mind : Re-test via hair analysis (which I have to do tomorrow and is part of the 'program' (so to speak) and is included in the fee I've paid. Re-schedule a consult with the Naturopath - he's due for that this month. By this time the Naturopath remedies have been given sufficient (in my books) time to have at least produced some good results and I would like to hear what her thoughts/suggestions are at that point. And I am interested to know what the Mr. Barry Templeton's Hair Analysis results will be, given that we have followed the recommended 2 week treatment. Unless there is a new flush of hives that re-appear, and going by the last time an outbreak of hives occurred (6 months ago, approximately) the hives should be disappearing now, with coat and appetite both improving. If that happens, I'm content to let things run, hoping that maybe we get through this and do not see a repeat. HOWEVER, should there be a repeat of the symptoms (hives; reluctance to eat) then I think that will more clearly confirm that there is a pattern and will also indicate that his treatments were not as affective as they could or should be and it is then that I figured I would arrange for skin testing. If I go to someone else now and they recommend different meds, and if they don't stop this (what seems to be a) bi-annual cycle of symptoms, then I'm going to be wondering if I just am not giving other remedies a chance to put things to rights. Does what I propose sound like a sensible plan? Am I underplaying this? (I promise, it is not that I am unconcerned and not worried that I'm doing something wrong by not doing something right, when I should.)

This third photo shows from the top the patches of hair where hives were, but have since erupted. You can see he is still lean/skinny. I've been trying to get 8 x tubs of BARF (rabbit) into him per day. I'm happy if I can do that. I'm ok if I can just get 6 x tubs of BARF (rabbit) into him per day. In the couple of days pre photo's, I was able to only get about 4 or 5 x tubs of the BARF (rabbit) into him per day (just). BARF (rabbit) was only intended to represent a part of his diet, but he went 'off' the chicken wings etc. He happily ate a tin of sardines the other day though. Today was a 'good' day (ie 8 tubs)

I was going to put these pictures up in Mandela's thread, but because that's been inactive for quite some time I can't post there (without bothering Troy about it). So, trusting the OP doesn't mind, I'm putting them up here (seeing as part of this thread became about Mandela's recent woes). These pictures don't change his story nor specifically asking for anything - it is just to give those who have expressed interest by helping me out with ideas/suggestions, some idea of what I'm up against. These were taken a couple of days ago. His coat was at about its worst (not only full of hives, but stark/dry/dull looking as well) at that time. His coat looks better today in that there is some shine and depth back to it. I can't say for sure, but I think some hives have gone and they are a little bit fewer in numbers than there was at the time of the photo's. As you can see, it is near impossible for me to count them. These photo's are only of a certain section (mainly the rib area) of his body - only because it was easier for me to capture them with the camera, without Mandela wanting to eat my camera. Also had to stand in a certain position so that any shadows cast did not fall on that part that I photographed, otherwise the hives don't show up so well via the photos. The hives actually affect his rear forehead, cheeks, rib area, back, loin, shoulders, thighs, chest (including under chest) and legs (front and back). It would probably be easier and quicker to tell you where he is unaffected by them (ie muzzle, front forehead, paws, tail)

How long does he continue to bark for if you don't tell him to stop? Does he bark much, if at all, at these things when you are not home? (IE Do you know that for a fact?) Is it an "alert" bark, or is it based in anxiety to the sound of loud noises?

I'm not a Vet so not "advising" as such. But seeing as you are 'monitoring' (I think I would have done the same), perhaps give some doses of Active Manuka Honey (UMF +20 or higher - purchase from health food shop - be prepared to faint at the price). This has antibacterial qualities and is a good immune system supporter. You can feed some doses straight off the teaspoon, or you can add some to a small amount of water. The latter is especially good if you are a bit concerned that your pup is not drinking as much as it might.

It's about seeing the unwanted behaviour diminish, not "behaviour" in general. Unless you're saying that even though you don't reward them, they continue to give the wrong behaviour (time after time; session after session). But somehow, I don't think that's what you're saying.

When you say "waxy" do you mean "oily" ? When you say "he's lost a tonne of weight" - is that through purposeful diet? Do you think he's a dog who accumulates weight too easily on next to nothing? Both these questions are not contingent upon the other. Just a suggestion, but have you thought about checking thyroid? If you haven't, but if you do, I wouldn't much bother with the Aussie tests. The USA testing (Dr. Jean Dodds) is far more thorough and can detect thyroid issues where our testing will not. The analysis is more accurate too. While you are trying to get to the cause of the issue, you might try giving him a wash with Calendula tea. You can purchase this from Health Food Stores - it is not expensive, and make it into a tea just as you would a normal tea. It relieves the redness and has natural antibacterial qualities. This tends to help in stopping secondary skin infections. But it does not fix the original source of the problem - it just eases the symptom, which in itself can prove to be a big relief to your dog.

Well, if I listened, I did hear "mushy" sounds, but I really didn't want to post about that because even the thought of that noise was enough to make my stomach turn. A cold shudder creeps down my spine just as I type about this. Is that what you mean? You're not telling me they "buzz" are you? At least not until they hatch out into flies. Bones are gone now, to the bin. Garbo day tomorrow, so they'll then be far, far away . Hope they're not "homing flies".

