Erny

I've been (and am still) in a similar boat, Melo. But don't beat yourself up about it. You picked the problem. You reported the problem. And you've obviously not let the problem go without further attention. Sometimes we can't guess the cause of problems, nor prescribe for them. You've obviously changed Vets until you've found someone more capable. There's naught much else you can do. Yes, we still feel rotten for our dogs and their suffering, but when you have done and do all that you can, you shouldn't feel bad that's not enough. No one could expect more .... not even your dog. PS - Some Vets aren't worth their salt. But there are good Vets out there too ... just harder to find. Bare in mind that even the good Vets get stumped sometimes on more complicated issues - but at least you know they're working their hardest to work out the problems.

IMO having instruction is far better (and more feasible) than having it explained in writing, particularly as it gives an instructor a visual on your dog and its issues and permits adaptation to your dog's specific needs. Why don't you email Steve? You might be able to arrange a private lesson with him (and therefore not have to wait for another seminar) .... although he's often busy so you might have to book ahead some.

Oh Rozzie .... I'm sorry things are not turning out quite as good as you had thought. But at least Maddie is with the Vets and receiving special care while they are sorting out what the cause of this strange occurrence is. I truley hope it is something fairly easily treated and that Maddie will be returning to full health and bossing Keera around again very soon. Let us know how she goes.

Without seeing the wound (and perhaps even if I could!) it's difficult to say, but the Vet might be thinking that 'proud flesh' will fill it in a bit. Maybe? Anyway - I'm glad for you and Kovu that things may well not turn out to be as bad as they could have been. Sorry that you've had the woes with your neighbour's dogs that caused the situation in the first place.

I agree with Haven. Congratulations for looking to do some early socialisation with your pup, but avoid public parks. Not only is the environment there uncontrolled and you run the risk of doh doh owners letting their dogs rush up to yours and causing a fearful experience for your pup, but you also have no control over knowing what dogs have been there and whether they are immunised against diseases.

;) Oh gosh. My deepest sympathies to you, Lablover. If there is anything I can do to help you in this time, please let me know. You have my number.

KismetKat ..... I have your green fridge bag. ;) Will PM you.

I missed it ...... but I wouldn't think they'd be too difficult to make yourself - if you can find the right ball and a piece of rope. ;)

Ooooh ..... I didn't know you'd posted this when I saw you today. Thank you. By the sounds of your work load, though ...... ?? I will try to see what I can organise as far as "help" is concerned, but when you do have time and if I haven't managed to get things to work as they should, your help would certainly be appreciated.

Hi Jodie Great news about Ollie. It's been quite cheering to read of the "up" days Ollie, Lucinda and Oscar are having, and of course I'm still delighted that Pampa's girl came through ok and that Rusky's "Goldie" seems to be improving too. Kal has her up and down days and there's still things we're checking out. I'll leave you to read her thread, but only when you feel better yourself. I hope there's someone around who can take care of you to wellness the same as you've taken care of Ollie. If you do, then I expect you'll be bouncing off the back of the lounge too before long!

How in the world .... no, WHY in the world would I say "no" to that one! I had a hard backed notebook (A4) that I was writing notes in. Sat in a green fold away chair (yesterday). Had a cap on. Wore a black coat with faux fur on the collar (yesterday). Fingerless mittens .

More like tartlett ..... rolling over showing her twat to all and sundry that would care to take a gander. What a smoocher.

I thought about making a comment to you along these lines in my above post, KK, but wasn't sure it would come out with the jest intended. I remember you! Cute dog! Kal is unwell. She was better off at home. So I was 'dogless' on Friday. But I was sitting on the far side of Haven (with the Rotty) ..... Haven was sitting on the ground leaning up against the concrete pole. I'm in SE suburbs, but not bayside. But I can pick it up for you if there's no one more suitably located. HOPEFULLY I'll remember (my head's full of all the info K9 & SARDA have given .... with MORE to come!)

Yay! I feel like I actually know your dogs, Helen, and am really pleased things are going well.

