Dog_Horse_Girl

We're not just referring to farting dogs, although processed foods certainly promote stinky farts in the dog population. We're also talking about the disgusting stink from the skin and coat that is often produced by a highly-processed diet in certain dogs. Charcoal only relieves the symptom, it doesn't remove the problem itself. I'd much rather work to eliminate the problem than mask the symptom. Charcoal has been linked (unscientifically, as far as I know) to some cancers in some mammals. I'd be a bit more cautious in promoting such a product when a diet change is readily straightforward to achieve in many cases. :p

Well said, Puggles. Epilepsy isn't something to be taken lightly as it can and does kill dogs if the medication/s is compromised in any way. I certainly wouldn't take a risk with Molly - any changes I plan to introduce will be discussed with the vet beforehand. :cool: As she's already fed a raw diet, the only changes that I would have would be for supplements. But she's doing just fine without any supplementation so it's not likely to be an issue at least in the foreseeable future.

Oh, no. I'm so sorry. Run free Silver...gather up all the other greyhounds and have yourselves a GREYT time! Forever in our hearts.

This bitch is in rescue...I'm not sure your comments are particularly helpful. Most bitches that are heavily pregnant that are lucky enough to make it to a rescue group have their pups and the pups are usually homed to great families very quickly. The bitches usually adopt out fast too.

I'd suggest Satin Balls, there's a recipe here somewhere...and lots of heart if you can get her to keep it down...lamb is great but any heart is fine. Heart is excellent b/c it's both an organ and muscle meat, is very rich in the B vitamins and has a heap of protein to boot. Also, porridge is good...and pasta with egg cooked through. Firstly cook the pasta, then mix up some eggs, pour the egg and fork it through the pasta, into the microwave oven for a few minutes and you're done! Oh, minced chicken breast (skin on) if you can get it. Always helps. Best of luck with her...poor baby.

I'd rather take a (slight at worst) risk of incontinence and spey early than take a much larger risk that your bitch becomes pregnant or develops mammary tumours b/c she wasn't speyed before her first season. Any time from 3 to 4 months is fine for a staffy...if you delay, you could end up with a pregnant bitch...and not to mention the yuck factor of her in season - and sometimes their behaviour can change markedly during the bleeding phase.

Molly's time is also 7 and 7 as it's more manageable for us that way. But if you go out, it would be preferable to work around the medication times rather than dose much earlier or later. I try to be up for Molly at 7 on the weekends and sometimes it's a stretch...but she seems to have her seizures under control even if I'm a little off-schedule. With a dog that's seizing regularly, I'd be much more strict with the dosage at the right times. What care arrangements do you have in place for his care when you get married? Most kennels can easily medicate to our schedules and only some will charge you extra...it pays to ask!

Yes, and sadly that's why there will never be a "proper scientific" food trial that involves the comparison of raw, whole foods diets to that of the processed variety. I can't ever see Uncle Ben's forking out cash to feed half the dogs on raw and the other half on Crap in a Can... Ian Billinghurst also laments this issue, as I believe Tom Lonsdale does as well. It's all very well for us "mere dog owners" to suggest our raw diets work best, but without that "proper scientific" data to back us up, it's not a feasible argument to launch at many vets in justification for our choices. I'm very happy that my new vet is supportive 100% of a raw diet...and he's very happy with what I feed my dogs. He's in awe at the "dedication" he says it takes to do a raw diet consistently well...but to me, it's just what the dogs need and it's not that much work if you're organised. While the learning phase slows us down, once we know what we're doing, it's so easy. I'd never go back to a processed dog food approach...it's just not worth the changed health and well-being IMO.

Gail, I saw this earlier but had no words at the time. Mohini knows you loved him. He knows you cared very much for him and about him. He knows you did everything right by him. Please stop blaming yourself. You're a GREAT foster carer. You help so, so many doggies that have nobody else to help them. You make a difference every single day. Moe is now running free at the Bridge, awaiting the day you'll be reunited...he's free of all the pain in his past. He knows joy and happiness and love and sunshine, all thanks to you. Do right by yourself now. Grieve for his passing, but remember his happiness. Remember his joy at all life threw at him after you and he met. Remember that wonky smile and that waggy tail. Remember you love him and he loves you. Run free Moe!

