Erny

Dry eye is known to be an autoimmune problem as far as I knew.... I guess there could be other factors, but cavaliers are very prone to tis condition anyway Thyroid can be an autoimmune problem too .... that's why I think there can be a connection. If it were me, I'd be checking.

I'm not an expert, but the dry eye condition can be caused by some underlying medical condition. Thyroid is the first one that springs to my mind, but not to suggest there are none others. Has your Vet suggested bloods to investigate? If you do go ahead with thyroid tests I would suggest you send them through to Dr Jean Dodds in the USA for testing and analysis. Our tests are not as thorough and a "negative" might not always be a "negative".

..... I used to frequent the Point Cook Rifle Range, when my Dad used to shoot clay targets. From memory ...... there were huge soil mounds that the airforce/army/naval personal (can't remember which) used to use for shooting practice. Us kids used to ride pieces of cardboard down those huge mounds/hills like there was no tomorrow. That was about 40 years ago. Wow. Those were the simplistic days . ETA: Don't know why I felt I needed to share that with everyone. Guess it might be the few wines I've shared with my neighbours ..... lol.

Dark coloured skin can be just as foreign to dogs not socialised to it, as they might to people sporting beards, wearing glasses, hats or smelling of cigarettes or alcohol. My boy did a double-take the first time he saw a person with dark coloured skin. We were out and about at the time and I did the same things as I would be it for any other new or novel event (ie treat it as normal) and he doesn't care the difference now.

Seabrook is in Victoria, Toughgirl. Out Williamstown and Altona way.

And although I am found not guilty and have righteousness on my side, what's the point going on ...... with anything. Because they've killed my best mate and possibly the only thing in my life I feel worth living for. Over sentimental? Not for some nor for many. How dare they. How dare 'the system' permit this.

Well said, Kissindra.

That, and/or perhaps he was very overweight to begin with? My first thoughts were where he might have been getting fresh water to drink from.

Telling the truth is not "lynching". And I am not anonymous like you are. And the RSPCA are hardly shy about going public.

Yes - it is connected to the condition "Spina Bifida". But a 'ridge' (in the true breed sense of the word) is present at birth. It doesn't develop.

There is nothing vile about Canberra's RSPCA and it is wrong to tar all branches with the one brush. And that's a fair enough statement to make, Curlybert. Except that each branch should be applying pressure to the ones who are creating a bad reputation for the other good ones, rather than telling people that they shouldn't speak about the RSPCA in general.

The RSPCA are just as free to post here as anyone else. In fact, if the RSPCA want to know where people are not happy with them; what areas of complaint need attention ...... this would be a good thread to come to.

I think you'll find you're wrong there, JD. I think the point is that they haven't done as much to get the Government to repeal BSL as they did to support it when it was proposed. ASAIK, anyway.

Not a lot of people are familiar with the concept and consequently I don't hear about it that much, but I too have heard the theory of a change in coat direction being indicative of something not right skeletally. I've forgotten who I heard it from initially (years ago), but I'm pretty sure it was a fairly renowned person of credible respect and knowledge. (I don't know why the name "Susan Clothier" springs to mind.) But it is about looking for changes in the coat, and not just unusual hair directions (such as in a cow-lick) that the dog is born with. I have seen the incidence of coat hair differences in a variety of dogs - not seen it on the spine, though. I've seen it over a hip (one side only) on a few occasions and also at a shoulder. The unfortunate part is that I might have only seen these people in passing and not each one have I had opportunity to comment. And then those that I might have ..... I don't know them well enough for them to have come back to me, assuming they had it checked out. So I've had no chance to confirm the theory, first-hand. I tend to believe it is possible. I mean, why not? Finger nails can change shape because of health issues in some other part of our body. Our eyes can indicate health issues in some other part of our body. Analysis of hair itself can show up health issues in the body as well. I don't think it is so far fetched as to think it possible that a change in hair/coat direction might indicate an issue immediately beneath it.

