[Melissaandcrew]

Lol. I collect the same way from my toys as I do the bigger ones. Only difference is the depth of the container I use : ) You need something very shallow if the toys-I use the top of a disposable container-its basically flat, and I shove it under when they start to go-once they start going, they go, but may take a step or two forward so just be ready to slide it along with them!

[Melissaandcrew]

Btw-After the bacterial infection is corrected, the disease can at times be treated solely from diet, however, many dogs do need steroids, and further medications-one of them being Tylan that I have talked about several times. For this condition, diets should be gluten free, easily digestible carbs, low in lactose and fat, and novel protein source. Each dog is different and will require a different protocol..some need low residue prescription diets.

[Melissaandcrew]

Heliobactor is a bacteria, not a virus-It is the Genus name that contains (I believe) 35 or so strains. The most common is H. Pylori. I have not looked into it in years, so please google and don’t take my word for 100 percent accuracy. I do recall reading back then that there was a potential for it to be contagious-though I do not recall all the details.

I think what you are calling Lymphocyctic Gastritis, is actually Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis(LP), and is the most common form of IBD in dogs. “They” do not know for sure what the cause of this is, but its believed that it is an immune response set off in response to environmental allergies, diet etc.

Google Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic enteritis for lots of info.

[Melissaandcrew]

Its the theory that the mornings first urine will be more concentrated from “holding it”..which of course only is accurate if he does hold it, lol. Take a meter stick of a paint stir stick, stick a clean container to it. I use put a piece of duct tape doubled over so both sides are sticky. When he lifts that leg, slide that sucker underneath. For really shy dogs who stop when you get too close, you need the longer stick : )

[Melissaandcrew]

First off, I do not allow my dogs to be removed from the room for basic procedures-xrays fine, but blood etc, no. What are you doing to my dog that I should not see? : ) I live in the North, and I have gone both ways-giving it every month, and skipping the winter months, resuming in the spring. I test every other year for the most part, or if there is a reason to suspect Lyme, as its a combo test. I am in NY, so we get a true winter still, lol.

[Melissaandcrew]

No snow yet in my part of NY but the cold is nasty for the dogs. They go out, run around a bit then want in..15mins tops. Just cut back on amounts. My crew just finished a bag of Orijen senior and the new bag in their bin is Acana. These days they get dry perhaps once a week, and the rest raw depending on the dog.

[Melissaandcrew]

I have two bags of the fish right now. Imo grandma Lucy’s is a decent food. Dogs are not thrilled with the fish variety but I am not sure if its the food itself or quinoa that they dislike. I also use more water than stated ot its really rt hick and pasty.

[Melissaandcrew]

It really depends on the dog its age, activity as nd metabolism. Some of my 15lb dogs need a cup a day and some need a bit over as cup. My 9lb dogs eat anywhere from 1/2cup to 3/4 cup.

[Melissaandcrew]

He is adorable. I bet he is actually a Maltese chihuahua “designer” mix. I have a rescue here that came with her ***cough*** papers so we would know she us a papered mutt..lol..she could d be his litter mate.

[Melissaandcrew]

Again I would not either from an unknown source. However if a neighbor’s organically raised cow falls and breaks a leg again, i’m in. If they slaughter another milk cow not producing, still in. If as stranger offered me the same..no..

[Melissaandcrew]

These and antlers scare me. I envision broken teeth, foreign body blockages, and choking.Some of my dogs are aggressive cheers and others gulped.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hmmm.I dont know that I would buy downed beef from someone I did not know. I DID buy beef from a small local processor that I know who had a cow break a leg so technically “downed”. I have also bought beef from dairy cows that were “old”..simply meaning healthy but not of use to the dairy farm.. Most of these cows have very little fat and therefore not prime choice for human consumption (but if someone wanted tough beef they would be fine for humans). I pay $1.00 a pound.

