Erny

Thanks. I do have a concern that there might prove to be no protein to which Mandela is not Food Intolerant to. I can only think that this will mean that over time, there will become no food that I can feed him, or at least that I will have to go the vegetarian route and for that I'm gonna need a lot of help and guidance so that all the right balance of vitamins and minerals can be provided. But time will tell and it's a case of taking things as they come. Fingers crossed. I've gotten him to 3yo without the use of chemicals and I do think he's a stronger dog in the health department than what he has been. I'm sure there's more twists and turns along the way, but in more ways than one, we learn so much from each other.

Long post - it is only an update on what has happened and what is happening with Mandela. A down-turn resulting in a change of tack diet-wise; and a report of subsequent current status. For those who are interested. Mention of use of Coconut Oil (organic - virgin - unrefined) made here too. Can't attest to it yet - early days, but might be useful hint that others might wish to research, look into and potentially use as well. Read on if you're interested and have the time, lol .... Some time has gone by and I must admit I've been reasonably happy (emphasis on the word "reasonably")with Mandela over the past 12 months or so. Hasn't had a bout of hives for, what is it? .... about a year and a half (save for the pop up of a few here and there which have disappeared without interference) and stools have been firm and absent of mucus to indicate any irritation for almost that period of time (must back track to see how long it actually has been). Anyway, I'd been keeping Mandela on the Z/D. Yes .... pricey, but saved me so much time and worry. Not just in the food preparation department but also in the treatment department where I used to be constantly dealing with hives, cysts, ears ... to soothe them and keep them from infection, not to mention spending what felt like the remaining time in my life running around the yard (sometimes under torch light) to see what his poop was like and hoping for one that I didn't have to scrape out of the lawn. So things were going reasonably well (a bit up and down on the appetite side, but that's ok) and I could well imagine that my custom could be responsible for any increase in share market prices in the Hills Science organisation. I would like to venture out and away from the constant Z/D feed regime though and so I opted to undertake Dr Jean Dodd's new salivary Food Intolerence Test. I have tried so many different food protein types with Mandela and so much was going on at the time that I have myself so confused as to what caused what or whether it was ok but just caught in the cross-fire of symptoms continuing from the assault of the previous foods. So, test done and Mandela came back with results showing Food Intolerance to Beef, Corn and Soy. The testing is not complete - it is brand new and only has a few things on its list that it can check for at the moment but that is expected to be expanded a bit more around Christmas time (Dr Jean is flat out, but this is what she is hoping for). So, Chicken? Don't know. Roo? Don't know. Same for all the other meats that I've tried but which haven't done much for Mandela, as Beef is the only one formerly tested. Back to the topic though and fast-tracking to approximately a week or so ago ... Mandela's body threw a hissy whilst on the Z/D (even after all his time) and another outbreak of hives occurred. Started as 4 or 5 hives. Over a few days, grew to 15 or 20 and increasingly faster began to increase in number and cover a greater area. Started on one side of his body at his flank, extended to up and down his thigh, then threatened to move to begin affecting his torso. Also began to affect the other side of his body in exactly the same pattern as I've described for the first. I kept the hives in check by at least not having them become secondary skin infections and also kept them from having Mandela going insane with itch, by using the Calendula Tea treatment I always prescribe to. This still helped us a lot, but I knew that something was causing the problem and until I could remove it, I was fighting a losing battle. The Calendula simply bought me a bit more time. I didn't initially think to look at Z/D, because it had done so well for Mandela, but (not without Dr Jeans assistance) did finally realise that it contained Corn Starch and SoyBean Oil, 2 of the 3 things that came up in Dr Jean Dodd's Food Intolerance test as things Mandela is intolerant to. I've removed the Z/D and gave him chicken. Ended up with a bad bout of diarrhoea and Mandela very obviously felt unwell. However, the hives didn't seem to be making further inroads across his body. So, what to do? Chicken = diarrohea/sloppy poop (as it did before the Z/D). Z/D = hives. Went to my laundry (which now almost has no room for anything other than all the food stuffs/brands/types I've bought in recent times but which seemingly didn't do what I needed it to do at the time) and had a look through my stock. Two types I had which were not beef and which didn't contain corn nor soy. Offered both, but the only one Mandela would eat was Black Hawk. Some might remember I tried this with him a good while back - the only problem at that time being that I was trying to firm up his stools. Didn't work at the time and probably because I'd introduced it too quickly. But desperation at the time, I needed something to work fairly quickly and so I (possibly mistakenly) turned away from it too soon. This time around though, he already had runny stools AND hive outbreak, so I decided to stick with it a little while longer. Seems Mandela isn't a huge kibble eater - he'll eat it if he's starving. I could afford a day or three of that because just before the outbreak on Z/D, he'd had an appetite burst (6-7 cans of Z/D a day + a cup of Z/D kibble .... would have had more if I'd given it but felt he would be over-doing it)and had put on weight - he looked fantastic, which meant I could (reluctantly) afford to let him drop a little whilst we tried sticking with it. What I also decided that I'd try was giving him Coconut Oil (organic - virgin - unrefined). Building up from one teaspoon and adding more as days go on. One of those teaspoons I actually melt and rub through the BH kibble, and this encourages him to eat it. I use the Coconut Oil to also rub over his body - mainly where the hives are, to sooth the skin and provide a protective, moisturising barrier. For all of this, I can't unequivocally say what is doing what. But I will say that inside two or three days, Mandela's stools have firmed right up and look healthy (there's a little bit of blood on the outside, but I'm not too concerned at this point - probably from the prior irritation his bowels have been assaulted with and/or blood vessel breakage due to prior straining. In addition, he hasn't lost too much weight and still looks well. Energy levels look pretty good but a decent run and work-out will prove that even more. Hives are small and appear to be receding. I touch wood at this - they can easily lull me to a false sense of security. But his coat actually looks deeply lusterous, and he smells deliciously like a lamington! This is just my update. I know that many have sung the praises of Black Hawk Kibble. I'd like to get Mandela on to some raw meat that he can tolerate and a more natural diet even if alongside Black Hawk, but that may not be possible. I have done some reading up about the Coconut Oil (remember, I'm emphasising and referring ONLY to the organic, unrefined stuff - the other stuff can be nasty, I believe) and note that it has similarities to the Calendula Tea, plus a whole lot more. In fact, I've started taking some myself - hoping for miracle youthful looks, lol. It has some good write ups for helping those who suffer arthritis, irritable bowel and a host of other things. *Dogs tend to love the Coconut Oil, so unless your dog is reasonably good at taking heed of your comments for him/her to not lick it off, it might be awkward to apply to wounds and/or irritated skin where s/he can get at to lick. Calendula Tea might be the go for this if this is the case for you. So, it is early days just yet and things could go either way, but hopefully we're on the right path to stopping Mandela from completely derailing and from what I am seeing right at the moment, I'm encouraged.

