Clyde

There are also 15 older Labs from registered breeders listed here: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/mature...r-retriever.asp

My vet have started doing the Nobivac vaccines (3 yearly), with only two puppy shots (rather than the 3) thus they plug the ability to socialise your puppy earlier.... has anyone here looked in to this vaccine?

Oh my God Anne. I cant tell you how sorry I am . Isnt the mandible the bottom jaw? What happens from here? George is going in tomorrow. He's been really out of sorts, digging along the fence line while Im out, sooky, growling at people walking past etc Depending on tomorrows outcome, Ive found him a little mate which I suspect (hope!) will be the answer to his flatness. I dont expect I'll know the results of the removal tomorrow? No doubt he'll stay in New Years Eve. The lump is looking moderately smaller the last couple of days. Altho I think they do that Big hugs to you Anne! xo

I was speaking to a BB breeder today who also said the same thing. Apparently Optimum is the best kibble for BB's, as the more premium foods make the dogs too hot due to higher protein.... skin issues soon follow. Anyway, could be the same breeder but her dogs looked top notch and were raised on Optimum.

I've found both Squirt and Fidos to be disastrous for dogs with sensitive skin, Fidos also gave me bad eczema. Try Aloveen for now as it will at least soothe the dog until you get to the bottom of the problem. Aloveen is the orginal oatmeal/aloe shampoo and IMO no other product copy comes close.

Of course! Anytime :rolleyes:

:rolleyes: Thanks Sheree, I'm a vet nurse that so was my first thought too but will see what my vet says. Have just spoken with them and they feel I should go local today to have a PAP done to see if that can explain away the lack of condition and go from there. My vets have an inhouse pathologist so I wont need to wait for any results too long once the wheels are in motion. My surgeon of choice (who I used to work for) is unable to operate for over a week so at least the PAP will give me something to work with in the mean time. Im going away for Chrissy but a local vet nurse houseminds for me so at least he'll be in capable hands.

Thanks guys. And also to the PM's telling me to relax and calm down . I was thinking the worst but am now more optimistic knowing how older dogs are surviving more serious mct's. :rolleyes: Staffy Luv, I always catch up about Ollie when I can, so think I'll go back and re read his thread properly. Anne, I'm sorry to hear about dear Sophie The vet I went to yesterday was keen on cutting it out and then having it biopsied, but think Ill go to preffered vet as he might suggest doing a biopsy first like Sophie - might be easier. George is only just four , but has been flat lately and had a few skin issues, coat is very dull and appears to be drinking more than normal, but dont know if this could all be related or a seperate issue - He's also had gunky eyes for some time now - Opticin not working so now on Amacin. I thought he was either a little depressed or maturing and his diet no longer suiting him so have been playing around with it. I cant get my usual vet to look at it until Monday week!!! Do you think it's ok to leave it so long? Yesterdays clinic said to bring him back in a week so I assumed this would be ok? Let me know how you go with Soph, Anne. Cheers.

Well if you're ever around the Northern Beaches feel free to drop by ! And no, I dont ever charge for nail clipping :rolleyes:

*groan* Doing a tick check on George this morning and noticed a lump on his cheek. Whisked him to the vet who believes it is a mast cell tumour. ;) Due to where it is, a fine needle aspirate is only able to be done by knocking him out and I'd prefer to have it biopsied as I believe it's more accurate than a fine needle aspirate anyway. I've booked him in to my other vets to have a second opinion and have it removed. Poor George - it's been such a rough past few months and I only picked Grace up from hospital yesterday where she spent time with a gastro virus. Anyone here have any experience with MCT's? I've just read that mct's in the muzzle aren't usually a good prognosis. His coat has been flat the past few months and we havent been able to shake his mucky eyes so now Im thinking they're all connected>?

As you have your arm around the dog, using this hand gently tap on the dogs chest to take away attention of what you are doing with their paw. Or do it outside and smear some peanut butter on the floor, quick snip while they lick. Or better yet, have a groomer show you their technique - alot less stressful for all involved to have a good technique and proper way to hold dog.

Apply the Vaseline before spraying on the Permoxin if ears are already fly blown.

If she's got an infection one would assume she scratches at it. The metho would sting like the blazes.

Ditto exactly! Except I dont sharpen as much.... although I have a lot of blades so can go longer in between sharpening.

I fed George Advance for two weeks and it made him itch like nothing else.... took him off it and his skin is back to normal. I know vets who say turkey is a low allergen meat, however was reading something the other day saying it was high allergen and can give dogs diarrhea. Although my guess is that the diarrhea is from the skin not being removed prior?

SpringDog what is the name of the dry please? His ears aren't as gooby but smell REVOLTING!! Raw bacteria stench. He is now having weekly Malaseb baths by moi - but to be honest I am not seeing much improvement. Well, particular spots improve howver each week there are new ones. Have only been doing him once a week for past 3 weeks. Should we bother persisting? Owner *thinks* ears may have improved slightly since BARFing - but I dont ever remember his ears having that dead meat in the sun smell which permeates through the home. He is such a lovely natured boy it really seems unfair that he is never comfortable, although he is constantly happy and 'smiling'. Has anyone here had experiences with Barbara Fougere(sp?)?

It seems like he is only getting company a few hours each day. Could you have him puppy sat a few days a week for company for him? If you do a search on mouthing and biting within the puppy section on this site you will find a heap of solutions.

No, by then it should have crusted up and the scabby bits will hopefully blow away with the dryer. For Hot Spots I use Malaseb Medicated Shampoo (just wet the area and leave on for 10 mins then rinse), but lately have been using Pyohex Medicated Lotion - both work a treat!

Fleas Fleas Fleas The amount of my clients that swear blue in the face their dog doesn't have fleas is amazing. It's as though it's a slur of their 'parenting' skills. Some owners actually get offended when I gently let them know that their dog had a few fleas Hopefully it's simply fleas and nothing more troublesome :rolleyes:

I disagree with this. If someone is over priced I wont use them and if they are cheap I wont use them as I assume cheap workmanship. If you do have local comptetion I truly believe prices should be competitive, although if wanting to be a little cheaper that's fine but bear in mind that clients do not like price increases so dont undercharge to start with as it gets very hard to put prices up. People get very set in their ways. I havent ever increased prices to old loyal clients but rather only to new ones.

To the people who think they are under charging, bear in mind where your clients live and your competition (if any). It's all relative. Where I used to live I was charging on average $10 more than I am now as the area was very affluent, but now my area is mixed I try to keep the prices on an inner city/North Shore average. I note how long every dog takes me, every time. It's handy to have as a reference and then as I am a sole operator I know exactly how much time I will need to allocate for that dog when booking it in. This then often decides which day I will do certain dogs due to time constraints/commitments on some days.

Staffords usually do. We used to get a lot of them in who'd blown their cruciate so they spent a fair amount of time in there - would howl and "Staffy scream" the whole time in hospital but act as though you were their best friend next time they came in - their bums not able to keep up with their tails coming through the door. A reason why I love the breed so much!

Naturally if it's a badly matted Border you could always charge extra on top of your base charge - most groomers do (I don't though). :cool:

Holy crap SG. I am so sorry - your sweet Max I always think of you and Max whenever I see a Springer..... RIP handsome boy Thinking of you and OH, lots of hugs Dru xoxo

Did you leave the Malaseb on for the required ten minutes three times a week? And also try the Aloveen Leave In Conditioner after the medicated baths. Works a treat. Please dont use soap on your dog, it's terrible for their skin plus strips out flea preventions too.