[Melissaandcrew]

When used in reference to animals, bisecure is typically established to prevent visitors from bringing in disease. Unthinking idiots do not realize how easy it is to track manure on their car wheels shoes etc and disease with it from one farm to another. When I have puppies on premise we follow a “biosecure” policy. No one is allowed to visit here until 7 days minimum after first vaccine..shoes must be dipped in a shoe wash of dilute bleach, hands disinfected, and no visiting another shelter or kennel before mine…we schedule early am visits to ensure it.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 11 months ago by Melissaandcrew.

[Melissaandcrew]

I think they are referring to the raw company.

[Melissaandcrew]

There is no way the vet could say it was long term toxic exposure without a necropsy . He or she may have said its one possible cause.

[Melissaandcrew]

I dont normally mail order food as I want to find the freshest available, however the fact that they did not discount the older beef is really a non issue. As a business, they have the right to sell their products for what the market will allow..and obviously there were enough people to purchase the beef before expiration that did not mind paying full price. Simply sounds like the fish needed the incentive and the beef did not. Now if they were selling food past expiration it would be an issue. Consumers need to practice due diligence and ASK what the expiration dats is on the food they wil be receiving from any company.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Zach. Strange dogs should never be allowed to run up to your girl. I don’t care if they are dressed in a clown outfit, smiling and walking on two feet. No, never, ever. You do not know if that approaching dog is friend or foe, and neither does your girl. It sounds like she tries to get away from them, and when she can’t she takes the defensive position-think if it this way..if you were chased by a stranger, who then cornered you in a dark alley, are you going to wait to be hit, or swing first assuming the person has ill intents? Me, I am going to go for the eyes : ) Your dog is no different when fearful and cornered. Flight(she can’t) or fight-only option left.

If you want to get her used to other dogs and reduce her fear response, get a friend with an easy going dog and go for a walk. Walk side by side with a safe distance between you-perhaps 20 ft. This is to get her used to another safe dog in close proximity pacing along at a safe distance. As she gets better, you reduce the distance between the dogs until they can walk side by side without distance. How long it takes to narrow the gap between dogs depends on her response.

Truly dog aggressive dogs attack from the get go, they do not first try to run. Quite frankly, I would not let a dog with such excessive fear issues off leash ever. All it takes is another loose dog, a car back firing etc, and she could bolt in front of a car and get killed or run off never to be found. She has a lot of over coming to do before that would ever be even remotely safe.

[Melissaandcrew]

I think the one I currently have is the Wesson 32. Love it. My first grinder was the Tasan 108 aka TS 108. I could grind chicken quarters with it no problem. You do have to cut the quarters up small in order to fit them through the shoot, and it is a slow process, but I managed. I did burn out the gear within the first year I had it, but lets face it, I was grinding a lot. The company I bought it from covered it under warranty(chicken bones or other soft bones covered, no turkey) They replace the gear box thingy free of charge, just paid shipping back. I bought the second one from them as well when the first broke and now keep it as a back up. I got them through the One Stop Jerky Company. Wonderful customer service as well.

[Melissaandcrew]

Some dogs do not do well grain free. One of my Italian greyhounds will get rail thin without carbs and grains. He is a small Iggy at under 10 lbs to begin with, and when eating raw, he gets a full 8oz of meat, and 1/2 cup of rice or sweet potato. My 6lb dog eats 5% of his body weight, and for comparison, my dobes eat 2.5%.

[Melissaandcrew]

I am sorry for your loss Sheila. No matter how long they are with us, its never long enough. Know that those were the best years of her life.

[Melissaandcrew]

Inked Marie-lol. I have to say I think that was the worse spell check/autocheck has done to me. It supposed to learn words from what you use, but I went through last night and deleted a bunch of words that I KNOW it didn’t learn from me!

[Melissaandcrew]

Dog obsessed-it gave them stomach and intestinal issues. And the burps were disgusting, lol.