Lol .... Orbit : "Be danged if Mandela is gonna have my ball!" Hope you get some results, Cheekygal. I've not seen a toy like the one you show, before. Good luck to you too, Spot the Dog .... although I don't like the idea of bells inside dog toys for the concern that if they break the toy, they could inadvertently (or otherwise) swallow the bell.

I'll change the heading and hopefully it will attract some attention that will result in a success story similar to what this thread has achieved for me. I want to say a big thanks to everyone for their responses and help. Perfect Partners - thanks! My friend who visited you today swung by over this way and Mandela has already had a good time enjoying ball chase and fetch. He particularly enjoyed experiencing the "wheeze" sound the ball makes. Anthropomorphically speaking, his expression was almost as though saying "yay!! it works again!!!". Mind you, not good if you're hell bent on teaching your dog not to mouth in fetch, but hey, for all his health issues I've relented on some other minor matters, lol. Sally - have sent you an email. Thanks again all. It's great to have a place to go where you can put the word out on things and get some helpful responses and assistance . Cheers Erny

I wish I could help but don't have anything that fits that description, I'm afraid. Others might, or might know where they've seen them but yes .... I think a picture would help. If it is of any assistance to anyone, I'm happy to alter the heading of this thread and open it up to all and sundry who might be looking to replace a favourite lost or worn out toy.

That would be fantastic ..... would you email me your contact number and I'll call you?

I wouldn't like it either .... ouchy on the teeth!! Maybe it was a different line because they ran out of the others to use as promotions ???

Thanks LBD. They need to be firm but squeezable though. Would you do a "poke" test too? :D

Oh hey, Haven .... that would be marvelous, but only if it isn't out of your way. I have a friend who lives down that way and I am trying to contact her to see if she would pick it up from PP for me. Then it's just a matter of working out when she and I can get together.

Thanks Oakway. Purchased.

Hey all you . Thank you for your responses and offers. I have received an email response from the Sentinel people and they tell me they don't have any left at the moment, so yes .... I'd like to take someone up on their offer. I don't mind purchasing depending on cost, nor to paying for postage. I don't even mind buying two of them - it means I can leave one at Mum and Dad's and not have to worry about forgetting it. Dad, who is 86 years young, loves getting out with Mandela and having a game of throw ball and fetch and this style ball is the one of choice. Hey PP - thanks. I could possibly pick one up from you. I'm a bit unreliable with driving to get out to places at the moment (still convalescing and a bit up and down as far as some days are concerned) but if you don't mind emailing me your phone number I could perhaps ring you to see if this could be arranged?? Email is [email protected] Hey Stormie - thank you too, for your offer. Not sure what you mean by "a bit hard" . It is firm and I don't encourage a full front catch on the fly, but it is soft enough to be squeezed reasonably easily. Does this still sound like the same as the one you have?

Just ignore me. I think I have myself confused. Will delete posts. Time I closed down the PC.

Hey Ness. Thank you - that's very kind. I've emailed the Sentinel Company so will see what they have to say. I'll go check my PMs. I had no idea it was full - sorry about that. Appreciate the responses here.

