Re: Ticks and other nasties was Your Breeder - Your Friend
Hi Marion: I'm from Canada :-)...not the US. I'm really lucky that we don't have a lot of nasty bugs in our country and I think it may be largely due to the cold, cold winters - helps keep those things under control. So, because I don't have a very big problem where I live, I don't have to use any type of flea/tick control. We do get the occasional tick, but I simply pull them off, and they are not the ones that carry any disease (fortunately). As for fleas - again, we simply don't have the problem. I may find an occasional flea that the cat has brought home. I sometimes treat the cats with a topical flea treatment if they have more than a few fleas - but it's rare. There is this great magazine called the Whole Dog Journal. It's subscription run instead of advertising run and they do exposes on flea/tick controls, dog foods, etc without having to cater to advertisers dollars - therefore, they can expose lots of nasty things without fear of advertisers taking away their accounts. You can subscribe online at www.whole-dog-journal.com and once subscribed you can read the back issues. They have a great article on flea/ticks and alternative methods. Regards, Deb -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
Mini-Pink's Gift to me - a Lesson to help others
On March 5, my girl Pal delivered naturally 12 puppies. One male was stillborn and another female who later sported a pink ribbon was a tiny little thing weighing no more than 210 g at birth (7 oz). As tiny as she was, she had spunk. We called her Mini-Pink due to her pink ribbon and the fact that she was so tiny. I found that she was not gaining weight, after 4 days she had only gained 80 g and was up to 280 g and holding. I decided that I would supplement her with goat's milk via bottle feeding. On March 10th around 5 pm, I found Mini-pink limp and turning blue - her breathing very laboured. My husband, Peter, rushed her to the vet (after hours, our clinic was closed and we had to go another clinic). The vet there took xrays and found fluid in the left lung, but the right lung was clear - so she had a bit over 50 percent lung capacity. She perscribed antibiotic in case of infection (pnuemonia) and we were told to keep her warm and give fluid (milk) via syringe every 2 hours. The next 24 to 36 hours were critical for her survival. LESSON NO. 1 the vet SHOULD have shown Peter how to tube feed. There is no way that we could get enough fluids into this wee girl via syringe to the mouth. Additionally, she should have been receiving sub-q fluids. The following morning, Mini-Pink, was showing some improvement - her sucking reflex was back and she was no longer limp. However, later that day her strength waned once again and she became like a dishrag. I rushed into the vet again (this time my clinic). My vet showed me how to tube feed - he said she is dehydrated and needs lots of fluids - at least 5 cc every 2 hours. So, I had a crash course in tube feeding and off home again. Spent the night feeding Mini-Pink every 2 hours. Again, she appeared much stronger in the morning and I was filled with hope that this brave wee girl would survive. Around 11 am, she started to moan and cry - every movement sent pain through her body. Once again - I rush her to the vet. We figure she has collic and is still very dehydrated. I am dispatched to the local drug store for gripe water. We administer gripe water in hopes this will help relieve the poor thing of the gas. Additionally, she appears bloated and we figure she is having a difficult time pooping due to not enough fluids in her intestines to ease the feces along - so, the vet gives her a tiny enema. Also, she is give 10 cc sub-q injections of saline. Around 3 pm I return home - she is still moaning and crying. The injection area for sub-q's is very painful to her. LESSON 2 - tube feeding requires burping too...I did not know that. I was not told. I continued to tube feed her every 2 hours and also administer sub-q injections of 5 ccs 8 hours apart. By 3 am her breathing was laboured and she was gasping - she was extremely limp and froth/liquid was coming out of her tiny mouth. Around 10:45 am - my sweet little puppy lost her brave fight. I write story about Mini-Pink in hopes that other breeders will learn from my experience and know what to do and not to do if one of their puppies aspirates on milk. This is Mini-Pink's gift to me - to show me how to save the next puppy should this happen, and to pass on this information to help others. What I learned I should have tube fed Mini-Pink from the beginning and not used a bottle. Previous to this, I was very afraid of tube feeding because I had heard that one can put the tube into the lungs instead of the stomach - but, that is really difficult to do - as you measure the length of tube and if it doesn't go all the way, then you remove the tube and try again - that way you are assured of being in the stomach. You can get more fluids into the stomach with a tube than you can with a bottle. Learn how to tube feed - don't be afraid. I have also sent Mini-Pink and her stillborn brother's bodies to the university for necropsy. Perhaps there was more wrong with Mini-Pink than just aspiration. It is important that breeders find out why puppies die and not just pass it off as fading puppy syndrome. Very hard lessons learned over these past few days. Thank you Mini-Pink. Your short life was not without purpose (Mar 5 - 13, 2003). Humbly, Debbie -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
Your Breeder - Your Friend
I've briefly skimmed the posts in regards to what is expected of a breeder and rudeness, etc. and in the Seinefeld tradition...yadda, yadda, yadda Right now, I am in the throes of interviewing prospective puppy owners. A daunting task. I want the BEST homes for my beloved fur-kids. I put my life and soul into these puppies and I do expect that my puppy buyers will also do the same. I have certainly come across prospective buyers that are ideal homes save for some little niggling difference in opinion. It is no secret that I want raw fed homes for my puppies - prospective buyers come to me because I raise my puppies on a raw diet with minimal vaccination and exposure to toxic chemicals such as flea and tick control. Therefore, when a prospective buyer says to me things like - I do not believe in raw or minimal vaccinations...then right away we have a conflict. I do tell these people that they should seek out breeders who are more in line with their way of thinking. Please keep in mind here - I am not suggesting for one minute that my way of raising puppies is superior to the next - it is simply a different way. What I am saying is