Erny

You're welcome, KL. The other thing is (and not so many people know or understand this either) that for analysis purposes, out here the 'measurement' graph goes to "small", "medium" and "large" dogs. Dr. Dodds has those scales broken down differently to factor in the dog's breed and I believe age, which can make a difference to the interpretation of the result. So out here, what a Vet might write-off as being within the "normal" range might actually prove to be "low" when analysed by Dr. Dodds labs.

Good luck KL. Let us know how you go and if you do follow through with Dr. Jean Dodds, I for one will be most interested in what she has to say .

I don't know of any "way out" other than perhaps suggesting you'll sign a waver absolving them of any liability/responsibility should your dogs come down with a bout of Canine Cough. It really will be up to them as to what they agree to, and up to you as to whether you will abide by their terms for the sake of joining them, or not. The CC vaccine supposedly protects the dogs it is administered to, so IMO it is your risk, not theirs. Apart from that, the vaccines available only cover two strains of CC. And it doesn't necessarily prevent CC from being contracted. Just as the human flu vaccine doesn't stop a person getting the flu. I don't like the live vaccines and a 'discussion' I had with Dr. Jean Dodds convinced me to avoid them.

Sorry .... by "kennel council" I wasn't meaning ANKC. I was meaning whatever the authority it is that governs the rules (read CoE) of kennel operators. Why are PIAA and RSPCA poking their noses in? Are there issues with some kennels over-loading a kennel run with dogs? Is that why RSPCA and PIAA want a 'say' in the business of kennel operations? By the above, are you saying that (as one of the issues) there's a grey area as to how 'recent' the titre test needs to be prior to boarding for it to count as sufficient?

What's the "COE" of kennel practice got to do with PIAA, the RSPCA and it being "National"? Are you saying the Kennel Council (or whatever the Kennel "Authority" is) is run by PIAA and/or RSPCA? OT ... but on the "national" issue, I have grave concerns about our laws all being "national", particularly when it means that if the RSPCA chose to bring in a law it will be an easy swipe of the decks for it to affect us Australia wide, and mighty hard to change the wrongs that get passed into legislation. I don't think there's a great deal to question ..... titre test either reveals the presence of immunity or it doesn't. If it doesn't then they can insist on vaccination (even though I believe a 'zero' result doesn't mean no immunity, but that's a different story). Why do they think this is so hard to factor?

True, Settrlvr. But are the kennels approaching the kennel authority to review and perhaps amend the CoE to keep up with the latest?

I think the 'norm' is between $90 - $150. But I'm afraid I can't help you with Vet names and prices in your area. Hopefully someone else will be able to advise? Saving at least $50 might be worth the effort of a small drive out of your area, if it comes to that, and I think that if Vets understand they'll lose clients rather than gain $$$ if they charge too much, they might begin to reconsider their charging index. They might even consider that their clients are more likely to have a titre test done on a more frequent/regular schedule if the price is reasonable. Of course, the Vets will have the outlay of the laboratory costs, so that needs to be kept in mind too, I guess. Hopefully another DOLer will be able to help you with Vet names and prices in or around your locality, Wolfgirl.

I don't know the answers to your questions I'm afraid, Daxilly. As I mentioned beforehand, at this stage of the game it seems that what any kennel will or won't accept is a very individualistic matter. And the more each of these occur, I think the more answers will be available. Boarding Kennel Operators hopefully will take it into their own hands to start asking questions of the authorities to which they are 'bound'. I think it will become a natural turn of events, as one kennel accepting titre's in lieu of vaccinations will be seen to be at an advantage over one that does not. The more kennels who wish to change, the more enquiries/requests they'll make to their governing bodies. Somewhat "reactive" instead of "pro-active" approach but in the absence of anything else, I believe the situation will change over time.

I love the open-mindedness of your Vet. I'd also be very interested in what the result of the testings are, if your Vet does go ahead with it.

I know a shooter and I'm sure he knows shooters, who, if I asked, would supply me the bunnies they manage to get. But I'm not keen on the idea that these bunnies might have picked up mixo or the more current virus (what's its name?) that has been used to eradicate them. Wow! $16 is pricey!! If I find a supplier, this might have to be for special occasions only .

Some poultry suppliers have them? I presume it would be a 'side-line' ??? Thanks PF. Given they breed like ................................ ummmm, 'rabbits' you'd wonder why they are pricey. (What is the going rate for one?)

I've not been able to find a butchers that sells rabbits carcasses, whole or otherwise/skinned or otherwise. If I do manage to find a supplier (if anyone knows of one I'd be grateful .... I'm in South Eastern suburbs Victoria .... Berwick), although an upfront warning that I don't think I would be able to manage to give an un-skunned (wrd?) rabbit. I'm aware this would be my hang-up, not my dog's. Don't particularly want him to appreciate "fur" either.

Not sure what you mean by "more than", but if you are asking if a boarding kennel will accept the results of a titre test in lieu of vaccination evidence, I find that depends on the individual kennel. Kennels seems to be a bit slow on the up-take as far as accepting titre tests, although this might have something to do with their insurance requirements. It is a matter of ringing around. I know some kennels would accept a letter from a dog's Vet informing them the animal could not (for whatever reason - allergy etc. ) have a vaccination administered, so I would not understand if that same kennel would not accept titre test results in place of vaccination evidence. Bit by bit I think you'll find the acceptance by kennels of titre test results will become a more common practice. ATM, many are titre testing annually. My boy is only young and is to receive his next (and, for all intentions, last) C3 when he is 15 months old. I will have him titre tested within 2 weeks after that. I'm not yet sure if I will follow through with annual titre tests, or 3 yearly titre tests, or any titre tests beyond that. Much depends on the advancement of research results available at the time. I think I would also give consideration as to the area I am in and whether it is greatly affected (at any given time) by any of the diseases for which he has been vaccinated.