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Thank you :D. Email to them now being prepared

Yep - that's a very acurate description. Mandela loves the sound of that wheezy squeak (which so doesn't work now, lol). Glad to know they are at least not extinct yet. From memory, this ball came from the Vet via a worming company as well. Perhaps I could send an email to the various places and see if they still have them. Cheers for that. It's a lead .

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Photo attached. Mandela received this as a hand-me-down from my sister's current dog (who wasn't all that interested in it). It was a hand-me-down to him from my sister's previous dog. It was given to her by their Vet when she first got her first dog/pup. That would have to be about 25 years ago. This ball has proven to be the most favourite of all, for Mandela. Not too heavy nor too hard nor too soft nor too small or too big. Was hard wearing (he's given it a huge work-out for all of his 3 years) yet didn't hurt him if he took it on the fly. In its more pristine state, it was round, so excuse its somewhat warped shape. It is now split and I can't use it any more as the split causes injury to his tongue or gums. I doubt that its kind might be available any more, but just thought I'd put out a post in case it proves to still be possible to get them. Anyone know?

Ok ... would someone who knows mind helping me out please? I sent an email to ProDen asking about the product and how/where I could purchase some. I received the following by response : Ditt meddelande Till: [email protected] Ämne: Plaque Off for dogs Skickat: 2011-08-07 13:55 lästes den 2011-08-07 17:22. Someone got the email address for the name of the distributor they purchased from? On the website, it said to contact ProDen direct (which I did) if Country of purchase wasn't listed (which we weren't).

That's why it has been so easily accepted and adopted. It "appears" quite benign. It is only, after all, webbing. Nice. Soft. It takes a bit of thought by the user to actually realise what aversive is applied by the head collar for its successful use. Pressure (quite a lot, for some dogs who resist) by a strap across the bridge of the dog's nose. A very sensitive, nerve rich and easily pained area. Also, of course, there is the potential for sharp (albeit unintended, if the owner understands proper use) jerks on the head collar. This might be something unavoidable - perhaps the dog leaped out or forward unexpectedly. The head collar controls the direction of the head. The momentum of the dog's body might work in opposition and this is where there is very strong potential for neck vertibrae damage. I don't know that there is any direct evidence of neck vertibrae damage being caused by a head collar. I believe not. But there is much anecdotal evidence.* Damage to the neck, be it vertibrae, muscle or tendon, doesn't always show up immediately, so it can be difficult to directly associate the damage having been caused by the head-collar. There is also the damage that can be caused by surface abrasion and to dogs' eyes. And rest assured, there are dogs around that plain and simple fact - are completely unable to have a head collar of any brand fitted to it. There can be and is a place for head-collars. They aren't my most favourite of training tools, but that's my personal choice. I will use a head-collar on a dog if I believe it is the best tool for the dog I'm working with. But I would also suggest that head-collars should only be used with the restriction of people having sought supervision and training in the proper fitting and use of the head collar.

Need to also add to Huski's post (above) that there are times when circumstances and situations change during the lifetime of the dog. There could be instances where the well-LLW-trained dog has suffered a negative experience (hypothetical eg. from o/dogs) and the owner can no longer depend on the initial LLW training over-riding the dog's instincts/drives to react rather than to observe the previous "don't pull on lead" education it received. (We talk about training methods, thresholds and so on being observed for the purposes of remedial training - I agree that these are important aspects to be observed and utilised. But matters in life are not guaranteed and we are not always nor even often able to, in a practical sense, be able to be in control of the environment we find ourselves in, so it goes without saying that people need something that will aid not only in the assistance of training/rehabilitation, but that will also aid in providing a restraint that will make it easier for the dog handler to successfully retain and control the dog until at least distance and calm can be returned and rehabilitation training resumed.) In addition to or even separate to the above, the owner may have suffered an incident or contracted an unexpected disease which resulted in the owner needing something additional to add assurance to reliable restraint being able to be maintained should an expected or indeed unexpected situation require it. There are many who would sing out "head-collar" and/or "correctional harness" but these tools are not always necessarily in the strongest interests of the animal's welfare nor necessarily in the best interests of the dog's learning (both of which really go hand in hand). This therefore simply further backs up why it is silly that any one person, any one trainer and/or behaviourist, any one supposed "animal welfare" organisation, or any one Government or any one Government advisory department should agree to any one training tool being totally banned from use.

Owning an entire dog shouldn't automatically be assumed that breeding is intended or is going to occur. What if the decision to not desex had something to do with being 'whole' possibly being beneficial to the dog's health? Hypothetically speaking.

Let them sleep when they wish. Sleeping is critical to the development of their brain. So is sound socialisation and habituation experiences to the worldly things they will come across in their lifetime. I used socialisation and habituation experiences to work in with when I most needed my boy (when he was a pup) to sleep. Mental fatigue is far more tiring and induces longer sleep periods than physical.

I vaguely remember that, Haven. Once again, though, I am astounded at the quality of your excellent memory. I think I need to take whatever pills you might be taking, lol. 'Snap' Huski.

I would expect so.