RE: Ear Problem
Hi Steven, One thing I would like to add is that nothing should be put into a dog's ear without the vet first examining the eardrum. What looks like a nasty yeasty ear can be a whole host of bad things cooking one of which is pseudynomous which destroys the eardrum. Some medications are not appropriate for dogs with ear drum damage and I certainly wouldn't be wanting to put alcohol in in such a case. Persistant ears problems should be cultured. Many home remedies are fine for cleaning the external ear but caution should be used when liquids dribble into the ear. Rose
Calling all Canadians
-Original Message- From: Bill C-10B Petition [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: September 3, 2003 6:10 PM To: "Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@ns1.mountaincable.net Subject: Bill C-10B On-Line Petition An Important Message About Bill C-10B: Wednesday, September 3, 2003 The recent rescues of 10 horses and 60 cats by the Hamilton\Burlington SPCA are just two of many reasons why Bill C-10B, Amendments to the Animal Cruelty Provisions of the Criminal Code must be passed into law. With the fall session of Parliament only weeks away, Members of Parliament and Senators must be reminded of Bill C-10B, and the support this legislation has received from hundreds of thousands of Canadians from all walks of life. The amendments will provide tougher penalties for those convicted of willful and unnecessary animal cruelty or neglect, including the ability to ban offenders from owning animals in the future. The establishment of animal cruelty crimes as hybrid offences, rather than punishable only as summary conviction offences, provides judges with broader sentencing discretion. This change, along with moving animal cruelty offences out of the property crimes section of the Criminal Code and into a new section, signals a new level of importance for these crimes. Please sign our on-line Petition at www.petradionet.com/petition.htm and please send this e-mail to anyone you know who would support Bill C-10B! Help Change The Future. The Staff At PetRadioNet.
RE: Old dogs and over heating
Hi, Assuming you have done a full blood panel and urinalysis? Did your vet xray the old guy's lungs. You could ultrasound his abdomen, any large growths there would be pressing on his diaphragm. Asides from Diabetes Mellitus there is Diabetes Insipidus (sp) and you have to do water deprivation tests to identify that. Dogs with Cushings drink a lot as well. Given his advanced age I would keep his walks very short and only venture out when the weather is cooler. He may be encountering a lot of aches and pain at his age and discomfort will have him huffing and puffing too. Rose T.
Pillss
Hi Susan, Peanut butter can be a bit goopy to work with and sticks around the mouth too much for pill hiding strategy. My favourite is cream cheese, the full fat kind, and make a little cheese ball, you can either just put the cheese ball on top of her food or offer as a treat. If she is suspicious just open her jaws and pop it into the back of the mouth and hold her muzzle shut and stroke her throat until she swallows. Another trick is a small dollop of canned dog food push in the pill and leave in her bowl, don't let her see you preparing the "treat", raw hamburger does well and likely she'll swallow without it touching the sides:-) Rose ps Berners are very mouthy and like to hold hands. Offer her an alternative and just remove and ignore her attentions.
RE: Paranoid??
Hi Ellen, If your girl has a tendency for fatty cysts she will pop them up from time to time no doubt causing your alarm button to go off:-( I presume the one removed from her hip was benign, your vet can aspirate this one on her ribs and see if it is a fatty lipoma. Swollen glands don't move around and if this lump feels free based chances are it's another cyst. Your vet can demonstrate to you the main areas of glands (ie lymphatic system) that you can stroke down and check regularly for lumps and bumps but remember they can raise up when dealing with infection just as ours do when we have a sore throat. Many older Berners tend to carry a bit too much weight and some thought is given to reducing the fat intake and some have seen a reduction in these fatty growths. Also regular brushing parting the coat in layers so that you reach the skin can also help with skin health, a quality bristle brush is good for this and not too sratchy. Warm baths and massages are good too and if you invest in a dog dryer then you can checked the skin easily:-) Always a good thing to check lumps and bumps with your vet and discuss management of diet etc. Rose T.
RE: Lola gets a sib
Hi, Is that workday 10-5 include travel time to and from home or does the time from home increase by another couple of hours? I have a lot of my dogs raised in working homes and while they were puppies and young adolescents I have recommended that the owners make provision for the dogs preferable restricting their puppies to a larger area with a washable floor rather than a crate. Crates have their purpose and I'm not looking to get into a debate on the whys and wherefores of crate training but with baby puppies an owner should keep a journal and add up the number of hours they actually keep a puppy crated. It can be mind-numbing! Yes puppies sleep a lot but they also get very upset if forced to be dirty in their sleeping zone and mental frustration will occur and physical development will be inhibited. It is very important for a baby puppy to develop strong muscles and this is done by providing the puppy with a larger area to move around in. Puppies confined excessively will be more prone to joint weaknessess and subject to injury because they are not well toned. Conditioning puppies is done by providing large areas to move in at their free will and not with concentrated exercise jammed into a busy schedule. I recommend my working owners to hire a student or young retiree to spend time with the youngster to meet these needs. Rose T.
RE: Twisted Stomach - Good Outcome
Hi Christine, Thank goodness for your quick action, no doubt that saved her life. This is a major surgery and I presume her stomach is now well-anchored in place. You will have to monitor her carefully over the next few days because some of the effects of torsion can be a little delayed in presenting themselves but your prompt action will no doubt have minimised that. There is a degree of toxicity that can arise in the body because of blood vessels and the spleen being "strangled" and the heart will have been under some strain as well. She has age on her side and with small nutritious easily digested meals and plenty of rest with gentle leash walks around the garden she will soon be up and back to her old self. If you have a busy family just try to keep things quiet for awhile, dogs are very good at hiding their discomfort and will want to be back in the throw of things very quickly, Its a pack mentality not to show weakness and avoid exclusion but this is major surgery and they need time to strengthen up again and get back into condition. Dogs are not like humans who like to make big of their ailments:-) Give her a hug from all of us Rose T.
RE: Looking for Paradise Mtn puppies...
Hi Kelley, If you could share the age of your dogs and the parents you might find there are some half brothers and sisters and cousins on the list and that might help you build a family background and help identify health issues that those lines might be pre-disposed too. Contact your breeder and see if they will put you in contact with the other owners, they may be reluctant because of guarding others' privacy but if you give your email address or stamped envelopes including self addressed stamped envelopes for return correspondence with a brief note asking to make contact I would see no reason why a breeder would not forward these onto the others and then it would be up to them whether or not to choose to reply:-) All the best Rose T.