Tramissa ..... the exact same thoughts have passed my mind too. I'm a believer in certain things being meant to happen when they do. I truley hope so. Sometimes I have nagging doubts, but I think these come from my head and not my heart. It's being able to differentiate the two that is sometimes very difficult. Thanks Tramissa. And Abz .... Yep, one very special dog. There is so much good that would not have occurred in my life when it did, if Kal had not come along. Even acquiring Kal when I did seems to be 'fate' based ..... but that's another story, and the one we have here is long enough. I'm very appreciative that it's been followed through by you all to here. I do not kid when I say that some of the inspiration Tassie speaks of a few posts ago come from the support Kal and I receive from you lot. Especially those of you with sick dogs of your own to deal with. I don't wish to single anyone out in particular, for risk of insulting others who have been very valuable in their support, but I owe a debt of gratitude to Dogsbesotted, who, with two ill dogs of her own, has supplied me with a wealth of incredibley reliable information and without whom I would not have made contact with the USA Vet. Not to mention Tim_m99, who saw his way clear to actually taking the time to come out and give Kal a Bowen Therapy Session. There are many others who have also given me direction for the right information - all of you have made an impact on us and for this we are truley thankful, whichever way things turns out. :D PS. After I posted last night, Kal went out to the toilet and on the way back in had another backward sneezing episode. She hasn't done this for about a week - week & a half. I also noticed some difficulty with her breathing through her nose and heard some gurgling there too, again. Oh oh. I am on the look out for nasal discharge (she's a bit pee'd off with me frequently staring up her nose ) and also a further seizure, as this is the pattern/sequence of events that lead to the first one, 1.5 weeks ago. Aside from this, she's still quite perky. I have an email from Kal's Vet (who has communicated with the USA Vet) but I don't understand some of the information given, and need to query what I identify as some inconsistencies. I will let you know where the suggestions/information points to once I've been able to straighten it out in my own mind after discussion with Guy next week. Cheers!

Sure was! In for the whole caboodle (3 days). Sorry KK, I didn't realise you would be there so no opportunity to introduce. Ummmmm, you there tomorrow too? (ie Sunday). What dog is yours? (sigh .... I'm one of those who recognise people by their dogs. Sad phenonima, really. But common, me thinks ) And Nekhbet! I should have recognised your dog from your avatar. Didn't 'click' I'm afraid.

Hi Tassie - I think we must have posted almost around the same time, so I missed this until now. Thank you for what you wrote here ..... but I'm sure I'd be right in disagreeing. I think you would be an inspiration to yourself if you were to find yourself in similar shoes. In this, I hope you do not.

Hi Corine - it was good to see you! Yes - I know I will berating myself tomorrow for depriving myself of the early night I promised. Oh well ...... at least caffeine is available.

No - not all the students attend ADT. There are other schools around/available where the students achieve their course requirements. As I understand it, I believe placement is elected by the students on a placement availability basis. All the principals are explained and demonstrated, as are the correct application and the appropriateness of them.

Except NDTF does not have "preferred training methods". They teach all: explain, demonstrate and practice in the principals of each and it is up to the graduate to chose which method they wish to adopt/practice in (such as the person you know and refer to). I guess that would be a strict difference with Delta - it does express preferences and therefore uses only those preferred methods. It's only a difference in the courses, so not a problem .... unless a graduate comes across a dog for which the unpracticed methods would be more suited.

Hi Isaviz! Thanks - but I am approaching all this with very quiet and cautious hope. It could all lead to no where further than I am now (except with a lower bank account balance ) but I admit that I am happier for having pushed to investigate further. Kal's Vet (Guy) ..... even though he is a 'surgeon' and doesn't normally work on the clinical side of things either, seems pretty interested in the info from USA and has agreed to work with me on this.