You're not being dumb, Ausgirl. Titre testing is where a blood test is taken and examines to determine/confirm that the dog has sufficient anti-bodies present for immunity against parvo, distemper and hepatitis. There is no titre test available for Canine Cough which is why many still vaccinate for that, although whether that is necessary and good or not is still a matter of opinion of the dog owner. I did not vaccinate my boy against Canine Cough. There are numerous discussions and researched material available for you to read in relation to the effects/affects of vaccinations. One such link is HERE and another one HERE and HERE.

That sounds normal...i.e. blad patches coming from scratching and chewing alot. But you need to wonder why the dog is chewing on himself a lot.

Hi Rebus - whether it relates to him being a rescue (ie from how he was handled initially) or what he's learnt from his litter mates or whatever other reason for this behaviour, I would recommend that you get some help now. He should not even be doing this once a day. He shouldn't be exhibiting this at all. It might not be all that difficult for you to resolve the behaviour once you're shown how, but the longer it continues the more ingrained and if it escalates, which it has the potential to do, and you decide then to see about it, it is likely to be more difficult to resolve.

Wow! What a great Vet! Many that I have spoken to rely heavily upon and believe in the testing facilities and analysis charts we have here and won't hear of much else. I'm not saying that hypothyroidism is your dog's issue and one way or the other I hope you are easily able to sort it out, however if you want to run a FULL blood panel test for thyroid function you can do so via Dr. Jean Dodds in the USA. You'll need the help of your own Vet for drawing of the blood, but other than that it is just a matter of shipping the blood to her via an international courier service such as FedEx. PM me if you decide you want to go down that track and need more info on it. Given your Vet's understanding of thyroid and our blood panel testing facilities, your Vet might be interested in this too.

Short answer/conclusion that I came to on the subject of "which medication was the lesser evil for dogs", was the daily medication "Dimmitrol". I would steer well clear of heartworm vaccinations. And if you use the spot-on, I'm informed that one of the chemicals used in Revolution has no antidote, so you'd be in trouble in the event of a reaction/overdose. If you use the chewables, these actually cover the dog for 45 days, so if you are erring on the side of only administering the minimum of chemicals to your dog necessary to cover for heartworm, I would NOT give it every 1 month, as is commonly suggested. The only thing is with both this and the daily tabs, you MUST remember to give the medication ON the due date. If you miss the date/day, you should have your dog heartworm tested before resuming the medication. ETA: Disclamer : I am NOT a Vet and I have come to the above conclusions based on my own research and enquiries into the matter of heartworm preventative medication.

Kelly_Louise .... don't know who your Vet is and do not wish to step on 'toes', but if I were you I'd be inclined to contact Dr. Jean Dodds (Hemopet). She's in the USA and is one of the leaders in hypothyroidism/auto immune deficiency matters, and in blood analysis. Even if your Vet did a blood workup for thyroid, the results won't necessarily show the real story. Our Australian laboratories do not provide for a FULL blood panel test to be done. Consequently with our test results only show up once 70% of the thyroid tissue is damaged. A FULL blood panel test shows up thyroid function abnormality earlier than this. You can organise a blood analysis through Dr. Dodds. She'll provide you with the necessary paperwork and information on what's required to get the bloods to her. Dr. Dodds would also be able to inform you of the relationship between Cushings and Thyroid dysfunction/Auto Immune Deficiency. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if one could be affected by the other, but she would be a good person to ask, even if after you've discussed it further with your own specialist.

OT .... but everytime I read the title of the thread, I think the OP is talking about arranging a "Hit-Man", or in this case, a "Hit-Dog".

Actually, given the contents of the statement release by the AVSAB, it is not merely "personal values". The AVSAB have implied that any trainer who uses correction chains, PPCollars or e-collars and who uses corrections are doing the wrong thing by dogs. They are pointedly steering people away from them, when in fact this might be the very training that is the best for that client's dog they are dealing with. And the AVSAB have made their implications public. I have no qualms with people holding "personal values". I think it very wrong though, when those "personal values" are turned around to publicly defame (by implication or otherwise) others who don't hold the same, especially given such defamation is it seems based on "personal values" and is flawed in many instances throughout.

Hehehehe ..... I like it when you're sleep deprived.

I do these things with clients in their proofing phases. It is amazing for them to see how their dogs really have not generalised the otherwise 'known' command, and/or rely on the body language (including facial expression) of the owner. They then often realise how much more work they need on the verbal command in the absence of other unintentional cues they have been inadvertently giving.

I agree with you Nekhbet. Look at many of the 'rules' in life that have swung to each of the extreme swings of the pendulum. IMO, that's half the problem with many 'rules' that we have upon us that the 'rule-makers' make. They are either to one extreme, or the other. I prefer to see life as having some balance, some moderation. I guess the problem is that it is impossible for the 'rule-makers' to include a proper description of 'balance', so they tend to avoid doing so. But because these things become 'rules', it warps the balance/moderation that we otherwise would have, and in cases, things go pear shaped. PS .... Glad you got some sleep in . Feel better?

Perhaps, and fair enough. I guess you'd need stats to compare against dog populous -vs- dogs to shelters from 'back in those days' and then compare those with dog populous -vs- dogs to shelters in recent times, to be able to establish a firmer foundation for my musing. Figures I do not have at my finger tips.