RE: Question
Hi Susan, I had this happen with a bitch who subsequently died of hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. Discomfort in the abdomen can cause strange things with the rear end. I would suggest a full blood work up and urinalysis and possibly ultrasound examination. Rose T.
RE: Red eyes
Hi Mike, If the discharge is yellow then puppy has an infection and should be treated with a topical eye ointment. Your vet can check the corneal surface for abrasion and if clear give you a corticosteroid type ointment that will alleviate the discomfort while helping with the infection. If puppy has loose fitting eyelids check that they are not rolling inwards and irritating the eyeball itself. Seasonal allergies especially high pollen times or pollution can cause eye soreness, if you are in the country with harvesting going on or lots of trees around then it may be pollen. Check the products you use in the home and garden and limit those with added perfumes. These chemically enhanced plug in air freshners or aerosol sprays are not good for sensitive tissue like the inside of the eyelids or lungs etc. Does anyone smoke in the house? Review your environment, have carpets been cleaned lately, local yards sprayed for weeds, new perfumes etc. If your dog's eyes are not improving then it is essential to consult with an opthamologist to determine if there is a physical reason. Any problems with itchy skin, yeasty ears, chewing feet? Review your dog's diet if the opthamologist cannot identify a specific eye condition. All the best and let us know what progresses. Conjunctivitis must be treated. Rose T.
RE: pine gum
Hi Marilyn, Buy a bottle of peanut oil (I use the cheap Loblaws brand) works like a charm:-) Hope you are all keeping well, see you at Carp Dog Show?? Rose T.
RE: Environmental allergies
Hi Jenn, I don't understand why your vet doesn't suspect food as a possible allergen? Rice is a grain and the cookies you feed contain wheat which some dogs cannot tolerate. Some dogs are allergic to specific protein sources. Have his anal glands been checked and emptied if necessary? Also tail chewing and attention to the anus can be an indication of flea allergy, you don't necessarily see the fleas. Have you done a full thyroid panel as deficiencies in thyroid function can also affect the skin. Rose T.
RE: sneezing berner
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RE: Responsible websites... Also, Elbow Dysplasia
Hi Susan, I also wonder at the comment "I don't have time to show" or "it's too political" My thoughts are that when I go to shows its to meet up with collegues and share information and take a good look at what dogs are out there, if the ring is political who cares? Another heads up when cruising websites is those breeders who offer discounts for unregistered puppies to save the buyer the extra expense. Here in Canada it only costs the breeder $31 to provide a registration and to sell unregistered dogs is a whopping big alarm bell that perhaps mom and dad are not breeding quality and more than likely don't know what an xray is! Rose T.
Ears!
Hi Everybody, Here in the Ottawa area we are enduring unbelievable levels of humidity coupled with stifling heat, the dogs do not want to go outside and walking in the forest was limited this past weekend. I'm of an age when air conditioning is paramount to my sanity so I amused myself yesterday afternoon "doing ears". I was surprised at the number of yeasty ears but realised the weather conditions are ideal for yeast infections in those warm dark places and perfect for hot spot manifestation (fortunately none of those) so I thought I'd just remind folk in this region to do a quick ear check and make sure no mushrooms are growing!! If your dogs are swimming in the lake at the cottage make sure you dry them thoroughly and watch out for hot spots under the damp coat. So looking forward to winter:-) Bring on the snow and goodbye mosquitoes! Rose T.
RE: Heel Nipping
Hi Radha, If the dog's body is relaxed and facial expression friendly then the wagging tail and desire for contact is good, the bowing down of the the front end with ears relaxed and tail wagging is an invitation for play. I would interpret Smokey's attempt at heel nipping in this instance as a friendly over familiarity, sounds like he liked this man and wanted more contact. You should have laughed, praised and offered a happy distraction. Dog body language is very powerful and if the body is rigid and the ears and expression alert with the mouth closed only opening to emit gruff noises and the tail waving in short abrupt stiff motions then you have a guardy dog (this will escalate if unchecked) and you need to block the eye contact or change direction or command to settle (latter only works if you are a true leader) If you know your dog is unhappy in certain situations then it is best to avoid them where possible or pick up the attention focus on yourself and do some about turns and changes of pace and keep things positive. If you are cautious about someone's approach either on their own or with another dog it is perfectly okay to call out and warn them. If you are not comfortable with a stranger your dog will pick that up immediately and if confident will move to protect you or if lacking in confidence will want to bolt. Just remember that while eye contact and big toothy smiles are human social they are not so to a dog and strangers looking like this can be misinterpreted as threatening, couple that with the stranger leaning over to pet the dog and the dog has got some very strong signals of dog-interpreted aggression and will likely react according to his strength of character. Socialisation continues to be important throughout a dog's life and they learn to accept our weird behaviour:-) Young dogs will go through stages where they are not quite sure what their job is so it is important you continue with your obedience classes so he learns that you make the decisions in his life and he doesn't need too. He will gain confidence as he ages just take things nice and steady:-) Play-bowing is good, find Smokey some dog friends and a safe place to interact and you'll see this familiarity and invitation to play happen more often the next few times they meet. Sounds to me like he liked this man. Rose
RE: Cats and Dogs
Hi Mike, Cats will urinate outside their boxes for a number of reasons, are they sharing one box? Are you scrubbing out the box on a regular basis? Are the cats elderly? Is the box readily accessible to them without a peanut gallery ready to nose them and clean out the tray (ie Gertie) You might want to have the kitties checked out by the vet for urinary tract problems, if they are related it's possible they may both be susceptible to stones and if cats are in discomfort they will urinate outside their box. One may have a problem and the other doesn't like the smell in her tray? I would check kitties out with the vet and review the location of the boxes and whether or not they have easy access to toilet without the hot breath of a Berner checking them out:-) Then there is the psychological side of things, are they getting enough attention now that this big tri-coloured oaf is in the house?:-) Oh and some kitties don't like those covered boxes or the sides might be too high, when I had kitties they had a box each and when one started favouring the other despite my cleaning attempts I threw it out and bought her a new one. Then she was happy again. Be mindful what you are cleaning them with as well, cats have sensitive noses and also if you have those stinky plug in air fresheners nearby they might not like those. All the best:-) Rose -Original Message- From: Sportster [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: August 8, 2003 4:04 PM To: Berner L Subject: Cats and Dogs I have a question that's not directly related to our 11 month old Berner, Gertie...at least I hope it's not. Specifically, the question concerns our two cats. Prior to bringing Gertie into our home, the two cats were well trained with the litter pans. About 3 weeks ago, we started noticing small wet spots on the floor. Then, this morning we caught them in the act...BOTH cats urinating right there on the rug. Obviously, we have a problem here. We've tried changing litter over the past few weeks, yet the problem seems to persist. Does anyone have any experience with this behavior ? What is causing it, or how can it be eliminated? Mike and Gertie (it's not me, Dad !! I'm trained and besides...I'd fill the entire corner of the room)
RE: Old Berner List change
Dear Doug, I would like to thank you for your excellent work in this area and for helping so many older Berners find loving homes. I wish you all the best for the present and the future:-) Rose T.
