Erny

When my boy was a pup and contracted CC, he was a bit 'flat' (what others might call "lethargic") for a day. He was over the cough inside 24 hours and backing to bouncing bean status after 3 days. So I guess interpretation of "lethargic" would be important here. For those that can't be certain, maybe having antibiotics prescribed would be a good thing . However, I'm not one for administering drugs unless it is necessary and in the back of my mind retain the concern of building resistance to the over (and unnecessary) use of antibiotics.

Sorry - I posted but realised it was in the wrong thread . But whilst I am here, I will comment that I'm astounded that anyone in any practice that relates to dogs would (a) risk their own dog to unknown dogs and (b) not have any knowledge associated with the affect of aggression/trauma - regardless of physical harm or not. That person needs to undertake a Dog101 Course. Fast. ETA: Or to read a good book on the subject, if only to have her eyes opened to the basics so that she can at least know enough to know to prevent the occurrence.

Oh, how cute . Shut up ....... please , Jeff. I have seen the way YOUR dog takes out the garbage. Hhhhmph!!! It would be helpful if the garbage STAYED in the garbage bin!! ETA: Ok .... so who dobbed? I asked for Jeff not to be told. Staranais?

Contact them on 1300 8 Eagle and they'll be able to inform you of a stockist closest to you. They have an Australian website, but all the information (eg. stockists etc) isn't complete yet.

Lethargy is part of it, but if you are worried (only you can really see what's happening) then go to the Vets (if you haven't already been). Sometimes, I think a Vet visit is as much for our well-being (if not moreso) as for the dog's. Vets often put the dogs straight onto anti-biotics "just in case" (not that I agree with that, but that's my own personal pov). As mentioned here, anti-biotics aren't for the canine cough as it is a virus and not affected by them. How is she now?

Thank you also, Penski . I took Mandela out. We did a power walk and then a romp around the park. To anyone watching, he would have appeared happy and energetic. To me, he was happy, but a tad quieter than usual - he tired more easily and didn't do the zoomies as intensely and for as long as he would normally do when feeling the freedom of space. When we returned he sat whilst I removed his lead (normal) and I gave him the release signal. Normally he tears down the hallway so fast, heading for the laundry where he knows I'll pick up his bowl and start preparing his dinner, that I almost expect my carpet to start ripping up. He cantered down with some speed, but not in the top gear he gives and which indicates to me he's on the 'up'. As I said ..... I'm holding my breath and hoping this isn't a 'down' sign. It happens like this. I'm hopeful though, and thinking positive regardless of the fact that I'm aware of negative 'signs'. He is looking a little thinner again tonight, but as a friend who came over has suggested, it is around now that I should expect another growth spurt. That, and the fact that I've increased his exercise and that it is winter, might be contributing to what I'm seeing and with any luck it may be that I just need to increase his meal portions (even though I'm already feeding more than what one might expect he should need). I'm pleased to report that my friend, who sees Mandela off and on, has noticed the increase in his muscle tone - something that in the not so distant past I've had trouble building, so that's a good sign. One other thing I've noticed in the more recent times though (I make the note here in case I forget it) is that when he stretches, there is a 'crackling' in one or other of his joints. I made a mental note of it only, at first, and put it to the back of my mind, but it has happened a few times. And in the past week, I've noticed the same in his jaw joint when he yawns. I don't know if this is relevant to anything. I hark back to the chiro saying "this is almost like acidosis". I don't know if joints cracking is a sign of that or not. I'll make a point of putting this to Dr. Bruce and asking him about it next time I communicate with him.

That's what I was trying to think of - thanks WAH. I am so tired tonight I can't think properly .

It is possible to train for this to not .... or at least be less likely .... to happen. It takes work and it depends on how serious you are about it though. However, if you want more a foolproof system, what about a 'buffer zone' area. Not sure what the proper word for it would be, but kind of like a two gate system where one gate auto closes before the next gate is opened?

Thanks everyone. I'm about to celebrate Mandela's birthday by taking him out for a good walk and run. Of course, that's a 'normal' for Mandela, but what can you do when it's a birthday for him every day of his life? . I've passed on your birthday wishes ..... of course, he's heard "blah, blah, blah, blah Mandela". Except for Oonga's mention of "work" which for him DOES mean fun and play . At the end of the day and after his walk/run, he will receive his Allerblend birthday cake . As I said - it's a birthday EVERY day for him :rofl:.

..... Oh KL - that is just the best news!! Well done to you and to Chloe and best wishes from here for a very long remission :rofl: .

