Erny

PM'd you, Meea

Seeing as you've tried everything, why not back off on the chemicals and give the benign Calendula Tea a go before you add the extra chemicals to the mix? Of course it is your choice and I respect that, but I must admit that I'm cringing at all the chemicals. I will jump on Erny's bandwagon and also highly suggest trying Calendula Tea. Having seen first hand the difference it made to one of mine last year I am a convert too . (Thanks again Erny :D ) Cheers Andisa. I'm rapt when the Calendula does the trick. And in my experience the results are usually noticable inside 12-24 hours so it's not as if you have to use it for a week or more before you come to a conclusion that it might have been a waste of time, IF that's what it ends up being. When you see your dog's itching reduce and/or skin looking better, you know it's helping and worth continuing with.

Health Food store, TashaBailey. Careful to get an organic brand that excludes any added colouring. Someone else on this forum got some of a different brand to the one I use and I presume it included colouring because it stained the white of her dog's hair yellow. I sent her up some of mine and it didn't do that. Brew it as you would tea (I use a coffee plunger for the purpose) and when it is at least tepid if not cooled to room temp I push the plunger down and pour off the tea. Apply to your dog's skin where necessary (all over if you want - although I like to do a smaller area first to make sure all is ok) and leave it to dry (ie don't rinse).

Lethargy; inexplicable weight gain; hair loss (usually symmetrical) ..... because the thyroid is responsible for the good function of every organ in the body, there can and are so many symptoms. But the obvious symptoms (such as the inexplicable weight gain and obvious symmetrical hair loss, darkening of skin in the groin etc) usually become evident when the thyroid function is down by about 70%. So the thyroid can be dysfunctioning far earlier than one can tell via the nakid eye. Sometimes it shows in behavioural changes even before anything physical is evident. In the very early outset it can be things such as anxiety, over vigilence, inexplicable aggression, nervousness. Excessive moulting can be another sign, also a dull coat can be a signal. So many of the signs can also be signs of something else, so it isn't easy to diagnose. If you google Dr Jean Dodds + thyroid, you'll come up with her articles on the topic. There are many others as well. What symptoms are you seeing, Meea?

Seeing as you've tried everything, why not back off on the chemicals and give the benign Calendula Tea a go before you add the extra chemicals to the mix? Of course it is your choice and I respect that, but I must admit that I'm cringing at all the chemicals.

Mandela is so frequently up and down with his upsets that it is sometimes hard for me to attribute the most recent/current upset to one thing in particular. However from what I can tell, I don't think the Proden is causing him a problem. Although it is not a guarantee, if there is something that is causing his stomach to become upset, after a while he tends to learn what that source is (sometimes he's wrong, but not mostly) and he tends to eventually turn his nose up even though he initially might have loved it. At this stage, he isn't doing that with the Proden. I did suspect at one point that his too soft poop could have been the result of the introduction of the Proden and so I stopped it for a while. When I put him back on it, it didn't seem to cause any issue there either and hi poops are really good at the moment. The only thing I'm sensitive to watch out for (ie that I have a mild concern about) is whether it (ie any iron content of the product) will affect Mandala's thyroid medication. Bloods are due for thyroid check in March so even in the absence of any physical signs, that should confirm more accurately. Hope my explanation of thoughts helps some, Sheridan. ETA: I wrote to Proden about their product (when I first became interested in it) and asked if they had any knowledge of the product causing stomach upset. The response I got was to say they have no studies for digestive issues related to Plaque Off but that as my boy had a sensitive stomach to start off on half dose and build up to the full dose.

As far as i know no she isnt stocking that size... Thanks for answering the query, TeamSnag. Doesn't matter. I can take 60g out of the 180g that I get, put it in my current 60g bottle and let my sister use that to see how it goes with her dog. Mandela's been on his for about 3 going on 4 weeks now (I think). I think the affected teeth look a bit better, but they still have a ways to go.

I will get the 180g size this time but Im also looking to get some for my sister to trial with her dog. Do you sell the 60g size also? I went to your FB page but didn't see the product details ....... Saw many people's comments, but didn't make my way to finding actual detail. But then I'm not known for being computer and modern tech savvy . I will email you instead. Saw your response providing your email addy on FB. :)

Lol - thanks Megan. I have thought to changing my name so gender was a bit more obvious and explanation wasn't felt to be necessary, but I've had the name from the get-go here on DOL and I do confess there's a certain sentimental attachment that goes with it as a result. Appreciate your post though. Skunk - Pro-K9's training school is 3klms north of KCC Park (on same side of road). Feel free to call me if you would like to have a chat about what we are about and what we do. 0419 204 023 or 9707 1424 Cheers Erny (a girl, lol) aka Judi :D

I'm sorry HH - I can't really answer your queries because I don't know what their techniques are nor do I know your dog. I don't like to comment on methodology of other trainers here on a public forum and on the basis of a 3rd party brief description but use of deep heat and spray as you've described above is not something I would do.