RE: Antibiotics?
Hi, Follow your vet's advice and give the full course of Keflex, if the wound opened up and was stapled it may still take time to heal unless the surgical edges were debrided. Keep the area clean and dry. You might like to give Samson some lactobacillus acidophilus capsules while he is on the antibiotics as some dogs may get an imbalance in the bowel flora and experience loose stools. I give these capsules anytime my dogs experience stress or antibiotic therapy and give one open and sprinkled and one closed. Costco sell them at a good price otherwise your pharmacy or local health food store will stock it. Live yoghurt contains beneficial probiotics but often not sufficient so you can add the capsule to a spoonful of live yoghurt as well if you prefer:-) Rose T.
RE: Getting Odors Out of Carpets
Hi Sara, Unfortunately if the accidents have been sloppy then the subfloor may well have absorbed the odour and will keep coming through the carpet. After years of struggling with this problem I yanked all the carpets out and sealed the subfloor with varathane in the living room, nearly died with those fumes so the other floors were painted with latex floor paint, then we installed Pergo. I have carpet in two bedrooms and use Liquid Tide or Liquid Cheer to clean those with my carpet shampooer (heavy duty model) and that works well enough. Rose T.
RE: struvite crystals and stones
Hi Alicia, The prescription diet is supposed to help dissolve the stones so I would stick with the C/D diet for the time being, recheck the urine periodically and when the crystals and stones are gone then change the food and you might want to increase your dog's acidity with adding Cranberry Juice capsules to the diet. I had a dog with evidence of struvite crystals, no stones, and I just had to add the capsules for a few months and treated the infection with antibiotics. Now the lad is back to his regular diet plus 500mgs Vitamin C and was recently checked again and all was normal:-) Rose T.
RE: peeyuw farts!!
Hi Kendra, When my Phoebe was young she could empty the house with her aromatic offerings, when friends came to dinner they'd ask if Phoebe would be in the garden. Fecal floats were done, diet changed but to no avail. Love her as I do I couldn't have her sleeping in my bedroom I was sure to die overnight! I was afraid lest anyone light a cigarette near her! Well I had a couple of skinny dogs and my vet was suspecting whipworm, very hard to find on a float, so we treated the whole household with a three day course of Panacur repeated three weeks later and low and behold to this day Phoebe's unsocial habit of lifting the roof off the house has stopped:-)) Now she sleeps back in the bedroom and is most welcome. Try treating her with Panacur, intestinal parasites can cause gas:-) Follow this up with a few days of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and may your house become a nice unpolluted place to be again:-)) Treat both dogs and pick up in the yard promptly. Rose T.
RE: strange poop
Hi Lisa, Make sure she is having normal bowel movements, depending on how often you feed her she will on average have the same number. If she is loose and straining to go then it's possible you are feeding her too much or her treats are too rich. Stay away from unhealthy treats like cow hooves, pig's ears and processed rawhide they can be hard on the gut and cause irritation. If she hasn't had a proper bowel movement in a while and subsequently ceases to want to eat or starts to vomit then get her into the vets and insist they check her for intestinal blockage. Puppies, especially Berners, are always eating socks, diapers you name it, dirty laundry and oven gloves and kitchen scourers. Rose T. -Original Message- From: MARK & LISA DUVALL [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: August 4, 2003 1:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: strange poop Today my 12 wk. old berner girl went out to do her thing and when she went poop it was like clear jellyfound it very strange and called her vet, they said to moniter her. She seems normal, eating, drinking, playing. Had fecal test 1 wk. ago, all normal. Figured if I wanted a better answer it would be from someone on here. Lisa Duvall & Anja ( Mom your worrying for nothing)
Dana
Hi Dana, While there is concern about VWD in the breed it is not common, there are other clotting disorders and your vet no doubt is running blood clot tests. You must contact your breeder on the telephone and ask if they have had any similar occurences or if the stud has had any kids with this type of problem before. I recently had a bitch injured during intercourse (clitoral hood was torn) and she bled copiously. She was tested for clotting times and was normal but because of the region and stress it was hard to stem the blood flow, she was sedated with certain drugs to lower her heart rate and her vagina temporarily packed and IV fluids set up to maintain venal pressure. She recovered quickly but it was alarming. If your boy is stressed and nervous at the vet's he might benefit from the sedation technique to help modify his circulation. Make sure he is in a 24hour care facility. A friend had a dog poisoned with warfarin and had to use multiple injections of Vitamin K to assist with normal clotting. All the best and let us know how he does. Rose T.
RE: snapping in puppies
Hi Eileen, I'd have to question labelling this puppy as dominant. He may be defensive or hostile, without observing the events leading to this display one cannot define his true character. My interpretation of dominant is a puppy that is very sure of itself and wilful, not one who is quick to snarl and snap these I see as insecure characters either defined by environment or genetics. I'm with the breeder, I'd want this puppy back for re-evaluation and at the least work with these people every step of the way. Children should not be the primary caretakers, they lack experience to interpret behaviour in a complex way. Rose T.
RE: Turbo Bump ?
Hi Mike, Some years ago I refused to sell a very nice lady a Berner puppy because she lived with her mother who had advanced osteoporosis, my fear was that clumsy is as clumsy does and mom would be broken into a million pieces! I have a friend who is very meticulous and her husband scoops up each of their little dogs and wipes their feet before they come in, spying my dirty floors she suggested I do the same for my Berners. I've never quite mastered the art of stopping half a dozen Berners barrelling through the doorway to wipe their feet:-) Last one's a sissy and doesn't get to sit on the settee! If you look around at dog shows you'll notice the more mature of us wearing knee and ankle supports, goes with the territory of raising large dogs:-) Hmmm those Cavaliers are looking pretty cute and I could hobble slowly around the ring with those, they even come in Berner colours! Rose T.