I remember that being on TV (when the RSPCA visited). The koala's in question appeared calm and content enough, and whilst I am no koala expert, it did appear to me that the owner/keeper of the koala sanctuary/rescue did all possible to ensure their continued contentment. I was quite stunned when to the end of the show it reported the RSPCA as having seized the koalas. Why the RSPCA seek to do this under the name of "stress" when seizing animals (that are otherwise well looked after and are very obviously not under any imminent danger of abuse) only adds and/or causes stress, is beyond me. And how sad that (both) the koalas subsequently died whilst under the 'care' of the RSPCA. Very very sad indeed. Does the "A" in RSPCA stand for "administrators" or "animals" ????

Cavalier King Charles, and he is on Black Hawk Holistic and chicken necks with the odd treat, he is only bathed once a month, sometimes more but never more than fortnightly. I usually use an oatmeal based shampoo IMO even that's too often. Even a mild shampoo is still a shampoo - if it froths, it does take away oils from the coat. This can make the body think it should produce more, and so it does, in abundance. Try wetting the coat and skin with Calendula Tea (that you brew) and leave it on to dry (do a patch test first to make sure no sensitivities - IME this sensitivities to the Calendula Tea are not common). I haven't bathed my dog for 2 years now. Admittedly he's a short single coated breed, which makes this easier.

The RSPCA are against having any body or organisation to which they should be accountable to. There isn't one at present. The RSPCA is accountable to no-one. And IMO this should change. Why would they be against having a body or organisation to which they would be accountable to? If there is nothing they do which is wrong, I don't understand why they wouldn't welcome such a system of accountability.

Get some Calendula Tea from your local health food store and make up a brew (as you would when you brew tea). I use about 1 heaped tblspn to a very large cup or bowl. Ditch the Calendula Tea and use the brew to wet up your dog's skin, especially in the irritated areas. Leave it on to dry. Re-apply as necessary.

Calendula Tea can be used to wash/cleanse with, or to use as a pultice on Hot Spots as well. I've had an enormous amount of success with the use of Calendula Tea washes with my own dog's prior skin issues (it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities). The tea also provides soothing relief to irritated skin.

Thyroid imbalance can create a greasy feel to the coat. If you think it might be a possible cause, get it cheCked by Dr Jean Dodds in the USA (it is not as hard nor as expensive as you might think) as our Oz tests are not as thorough and do not pick up thyroid issues as early as the USA ones do.

Hi Itsmeg - yes like that. Although for his mozzie suit, a much much lighter, cooler and breathable material, and no cuffs on the legs .... just open so the breeze can get in . I think it was you whom I had do my boy's PJ's up for in the first place (green camouflage), but for which I gave the wrong measurements??? Still need to get around to re-measuring. He loves his blankets in the cooler weather, I know he'll appreciate his jams.

Red-backs were a dime a dozen, when I was a child. And I don't recall any major or tragic incidents amongst our neighbourhood dogs (and given just about every family had a dog, that represented quite a good number of dogs) as a result of a Red-back bite. I think the reason for this is that for the most part, Red-backs prefer the shelter of being under rocks. The point in part also being though that Red-backs, Dog Numbers and the opportunity for investigation and being bitten (by a spider) back then would have been higher (at least I assume so) yet no major issues to my recollection. So, whilst I would be looking out and would prevent my dog from getting into places where Red-backs are likely (eg Under the decking; under the decking steps (ie really low traffic areas that are also protected), I wouldn't be paranoid about them.

Are there any bald authority figures in your life? ;) There aren't any authority figures in my life. Well, other than Troy.

That's what I figure too, Staranais. Certainly will . And if it proves to help me with Mandela's ongoing investigations/issues and ever present effort to improve his health status, it'll end up on my list along-side Calendula Tea and Active Manuka Honey, lol .

Recently received an email from Dr Jean Dodds (USA) .... Nutriscan Diagnostics - Coming Soon! (for Dietary and Food Sensitivity Diagnostics) I'm on the list for contacting once this is ready to rock and roll. I'm not sure I understand what it is about but assume it is a more refined way of finding out about what it is in our dogs' diet that is upsetting them. Would be great to have a short-cut for that .