_PL_

I totally believe the disabled and unique have every chance of a great life if their owners or rescue carers simply put the lifetime care and expense in. It's about quality of life in general, for all the species of animals we as humans have chosen to live with even if they are not perfect. Hurdles yes, but not long years of suffering. Unfortunately (?) every living thing has a driving force to live regardless of circumstance, and just because they are alive doesn't mean living. If you know what I mean? Rambling a bit. Unsure which rescue you mean but I'm honestly not of the belief I could deal with rescuing one disabled/special needs after the other. It would take a very strong person. Some animals are simply not born to survive or you find yourself having the make the call to end what is basically half of a life. Pretty sure it would wear me down eventually.

Yes, unfortunately years ago I had to have a dear little neonate kitten euthanised with this condition. I'd never seen it before. He had a severe 'intention tremor' - the harder he tried to do something the worse the shakes and wobbles got. So he couldn't even walk in a straight line to the food bowl without toppling over. Poor little one.

That's Cerebellar Hypoplasia, they have it from birth. It's not painful but some can be so wobbly they can't stand up and have to be euthed.

I don't want to be a downer but here goes. A few things off the top of my head. With their growth in popularity (predominantly Mini) they are keeping the specialists here very busy with their IVDD and patella luxation. Some can be a bit of a mess that way. DNA is a good idea - looking at just Orivet it's quite a list, some of the conditions I can't even pronounce. Do make sure the dog is actually microchipped and registered to you, old owners may want their share of a litter. I guess the main thing for me is if you're always prepared to take your dogs back for their entire lifetime no matter what for the next 15 years, so they don't end up in a shelter or pound. Trivia; a pound just had 8 beautiful Dachshund pups surrendered due to not being able to sell them or even find them homes. So the market is well and truly saturated.

Ten weeks is fine.

Two of those dogs are clearly senior. I don't like the term ugly used for the imperfect. Ok yes, we're often carelessly breeding some dogs who are wrong and need to be dialled way back in terms of exaggerated features. But people need to lay off the 'ugly' headlines and stupid competitions. It's not funny.

Ohh that's going to be almost impossible but have you looked at German Spitz (Mittel)?

Vetalogica is great! (Thank you LG ) What you need is a calming supplement with Vitamin B and Tryptophan. Whatever is in your budget. Years ago there was only one and it was dark, sticky and sooooo nasty. DAP relies on pheremones and I wasted a lot of money on diffusers. Probably the most effective use was when I had the spray. I put it on a bandana and on bedding. McDowells Herbal are great, they have a free online consult for pets and can recommend which of their supplement/s could help. https://shop.mcdowellsherbal.com/forms/consultation

Ask about Famotidine. It's another reflux drug. They can either order it, compound it or give you a prescription. Some find it more effective or less harsh, and if you're getting side effects from the omeprazole which is a PPI, Famotidine is a different family. I only know this from a friend who researched so best to discuss with a vet so my knowledge is limited.

Big hugs to you both. xxxx

Absolutely, I've done many. The lost teste can be further up in the groin than expected so in that case it's more invasive but often it's just sitting way up in the normal spot and never came down. The doggies can have a bit of extra bruising afterwards but otherwise everything goes like a standard desexing. The cancer bit, is because if left inside they can go cancerous but it's not going to happen straight away.

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Teething time can give you surprises as well. Sticking out, one up and one down, folded back etc. You won't really know for a while but as Rebanne said, it can be a lottery.

Guessing - Amstaff, Frenchie or Bulldog? I'm so sorry for your family and the puppy. What kind of test was done? As far as I know some can throw faint positive if the vaccine was recent. I only know NSW laws but 'in general' yes, a dog is an item of property and you are entitled to return a faulty item for a refund. Did you agree to or sign their Terms and Conditions? Regarding reimbursement for vet fees, that will depend on state regs I think but if you want compensation it's considered a civil matter and has to go through small claims court. How is the pup today?

Hi @Kim.T Welcome! Great advice in this thread, I can only add, if you have a young small breed then encourage the raw meaty bones. Smalls not used to bones can have an aversion to chewing and keeping up the habit not only helps with tartar into older age but is a kind of enrichment. Choose carefully, not bones they can swallow or crack/fracture teeth on obviously. e.g. I'm a bit scared of whole chicken necks being a choking hazard.

Derp.

LOL great idea, we're always coming up with them here and they fade to nothing. There just happens to be Vegan restaurants in an area packed with restaurants. No coincidence though, great media coverage coming up to the biggest time of year for donations.

I still don't understand why they went to the media. Specialists always give you an estimate. And obtain a signed agreement before they do anything.

If it's a matter of pain killers now or in the future do ask about Gabapentin/Neurontin to see if it's suitable. Much better than NSAIDS long term. I'm sorry, I have no experience with denervation but I'd love an update if you can. Big hugs for you and Opal.

Unless through a rescue T? Would that be different?

Yes we just wren't allowed to lift up tin or play near wood piles etc. Avoid them un general and wait until they could be shoo'ed away from steps etc. All the sensible stuff. I don't think I ever encountered angry/frightened snakes until I moved to Canberra, walking on Mount Ainslie and saw brown snakes rear up.

What an amazing setup!

As a kid, we grew up with red bellies and were taught not to bother them. The ones living around people & dogs didn't seem too fussed and would sprawl out on steps or on the road so you just let them be. Obviously they weren't terriers, mostly kelpies and heelers. The most dangerous things around for the dogs were the paralysis ticks.

Eek, not a great spokesperson. I'm not going to put myself through watching his ramblings. He's gotten in $100k worth of trouble before for gobbing off nonsense on FB.