dandydog

So sorry for your loss bustam, Mahli must have been such a special friend in your life, run free Mahli and have great fun at rainbow bridge with all the other doggies.

Thanks guys, couldn't get back on last night, something came up at home, that was the one Stormie, do you know anything about it? I've suggested he ask the vets at Sydney Uni if she can be given a B12 shot or something to boost her immune system while they're coming up with a treatment regime, I'm not sure if it's contagious or not, because my dog keeps stealing her kong to play with, well come to think of it all the dogs keep stealing her kong seems to be a favourite toy at the dog park, she's so laid back she doesn't bother, but just wondering if it's something that can be passed from dog to dog? I will suggest a homeopathic vet, he may even be able to discuss the condition over the phone at first to see if it's something homeopathic medicines can treat, probably wont see him till Saturday now.

Thanks Cavandra, no its not spondylitis, however after posting I looked on the net and there is a site which seems to have similar symptoms to that disease can't remember the name of the disease begins with 'a' I think (this is only my guess by the description in the article), will look when I get home from work, however it seems that by the time the dog is diagnosed its usually too late and there is not treatment for it - hope this isn't going to be the case.

Has anyone with a Rotty or any dog experienced this and could give any advice. A friend at our Dog Park has the most beautiful natured female Rotty (with a tail), over the past few months she has been going down hill (she's only 3yrs old), anyway the friend took her to the vet as she's his 'baby' and they couldn't find what was wrong with her, she lost 7kg in 3 weeks and went to skin and bone almost. The vet did say that blood test showed it wasn't cancer however, on recommendation from his vet he took her to Sydney Uni for more tests and they've found she has a very rare disease which is a fungus in her spine, she's on pain killers constantly, apparently she only has a 50/50 chance of recovery with this disease at the moment and if they can't find out what's causing it and treat her sadly it will be terminal. I saw her yesterday at the dog park and she has put a bit of weight on, her owner was getting the results back today and the vets and everyone are at a loss to find out what is causing it but apparently it's something that rotties get even though its very rare. Has anyone come across this at all, her owner was so relieved to know it wasn't cancer but now he's going through a worse state as unless they treat her urgently she will die pretty quickly, he's beside himself with worry for his beloved dog, he takes her to the park because he said she is so miserable with the pain when she's at home and perks up quite a bit in the company of other dogs although can't run around because of the pain, he's such a lovely man I feel so sorry for him. I will keep checking from time to time to see if anyone has any info. Thanks guys.

Haven't been on DOL for ages, so its terrific to hear Sophie is still doing so well and enjoying going out and about, Cavnt do you have any friends with a movie camera that you could take a video of Sophie that way it wouldn't matter if she moves you could still keep the camera rolling and unless your a good photographer and can take great still shots, it really doesn't matter with video cameras as you just point and follow the subject around. I got a really good one last year from Aldi for only $178, its digital, video and webcam. Keep up the great work with Sophie Cavnt your devotion to her is inspiring.

Congratulations on your choice of a pup, my boy Lab is 8yrs in July and very spoilt, yes they know how to twist you round their little toe, be prepared in the first year for a lot of telling off as Labs are very clever they love life and get bored very easily and therefore need a lot of stimulation, my boy is very gentle and not dominant but that first year I used the word "No" so many times I think he thought that was the only word I could say. Labs have a tendency to want to jump up on everything and everyone knocking them over in their excitement, however stick at it, it definitely gets better and as they mature at around 4-5yrs old most of them settle down and become well mannered adults. My sister had her Lab till it was 15 and her advice to me when I was on the phone to her in the UK crying as I was so stressed out in the first year with my boy bouncing around all over the place (I'd had 2 German Shepherds previously both over Rainbow Bridge who had been so well behaved and who I loved dearly) "remember in the first few years they're like babies, then naughty 2's, terrible 3's, teenagers then adults so be prepared" and you'll be rewarded a 1000 times over. I'm a volunteer with Sydney Dogs Home and we've just had 3 of them in there looking for homes since Christmas, its sad so many of them get off-loaded because people aren't prepared to put in some effort I think people get them thinking they're like Guide Dogs, very calm and docile. Labs are extremely quick to learn but are the types of dogs who would like your attention 24/7 if they could. My sister brought up 3 children with her Lab and had no trouble at all. Most labs seem to be driven in one way or another, i.e. ball, water or food, mine is both water and food driven and yes he's chunky and about to go on a diet yet again, but I couldn't imagine life without him he's such a character and is always happy, have a wonderful life with your Lab. As food goes I can't advise as my boy has an allergy to wheat so I have to be pretty careful what I feed him he'll be getting fish or meat and raw vegetables in the evening and a small cup of biscuits in the morning.