I've said the same thing here many times...

Lillysmum glad to hear lilly's problem is not more severe. That sure is expensive for metacam. How much are you buying? I pay $99 for 100ml bottle Would you consider having a veterinary chiropractor help in the treatment? I have had fantastic results by doing so for similar conditions. Yep, it's b/c we're in DARWIN where everything costs half as much again as it does "Down South". It's the 100ml bottle. I don't know if there's a veterinary chiro in Darwin. I'll have to see what I can find out...but it's unlikely as most vet specialists don't come here or don't stay long. Is there any way of buying Metacam online?

Why not give them a raw, meaty bone instead of a dehydrated pig ear? I don't like any pork for my dogs b/c it makes them sick. And anything that's been dehydrated or smoked is a bad risk IMO b/c these things can and do splinter. This may not cause any problems, but in some dogs, it can cause a bowel obstruction and tearing of the insides to name but two issues vets see on a reasonably regular basis.

Exactly. Supercrap is not a good food, and as for Pedigree...hmmm. These manufacturers often use the leftovers rather than human grade muscle meat. It's less expensive that way and while it may not harm your dog, it equally won't give them the best nutrition available today. But diet is a very personal choice, and I understand that. I'd definitely suggest doing some independent research on what the dog food labels actually mean and how to interpret the ingredients more accurately. A food is only as good as the quality of what goes into it after all. My dogs eat human grade, whole foods served raw. I know exactly what they eat b/c I prepare it all after shopping for it at my grocery store, the local market (for fruit and veg) and the butcher and poultry store. I know that not everybody is able or willing to prepare a raw diet for their dog/s every day, but I believe it is the best for my dogs, and they haven't looked back since we stopped feeding dry foods on a regular basis. It *could be* coincidence...but I doubt it.

If we can trust the poultry meat industry, no chickens in this country are dosed with either antibiotics or steriods...nor hormones for that matter. As for defrosting in the microwave oven, why not take the product out of the freezer the night before and thaw it in the fridge? Seriously, I've had all my dogs on raw diets for a number of years. I've had ONE issue in all that time with ONE dog b/c of a piece of chicken that was contaminated by bile. This caused a typical food poisoning response, nothing more sinister than that. I reckon there are worse things to feed a dog, such as processed (cheaper) dog foods for starters. If you want to go for processed, IMO aim for a super premium such as Eagle Pack, Nutro, Dick van Patten's Natural Balance, Royal Canin or Nutrience. A little bit of the cheap stuff won't hurt now and again, but why feed something that's full of empty calories when you could be reducing the quantity and increasing the quality? If you're looking for carcinogenic causatives, could I suggest perhaps reading up on over-vaccination as a starting point? It may not provide you with the answers you seek, but it may help to understand one POV on the so-called over-medication of our dogs. My opinion is yet to be swayed BTW - but I also won't be vaccinating my dogs this year b/c the C3 is useful for three years in the dog's body - according to my new vet. Additions to the C3 are a different story. ;)

The results are in and I should be relieved. And I am in a way. Lilly has a slipped disc in her neck...no sign of anything more sinister! The X-ray revealed the damage and she's probably had it a while, hence the recurrent nature of the symptoms. The vet and I agree that this flare up was most likely caused by Lilly's reaction to the fireworks...if only I could locate all the morons that used crackers irresponsibly and ask them to help me pay for Lilly's ongoing care... What happens now? Lilly is on both antibiotics to treat a suspected underlying infection, and Metacam liquid (an anti-inflammatory), the Metacam is for as long as she needs it, but it's expensive ($144)... We can't use a collar for walking any more b/c it will likely cause the disc further problems. We have to massage her neck as often as possible. She would do best with supplements of cod liver oil and glucosamine to support joint health - and perhaps some other immune-boosting goodies as well. Gentle exercise only. No more zoomies for a while at least. ;) Now I *really* need to get a job - if grovelling to the job-Gods helps... ;) Three dogs out of three with long term chronic health issues: epilepsy (Molly); acute allergic response (Ruby); and Lilly's slipped disc. Thank goodness Lilly's prognosis is good! And I have a lot of confidence in the vet...he supports 3-yrly vaccination; does not routine vax for lepto as he considers it to be low-risk for the average suburban dog; supports a raw diet approach; is involved in rescue and just loves greyhounds to boot! Oh, and the rescue greyhound has a home with one of his staff! ETA - thanks for all the good wishes...I knew it would help. Lilly's crashed out on her floor cushion ATM as she was sedated for the X-ray. She looked drunk when I collected her and I had to carry her to the car... then the OH had to carry her up the stairs.

