Erny

Update : Been to see Charles who checked his leg and found no sign of major trauma. Cruciate and hip seems to be ok. Charles did the leg extension and there was no yelping or other signs of discomfort. So and . Prescribed rest (yeah, right) for another week. I'm going to take my boy to our regular chiro for a check over this afternoon.

Where are you located, Sags?

The spirit of Nelson Mandela (his name sake) me thinks . Thanks Oonga, and everyone, for your good thoughts. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Agree, M-J. Reading that book had me envious of the ability autistic people have when it comes to their usually natural and often accurate 'connection' with animals a talent that, because of our functioning frontal cortex (isn't it?) we don't possess.

Yes Anita - and the fact that it would be a regular occurrence. Unlike for people who live outside that area where such loud noises would be few and far between.

Thanks!

I guess I could go looking up what the treatment and prognosis is for torn hip muscle (whatever it might be called) ..... but I'm not going there. I think I'll be better off burying my head in the sand (to a certain degree) until I get things seen to tomorrow.

At this stage of the game (you know I'm still being experimental with Mandela's diet and trying to find what specific food ingredient he seems to be reacting to), yes .... I would be very interested, thanks Andisa. It will take a few weeks of experimentation to determine if all is well with roo meat, but if it is, I wouldn't mind trying a roo bone. Assuming there is no health risk (other than the usual health risks any dog can have with any bone) that would be specific to roo bones? If you get some, I can always freeze them in my new freezer until I'm ready for them .

That's great that you went out and did something about socialising your pups to the noise of things such as fireworks and I'm really pleased you achieved good results. But just a word of caution to anyone who is thinking they'll pop on out with their young pooch to the next fireworks display, it is best if you can do this from quite some distance. Even to the point of noise before the sight. Not all dogs are the same and some will be more reactive to these stimuli than others. If you over-face your pup or dog to it you do run the risk of sensitising rather than habituation or desensitisation. In my case, I had little choice as the fire works display was very close to the point of the fireworks being almost directly above us. Which is all the more reason why I was desperate to work hard all the way through. But if you go looking for it, then be happy with sounds in the distance and over time, as your dog continues to be relaxed about it, venture closer to incrementally increase the intensity. Also, to readers, be careful about your timing of delivery of food treats to ensure that you are not inadvertently rewarding fear behaviour in your endeavours to make the experience a positive one. Thanks Tony .

How come they don't sell "Kangaroo Bones" for dogs? Maybe they do, although I've not heard of it. Save for things such as "dried roo tails". But I'm talking about just normal raw bones, like lamb shanks etc. etc. Is there something wrong with giving roo bones to your dog? Just wondering.

Ahhhh ... PF to the rescue . Thanks, Miss Wealth of Knowledge . You never cease to amaze me with what's in your head!! Well, whatever Mandela's problem is, I only have until 9am tomorrow to wait for the diagnosis. Fingers crossed. I'm off to give Mandela an extra meal, seeing as he's going to skip breakfast tomorrow. ETA: Hhhhmm. Just detected a 'hot' (well, warmer than normal) spot at his right hip, and some tenderness there. Maybe he's popped his hip out of place. ..... I gotta stop 'wondering' - it will do my head in. . Tomorrow will tell.

I've looked up "sacrodiliac" and can't find anything that tells me what it is. Google doesn't give a spelling option alternative on it either. Are you meaning part of his back bone or something? I am presuming (if it is this) that it is something that can be "popped" back in - I really hope it is that simple although I'm afraid to hope too hard.

Glad you seem to have had success with the Bowen Therapy. What is Cleo's ailment?

Try stimulating her with play (tug; ball chase; etc) - just something she absolutely loves to do. Work on building up her drive to these things before the next storm. Teach word association with the beginning of drive play. Eg. Use words such as "Ready!!" or "Work!!" or whatever. If you're lucky, the next storm won't be a big or a long one - that would be ideal, as much as I realise you can't just 'dial up a storm' to suit. But the moment you hear thunder, or the split second moment she shows a flicker of uncertainty to a storm on its way (as dogs pick up on these things far earlier than we do), call your 'ready to work' cue words and launch straight into tug and/or chase ball etc. You must act as though you are completely oblivious to the thunder itself and the key to this is to keep her busy/active the whole way through. This helps to keep her mind on other things rather than just sitting and thinking about what scares her, with anxiety building up all the while. Not every dog can do this - much depends on how intense their internal fear emotions are. And expect it to be hard work (you'll get puffed out) - but know that you need to keep it going as best as you can. You've got to work harder than the dog to keep the momentum going because don't forget that you are working against the sound and smell of the storm. During the New Year fireworks I worked my boy in drive throughout. When his interest in the tug wained because of the fireworks noise, without skipping a beat I grabbed the nearest ball and began throwing it. We engaged in a bit of that for half a minute or so and then I was able to re-focus him to the tug. All this activity went for 3/4 hour, peaking and troughing, but still continuous. I was all but done in but kept it going (praying for the fireworks to cease). Similar has helped me make storms a "good thing" for my boy, who initially tucked his tail in parallel with his stomach and shot inside. It also meant that we both got very wet. Also remember that it is the work you put into building her drive BETWEEN storms that really counts.

..... But you're always the one who is making that comparison - frequently (even though we suggest it isn't always or often the best comparison to draw parallels to in many instances).

Dr. Charles Kuntz is a specialist in small animal surgery. From his website : Melbourne Vet - Southern Animal Referral Centre ETA: Rijbiz .... I don't know which way I'm going just yet. Charles is my first port of call and much depends on what he says as to what I do.

There is still something very wrong with his leg, albeit that he has not been in the pain that he exhibited that first afternoon and night, IMO indicating the injury is still there but the inflammation has receded. He is still favouring his right hind and when he lays down prefers to lay on his left side to protect the right. I am very concerned. I'm going to ring Charles' clinic on the off chance a time slot has become available for me to bring him in today. But if not, tomorrow morning should tell me more. Somehow, I'm expecting bad news. I'm holding on to the slim hope that this is just because I'm a worry wort. ETA: I rang, but no luck with getting him in to see Charles today. Appointment is for tomorrow at 9am, so I'll have to wait until then to know more.

Yes, t'was me .

Ditto from me. Wish you'd tapped me on the shoulder to let me know it was you. Unless you didn't know it was me. If you know what I mean .

Skwo2 .... just reading through your thread. I have nothing to offer you in the way of advice or help, other than to let you know I know your pain and worry, and that I am wishing for you both some good news and Chelsea's return to good health.

Double Post.

I have found that Dr. Bruce Syme has a very good knowledge base regarding the digestive system of dogs. He helped me with my previous avatar girl (bless her cotton socks) and IMO was well worth the 2 hour (each way) trip to Castlemaine to see him. Perhaps try giving him a call to see whether he might have a view that hasn't been explored or covered by the Vets you've already seen. I intend to take my boy to see him soon as he too seems to be suffering from sensitivities to some foods/ingredients.

Thanks everyone .... and Oonga . He doesn't seem to be as sore on it, but it is still 'wrong'. It looks a bit weird sometimes, the way it moves as he walks. I could guess at numerous things (including cruciate rupture) but that's all it would be - guessing. So I'll wait until I get to see Charles. Fingers crossed. Of course in the meantime, he has no concept of the words "take it easy" and even just taking him out to the toilet on lead represents to him the chance of fun training in the back yard. Nong.

Thanks Oonga. Have emailed her .

I'm a member .