White Shepherd mom

I took Bella for her shots last month. It's the first time she saw a vet in 3 years as I don't believe in vaccinating annually. Casper has to go every 6 months as he is on epilepsy meds and they won't issue them without seeing him twice a year. As Bella gets older I will take her for more frequent checkups but she's in top health right now so I'm happy not to. Have you looked on the web about bad breath? Your vet does not sound very thorough.

Hi Trish, I'm in Perth and also couldn't find ML. I went to my nearest health store and they ordered it in for me - took about 2 months but I did get it! Unfortunately I wanted the one with Glucosamine but they could only get me the Vegetarian formula (for dogs!). Maybe pop into a health food store and ask them?

Dogs in the wild will gorge themselves one day and not eat the next. Domestic dogs are fed measured portions. I see no need to fast them. Besides, Bella LIVES for dinner time and if I didn't feed her she'd eat her brother It's just not worth the bloodshed. Casper has voluntarily missed a meal or two in the heat of summer when he's too hot and bothered to eat.

puppiesmum, have a look at this website: www.canine-epilepsy.com There is a forum you can join and there are lots of people that can help. Good luck with your little one's seizures.

Hey, thanks for that BG! I might get them for the humans as well! How much did that cost you with Postage?

I would certainly never tell anyone not to give heartworm meds. I now have the darlings on Heartgard and I've had no problems. I also believe in vaccinating, just less frequently. Still makes me nervous to do with the epi though.

There is a difference though WSM saying that they can 'possibly' cause them to saying "they DO cause them so don't vaccinate your dog anymore' which is what Morgan originally said. If vaccinations cause epilepsy, why is the average age of onset of convulsions 2 years? A dog commences vaccinations at 6 weeks. The way I undestood it from reading about it, and I'm definitely no expert, is that vaccines are strong enough to protect your dog for 2-3 years. By giving them annually, we are overdosing our dogs. Some are not affected, others are. That said, Casper's seizures did not start straight after a vaccination but straight after I changed his heartworm to Sentinel. Again, is that coincidence?

hey puggles. Have you noticed any difference in Monte's seizures? I guess it might only apply to some dogs with certain types of seizures.

maybe you can get them at lower doses. I use the 1000mg ones. If they start growing scales I'll know I'm overdosing too!

I give them what we have. I buy a bottle of fish oil capsules from Coles and put one in their food. Hubby and I have two each so our coats are also shiny! Once or twice a week they'll have a can of tuna so I don't give them the capsules on those days.

I'm thinking it can't harm. At the very least he'll have a shinier coat! I used to give Casper anti-histamines 'cos he was so itchy. Since I started him on the Fish oil he has hardly ever scratched again.

Kind of funny that I live and breathe epilpesy as do a couple of others like staffy-lover, I read about, research it, live with it, continually talk to people around the world about it, talk to my vets, other vets and a specialist veterinarian who has even published studies and findings on canine epilepsy and yet no-one apart from you has ever said that vaccinating dogs causes epilpesy and that vaccinations should be ceased. hmmm...amazingly I also read in a couple of places that annual vaccines can possibly cause seizures in epi-dogs. It was a while back so I can't remember the sources. I do know that my dogs have not been vaccinated for three years and Casper has been seizure free for two. Perhaps the one has nothing to do with the other? As I plan to vaccinate them every 3 years, they will both be getting their shots this year...and I'm pretty nervous about it!

Found this on Petplace.com. As the owner of an epileptic dog, I thought it was very interesting and someone here might find it useful. Maybe if this works for anyone they can share with us? Casper's been seizure free for two years (touch wood) and I have only recently put him on fish oil, mainly for his itchy skin, so I can't say if this helps or not! "Here is a tip from one of our PetPlace.com users: I have five dogs who have seizures. They all began on the same day...21 days after immunization with a vaccine that contained lepto. That 21st day all five started seizing, so we spent the next 48 hours holding one or two at a time as needed. We had to have people come help us. The seizures were horrible. The dogs would feel them coming on and while trying to get to me would end up walking on their back legs or slamming into the furniture. They were really awful seizures, lasting up to ten minutes and more. Often one would end and another would start almost immediately. Our vet wanted to put them on Phenobarbital but wasn't good with meds according to sources. Too much or too little could make it worse. Eventually she said we'd need to add another med to it. Then it all changed. After having my skin ripped open from a dog's seizure I called the VA clinic where my husband was and said he needed to get home ASAP. The doctor who was treating my husband heard the problem and told him to try fish oil. He had used it with his collies. We started them on fish oil each day and now I am happy to say that we go for months and months without any seizures at all. If there is one often it's such mild shaking that you don't realize it was a seizure. For those who have dogs with seizures, give it a try. We noticed a difference within two days. "

Gees, wish I could try that...does gnawing on a chocolate have the same effect on humans Actually it's time for mother (me) and daughter (Bella) to get serious about some weight loss. We're like the two-fat-ladies when we go for a walk/run!

Thanks for the advice on the casing guys! (Will also look for one with Vit E included!)

I've given mine raw fish heads that you sometimes get at the supermarket. I've only done it twice 'cos the kisses they try to shower me with afterwards really pong! ;)

For those that feed the capsules - do you feed the capsule with the casing? Is that ok for the poochies? (sorry for the silly question!)

I too have tears from your story and your loss. I am so sorry Kaffee, she was a gorgeous looking girl and I can see how she won your heart over. to you and Keisha.

I am so sorry for your loss. Roxy looks like a beautiful, sweet and loving girl who obviously received as much love as she gave. Don't feel that life has cheated her - because of you she lived to a good old age for a big dog and will now wait for you to join her and your other loved ones. Rest in Peace angel Roxy.

I am so so sorry for your loss. If she was anything like my Whitey she must have been a great character, having left your family better off for having been a part of it. My thoughts are with you.

so sorry for you loss but good on you for giving this mistreated soul a loving home for the rest of her life. What a lucky girl she was.

Does that include the extra premium for them being large dogs (or a "Special Breed" as they call it?)

Casper used to be amazingly allergic to grasses, wandering jew and fleas (we had flea problems until we realised Frontline wasn't doing anything). None of the medicated shampoos or oatmeal washes seemed to help for more than 2 minutes. Then I started giving him 1/3 anti-histamine (the ones we take) each day and he has been heaps better. I now only give it to him when he scratches and it really helps.

how old was she isaviz? What a shame there aren't a lot more like her. RIP Jenny, may all the animals you helped that have passed before you, give you big lick when you get to the bridge.

Wow, almost 16 years old is a very respectable age for an old lady to depart. From the photo of her on the couch, I would say she got the treatment she deserved in her forever home! She's now at the Bridge, running around like a young dog and waiting for those who gave her so much love to be with her. Rest in Peace little Rosie.