RE: New Update on Eddie & Hannah
Hi Sherry, Do discuss with your oncologist about supplements and immune boosters. Some cancer types thrive on the extras! Prednisone is a drug oftened used to slow down and shrink cancers, mast cell included, and this is a drug that moderates the immune system because again the cellular growth we know as cancers are often triggered by the immune's system overzealousness and some of the immune mediated conditions that trouble our Berners are from over activity not deficiency. All the best to you Rose T.
RE: grooming question
Hi Natalie, A bath this time of year will loosen the undercoat and cause matts in the fur. With the accompanying dampness this sets up the right environment for hot spots. Before bathing the dog should be combed out thoroughly and even then matting can occur. Always best to blow dry and use a slicker brush while doing so to help blow out the dead coat. Now you have a lot of work to get those clumps out so use a slicker and keep surface brushing and then work down in the layers, do not drag a comb through as the dog will resent it quickly. You can buy a matt comb to help or just use the end of the comb to gently pick at the clumps starting at the outside and working in. One of the best investments a Berner owner can make is to buy a Commodore Blow Dryer, they vary in type and price and can be used without bathing the dog to facilitate layer brushing and getting the dead hair out as well and a good tool to have to dry them. Also you can buy coat dressing which you spritz on and that may help with the stubborn bits. My afternoon is prepping two hairy bears for their summer bath so I'll be thinking of you while I stand with my wind machine running:-)) Rose T. -Original Message- From: Natalie Waters Seum [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: August 2, 2003 9:33 PM To: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List Subject: grooming question Greetings - I'm hoping someone can help me out with this. We gave George a bath today at a grooming facility and decided to let him dry naturally... the room was a bit warm. Seven hours later he is close to dry, but I've just discovered terrible mats across his back and on both shoulders. Could this be because we didn't blow dry him? He's never had mats in that area - only a bit behind his ears. I worked on him with a comb for about a half hour - until he was obviously uncomfortable. I'll resume trying to get them out tomorrow - any advice? Many thanks, Natalie and George (Mom, I've had enough already... a brushing, bath and combing all in the same day... ph-lease.)
RE: post neuting anxiety
Hi Kathleen, Some boys are wimpy after neutering and maybe experience some soreness. While providing him with TLC don't baby him too much, let him rest in quiet and take him for a little leash walk in the garden a few times so he doesn't stiffen up. He may or may not swell a little and if needs be he might appreciate the support a pair of boy's Y-Fronts, just turn them backwards so his tail comes out the Y, this will also help protect his incision. If you notice his incision looking red and angry looking then check in with your vet in case of infection, monitor his temperature (normal is 38.5C) and it may be slightly elevated due to discomfort if it goes too high then again check in with your vet. Do not give him any ASA compound as that encourages bleeding but you might get an alternative painkiller from your vet. Allow him a couple of days to get over the anaesthesia and stress of surgery and keep him leashed for at least ten days and then no rough housing for a while. Rose T.
Propaganda
Hi, Like it or not prong collars are going to be used by some people for one reason or another and I strongly doubt it's a deliberate attempt to cause pain to the dog. Any tool, even buckle collars, can be abusive if used incorrectly. I myself train my dogs very much in the pyschological way and actually train my dogs to heel without attaching any collar and leash just using food. When in situations where safety is an issue then we have a leash in use with a martingale collar which is very kind to the dog. Laws are very strong about people safety with respect to dogs and it is imperative that they are under control, not everyone is able to get to dog school because of distances and availability so they rely on lists such as these to help them. Recognising that prong collars are going to be used it is far better that people like myself try to guide owners as to the correct use of them and to avoid misuse. If criticised as propagandists then people like myself will cease to advise and in ignorance more dogs are likely to have a painful experience. Those who have used these collars correctly have reported happy dogs that very quickly can be moved back to the buckle collar. I have had the benefit of training with dog behaviourists and am fascinated by the psychology of the dog and while I agree that Berners are sensitive intelligent dogs they can also be stubborn and single minded and if owners are overly indulgent some characters will take advantage and become difficult dogs that might otherwise end up in rescue situations. There is a good standard of obedience acheived by many Bernese owners this side of the Atlantic as well and those people who have acheived great success with their dogs have applied kind and motivational methods, many of whom use their knowledge and understanding of the breed to help others and rehabilitate dogs that might otherwise have been euthanised. Rose T.
RE: Prong collar - a success + a question!
Hi Julene, If you have the large prong collar then there should be no problem with "ring around the collar" hair loss. The collar is only worn for walks and training and not general use. The reason the leash is fastened to the right side of the neck is because we heel with the dog on our left and if the collar is put into use there is a direct pull rather than a torque effect if fastened under the chin. Given that the collar is fitted snug then there should be no chafing to cause hairloss. Rose
Melissa and Corn on the Cob
Hi Melissa, Many a dog has had gut surgery to remove parts of corn cobs. Not a good treat for a dog with powerful jaws! The fibrous cob is totally indigestible and if ingested can cause serious blockage in the intestine. There is a lot of cellulose in the kernals and the dog cannot properly digest those, if you want to feed veggies for a chew treat give him a piece of broccoli or carrot stick. Generally for a dog to obtain full food value it is best to grind up the veggies. Even if your dogs are nibblers and you are supervising them and removing the cobs as soon as they are finished others should be mindful that most Berners will crunch and swallow chunks. Be careful Rose T.
RE: New parent
Hi Andie, Her vet is out of touch with current kibble information. Most large breed puppy formulas have the same protein level as adult formulas but the fat level is lower. Specially adjusted for development is the mineral and vitamin factor. Nonetheless she should follow her breeder's recommendation and discuss with her any changes she might want to make. Many breeders' contracts require neutering at six months and the confusion over the two year comment in the contract may be with regards to xraying at which time the breeder may give the option of neutering then. Perhaps the new owner is not quoting her contract well from memory. Rose
RE: Prong collar and "hoover vaccum" syndrome.
