Dog advice

[Maid22]

I know there's a puppy thread, but haven't seen one for just dog advice, so I thought it would be good for any problems to share.
I'll start, has anyone had dogs who have suffered with fits/seizures? My old terrier used to have them, not often, not enough to have meds, but this week, my collie had a funny turn, and the symptoms reminded so much of my oldie, am hoping it's a one off, but it's still a worry.

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Thanks for responding, yes this ideally what I would like to happen. I've tried a few techniques but not read about that one so will give it a go thank you.

Very sniffy pup, we do have a long lead. I cannot forsee us letting him off, he slipped his harness once and ran straight home (thankfully without incident). Much like me I suspect he is just a bit of a home bird.

A long lead is fine

Mine was never fussed on treats but did like a tube of liver paste to get him to come back to me if pulling.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

@Former_Antelopee do your research on the yearly booster, I've never done it with my dogs, and they've never died because of not having it. Blimey, this thread has taken a turn, oh well, you all obviously know better then me, but I know my dogs, and am a fuckin good animal owner

Sorry for being petty about my experience how I lost my boy.

I’d rather my dog be covered in case, as I said I’d rather the yearly fee of that than the increased risk of getting the illness due to not having vaccines.
I could have titre testing but then that’s additional money
No one even said you were a bad owner? Or said anything about your pts experience? If someone wants to use a credit card or savings or whatever to pay for care then whatever

 

[Maid22]

You need to speak to a vet. Do you have insurance? Some insurances provide a phone number for a phone consultation.
They could have eaten something they shouldn’t, have there been any toileting issues? I’d probably rule that out first but still speak to a vet

Thank you, I'm going to see how he goes before asking vet, I'm hoping it justs a one off, my last dog, took him to vets about it, they didn't do anything as he wasn't having them very often so they didn't want to put him on meds

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Have to disagree with you on this one, the insurance is just a ploy for vets to make more money.
I've had awful experiences with pet insurance over the years, read the small print, they really don't like paying out, and the exemptions, id rather get a credit card to pay for vet bills, nice to know I won't get the gold standard of care, cos of no insurance. I've had dogs all my life, yep am an oldie, my boy had to have an op couple years ago, his testicles never dropped, worried about cancer etc, booked him in, had to pay over £500 before I could see him,
his stitches were awful, I was so worried about him, their attitude, he's a collie, so obviously a farm dog, they shaved his belly soo much, cos he was dirty, he wasn't, they just presumed because of his breed.

I didnt say you wouldn’t get gold standard care if no insurance? I just said it’s more likely someone with insurance could afford it. I said ‘they’d obviously offer it’, it’s just more likely the vets would have to come up with a cheaper alternative if no insurance

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Have you tried something stinky? You can get tripe mini treats like these, the strong smell and flavour mya attract his attention.
https://friendsandcanines.co.uk/product/tripe-mini-treats/

I tried liver paste but it was just hard as my hands got messy and it was hard to drop it. I'll have a look for them treats you posted or similar

 

[Alfie1234]

He knows sit and paw we taught him. Never tried the touch one or heard of it tbh but I'll give it a go. His lead is one I hate those retractable ones but I have old leads from my dogs I could use and keep on him in the house> I personally think and I thought this with my girls too that he has too many treats all the time. Dad's not long walked in the door with more treats and given him two chews already. He gave him one that will take him a while to get through and then while he was chewing on it went to get a pig ear! I said he's got a treat that's enough. They are scattered everywhere toys and treats. dad said I should give him more treats so he learns to like me and he won't attack my ankles and feet.

Oh gosh, definitely stop the treats for no reason, he can have them when he earns them. A lot of people don’t feed out of a bowl they use all their dogs food for training.

 

[aidil]

@Former_Antelopee do your research on the yearly booster, I've never done it with my dogs, and they've never died because of not having it. Blimey, this thread has taken a turn, oh well, you all obviously know better then me, but I know my dogs, and am a fuckin good animal owner

Sorry for being petty about my experience how I lost my boy.

I was referring to your comments on my profession, not your dog. Stop twisting my words. I never once made comment on your PTS experience? This was based on your other replies.

Anyway, we’re going around in circles and you clearly have made your mind up about all veterinary professionals so I’m out 🫡

 

[ChiRie]

Nope came out of no where! But tbh, I've never trusted him fully, but he's been good as gold recently.
He's a collie, and I know they get issues, but this has really upset me.

It's upsetting I know. I'm looking after a dog and he's a bugger for snapping at me for no reason at all. He's had a vet check. Doesn't do it to my dad whom I live with.

 

[ChiRie]

Poor lad, at least he has you looking out for him. Would Chappie be worth a try for firming poos if he's fussy? My old lad has colitis flare ups and has Chappie every day now and it's great for the old bowels.

No he's on a very good brand of food he loves now but it took a lot of trying different foods to get him on a good decent brand he will eat but dad gives him so much of his food he hardly eats his own food. Hence now runny poo and the gland issue. I actually booked the appointment before it burst as I coud tell he was acting strange and he was snappy. Thank god I did but it burst before the appintment sadly and it's quite bad, he must have dug at himself all night as all up his tail is bloody too. I just managed to give it all a proper good wash with Hibbiscrub which my previous vet always advised to use as it's antibacterial. He's had his antibiotics but not touched that stuff mixed in his food.

 

[ChiRie]

Vet nurse here and would definitely recommend a behaviour consult if the nurse is qualified in it! The neuter issue relies heavily on what’s causing the behaviour in your dog. If it’s fear aggression, then sometimes neutering them can make them even worse! Chemical castration could be something to consider as it’s only temporary so gives you a chance to “road test” whether neutering can help. We often use it at my practice for dogs that are a bit temperamental so we don’t cause any irreversible damage.