Kal's been on the holistic supplements now since Monday just gone. Also, Tim_m99 very kindly paid Kal a home visit and performed his marvellous Bowen Therapy talents on her. She didn't mind a bit (although after a while was a bit more focussed on her chicken fillet - it was past her time for eating it :D) and was not concerned with Tim gently working on her. Must say - IMO, appearance wise, Kal is looking better than she has done since 6 months ago. The weight gain has certainly helped in this department, but is it coincidence that since Tim's Bowen Therapy and the commencement of holistic supplements she looks even stronger and steadier? Is it my imagination that she's even standing more upright on her toes? (These had become splayed over time, coupled with an otherwise almost undetectable backward stance.) Is it my imagination that her coat has regained a depth of colour that's been absent for several months? Am I really seeing these things? Or is it that I simply want to see these things? Hhhhmmmm. Her demeanour is not quite as steady as her appearance. It comes with its ups and downs. A couple of days ago she was quite chirpy, and enjoyed a walk down the park with her best friend (mini poodle x lab), "Dougal". She even had a ROMP! And managed one full round of the park with a little bit to spare. :D But she was low yesterday, and quiet this morning. But when I returned from K9 Force's seminar, she was back up to chirpy again. :D Now for some interesting news. When Kal had the GM seizure and I cancelled surgery, I must admit to falling in a bit of a heap for a day or so. But feeling like I hadn't tried everything reasonably possible, I regained my determination and emailed a Vet in the USA (thank you, DBS, for the contact information :D). This Vet doesn't normally accept emails from 'laypeople' asking for advice - only from other Vets, so I was a bit blown away and stoked when I received his response. What was really interesting (and the easiest part for me to understand) was that according to him the pre-surgery medication Kal was on has a LISTED side affect ....... NASAL CONGESTION. So this could have been the reason for the nose bleed and discharge! Ok - but it is not suggested as the reason for the GM seizure. The USA Vet also provided information pertaining to other types of blood tests that could be done to determine exactly what chemicals are being excreted by the adrenal gland (and other glands?). I'm a bit lost on the technical side here, but from what I can gather, these other blood tests might actually reveal Atypical Cushing's where the tests already run have not. He has invited me to arrange for bloods to be sent to the USA where they can run the tests through his lab. I passed all this information to Kal's Vet who was also in awe that this Vet had responded to me. Kal's Vet and the USA Vet are now communicating to each other directly. Where will all this lead? I don't know. Somewhere? Nowhere? My layperson's angle on it is IF we can more accurately determine what's really going on inside Kal, then MAYBE we can deploy the use of medication with more assurance/confidence than what Kal's Vet expressed to me (by telephone a few nights ago). Kal's Vet was, at the time, very reluctant to deploy the drug in question (Mitotane), whereas the USA Vet, although admitting he does not see clinical patients himself, is more confident about its use and effects, suggesting that depending on the results of the additional blood runs they will do, the response to the drugs will be good. I guess somewhere along the line there will be the MRI to determine the presence (or not) of a tumour to the hypothalamus-pituitary gland (brain). If there is no brain tumour, I could re-address the possibility of adrenalectomy, although at the moment I don't feel that's the way to go. Kal is 12.5 years old. Normal life span ....? Perhaps 14 yo (at a guess). So, for all the trauma of the surgery and recovery and the somewhat reasonable risk of death on the operating table or in the recovery period, I might, IF surgery was successful, win Kal 12 months. This is surmise, of course. Her natural life span could be more, could be less. I can only guess. Her dam passed at 13yo. Her sire at 15yo. I am yet to make contact with another person Tim_m99 has given me (holistic level), so there is yet another avenue for me to explore some more. I have been a bit busy dealing with the information from the USA Vet and communications with Kal's Vet to follow this up at this stage. Finally, I have ordered some 'test strips' to test Kal's food for the presence of Sulphur Dioxide ..... just on the outside chance of Thiamine deficiency. Presently waiting for these to arrive. To everyone ..... again, I thank you for your support. Tim - a huge thank you for making the trip to see Kal and giving of your time and care.

Oonga .... am about to PM you.

Hi Fido! Yep .... all three days. I will be there a little later in the morning of Friday and Saturday due to Kal's ill health, but I will be there. See you then.

There are "Assessment Tasks" along the way in each of the topics. Some "Assessment Tasks" are timed, some are made by submissions and some are oral presentations. Other assessments are made/given in relation to the hands-on practical training of dogs. My turn for a question. Does Delta offer "electives". For example, if I didn't wish to do the (eg) business component, could I elect to not do it? And does that bring the cost of the course down?