pebbles

Ok let's do a bit of background - In all my years I've only had one dog with an allergy - a Border Terrier, a breed prone to allergies, and I know the difference between the scratching. A while back, Abby definitely had an issue with her feet, biting and licking. I asked here for advice, used Ernie's calandra (sp?) tea mix which I soaked her feet in and also got some polaramine tabs on advice from here. The tea eased it and I used the tabs for about a week, she's never had foot problems again so obviously it was a 'one off'. Being a long coated breed, guess I'm a bit paranoid about scratching. Abby does not scratch excessively, just the usual 'itch' thing, same as we will get, having a scratch doesn't mean allergies. Now comes the 'bad owner' bit - she's not confined, runs around like a loony on plenty of land, not typical long coated show dog treatment and there's times when she needs a bath. and perhaps she might have a bit of a scratch, a bath and it's gone (until she gets grotty again). There was a dog living next door when I came here who had terrible allergies, scratched day and night, was red raw. This was caused by a dust allergy, confirmed by their Vet. and this area is renowned for dust, think I posted a pic of our Mallee dust storm here once. So end result I'm even more wary. Abby sleeps on my bed every night, is asleep on the arm chair at the moment so I am aware of any scratching at any time. The few times I've used the Polaramine has probably been more of me than needed by her. I wont be using it while she is pregnant and hopefully, this will break my 'don't scratch obsession' :D

NO I AM NOT!! She does not have any allergies. It is a habit thing. She has only had the medication 3 times in her three years. I can stop her verbally but this isn't always practical.

Thanks Dogmate, think I'll avoid them for safety, it's only a short time till I find out if she is preggo and I'll just hope she doesn't get the itchies. Thanks again.

I had a couple of licences for some years but due to a back injury and finding standing for too long wasn't good, I gave up. I enjoyed judging, some of the lectures were a waste of 4 hours travelling, found that talking to breeders/showies and observation was much better. And you find out who your true friends are when they show under you

My girl is HOPEFULLY pregnant, mated a week ago. Ocassionally she gets the itches and a couple of doses of polaramine settles it down. Is it safe to give her this if she does get the itches?

Having littlies I find crating is the best way. When my car caught on fire way out the back of beyond, I was able to grab the three crates, 2 Min Pins and 1 Border Terrier, and put them away from the vehicle. We were all then transported back to the nearest town in the ambulance, delivered to a motel and the dogs were safely confined. Had to borrow some hay band to excercise the dogs as everything else went up in smoke (even the lovely trophies we had won over the weekend of showing ). Always used crates even when I was showing big dogs but have also always had a van type vehicle so no space problems.

Peanut looks like she has a lot of Min Pin in her and food aggression is something Mins are good at. They can be fine sometimes then just erupt even when you are watching them. My little shite Mick would sometimes think Abby's dinner looked better than his - doesn't get the chance now, he's fed in his crate with the door closed - much easier on Abby and my nerves lol.

Mine (OH) is well trained, took a while My guys (dogs) have always been part of the household, wouldn't have it any other way That's been big dogs, medium dogs and small ones too, often at the same time. Had a friend here a while back and there were 11 dogs running amok inside and out.

Yes, the diagnostics are better now but there really didn't seem to be the problems requiring the advanced technology of these days. I can only speak of my dogs, various breeds, and the many show friends from those days who also had a variety of breeds. Back then it wasn't a secret society as far as any problems, breeders talked to breeders, we all knew if someone had a problem and there were the 'old' hands' (all long gone now') who would be helpful. If someone was unsure what sire to use there would be lots of discussion among us with recommendations. I have even heard a breeder say "my dog wouldn't suit your bitch, she needs more bone/angulation/size, whatever, and my dog doesn't excell in that". Can you imagine that these days? Woops, off track a bit - but I do believe the dogs were healthier back then, the vast majority living to a good age. Bluefairy - you're right, no puppy food, no puppy milk etc back then, just the good old Farex and Weet-bix!