Hi Kristin, Obviously Yukon is going to be a tracking dog:-) Who knows he may excel at Search and Rescue:-) Seriously if you need to get his nose off the floor the best thing to do is lots of change of direction and change of pace, that way he'll think you have no idea of where you're going so he'd better keep an eye on you:-) Another little trick is pan fry some steak in garlic and feed him a little and pop the rest in your cheeks like a hamster and dole a piece when he gives you eye contact, I'm always complimented on my dog's attention and its because the treats are dispensed from my mouth. Train when he's hungry and when he's on leash its schooltime and not a sloppy walk piddling up trees and rooting in the vegetation, he can do that off leash at playtime in the park. Rose
RE: when will I stop growing
Hi Patricia, Nah, we're not disagreeing:-) Bones are finished and now like a good red wine best left to mature a bit:-)) Rose
RE: harnesses, Haltis, prong collars
Hi Sue, Yes there is a correct way to put on the prong collar. Petsmart now sell a new version with a link chain that is easier to put on than the original style which requires you to unhook a link and then fasten that into place once around the dog's neck. You should use the bigger heavier version of the prong collar rather than the smaller gauge one because it is not so prickly and won't have as many prongs. Buy a good quality steel one, usually German made, because the prongs will be properly rounded. It fits with the prongs on the inside against the dog's neck and should fit fairly snug, it should not be sloppy and slide down the neck. When first trying one on your dog remember to keep a loose leash not too long, one of the biggest causes of dogs pulling is simply learned because the owner is hanging onto the leash, go through some simple heeling exercises and use food as a motivator to keep him in position and don't forget to use your voice to keep your dog's attention. Most dogs feel the collar one time and then respect it, it doesn't have to be a big impact, we are not looking to cause misery for the dog.Do not use a flexi-leash with a prong collar, personally I do not like flexi-leashes because they keep a pressure on the collar whatever type it is and the dog learns to pull. Rose T. (all leashes and collar types can be abusive, make sure you find a trainer who uses motivational methods and is familiar with the equipment you decide to use)
RE: when will I stop growing
Hi Mandie, Berners usually make their full height by 10 to 11 months and then start to grow sideways:-) Their head will finish broadening by two years of age by which time the chest will be developed. I have seen legbone build in width as late as three years. Patience is a virtue:-)) Rose -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: July 29, 2003 10:06 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: when will I stop growing Silly question but i have heard/read so much conflicting info on " when will my berner stop growing" Physically that is. 12mos -18mos? thanks for your help! Mandie and fast growing Liberty
RE: OFA/PennHIP
Hi Janice, Would you share with me, privately if you choose:-), your girl's actual PennHip score for each hip. Rose -Original Message- From: Janice Parky [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: July 29, 2003 9:39 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: OFA/PennHIP > I do not like PennHip for determining orthopedics for the same reaons > Dawn stated - it doesn't help with the issue of elbows. This breeding discussion is very interesting to non-breeders like me. I have also found previous discussions about OFA vs PennHIP interesting. I just had my 2 year old BARC girl evaluated by both OFA and PennHIP. It was not required by BARC, but I wanted the information for myself. Halley has OFA "fair" hips. 1 xray view. Her PennHIP scores were in the 10th percentile as compared to Bernese Mountain Dogs. 3 xray views. This means that 90% of Berners have better hips than she has. PennHIP also tells me she has no evidence of DJD. So, as a "novice" what do I think? That PennHIP has given me more information about my dogs hips. Would a breeder breed a dog with OFA "fair" hips? Perhaps, given the other factors that weigh in. Would a breeder breed a dog with hips that are in the 10th percentile for BMD's? I think that in a breed with the incidence of HD that Berner's have, that the 10th percentile is pretty risky. I feel her PennHip ratings are more accurate and give me more information. If elbow xrays are necessary as well, so be it. It is the cost of owning a Berner. My Halley-Storm does agility training, runs like the wind and leaps like a kangaroo. I am happy to spend money on gaining knowlege on my dogs. BARC pet dog, whatever. I like to know what I am dealing with and what my dog may need now to help her in the future. Janice Parky Halley and Wrigley Cape Cod, MA
RE: Timing on second breedings
Hi Kathie, In countries with strict regulations on litters the time is designated from the birth of the second litter not the first. On the rare occasion I have done a back to back breeding my bitches have had at least a year off from the second litter and have missed one maybe two heat cycles. Rose T. -Original Message- From: Kathleen A. Meier [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: July 29, 2003 8:29 PM To: 'Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List' Subject: Timing on second breedings In doing back to back breedings what is the minimum time interval you would wait before breeding again - from the birth date of the 1st litter? Kathie Meier Greenbrae CA
RE: distressed over Berner pup
Hi Susan, You'd have a hard time flushing a bunny!! I do the same as you, I won't buy anything no matter how alluring from a store that deals in canines and felines. Not too comfortable about birds either because having lived in South America became only too aware of the black market in birds being smuggled out, monkeys too! Rose
Dawn's post on PennHip
Hi Dawn, I have used PennHip for years now and never had a dog injured by the procedure. If a dog is loose in the hips then when he is coming round from the anaesthesia he may demonstate some instability, if the vet has felt undue laxity the dog should be restrained until fully awake and aware of their surroundings. I've heard of breeders stating that the procedure caused their dogs to be dysplastic but wonder if this is a failure to acknowledge the problem for what it is. Providing the dog is put under to a surgical plane and the practioner is not allowing techs to do the procedure there should be no risk. If you suspect you have had dogs physically injured then please report the practitioner to PennHip and they will be subject to re-examination and if necessary have their license withdrawn. The only time I had a bitch exibit discomfort after PennHip was because the effects of coming round prevented her from making her usual compensation for her advanced DJD and laxity. Incidentally this bitch was five years old who previously had top notch clearances with standard xrays and it was only because I wanted to do a couple of mature adults before starting with younger dogs that I discovered her deterioration. I have often xrayed (standard) my older dog's hips just as a matter of interest and just as a comparison this bitch's brother was done at the same time and he was in the .3s and yet was only an OFA Fair as a two year old. His hips were nice and clean and we re-checked when he was nine years old and they were still good with minimal aging changes. Not so for the A1 sister! I agree with your concerns about doing puppies and I used to do my PennHip at the same time as GDC now it's eighteen months or two years depending which registry I'm using for the standards. Please report to the University, your concerns for injury because it may be that the practioner you used was not following correct protocol nor correct sedation techniques. Rose T.