Hi Dova's OH ...... your story I think so far tops the "most gross" list . Ya know what went through my mind though? All these things that we've done and experienced (and in your case, drank) and we're all ok and in good health (well, I presume and hope we are). And yet (in another thread) there's this thing where a Shire in WA has banned dogs going to street cafes (alfresco dining) because people eating might be subjected to a germy dog hair . Kayann - I agree that the buzz of a mosquito is danged annoying. Coincidentally, I was only thinking this the other night, when I could here a mozzy doing its 'thing' somewhere around my bedroom as I was trying to drift off to sleep. And I started to think "if only they were quiet". But then I thought it was actually a good thing they do make that annoying buzzing noise, as at least with them you know when they are approaching. A quiet mozzy is usually the one who is busy biting. I wonder if maggots would give me the same heebie jeebies as they do if they made a little buzzing noise ??? Perhaps it's the fact that they are squirmy, wriggly (and surprisingly fast when they want to travel) and ......................................... silent. ETA: Dova's OH .... I have a vague recollection about something similar occuring to us when I was a little tacker. It involved a dead possum. But I don't think it was as gross as yours as I don't think there was the matter of maggots involved. At least, not so far as my Dad told me.

S&S ..... there is nothing to be gained in the name of 'education' if something can not be discussed from at least two different view points. If that couldn't happen, then we'd all simply be speaking to the converted without any opposite view point. And there's no real learning in that. I think you debated your view well and I could almost see your point. To be honest, I very nearly put up your very 'argument' myself, last night. But then I had a harder think on it. And saw the anomalies of this study went beyond and away from any potential to help against BSL. Night . Sleep tight .

What is meant by "the available environment" ?

S&S .... the problem is that, given Government's historical behaviour and attitude, there is (the way I see it) a much bigger chance of the results of a study/s such as this to be used by 'them' to outlaw not only any dog breeds but any dog types which do not fit its criteria of what ultimately becomes interpreted as the "ideal" dog (whatever that interpretation shall be ). The Government (along with the orgs who pushed for BSL) were provided with unequivical evidence of BSL's failure to achieve the intended goal, yet this was overtly ignored. You speak of a "teeny tiny chance of helping". I applaude your optimism, but if this study is going to have an influence at all, I see it as a potentially and more probably negative influence, "intended" or not.

Hhhmmm. But what about your Staffy? Sorry ...... couldn't resist.

Yes - that's right. Only illegal for use in Victoria. But I agree with Persephone that I wouldn't like to put a PPCollar in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it. Mind you, I wouldn't like to put a Head Collar in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use that, either.

IF it is shards of bones that have caused the bleeding, I'd be inclined to feed some soft food to help 'buffer' the bone shards and also to get the digestive system moving. Something like boiled or steamed pumpkin. As much as the dog will eat. The watery blood could be the sign of some broken capillaries, which in themselves could be caused due to the diarrhoea which of course might relate to a bowel/stomach irritation. It might not be representative of bone shard damage to the bowel. If the problem is not through the bone shards, the steamed/boiled pumpkin is still commonly used as a remedy to diarrhoea and also to constipation. If the dog is otherwise happy and willing to eat, and so long as there is no more blood or problems with bowel movements, I'd probably give until tomorrow to see if it has settled down. But that's me. And I don't have a crystal ball any more than any one else has. I'd hate to suggest the wrong thing. So this is just my thoughts and a tip that you might like to pass on. Because I can't see the dog in question (and even if I could, because I'm not a Vet) this has to be your sister's judgement call.

..... some of the things in this thread are really vile - worse than my "maggots on the decking" drama that started this all off in the first place. But just to add : When I got back from a jaunt in the park with Mandela, at which he elected to utilise the lake for a bit of a cool dip in between bouts of zoomies, I gave him a hose down (warm water) to rid him of the slightly stinky smell and mud. While I was getting the water to the right temperature, I saw (and therefore was reminded of) the roo tail bone that I'd tossed to one side the other day. I saw that it was still alive with more maggots () so I used the hot running water from the hose to douse them with. That really knocked them around. I had in my mind to 'bag' the bone and get rid of it, but after rinsing Mandela off, I got waylaid by the telephone. Whilst yacking on that call, I looked out to see Mandela making a meal of that bone. I went out to check it. Some of the meat on it was green and still had maggots crawling (a little more sluggish than they had been, admittedly) in it. Total gross. I should take a photo of it and put it up here for all the ghouls who want to enjoy a big "yuck out" over it, but I don't think I will be able to bring myself to do more other than to throw it away like I first intended. Puke. I have often said that when my time comes, I'd like to come back as my own dog. But if THAT's the sort of thing that will float my boat, then noooooooooo thank you. Eewwk. ETA: I don't even want to talk about the guy with the maggot brain. If I talk about it I'm sure it is gonna be in my dreams tonight. Ultimate gross.

If you don't have a flea problem where you live, there's no need to apply chemicals to your dog/pup to prevent them. If you're in the cooler areas of Victoria, I don't believe we have a heartworm issue either. These are my opinions. I don't use flea treatments on my dog, nor do I heartworm. As for worming of your pup, your breeder would let you know when the next wormer is due. This might be sooner than the 12 weeks of age that you plan to worm at.