I decided to try the Ark at Palmerston...the vet I saw yesterday is lovely. He has 11 dogs (most he's rescued from the needle from what he said)...and he loves greyhounds. He's also very knowledgeable and answered every single question and concern I raised about Lilly in a straight-forward but compassionate manner. He has about seven clients with pet greyhounds at the practice... Now I've just gotta find 'em so we can have grey-play-dates. I'd go to all pets but it's just too far... Now, if they opened up a 'rural' practice in Palmy...

I'm counting down the time until I can find out the results: I've got to ring the vet at 4 pm...I can't stand waiting. My poor girlie is just not happy ATM...she didn't even want her breakfast today, or dinner last night. I had to stand over her and make sure she ate this morning...poor Lilly-chops.

how do I pm Natalie G never done it B4 ???? You can either: 1. Click on the member's profile and choose to send a PM that way or: 2. Go to your control panel and access your inbox...and send a PM that way. If you need help, I was going to say PM Troy... but that's no help! Sorry.

The vet also said that greyhounds are usually easy to X-ray b/c they "just lie down when you tell them to!"... I hope she doesn't have any trouble and she's such a sook at the best of times. Thanks for the well-wishes, I'm certain it helps. I'll post an update as soon as I have any news.

I've never seen turkey necks on sale anywhere...but the local Woolies has turkey wings and Lilly loves them! They're cheap too.

Since cracker night, Lilly hasn't been herself. Initially we put it down to her noise-phobia (which is bad at the best of times) but she's lost a lot of weight and has been very sore in her neck again - no significant response to her usual treatment either. I took her in for a checkup today - new vet who is just lovely - and we're booked in for X-rays of neck and spine tomorrow. Her glands and temperature are up so we're assuming infection and will begin antibiotics tonight. I'm really trying to think the best, but with greyhounds and these sort of symptoms, thoughts usually turn to the worst. I take comfort in the fact that she first had these symptoms more than a year ago, (which we had treated) so it can't be "the worst" but I feel dreadful for her. Please keep Lilly in your thoughts and send some healing vibes her way. BTW - they had a GREYHOUND awaiting adoption. Lovely little red fawn girl named Smiley. They're part of a rescue called PAWS, which I'm going to find out more about tomorrow.

I don't feed processed foods but I have done some research on dry dog foods. IMO Eagle Pack, particularly the Holistic range, is an excellent food for most dogs' needs. It's superior to RC IMO and RC is a fairly good food. Nutro is also on par with EP if you have a good look at the ingredients. But just as importantly is the SOURCE of ingredients. If they're available from organic sources, more's the better and even a food with only a small percentage of organic ingredients is likely to perform better than one with no organic ingredients. ;) JMO.

Is chicken carcass the same as chicken frame? No, a carcass has a lot more meat left on than a frame. :cool: IMO carcasses are a better buy but are harder to find. I've found that most places sell frames labelled as carcasses. ;)

Raw chicken necks are a good choice for smaller dogs, but for medium sized dogs and up, I would suggest a bigger bone...if you're wanting chicken in particular, then I'd go for a carcass. If you are happy to try other birds, then why not go for turkey wings?

Innova and California Natural (same company) did an exclusive deal with Bates (AKA PP and Pet Goods Direct) so you won't find those products anywhere else. Dick van Pattens I used to buy at Pet Barn. If you're in Melbourne, there's Pet Stock and Mega Pet Warehouse and most of these don't have pups on sale. But check on your local store's policy as I know one Pet Stock had pups in a few times (hidden near the back of the store, I think). ;)