Clyde

I disagree Candice. As a vet nurse we have always advised owners that the discharge usually ceases after desexing, whether it be prior or after first season. And going by revisits this has proved to be the case.

Thanks Jeanne, I didn't know any of that

Sally are you in Sydney? If so, I would be happy to show you how to clip your girl (free of course).

Why is that? Cheers

Double post. :smurf:

Rappie, you're a gem! The bacteria you suggested is exactly what he has! Guinness has had 'problems' since he was twelve weeks old, he is now about 6yrs. They have tried an elimination diet (years ago though) and nothing showed up. religious flea control Yes very strict elimination diet This was done some years ago and nothing showed up :D thorough dermatology work up I'm assuming this was done fairly recently as he has made several visits to the vet recently for his ear. Will check though. if the dog has (diagnosed) yeasty skin, then it needs to be treated - if that means Malaseb Not currently being done but easily fixed. He is on antibiotics atm for his ear..... will take you up on the PM offer to ask about ongoing ear care. Thanks for taking the time.

Hi there, His feet aren't too bad, he does chew them but he hasn't been as much lately. I think I'll give her my old one speed clippers so she can keep his ears short all the time. He has always had allergies, a constant battle.

Let me know how you go. I'm curious now as to whether they do or not . http://www.gladesvillevet.com.au/ 98175758.

Hi there, I'm in the Northern Beaches too I can't recommend a local vet but I go to Gladesville Vets who have the new vaccines which are done every three years only. I had my guys done the other day. For titre testing perhaps try that vet on Pittwater Rd in Newport? The one that is just being renovated in to a fairly large building. I believe they are a larger clinic. Or try Max Zuber at Gladesville, he is fantastic!

Thanks guys. She is going to start feeding BARF and has put off the surgery for now. She phoned her breeder who also agreed that if so many people are recommending BARF then it's definitely worth a shot. I've directed her to Tooheys thread with links to other BARF sites. :rolleyes:

He is on dry food (Advance?) it seems to be the best they've found for him from when they did an elimination diet a few years back. I've suggested BARF patties but they have egg in them, her son has life threatening allergies to eggs, nuts, dairy so they need to be careful about what they take in to the home. The dogs won't eat bones, they try to bury them and then guard them. I'm all for the dogs having raw vegies/fruit etc and minced chicken carcasses which they haven't tried. His ears don't get clipped very often, only when they're groomed. He is in a show clip, his ears are very full and long. He doesn't get regular medicated baths. They have a stock pile of lotions/potions/antibiotics etc for his skin/ears. Personally I would clip the dog short all over, natural diet, regular medicated baths etc, but she also has two small boys and runs a large business so time is sparse. She has been led to believe that the op. will stop the ear from becoming infected. According to the vet it is a very aggressive form of bacteria and not one of the most common ShowDog, would clipping the entire ear, inside and out help? I'm thinking he needs it done allover anyway as the rest of his body also gets fungal infections. Rappi?? Are you out there pleeeeease.

As a groomer you can't really win when it comes to nails. Cut them too short and the owners are horrified, not enough and they are disappointed. T'is better to leave them a little longer if in doubt IMO. Personally if it's a dark nail I take off small slices at a time until I can see the quik from look up through underneath the paw.

Thanks guys. So NellBell, did your GSD continue to have ear infections or was the head rubbing/shaking due to discomfort from the surgery? I am sorry to hear of his outcome Showdog, by worse you mean the infections were worse? What alternative treatments would you try? I initially thought it was a great idea, the poor dog really does suffer but after a lot of googling I am not so sure now, which is why I am desperately interested in any advice or opinions as the dog is booked in this week!

Has anyone here has this done before or knows anything extra about this surgery. My friends Springer is undergoing this next week. I have done some reading and found out that the resection doesn't stop the infections at all, they merely open the canal up for easier cleaning?? The dog also has ongoing skin infections. He is a really smelly boy!

Could you have a local experienced trainer come and help you with the first enrolled lot of puppies and see it through 'til they graduate? No offence, but I think it's pretty important for a PPS instructor to really know their stuff. You are the first port of call to a lot of first time dog owners who will take your word and guidance as gospel. You need to be confident in what you are doing so that confidence is passed on to the owners. Good luck with it all, PPS is a lot of fun to teach!