[Melissaandcrew]

I bought a bunch of Nulo when the local store was discontinuing it. My dogs did not do well with it.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 12 months ago by Melissaandcrew.

[Melissaandcrew]

High Trek, and Arcana are not available I all areas. Some of you will have to settle for plain old Acana and Hi Tek. Lol

[Melissaandcrew]

I try to use within 3 days as well..Just be sure its tightly sealed, and if in doubt, give it a sniff : )

[Melissaandcrew]

I tried to respond to this with a long post, and it would not post..so..

What do you mean by enzyme therapy? I am confused as you mention enzymes and thn ask about fish??

[Melissaandcrew]

ROFLMAO. I hate the freaking autocorrect on my phone. I can’t even imagine where it came up with Prozac as I don’t think I have EVER typed that word at least not from the phone, lol.. For the record, No, I do not give the dogs Prozac when I am too lazy to go to the boutique pet store…That should have read “Pro Pac”…The worse part of my phone is that I can re read what I wrote, its fine, and then once I hit the enter or send, it changes it..argh!!!

As for bargain foods, remember to check that they do not have a frequent buyer club. Nutrisource has a buy 10 or 12, get one free for the general consumer : ) Every little bit helps!

[Melissaandcrew]

It depends on what you want in a food..ie grain free..corn free etc etc. I usually feed Arcana fir dry but rotate Victors Nutrisource, Hi trek on a rare occassion as well as Prozac when I am too lazy to go to the boutique pet store.

[Melissaandcrew]

I looked into it as few months ago. Google for reviews. From what I could tell its not as custom as you would think. One article/review I read said its actually severa l base formulas

[Melissaandcrew]

A dog in pain will bite. So would I if in pain and bringbpoked at. When you own a senior pet with pain issues its the owner that needs to adjust, not the dog.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hydrogen peroxide syringe fed to a dog will make it vomit. Never do this with caustic items..ie chemicals or sharp items..keep a bottle handy and know ahead of time the dose needed.

[Melissaandcrew]

Oh good grief.. I was right..the merles are coming from crosses of “mini aussies” cockers and the like.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Marie. Schnauzers come in three showable colors. Black, salt/pepper, and black/silver. Salt/pepper can be a huge variety of shades of grey..there are light (almost silver looking) and dark salt peppers. Some have a slight tan hue mixed in. All acceptable.

Then white appeared. Some claim they have always been around but culled, others suspect that Westie was crossed in many moons ago to get it. Then the mills arrived on the scene snd figured any breed is better on parti- color or merle. Neither are a color pattern originally in schnauzers and the ones I have seen also tend to have poor thin hair coats and light colored eyes. My guess is it is from a mill and probably ACA or APRI registered.

• This reply was modified 11 years ago by Melissaandcrew.

[Melissaandcrew]

It should have a way of undoing it. If you accidentally like or dislike a post you can undo it but not for reporting…argh..

[Melissaandcrew]

Personally I would not worry unless he is straining or if thete is blood. My dogs waste out put varies depending on what they eat also.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Weezer. ..rabies will be good for one year. Fvrcp is the distemper and should have a series of two. Felv is leukemia and also needs a series of two. There is no difference such thing as puppy shots or kitten shots-they are the same product just the when started younger fvrcp needs to be done in a series of 3 or 4. Lets face it though..one vaccine is better than none if cost is an issue.

[Melissaandcrew]

Stupid rule-They automatically assume every one with a barn will stick the cat in it and make it fend for itself. Old time farmers used to(and some still do) not feed the barn cats as they figured they needed to be hungry to keep the rodents out. Ugh. Science diet supports a lot of shelters-they get free food, and pay shipping only-I know our local one does/did it.

[Melissaandcrew]

My Iggys need carbs in their diet or the would look like coat racks. They always get food with carbs, whether its dry or homemade raw.

[Melissaandcrew]

Well I guess that shelter doesn’t need donations. Shelters truly in need will take what they can get.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Akari..I think that is wonderful that you are donating. More people should. However many people who do give prefer to keep it to themselves so dont be offended if not too many respond.