Breed Selection
Hi, I work on the premise of "combination", as both a breeder and stud dog owner I refrain from parking all the problems on one or the other. Many conditions present themselves in a recessive manner ie PRA so if puppies exibit this then both parents are at the least carriers. With hip and elbow dysplasia and malignant histiocytosis and mast cell being polygenic it is much harder to evaluate where the problems come from. Obviously xraying has helped us to eliminate using affected parents with dysplasia but those parents may still carry the fault and some dogs will contribute to the fault more so than the dog they are partnered with. This is where family history becomes important. Many health conditions particularly the inherited cancers may not make themselves known until the affected is very senior, perhaps with many descendants on the ground so nothing was able to be determined within two years of their birth but the knowledge gleaned by the responsible breeder is to evaluate the reason of the demise of the ancestors and calculate the risk factor doubling up on it when making later breedings. If, for example, I were to consider using a dog who has grandparents or a straight line of for example three dogs who all succumbed to the same disease process then I'd better make sure the incidence of that same condition is not prevalent in my own dogs. I often think dog breeding is as challenging as walking through a mine field! But no, I wouldn't throw a bitch out for one disastrous litter unless I knew the exibited problems had occured before with her parents or grandparents or great-grandparents. Rose T.
RE: Harnesses & Haltis?
Hi Wendy, I am going to work out a training program for you knowing you are such a fitness buff:-) Work out with weights and do a few deep knee bends, learn to adopt a ski position so that you can remain on your feet or you are going to provide hours of entertainment for the Canadians at Bruce's Pit in the coming winter:-)) But here's a simple solution and one that has worked for us, buy a leash coupling and two flat collars and tether that junior pointy pest to Boris:-) She'll not succeed in getting him out of second gear, though she might get pee'd on:-) You can enrol at my training school and once you have mastered the art of walking Rudi, Ursula and Maggie at the same time those light-weight Tervs will be a breeze:-) Rose T.
RE: free Abady food
Hi Jane, Most feed companies have a return policy but if you have no takers for your Abady food then why not donate it to your local animal shelter:-) Rose T.
RE: Harnesses & Haltis?
Hi Liz, You may not like my suggestion but try prong collars on the two loonies:-) Walk them individually when first using them and keep the leash loose, if they bounce off the leash they are going to correct themselves and the one time I needed absolute control my boy felt the collar once and never ever again. They looked like a lot of hardware but its rather like the curb bit on the horse rather than pull on a snaffle bit all the time it acutually is better for their necks than a choke chain. I doubt the Harness would work with a group of dogs, after all these are draft dogs and pulling on harness is natural:-) Halti's or Promise Collars may work but most of my dogs loathe them and despite my patience have thrown hissy fits with them, also if they forget themselves and launch after the demon car they could cause serious neck injury as their head would be jerked around in a twist. Your safety and paramount control comes first:-) Rose T.
RE: more on bitches
Hi, And another excellent point -- wouldn't it make sense to assess what a bitch is producing before breeding again? Mary-Ann Bowman Hi, If an experienced breeder is working with a bitch from a good family background with which she is familiar with then I see no problem in breeding a second time, perhaps back to back, but I would most likely choose a different stud. A bitch cannot be judged by one litter alone and one should always consider the "combination" may not have worked. If bred to two different males and the same problems appear then one looks to the bitch and then question her contribution. Simplistic approach:-( Rose T.
Donna and her freckles!
Hi Donna, I'm famous for my freckles:-) It hasn't stopped me finishing championships on my dogs and those that folk have bought from me. My Oska (Ch.Tertzo's Jester) has freckles, stamps them on his kids and along with that we've had a nice record of sound hips and elbows from him. In the grand scheme of things a few freckles are nothing! I would certainly hope you don't discard her for what is a minor cosmetic "fault". Rose T.
RE: about "the question"
Hi Mary-Ann, I concur with what Libby had to say, if the bitch is in good health and maternal duties come easy to her then six litters would not be excessive. For myself I have yet to breed more than three litters from any one bitch that I have owned, two bitches were bred for a fourth time but in both instances they were empty. I don't breed my bitches before the age of two and some have been into their fourth year before a first breeding. Some decisions are governed by whether or not the economics are justified and if that sounds cash driven I would point out that I see no point in re-breeding a bitch who lacks sufficient fertility to justify the expense of a stud fee coupled with elective C-Section. I have had good producing bitches who may have had to be sectioned and there is a limit as to how often I will do that. I don't know that repetitive pregnancies are any more a health hazard for some bitches than a single pregnancy might be for another. Rose T.
RE: Berners for Pat
Hi Pat, When can I send you the Gang of Twelve, you want dawn chorus we can provide it:-) The cacophony will impress your tender ears and heighten your sense of appreciation for the musical talents of this great breed:-) We do an amazing rendition of "Where is my Breakfast?", "Hydro-man Hydro-man" and our special interpretation of "Daddy's Home" will certainly kickstart your heart, then let us not forget the boys' lustful rendition of "My Heart is Broken" and the staccato "Bog Off!" solo forcefully delivered by Olive. Truly a choir of standing. Tickets for sale next week:-) Rose T.
RE: fat berners
Hi Bean Feeders, Now is the time of year to get your green beans, jump on a plane and come visit Garden Tierney, with all our rain the bush beans are running overtime:-) If you are feeding canned green beans be sure to rinse them well first, there may be salt in the juice. Rose ps another tip for poop eaters, a little grated zucchini in the dinner is supposed to make them taste nasty!!
RE: Food for keeping weight in check...
Hi Anne, Just as Large Breed Puppy food is adjusted in its vitamin and mineral content to aide correct growth so the Senior products are specifically balanced with the aging pet in mind. Senior is not the same as Light Formula, the latter being a diet food with the same mineral and vitamin levels as Regular Maintenance. If you choose to feed an all-stage food then seek one out that is advertised as such though most large companies now have life-stage formulas. I would suggest if your dogs are in need of losing a little weight then decrease their ration by half a cup a day and increase their activity level. Rose T.
RE: Sick puppy...
Hi Brianna, My first thought with such a young puppy would be infection which has caused the nearest lymph node to become swollen. You're right I wouldn't have vaccinated puppy until this issue was resolved but the swelling appears to be resolving with the antibiotics and he sounds like he is recovering okay. I don't give Lyme but then I don't live in a high risk area but even so I would not vaccinate for that before six months of age. My preference is not to vaccinate whenever there is a health issue apparent and not all vaccines need to be given at the same time. Before thinking cancer think of infection first. Wenever the body is reacting to bacteria the lymphactic system gets to work overtime and glands can appear swollen and tender. If glands do not subside and have a woody feel to them then they need to be biopsied. Rose T.