Another vote for positive reinforcement here! Grabbing a dog by a collar and throwing it into another room may get them to behave but they’ll only behave because they’re scared of you. Not sure why anyone would want their dog to have that kind of relationship with them!

I always praise him when he is good. He isn't scared, I think he is jealous of me around my dad. He was in the bath and Barney waited outside, I came out my room and bam he's barking at me for being near the bathroom. When he's not here he's fine with me. I don't want chemical castration as I know long term proper castration will benefit cancer wise having been through that trouble in the past. Yes the nurse is specialising in behaviour. It's listed on the practice website. I would tell you so you could look at the site but I don't want people knowing my exact place I live. The practice has been there donkeys years, I've been since a teen and they are 100% reliable. Going there since 16 and I now 45. If you want to message privately I can tell you the website of the practice and the nurse. I've never met her as she is newer to the practice. I doubt they would lie about what she is working towards getting qualified in.


Veterinary Nurse
I first started working as a veterinary nurse in 2004 at a small animal practice in Hertfordshire, and qualified in 2007. I later went on to work in Emergency and critical care nursing at the Queen mother hospital for animals, a specialist referral hospital that is part of the Royal veterinary college.
I moved to Cornwall in 2019 with my husband and two young children and started at blanked out for privacy vets later that year.
We have two dogs – a lively Jack Russell called Barry, and a friendly Labrador cross called Wilson.. who loves the beach!
I have a keen interest in animal behaviour and am currently working towards a diploma in behavioural medicine.

---

 

[daffodilgirl]

Oh I really feel for you, what a horrible situation., I hope you're ok.

I think you're probably right, your dog probably recalled what happened when he was attached by a dachshund and felt threatened.

My dog was pounced on by a boxer dog in a park a few months back (I actually think the dog was just being playful but as he was much bigger than my dog and got right on top of him I think it shocked him a bit) and now whenever he sees a dog of that breed he becomes really reactive and barks and growls. My dog is not reactive at all towards other dogs generally unless he sees a boxer. So I think they do remember negative things that happen to them!

Yes I think he definitely felt threatened by the dachshund today confirmed it.. although I am being very cautious and keeping my dog on a lead and close to me in case of it happening again.

I walked my dog early this morning and we passed 5 dogs all different breeds and he he didn’t react to them at all, they were bigger and older than he is and they were growling and barking at him to play but he didn’t respond to them just walked away.

 

[ChiRie]

Gosh you've been lucky, my oh was chatting to someone yesterday and they've had the same problems with ticks!
The eye area is awful, needs 2 of us to get the blighter out! he's got a bald spot there now!

Must be lucky then. I couldn't believe my vets dog had so many on her. He posted it up and counted every one. Over 200. Crazy. I suppose you'll just have to keep getting the buggers out. Good job you can do it properly without leaving the head in and your dog lets you. Like I said Barney would flip, there would be no way in hell.

 

[Alfie1234]

Has anyone done the bronze Kennel club good citizen training? My puppy classes finish this week so trying to decide whether it's worth to do the bronze award.
I've signed up for recall classes because at the time there wasn't any bronze awards I could make it to due to work, but now they've released more dates which will perfectly line up with when I'd finish recall class.

Yes! Loki just got his last week. I honestly wasn’t that fussed about it when I started classes,I just wanted a well behaved and well socialised dog, but I do feel really proud of him and me that we’ve improved so much that he got his on first try. When we started I couldn’t get a 10 second sit/stay, can now do a 2 minute down/stay without problem. Whenever he’s naughty I remind him he has bronze paws now so knows better

 

[ChiRie]

A long lead is fine

Mine was never fussed on treats but did like a tube of liver paste to get him to come back to me if pulling.

Try a bully stick lol they stink to high heaven lol

 

[G_man]

I think I understand. Lots of good advice thank you. He arrived with a harness so we just assumed that was best (first time dog owners). It seems consistency is key, which may be harder when the kids walk him. I'm looking forwards to giving some different things a go.

Everyone starts somewhere, my advice would be if you ever require a trainer, please use someone who has proven results and not one of these mickey mouse ones off social media. Learn to dog to walk to heel first without the kids if possible as he will struggle with too much distraction. Start off in the back garden, then work up from there

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Hi could anyone give me some advice please. My 11 year old boy has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. I'm absolutely devastated. He is my best friend, soul mate and therapy dog. They've advised he can go through chemotherapy but that could cost in the region of 20k and my insurance will only cover 7k. Without chemotherapy, I will lose him in a few weeks
I'm not on benefits so not entitled to free vet treatment.
What can I do to afford the chemotherapy? I just don't have that money but I cant face to lose my boy who is showing no outward signs of illness in just a few weeks.
Any help would be appreciated as I'm beside myself.

Has he been referred or is it at your normal vets?

 

[KMAWeasel]

Has he been referred or is it at your normal vets?

Normal vets. Should I be referred?

 

[Bleurghgram]

Ok, we got our puppy and we’re in love with him but please can someone tell me if it’s normal or not to be anxious about EVERY TINY LITTLE THING that might be wrong with him or is that just me……

Ha I rescued so my dog wasn’t a baby but I stopped being so anxious after the first big anti sickness vet bill

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Thank you .

I found an article that says 10%. I am back Monday with the vet so will ask the question.



Thanks for replying .

No they didn't say, only that it went down to 30. He is only slight 6kg, they did say they would probably refer him to a specialist. I'm just not sure I can put him through it again.

If they do it might be best to go to a specialists with anaesthetists (probably most have them), your vets may look for this as well if they were worried about the anaesthetic?
I thought it would've been a CT rather than MRI but maybe there's a reason