[Melissaandcrew]

LOl. I love when a dog food smells fresh. I figure if it doesn’t have a meaty smell, its probably over processed or stale.

[Melissaandcrew]

Lol..Awesome!! I check out pet stores and animal shelters in new places, lol

[Melissaandcrew]

I start vaccines at 8 wks. Anything prior to that and you have the risk of maternal antibodies interfering with the pup developing immunity from the vaccine. Some immunity is better than none in my book. Socialization is important during those early weeks and while I would not put my pup down on the ground I c ertaintly believe they need to get out and about via carrying. I do a series of three start in at 8 wks and going every 3-4 wks for a series of three. If a breed prone to parvo such as the dobes rotties pits etc I make sure they have one after 16 wks . We do a 1 yr booster and possible a two year as my dogs have a high risk of exposure. We will randomly vaccinate depending outbreaks in the area. I other words they may never have a another or they may have.

• This reply was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by Melissaandcrew.

[Melissaandcrew]

Inked Marie..its very common to tack large and giant breeds these days to attempt to prevent torsion. When done with a spay its inexpensive to do and well worth the extra effort as it just may be the extra step that saves your dog’s life. If I had danes or other giant breeds with a high incidence of bloat I would tack in a heartbeat even if I got him or her as an adult.

[Melissaandcrew]

Lisa..I can only answer what I would do. I lost a female dobe to bloat-a rescue-years ago. The females were tacked because they were already in there. I honestly think if I had lost three to it, I would be paranoid and do all my larger dogs regardless of whether or not they were male or female. However since she is a mix I might wait until 1 yr or so to see how she developes.

• This reply was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by Melissaandcrew.

[Melissaandcrew]

HI Lisa G-

Both my female dobes had a gastropexy done at their spay as a preventative measure as well since it involved no major surgery since they were already in there. I did not do the male however, as it would have been an invasive extra procedure. Most of the time they do it at the 6mth with a spay, so guessing you can do it any time there after.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Akari-I have had several dogs with luxating patella and none ever needed surgery. I would be more concerned with the bulging disk as you do not want it to rupture. I had a dog with one for many years, and besides the occasional flareup, he was fine. However, we did restrict his jumping etc. When we were not home, he was left in the mud room behind a baby gate because if left to his own devices he would have been leaping.

[Melissaandcrew]

BRT- Dogs usually lick their butts and scoot when there is a problem-such as anal glands or worms. Paw/nail bed fixation tends to be allergies. Imagine an itch that you can’t scratch-kind of sucks, lol. I would make sure that he is worm free and his anal glands are not a problem. Tapeworm can not be seen on a fecal, so check around his butt very very carefully for anything that looks like hard dried up rice-those are the worm segments. You can try rinsing his feet to see if that helps-the other option, if the vet has already looked at him and said no issue-is to try a squirt of an anti chewing spray. If its merely behaviorally, he should stop after a few licks of bitter apple or something of that nature.

[Melissaandcrew]

Hi Dori- I have a cheap, 5 drawer plastic tray model somewhere in my attic. I take it out perhaps5 times a year and dehydrate meat for the dogs as treats, which I then keep in my freezer. I lack patience and think it takes too long, but others that have seen it run think they are great..so go figure, lol. Would I buy another one? Yes, because I like to dehydrate pure chicken breast pieces and have them on hand for dogs with digestive upset.

[Melissaandcrew]

There is no magic date that all dogs need their food decreased. Adults don’t need to be fed three times a day like a pup, but the amount they eat will vary from dog to dog. For ex, my shihtzu ate three very tiny meals per day. As she reached adulthood, the amount increased, but the frequency did not. I have not found my crew needed reduced food simply by virtue of spay/neuter, but rather based on their particular activity levels, and those change depending on the weather. All my dogs, from pup to senior eat an all life stage food.

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