Hi Trina, you do add the shampoo to the water (it's a personal preference I suppose) that is the design of the hydrobaths. It depends on the shampoo as to how much to add. Some you need to use a lot more that others. With Aloveen I have found a needed a little more than say Natural or Fidos as it doesn't suds as well, so I mix Aloveen with Natural to make it go a long way. Just play around with it until you are happy with the suds factor . I soap with the hydrobath but then also scrub by hand using more soap, then rinse. I would say Fidos has the same 'sudsing factor' as Natural. I have been told that four pumps of Natural is adequate but I usually use about 8. I find the shampoo tends to go further if you can get it in a pump bottle that way you don't lose 'glumps' of it down the drain from your hand, lol.

The Aloveen Leave In COnditioner is great to use in conjuction with the Malaseb which can be a bit drying. Make sure the Malaseb stays on for ten minutes, it doesn't act until about 7 minutes. The Aloveen Shampoo is a fab general maintenance shampoo especially for dogs prone to the itchies. The only problem with the Aloveen Conditioner it will make your dogs coat very soft - so if you prefer the coarser terrier feel....... smells divine too!

Shampoo: Aloveen for sensitive skin Natural for normal skin (both from Dermcare) Aloveen Leave in Conditioner. (Dermcare) Flea/ Tick Rinse: Permoxin (by Dermcare) Whitening Shampoo: Champion Tails The Dermcare range is one of the few products which don't give me eczema. Whatever you end up using, make sure it's soap free so that you don't strip the dogs top spots!

My swf is terrified of smaller kids and will growl if they approach. He's improved since having my own, but still less accepting of strange kids. Perhaps some DOL'ers with children could help set up some visits in a park or something. Children armed with treats etc. Kids often come over wanting to pat Angus, I say Sorry no, but you can pat the black one instead (Rotti) they usually decline - if not them, their parents do... poor George LOVES kids!

Great news! That's the best way to start, hope you LOVE it!!

As Puggles suggested please get him checked by a vet, this is exactly what Victoria used to do with her Laryngeal Paralysis (apparently common in giant breeds). Please let us know how you go, hopefully it's just a minor irritation :rolleyes:

I would say that water restrictions would not apply when it comes to animal hygiene/living conditions. She'd be best calling the Water Board and finding out (or even the RSPCA would be better).

Hi Mavmon, I unexpectedly lost Victoria a couple of weeks ago to LP :cool: I hadn't even heard about it before then. If the dog you have is a Collie I would recommend clipping in summer. I know long haired dog breeders/owners are anti clipping but it made an enormous difference for Victoria last summer. Be very careful with hard bones as that is what tipped Victoria over the edge. It is a condition which deteriorates over time so I would def. go for surgery. FRom what reading I have done it is always succesful. Unfortunately Victoria had too much scar tissue from prior surgeries to perform a tie back. When Flat Coat posted in Victorias rainbow bridge post about her own dog I went through her posts and found a link to a site with other owners whose dogs have LP which you might find interesting.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate your comments and emails. It's been a pretty miserable couple of weeks I guess as it was so unexpected. I had decided to go ahead with whatever was necessary and had really thought I would be bringing her home that evening. I had no idea she had LP as she had previously had trouble with her breathing after a dog bit her in the throat resulting in two operations on top of her already damaged airways from being debarked prior to living with me. Due to all the scar tissue a tie back was not an option. Either way, she couldnt breathe at all at the vets from being so distressed, I guess she was okay with me as she was calm so I had no idea how far along the LP was. She really had a horrible death and I guess that what makes it harder.... she was yelping at the end so there was no time for good byes, she had also been marginally sedated and would have died from lack of oxygen within minutes. I'm guessing she had always had LP as she was a noisy breather but had been told by another Saint breeder that her lines were often 'noisy', plus her hoarse bark I put down to being debarked and bringing up food I put down to restricted airways from scar tissue and intolerance to certain foods. Last summer she got more huffy so I shaved her right back which helped alot so once again I assumed it was age, heat and the other factors. The vet she saw the other day knew what it was immediately, but by then it was too late. George and Angus are fretting more than I thought they would, Grace cries every now and again but doesn't understand the concept of death and that she's not coming back and now Trevor the cat has contracted chlamydia even though he is an indoor cat. The turmoils of pets! Victoria would have gone at least two more years if it wasn't for the LP she was in just such great health otherwise. Anyway, have always cussed all the hair and slobber but now I'm missing it like crazy, can't see my house being a home without another Saint somewhere down the line. Thanks again!

Victoria lost her battle against Laryngeal Paralysis today, I left her at the vets for radiographs where she turned cyanotic, they put her on oxygen until I got back there and the decision was made to put her to sleep with sadly no other alternatives. She will be painfully missed and fondly remembered. It was a pleasure being owned by her