They had comfortis 3 weeks ago. Frontline 1 week ago. Revolution half a week ago. Bathed 3 weeks ago Permoxin sprayed in yards and all sleeping areas including beds 3 weeks ago. Anti-histamine Additional flea treatment I'm not a Vet but to me, the above is a fair overload of chemicals for a dog's system to cope with. Maybe the itching started before all of the above, but we can be inclined to swing into top gear too quickly in an attempt to stop the itch and this in itself can lead to a system that swings out of kilter, trying to manage to counter-act the affects of the "war against itchies" that we administer. As many would know, given that there was no evidence of parasitic activity, I would have simply given the dogs a rinse over with Calendula Tea and let that see if the itchies didn't just settle on their own accord. A simple and cheap yet generally effective treatment - one that is gentle, chemical free and doesn't swing the pendulum into a hectic dance by altering the skin pH balance. (Maybe you've already tried it and found it to be unsuccessful?) But this is just my personal opinion albeit one that is based in the experience of having success with it.

I guess I just don't like to take the chance, even if it's only a slim or unlikely one :).

HH - Maybe just visit there a couple more times to see if you can manage to feel a bit more settled in, perhaps? You don't have to stay if you're not keen nor do you have to let them work with your dog if you're not yet sure of what they are doing and whether you like it, but sometimes giving things a bit more of a chance can change a perspective. Just a thought. But overall, if you really feel uncomfortable, look around. ETA: If your dog is just a new pup, then I'd be likely to advise a bit differently, as one week in a pup's life is a huge amount of time and you don't want to miss out on the opportunity for great quality puppy preschool experience and assistance.

Sure All Creatures Vets UK Ok - so I'm not great at computers. Having trouble finding this Vendor - I need to re-order for some more. I presume we aren't using the same Vendor as we were at the beginning of this thread? What's the current 'best' price?

Lucky as!! Phew, I think my heart would have skipped a beat as well. Just as a tip though, for if this happens again .... call your dogs to you first-off and give them a good and decent reward for coming to you. When you have them secured, then tell the child to knick off. Even the most socialised and well-behaved dogs can misinterpret what we're doing by telling off a (in this instance) stranger who is trespassing and think it would be the only right and proper pack thing to do by helping you deal with the situation.

IMO luring shouldn't be used to train. Helps with "teaching" though. I believe clubs are moving away from luring, but I think the reason for that isn't because it is a bad technique, rather than the fact that many people get 'stuck' on it and either don't move away from it quickly because they find it easier not to, or because they don't know how to. ETA: But that's not what this topic is about.

Dear Stitch. I'm so sorry to hear your news.

Me too.

Was it an actual class you were involved with at the school, HH, or was it an information session? Perhaps they don't move to get 'up close and person' (meaning : getting to know you and your dog) unless you decide to join with them? I don't know what school you are talking about, so these are genuine 'food for thought' questions. At our school, our instructors make a point of introducing themselves to everyone. We let the dogs relax a bit and get used to us being there and depending on the dog's background history, usually do take moments to let them sniff us and become familiar, as we move around the class. In this way we are able to guage to a degree the dog's temperament and/or confidence and this in turns gives us the advantage of knowing what approach to take with that particular dog. And of course it's not that long before we come to know our doggy clients and one can't help but grow a little attachment to each of their personalities, so in short time we usually have them looking forward to saying a little hello to us when they arrive to training. For the most part though, it is the owner/handlers who are the ones we want their dogs most attentive and attractive to, so except for times when we might want/need to demonstrate and show the owners what to do and how to do it, in certain exercises, we are generally fairly low-key - it's not about us and the dogs, it's about the owners and their dogs. Mind you, we do steel a few quiet pettings .... but the owners don't mind :D. Some of our dogs present with some behaviour issues, such as fear, timidity. We let those dogs learn us more and get comfortable being around us. Generally the dogs grow confidence at their own pace and with us reading that in their body language, we work according to what they are able to cope with and learn well from. If these behaviour emotions are excessive we have generally already organised and conducted a private behaviour consultation before commencing class work. Classes should be fun and motivational. Don't know if this goes to answering your question or not.

I am currently trialling the use of a supplement called "The Transfer Factor" with my boy. A journey via google shows it as being associated in the treatment of lupus and numerous other immune system related issues. I can't attest to its success or not at this point of time - with any luck I should know more come end March, having by then given it a good couple of months to work (we're about 2 weeks in), but making this a point as it might be an option not considered. As an aside, I've also started taking the supplement for myself :D. ETA: To the OP : I presume you have had comprehensive thyroid tests conducted to rule this out as an underlying issue with your dog's health? Hypothyroid dogs commonly have excess black skin pigment around the area of their groins. There is also a connection between Thyroid issues and Lupus. This is the reason I ask.

I'm interested too :).

Carlo11 AND Kelscats - I think you're BOTH doing a grand job. Pearl's smile in the more recent pictures tell us that. Pearl has a chance - and even if it proves not a great one, she's experienced wonderful homes at the hands of wonderful and kind people. Take a bow - BOTH of you :D.

I don't know the laws over there though, Panto. Out here in Victoria, if one was to plead guilty, their dog is decreed a "Dangerous Dog" and subject to the restrictions under that law, which wouldn't be fair IF the dog had only simply jumped up and had its head accidentally made contact with the other person's nose.

Whatever the cause maybe, Varicool, I wish you both all the best.

Perhaps your dog has become tolerant of the medication he is on and the dosage needs to be altered? I would presume that thyroid dysfunction has been ruled out as a cause for the epilepsy? You'll feel more comfortable seeing your usual Vet, I'm sure. I hope the conclusion is a simple one and nothing major. Good luck