RE: another Burmese story
Hi, Maybe the poor dog had cataracts! Sometimes folk see something twice and think it's the norm. Rose
RE: Information please!
Hi Claire, The Anconeal Process is located in the elbow and there is a condition Ununited Anconeal Process. Not often seen in Berners its where the extended piece of bone to the ulna fails to fuse to the ulna and causes tremendous instability in the elbow. We call it the funny bone though anything but funny if we strike it in the wrong place. Panosteitis is inflammation in the bones aka growing pains, usually seen in the long bones of the leg but can be exibited in the bones in the carpus. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be necessary to assist the dog in not overcompensating and stressing other joint groups however the owner must still be conscious that the problem still exists and rest the dog and keep him leashed for short exercise periods. Panosteitis is self limiting but can take a long time to resolve, it severe cases the dog will be disabled and muscle tone lost hence the necessity to alleviate the inflammation. Rimadyl and Metacam are often used for this. If in fact the dog has UAP I would recommend xraying the hips and other joint groups, failure for growth plates to close may be evident in other areas. I would recommend seeking the advice of a board certified orthopedic specialist and should surgery be advised to stabilise the elbow you need a specialist with experience to do this delicate procedure. Rose T.
RE: the heat
Hi, There are numerous factors that can lead to heatstroke. If a dog continually pants under circumstances where another of the same breed does not then one has to assess health, physical condition, is the palate or muzzle overly short, is the coat excessively heavy, is there a worm burden heart or intestinal or subclinical infection, is the dog an excitable type, is the dog living with a degree of pain ie DJD. Is the thyroid normal, and bottom line may be the dog is simply heat intolerant. Young and old dogs are particularly at risk and common sense must be used. If you are comfortable in your T-Shirt and Shorts chances are your dog is not too comfortable in his fur coat. If you keep your house as cold as a refrigerator then take your dog outside he will feel the sudden heat and he cannot break into a sweat like other animals because he can only pant or sweat through his pads. On hot days you don't see animals choosing exercise they are passing the time in shady knolls or grazing peacefully or in their earth dens, only when the sun is down will they venture out so as nice as it is to stroll in the woods choose the pre-dawn and late evening times to take your dog. Keep walks short and choose other activities for your dog, always a good time to practice long downs for obedience:-) Only the other day I curbed my husband's enthusiasm for a midday stroll in the forest with three of my dogs. It was over 30C, what was he thinking?? If I hadn't been home I too might have had an emergency situation. His logic was it was cool in the forest, for him maybe but those dogs are tired when he brings them home in January! Oh and for those of you near the lakes remember wet Berners plus sun equals hotspot. Big oozy hotspots!! Towel dry them thoroughly and blow dry with cool setting when possible. Lake dwellers need to buy an Air Commodore:-) Rose T.
RE: Malabsorption problem
Hi Tami, I would suggest you have the albumen levels checked again and if they are low again then you might want to investigate the possibility of eosiniphilic (sp) gastroenteritis (given your comment about diarrhea occurences), this is an immune mediated condition whereby the lining of the intestine is deteriorating and not able to absorb the nutrient levels to sustain normal blood values. If the albumen continue to lower the venal system can become severely compromised. This may be a factor in the fluid buildup in her legs as her lymphactic system fails to drain. My old girl Lily had this condition though we had no swelling as you described, we controlled her condition with doses of prednisone and it helped curb the diarrhea. There is no cure for this disease process but it can be controlled for a while with prednisone. I have a mild problem with lymphedema and there is a massage technique where I raise my arm and gently stroke from wrist to shoulder and armpit and across and down my chest. A dog massage therapist would be able to help you with the correct techniques for your dog but encouraging her to rest on her back with her paws raised might help with fluid drainage. Investigate her blood values again and consider an endoscopic biopsy of her gut to confirm her bowel health. All the best:-) Rose T.
RE: Doggy bug spray
Hi Alison, There is a new product in the Deep Woods/Off/Skintastic range of products that doesn't contain DEET, it is expensive but there is promotional discount available with it. Go to Zellers and they have an End-Cap display with all the products SC Johnson supply. Its in a green box and has a leafy design on it. You can safely use the Skintastic range of products and what I've done in the past is spray a little into the palm of my hand and then dipped a finger in and wipe a little on the brow of the dog. Just be mindful not to close to the eyes. If you use a DEET product use the low percentage sprays more suited for children. Rose T.
RE: Lurker learning but now needs to ask question - Long
Hi Lynn, I'm going to assume you went to see your regular veterinarian who may not be a board certified orthopedic specialist? I would urge you to seek the opinion of such to put your mind at rest. I had one of my puppies come up lame and the regular vet filled the owner's head with a variety of possibilities and I immediately got them an appointment with our local bone guru and I went with them to the consultation. He reviewed their xrays, booked him in for some new xrays to compare and completely ruled out the speculative diagnosis of the regular vet, our puppy's joints were all good but he was experiencing bone pain which will be self-limiting. I'm not saying that regular vets are always wrong but each to their own field of expertise. Go see a board-certified orthopedic specialist:-) Talk to your breeder and ask if there is a history of panosteitis or bone pain in her lines and if any other littermates have reported problems. With my puppy there was a family history behind the stud dog I'd used but the effect was short-term with no further problems. All the best Rose T.
RE: licking
Hi Andie, How old is Steamboat? Puppies and young dogs will lick the faces of the dominant bitch in the house as a mark of respect:-) They don't do this with the males. I have a "humble harry" bitch who is always trying to give me big sloppy kisses and she pulls a soft goofy face when doing this and wiggles her body. Rose T.
RE: Puppy games and socialization
H Arie, I would discontinue playing the chase game:-) Right now he is little and very soon he will be about 100lbs and in between there is a "hooligan" stage and you might just find yourself with some bruises! Also it encourages him to chase humans, not a good idea if he were loose in the park and kiddies were running nearby. A better alternative is for you and your wife to stand a short distance apart and call him to you and give a treat when he sits nicely in front or beside you. Just do this a few times as Berners bore easily with repetitive games. You can buy a dispensing treat ball and serve lunch in that and let him bat it about and use his nose to find the treats. There are constructive games to play with puppy and you should think through your activities and ask yourself if he becomes overly excited or aggressive when you play with him whether the resultant behaviour is going to be so appealing when he is full grown. Find a Puppy Kindergarten group with motivational training and continue with Basic Obedience. Have fun but close your eyes and think 100lbs of Big Bear:-)) Rose T.