Thanks LL. I'm still holding my breath. It's weird - sometimes I think the hives are disappearing. Then I think that maybe there's a fresh lot, but they are smaller. Then I wonder whether they are going away without becoming large and erupting, and me hoping that his system is working its way through them. Sometimes I'm surprised by how many of them there are, but then get confused because maybe it was the lighting on his coat that plays tricks with what I see and more particularly, what I don't. Of course, the fact that his coat is a bit on the patchy side because of the last lot of hives erupting doesn't help. But some lustre has returned to his coat, so that's a good thing. Whether it lasts is another. I've wondered about the auto immune deficiency as well. When I had the thryoid tests done OS, I also had the "Thyroglobulin Auto Antibody" test done, and that proved negative. It is already on my agenda to double check with either Dr. Bruce or Dr. Jean Dodds as to whether that's the test that would conclude auto-immune issues or not (at the same time feeling a bit 'dumb' that I don't know and may have completely missed the mark) and will do so at my next opportunity. Does anyone else know, and if the Thyroglobulin Auto Antibody test is not the one, which test would be required to confirm/rule-out auto-immune disease? He's lively, bright-eyed and still filled with a zest for life (albeit stopping to itch here and there). Has put on some weight but not as much as the amount of food I'm feeding him would expect to. And as we're only just past 3 weeks on this current diet, there is still (reflecting on past pattern) the strong possibility that he will lose it again. By his posturing, I still feel that there is a degree of discomfort for him, but there are some days where he is great and other days less so. I'm hoping that over the next few weeks I will see less and less of the latter. I'm hopeful, but still unsure of where all of this will lead. Mandela is one year old today . Mandela and hoping for many more of them filled with good health and your continued joy for life .

Along with the rest of us, KL ! We're waiting in the wings hopeful for good news .

That's the bit I have a problem with - there is a difference between cleaning up where the dog can see, and punishing or getting upset at the dog. To be able to clean up without the dog seeing involves locking the dog away somewhere (which IS punishment, and attention etc). So in order to stop my dog seeing the clean up, I would have to contradict all of the other advice! Perhaps instead of saying "don't clean up in front of the puppy" the information should say IF you can't control yourself from making a big deal about cleaning up it is better to do it away from the puppy? I don't think this is it (refer my earlier post) but it is people seeing as this which causes the confusion in their own minds. Just my opinion

How long have you been working on it? IE How long have you had the doggy door for your dog to use?

Ok. Time for a group hug, me thinks . ETA: K-i .... I know what you mean by the 'special' relationships (dog/human) that you come across from time to time, even when the dog is not your own. And they are a joy. When I have them for training, I usually leave them for the last to work with . I'm sure that dog's owner would have been stoked with the training her dog went home with .

Not me, Kelpie-i. I thought it was very clear from the outset that you were talking about the wonders of that special 'click' you can get with certain dogs - breed being irrelevant and purely coincidental. IMO, you have nothing to apologise for. Although DON'T you DARE say anything that is less than wonderful about Rhodesian Ridgebacks!!!

Don't quote me as I didn't stop to specifically look at the brand names, but I'm fairly certain that Robbo's Pet Barn stocks these. I'm in Victoria - not sure if Robbo's is an interstate franchise. Online might prove cheaper though.

Handle him in a manner (calm-assertive) and in a way where you can touch those areas but simultaneously prevent him from mouthing. There's no 'special' hand-hold position so I hope you understand what I mean. Otherwise, it would be easier to show rather than describe. My boy would do similar (it's normal) so I just made it so that I could do these things and where - whilst he might try - he was unable to mouth me. He got used to it and doesn't worry about it now. It is important that you get your puppy used to these things whilst they are little and not as strong as they're going to grow up to be. For various reasons - being examined by the Vet is just one of them.

But the poster is writing of the dog losing its hair. So I don't think ordinary tear staining is the issue. I have no experience of this so can't offer suggestions. Dogmad and Puggy-puggy might be closer to possibilities, but I think unless you do get your dog's Vet to check, it will only be guessing from here. Obviously, if the skin is red it is irritated. All I can think of (without necessarily thinking it is right) is the possibility of mites/mange. Will your Vet let you pay off the account at a later date?

How do you know that? Like you bagging others (your own clients, no less) on your keyboard?

Tie cleaner impregnated damp mop handle to dog's tail, and then play hide and seek, making sure to stick to wet areas of the house. Tell dog "stand" ("sit" is too awkward with mop handle tied to tail) and rinse out mop. Repeat as necessary. Treat dog with food or toy reward once work is done. Try that, Cosmolo .... and let me know how you go . ETA: If it works, consider the idea patented. Ker ching!!! $$$$$

I thought you were training Mandela to do that? <sigh> ..... please don't tell Jeff Jones, but Mandela's house-work training is very slow in the making . I was drying a fry pan that I'd washed and told him that he should be able to manage a tea-towel by now. Well, he can manage a tea-towel actually, but not in the way I mean . He also seems to have the vacuuming back to front. He brings in the dirt and I vacuum it. It seems he thinks I am the one that needs to practice! So it brings me to dreaming about having a house cleaner.

Pro-K9 trains from All Breeds Boarding Kennels and Cattery who have an air-exchange system for their indoor-heated kennels. It completely changes the old air for new and I believe cycles a certain number of times through the day. "Ozone" has never been mentioned to me though . Either way, it seems very effective. The dogs kenneled there are out in the exercise yards a fair amount so in many instances they don't end up messing in their kennels anyway, but regardless, the kennel always smells clean and fresh. Would that be the type of thing you are asking about?

Yes, although you have to wonder at the horse population density change over those years. Not to mention the hike in Professional Indemnity Insurance and other 'behind the scenes' charges (and of course, the cost of petrol itself) that have occured in that space of time.

Completely irrelevant to anything, but I'm curious ..... what's with the horizontal pole in the background? As for Petra .... her face looks so calm and as though there is no effort. I think only her eyebrows give anything away.