Hi CnR still following Sophie and glad she's still managing to enjoy life, regarding taking her out, is there somewhere you could take her in the car perhaps to sit by a river or in the park without actually having to walk her, just for her to sit quiety with you for special time together and then fetch her home in the car, some people do that at our dog park with their sick doggies, just down to the park, a little sit down and then home again. Regarding the Essiac Tea, I google searched yesterday and came up with www.blessedherbs.com, this is the original recipe devised by Canadian nurse Rene Caisse, you can also put in a google search for the story of how she came to develop Essiac tea for cancer, Ingredients: Burdock root certified organic, Sheep Sorrel wild harvested, slippery elm wild harvested, turkey rhubarb root wild harvested, I think you can also buy it on line, if you feel you would like to try it on Sophie at some time, it just may help, hugs to Sophie and yourself, hang in there it's your love and devotion that's keeping her going and helping Sophie fight this. Also not forgetting all the other Rottiy babies who are battling at the moment and their owners, a prayer for you all that your 'babies' get well again very soon.

Was reading this thread past midnight last night and crying my eyes out, an absolute mess, couldn't let OH hear me tho. I can fee the pain you're all going thru as I lost my German shep. at only 5 to cancer and that was 15 years ago and my heart still breaks for him. I'm so sorry that Zed was taken so young ZedNQ what a beautiful looking dog from his photo sometimes life is so unfair and it's beyond our comprehension to understand why this happens, I'm sure he's having a great time over the bridge now he's free of pain, please look after yourself. Hugs to you CnR for what you and your OH are going thru with dear Sophie, my heart goes out to you, a big big hug to Sophie. I wonder if you have heard of the herb Essiac, when I thought my Lab might have a tumour I scoured the websites and found one on "dogs with cancer" and there was an article on Essiac, its not a cure of course but I believe it helps with their well-being, in Sydney you can buy it from Newton's Pharmacy in York Steet, they're a long established herbalist, there's also a wonderful story about "Magic" a German Shep who had cancer and his brave battle and extended life through the herbal diet they put him on, I hope it will give you some comfort when you feel down. My prayers are for you and Sophie, may she still continue to enjoy life for a good while yet, its good that you take her out when she wants to go for a mooch around, as long as they are able they should be allowed to, they'll let you know when they don't feel like it, there's nothing like a good mooch, roll, and pee outside to lift their spirits. Hugs also to Ollie, and to all the rotty babies and their owners who are doing it tough at the moment, our thoughts and prayers are with you all ;)

Im crying just reading this, I'm sure you will have a lifetime of wonderful memories of Boffa, it's a 2 way street and I'm sure you made him just as happy as he made you, have fun at Boffa old fella

Sounds like you had a wonderful life Shadow and a family who loved you so much they didn't want to see you suffer, have fun at and a hug to your family whose hearts are breaking

Oh how terribly sad, such a sweet little dog, don't beat yourself up tho, these accidents happen and its no ones fault. RIP little one, you brought so much happiness to your family.

RIP Boss and know that you had someone that truly loved you and will miss you dearly. Thank you to everyone who helped this boy find a wonderful home for his remaining months without you all he would have gone to never having known love.

RIp over sweet Ruby, you brought a lot of happiness and you've left a lot of wonderful memories.

So sorry for your loss BMR, I bet Rosie was a real little character and you will have wonderful memories of her, rest easy Rosie old girl you've brought a lot of happiness and now your job is done, another little has earned her wings

Dogmad so terribly sorry for your loss of Gloria, another star to brighten the sky, another angel in doggy heaven you gave Gloria the best 6 months of her life and in turn she loved you dearly she has gone to be with your beautiful Wonder Dog. Have lots of fun both of you getting into lots of mischief with all the other doggies, well, not too much mischief.