Ruffles

Yep, collar/lead/rope/whatever the hell you can loop around, up behind the jaw and lift the dog - air is cut off, and front feet hopefully off the ground so the dog cannot get purchase to move forward.

And if she did have over 40, killing 6 dogs was not going to solve the problem at all.

I would think very carefully before defending this person. Well known to many. Correct.

I'm still so sad. When I get home from work late at night, sometimes I just lay in bed and cry. I used to love coming home to him, and his smooches and cuddles

Yes! On a day over 30 degrees, the phone calls usually start "My bulldog/pug/frenchy has just died, I dont know what to do, it's only 1/2/3 years old"... it's heart breaking

An Amstaff is not a guard dog, nor a dog that's to be left outside all the time. Irrespective of sex, this is a recipe for disaster. Amstaffs are people dogs. They need to be with people.

Oh, what a tragic loss for you. I am so sorry. Such a long time companion - I can't even imagine how much your heart aches. *cry* RIP Pagan.

Yep, that tends to be the standard outcome when caught early. You are lucky :) glad she's ok!

She has recovered from the snake bite. But she has a secondary issue because of/or it was underlying. And she does have some neurological deficits from a bleed in the brain they think but it just makes her clumsy.

It was my dog :)

I work at the clinic where she was treated, the costs were not outrageous. This was not a 'give two vials of antivenom and go home' situation. She required 3 vials, Mechanical Ventilation for 3 days as she was unable to breath on her own due to paresis, and myopathy, then another 5 days of supplemental oxygen therapy as she had aspiration pneumonia from vomiting whilst seizuring whilst unconscious! A blood transfusion, constant glucose supplementation for 8 days, naso-gastric feeding after she lost 5kgs and was so mentally incapacitated that she could not feed herself, not to mention the copious amounts of blood tests, pain medications and around the clock care she was receiving. She was not expected to make it and it was the worst envenomation they had seen. I'm thankful they are there to provide the amazing service they do.

Our dogs snake envenomation has cost $24,000 in the last thirteen days, and she now needs ongoing care and specialist treatment... Had she had insurance, I would have recovered $12k of that money. For most people in that situation, that would be the life saver for their pet. Definitely not a gimmick.

Excellent. She wont be disappointed. I have several friends that work at SP, and they can't speak highly enough of them.

Charles at SP is amazing. Such a fantastic surgeon, and I have found their prices very reasonable. After needing Charles to do a revision on my cats PU surgery as it wasn't done successfully the first time (by a different vet), I would definitely recommend a specialist straight off the bat. Although it may seem more expensive, it may work out cheaper in the long term. Southpaws do free initial surgical consults too - nothing to lose by just having a chat :)

I was going to suggest Toxo, or a Liver Shunt too.

Oh, I'm sorry for your loss Westiemum. What a handsome man. As for leaving a hole - if it helps, I like to think that Loki didn't leave a hole, he filled one that I didn't even know I had. Perhaps Mac has filled that hole for you too. When you are sorrowful look again inside your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been a delight - Kahlil Gibran

My thoughts were the same. I've been bitten by the derper dog on the leg and the bruising was terrible and lasted for several weeks (and I don't normally bruise easily), despite no broken skin at all. I'd guess two Franga bogans had a fight, one was unfortunate enough to have an unregistered bull breed and the female Franga bogan decided to get the last lick in by having his dog killed. Agreed.

The way most greyhounds are treated here is not much better - if any better at all. They're such lovely dogs, it is such a damn shame.

How completely and utterly awful. For Wilbur, and his owner. I cannot even fathom who would do something like this... VicPol link

I've lived in a 'multiple amstaff household' for over 10 years - fights happen. Some of them really bad, some of them just scuffles that can be stopped with a yell. We all have scars! :laugh: I just keep everyone separate now. I'm too small, and dont have tolerance for that kind of crap, so all dogs live in different runs, and sleep in different crates. Safest option.

It took me 4 years to bond with my girl. Prior to that, she had no bond or affection for me either. It was weird. She's a lovely dog, has always been a lovely dog but I just didn't care about her short of training, and feeding and caring for her. One day, I just thought 'I would be really sad if she wasn't around anymore', and then everything got better. It can take a long time :)

I pay for insurance for two cats, and two dogs. I've made one claim for one of my cats, and the amount I got back was almost 10 years worth of premiums for him (longer than he will probably even live!). And 3 years of premiums for all four of the pets. To save the amount I would have needed for his treatment, saving just his premiums per month - I'd be saving for almost 19 years. Insurance is most definitely worth it in my opinion. My cat that cannot be insured due to existing health issues, was blocked a few months ago, and needed emergency surgery. Thankfully, I was well looked after by my work, and the surgeon and I have a second job so I could go ahead. His surgery and aftercare was over $8000 (not discounted). That was for 4 days of care - 4 days. If I had insurance, it would have been only $1600 from my own pocket, the amount I would have gotten back would be 17 years worth of premiums. If I wasn't in the fortunate situation I am in, I could not have possibly afforded that (whilst still paying off a loan for previous vet bills before I was insured) and my cat would have had to have been euthanised. I no longer see pet insurance as a luxury, but a necessity. When you see pets put to sleep every single day, because owners cannot afford treatment... it's just heartbreaking.

Have you been to a medicine specialist, as opposed to a regular vet? That might be your next step. I'm sorry that you've been unable to get an answer and your pooch is still unwell

Working in an Emergency Clinic I see many, many euthanasia's - One day, we had 6 in 45 minutes Some people stay, some people dont. Some people want to see a vet before hand, and some have already made the decision. We do not pass judgement either way. Whilst I would never, ever leave a pets side while they were being euthanised, I understand that some people cannot cope with that, and I will often say to people who are unsure 'just remember, you can't un-see some things'. Perhaps, because I've not had one good euth experience with my own pets, and sometimes the images haunt me that I am loathe to force anyone else into that situation if they're not 100% sure. Everyone is different.

Run free Gertie. Your family thanks you for all of your hard work and effort beautiful one. RIP