I've often pondered that myself - I've had show dogs, various breeds, for over 50 years and really haven't had any serious problems. Yes, I've lost a couple of dogs in their middle age, one to cancer and one to a reaction to medication, this in the last ten years, all others have lived to their expected life span and longer. Way back we immunised against distemper only, Pal dog food was the high grade one supplemented with meat from the knackery, there wasn't the range of dry food that's swamping the market nowdays. Pups were weaned to Farex and/or Weetbix and ordinary milk, Pentavite was added. No puppy schools then so pups were socialised at home with family and any visitors who called. Adults didn't get supplements ie vitamins, etc. but any veges, meat etc left over from family meals was given. Bitches whelped naturally and reared their bubs well. I honestly don't remember having any dogs to the Vet apart from immunisations, woops, one Gordon Setter had a badly gashed leg stitched. My doggy friends back then didn't have many problems either, Vets didn't make their fortune from us.

I had a dog with a minor allergy and used Missing Link each summer and didn't have to use any meds. This was some years ago so it would have been the old formula.

Just a thought and probably a useless one at that - What about a full scale assault on our State Bods. detailing all the concerns and giving suggestions - emails, letters. deputations to Committee meetings, request a meeting for discussions, etc. Most likely will be ignored but then there's no come-back from them saying they should have been informed and they may acknowledge there are problems. Maybe, just maybe, they might see sense and campaigns from recognised organisations will surely hold weight. Ok that's my threepence worth.

I second the calandula tea

Friend and I were walking the dogs down at the Lang Lang foreshore some years ago when her Irish Setter decided to go for a swim, just kept going out! We had to find a guy with a boat who went out and rescued him, not as far out as the other one though. Guess who was never off lead again at the beach?

Sorry, absolutely no ideas. Ok so I'm old and cynical but it may be too late for anything to be done. I remember going to the KCC President and Secretary' regional annual meetings over 40 years ago and hearing problems being raised with no support coming from the KCC. A number of us old timers have been trying to get the State bods to have our presence acknowledged with advertising, etc. to no avail. I have been to the Vic offices many times over the years and done some desk thumping, some of which has had results, the majority went no where (but relieved a bit of stress at the time lol). At the moment I have utter disgust with Vic Dogs and the ANKC. Just who are they representing? Certainly not the Members So I'm in the gloom and doom mode but the more I see and hear, the more I'm glad I'm coming to the end of my doggy days. The brick walls are getting too thick!

Divide it for the pup and if the OH is the problem just throw a nice cover over it, put a couple of books on the top and tell him it's the new side table!

Why doesn't the owner like the dog now? Is this it's physical attributes or emotional value? Taken them a good while to decide they don't like the poor animal Seeing it's just a hypothetical question I'd tell 'em to '*******' but if it's for real then guess I'd be more polite

I originated from the Melbourne suburbs and realise there's a lot of problems there now - wouldn't go back there for a million dollars while I owned dogs. There's problems here in the country as well but they require totally different handling than metro ones and I've got one now which I'm stumped on how to handle so not much use me trying to help solve anyone elses

I'm not a fan of fans They just seem to stir up the hot air and make me feel hotter.

I've had dogs of various colours over the years and found that the black ones appear to feel the heat more so, more panting etc than other colours. My lot have coped with 40+ days, just find a good spot and sleep until it goes away - wish I could do the same lol.

Guess I'd better not name places - one was in the country, other was in an outer Melb. area. PM me if you want to know the locations.

I was only browsing but didn't see anything that impressed or was a reasonable price - reason my guys sleep on my bed, couldn't afford those kennels lol.

I've been in a couple of Pet Stock stores recently and if the condition of their birds is any indication, then thank goodness they don't have pups and/or kittens :D

When I got my first Afghan there weren't many around and I had the dog and kids at the local river swimming spot one day and overheard two older men trying to work out what the dog was. Took Kush for a paddle and his coat clung to his legs, much wise nodding of heads and one of the men said 'it's a Poodle that hasn't been clipped'

The Silky baby in Gp 1 - does anyone know who's it was, please?