that one should seek out a breeder that is closely aligned to one's way of thinking. That to me, is the importance of the screening process - not only for the breeder, but for the buyer too. Your breeder should be your friend. This is the one person who will be genuinely pleased with all your puppies accomplishments. Seek out the breeder who shares your views and one you can get along with. And above all remember...we breeders are not mind readers. If you are having a problem with your puppy - please tell us. don't be coy. Remember you are not the only person we are dealing with. While you may only be dealing with ONE person, we are dealing with many. Say what you want...tell us... be specific. If you are having a problem with something say...something like...my puppy is limping, my vet says it's X, I expect this from you. That helps alot! Don't just say something like...my puppy is limpingand nothing more. I'm not saying you will get you want, but at least we will know what you want, which is a lot more specific than wondering what you want (from us the breeders). Deb -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
Happy Birthday Kimberlite's A and L Litters
This is indeed a special day at Kimberlite. My A litter turns 11 years old today 3 from my very first litter are still alive - special hugs and kisses and especially to my very own sweet Amy :-) In addition, my Pal whelped her first litter today. 12 babies - all free-whelped. 11 survived. Please welcome to the Kimberlite gang, 8 girlies and 3 boys. And special thanks to my Genie, who whelped her 3rd litter (K litter) (3 girls) last Thursday and who, with much enthusiasm, has stepped in to help nurse Pal's babies. Extremely tired in Saskatoon, Deb -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
NaturalBerners List is Temporarly Disabled
Please note that the Yahoo Group NaturalBerners is temporarly disabled for posting. We are experiencing big problems and I am hoping that at some point Yahoo will assist - I have no idea when that will happen. Please refrain from sending any posts until further notice - they will be bounced anyway. Sorry to use this group for the announcement. Thanks, Debbie Tripp List Owner/Administrator for NaturalBerners
re: Frequency of Health Problems
Hi Lynne: Your questions remind me of the saying how long is a piece of string?...answer...all depends on the piece of string you happen to be looking at. I'm not trying to be flippant here - instead trying to show that it's quite difficult to answer your questions (which are): **How frequently do these issues arise among Berners in comparison to other large breeds? How likely would it be that any one Berner puppy becomes afflicted and dies prematurely? Is this something that Berner owners expect at the outset? What is the likelihood that a Berner would reach 10 years of age or older? * Most breeders that I care to associate, and I include myself in this list, want all of our puppies to live long, healthy lives. No one ever wants to sell a puppy that is going to be afflicted or die prematurely. Being a breeder, I can not guarantee ever that a puppy I sell you will not be ill - that would be impossible. All I can do is show you what I've done beforehand to increase the likelihood that puppies I produce will live long, healthy lives. For me, these things are chosing parents that come from long lines of good ortheopedics and longevity. There will always be some cancers and ortho problems in the background - those cannot be avoided. In addition to this, I also do what I can to ensure that my dog's immune system is working at its peak - for me, that is feeding a diet that has minimal processed foods (I occasionally feed some grains to my dogs) - the rest is raw and unprocessed - fresh veggies, fruits and meats/bones. I also do not put any type of poisons into my dog's system in the forms of flea and tick medications or heartworm (I am fortunate to not have those type of problems where I live). And I do very minimal vaccinations. I also take care not to expose my animals to environmental toxins such as weed killers, lawn fertilizers..things like that. I am working now on 3rd generation puppies - ones that come from parents who have been raw fed and minimally exposed to toxins in the hopes that this will be the key to a long, healthy life - one where my pups will be routinely surviving into their teens. I've personally had 3 berners that have survived past 10 years of age. This is what I do. Note - this doesn't mean other breeders methods are wrong. So, when you are searching for your puppy, find out what the breeder is actively doing to increase the chances that a puppy you buy from them will be healthy. A breeder will always have had some problems (especially if she's been breeding a long time). And here's the kicker...despite our best efforts, there will be the occasional puppy (and sometimes more than occasional re: litter from hell) that will have many problems. You have to determine whether you will take the risk. I can tell you though, that even a few months with a berner is worth it. Good luck in your search, Debbie -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
re: Freezing
Ha Rose! -24...bikini weather. It's -35 here this morning. I had to go pry the boy's off the posts they were peeing on! Freezing in Saskatoon, Deb -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
re: vet education on OFA films
Vicky: I think that's wonderful that you were able to give another perspective to your vet. I'd also like to add, that I've spoken with several of my own puppy buyers who tell me that their vets have said the hips don't look good. I always advise them to have the radiographs sent to a board certified radiologist for a reading, (this can be the OFA, or any other institution such as WCVM or OVC). Sometimes the vets are wrong - especially when it comes to subtle things like sublaxation or shadowing of films - they simply do not have the experience behind them to read these things that can make a huge difference in whether a dog passes or fails. Often, these dogs that the vet has said are dysplastic come back with a good rating :-) Radiologists see literally hundreds films of the same breed. It's the same reason we go to an opthamologist to check out our dog's eyes, or a cardiologist for the hearts...they are trained to hear/see subtle things. Deb -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
Online Pet Auction
Terrible site - at least so far no berners on auction (that I could find). Poor chihauhau :-( http://www.onlinepetauction.com/auction/index.php -- Hunka Hunka Berner Love - Kimberlite Reg'd. Debbie Tripp - Saskatchewan Canada - Berners since 1986 http://www.kimberlitebernese.com