RE: Looking for help
Hi Sandra, I'm inclined to think your puppy is eating too much:-) He is a little bit heavy for his age and it is important to not overdo it. It is important to keep his diet simple and not feed unhealthy treats (no rawhides, chewie hooves etc) Grapes are not good for dogs and shouldn't be fed either fresh or as raisins. Puppies can eat themselves sick and still keep eating so feed twice a day about two cups per meal and use a Large Breed Formula with a marginally lower percentage of fat than adult formulas. You can give Lactobacillus Acidophilus which you buy at the Pharmacy or Health Food store and give two capsules, one open and one closed, with each meal until his bowel movements firm up. If you are supplementing with Vitamin C you need to limit his intake to 500mgs a day and may need to find a natural source rather than artificial. Rest his stomach for 18hours and feed boiled lean hamburger (cool overnight in the fridge and discard the cap of fat on the top) mixed with equal amounts of overcooked cheap starchy rice (NOT Uncle Ben's or other converted types), small helpings four times a day and reduce the number of times while increasing the portion size. When his BMs are looking better very slowly introduce his kibble. Some people have found Innova to be too rich so you may have to find another brand, if the diarrhea is persistant I would recommend you worm him anyway. Many times fecal tests are not positive for whip worm and if he were to have roundworm they shed eggs in cycles. Puppies should be wormed regularly until six months and then checked regularly thereafter. A three day course of Panacur repeated three days later has worked well for a few of my dogs troubled with loose BMs. Even though many people think their puppy is still hungry and needs more food it should be limited otherwise rapid weight gain and accelerated growth can exacerbate joint problems and worsen pre existing conditions and in cases of obesity may cause problems. Rose T.
RE: Lepto Vaccination
Hi Susan, Can you guide me to the research site on this issue. I'm having a hard time convincing myself that vaccinosis causes ACL injuries! et al Personally I never vaccinated baby puppies with Lepto and as our risk factor is low I choose to avoid this one for my dogs. I understood it was the carrying agent that caused the reaction not the vaccine itself and the new vaccine is better and longer lasting. New owners of puppies should discuss with their vet about splitting the vaccines and avoiding those not really needed or at least waiting until puppy is older. They do not have to be pincushions and have all their shots at once. Rose T.
RE: Debating about Lepto Vax - long
Hi Jill, In our area two years ago there were fourteen incidences of lepto and the one thing in common with these dogs were two frequently used off leash parks in the Ottawa area, Conroy Pit and Bruce Pit. I do not use either of these facilities but a retired brood bitch of mine was frequenting Conroy Pit with her caretaker and we elected to vaccinate her. I split her vaccines because she had her spleen removed following torsion some years ago. She had no side effects at all. My other dogs are not vaccinated for lepto (never used the old one either) and when they are walked off property they are always on leash. We have incidence of raccoon rabies in our area and coupled with risks of giardia if they were to drink brackish water we elect to keep our dogs leashed. Fortunately I have a very large fenced area at home for their free exercise. In recent times there has not been an incident of lepto in my area but I would reassess the risk accordingly if there were more outbreaks. I also do not leave water buckets out overnight when the dogs are in the house. If one is close to barns etc where rats and mice frequent again I would assess the risk factor. I give combo shots now every three years and bordetella annually and rabies every three years at a time different from the combo. Puppies have their course and booster at one year then go on the three year regimen. My older dogs I try to calculate for their last three years and I never knowingly vaccinate a dog that is unwell or showing stress symptoms. Older dogs are subjected to a full blood panel and urinalysis commencing age five years and thereafter annually. Those values help me determine my vaccination protocols. When I have vaccinations done the dogs are rested and not overexercised for a couple of days following. Just part of my attempts to minimise stress overall in their lives:-)) Rose T.
RE: dog with a mission
Hi Emma, Mature roundworms are easy to see if they are shed in the faeces but tapeworm can be difficult to spot. You might see tape segments that look like a grains of rice at the anus on in the fur near the anus other than that there is no long piece of "spagetti"! Advanced tape infestation can make a dog's coat very dull, ravenous appetite and a general look of unthriftiness with a potty belly (which can have other causes). When I had cats and a flea problem many moons ago I routinely gave my dogs Droncit in the fall, now I don't because touch wood the dogs haven't had fleas for a long time. Tape is not easily spotted on a fecal float, it's one of the environment assessment choices. When treating for tape you want to make sure you pick up after the dog, then you can have a nasty shock! Rose
RE: lameness
Hi Angela, First off it sounds as though your boy has a very active lifestyle and he is still young and his bones are not fully hardened off yet. As he is such a large boy I would be inclined to take the jumping and agility stuff out of his exercise regime. You can try tracking and scent discrimination which will work his mind but not be so taxing on his body. With the carting just have him used to wearing his harness and pulling a laundry detergent bottle that is moderately weighted, keep his manouveres in all exercises in straight line and very wide circles. Do not ask him to make sharp turns in any of his controlled work exercises whatever the discipline. Keep his exercise periods short and let him have free time in the yard to move in his own way rather that too much pavement walking or running. Were his earlier xrays evaluated by an orthopedic specialist and was he actually examined by such? Bone pain and/or panosteitis usually commences during the rapid growth phase when the long bones are growing in length but can still affect the dog well into the second year. Usually there is a family tendency towards this but the good news is it is usually self limiting but it is important to use some form of anti-inflammatory to reduce pain and stop the dog using himself in an unbalanced way and thus developing incorrect musculature and strain on other joints. While these drugs help the owner must appreciate the problem is still in existance and not tax the dog unduly while this phase works itself through. It also has to be considered that while xrays do not always reveal early damage in elbows there may well be a problem in existance on a surface not easily seen on the xray, usually in time osteophytes will be seen and the joint will thicken with arthritic changes. While you may want to wait until you can officially OFA your dog it is important to make him comfortable so my advice is to seek the opinion of a board certified orthopedic specialist. All the best Rose T.
RE: What's Next???
Ha Maria, What kind of dudley studley do you have, my Pluto at ten weeks old was quite capable of seducing his Costco princess and was often to be found "humping" her with great enthusiasm, with his front paws locked around her neck he couldn't quite reach her ample butt however the desire was there:-) I'm pleased to say that his practice time has paid dividends as he now is a most accomplished Studly Dog:-))) Rose T.
RE: dog with a mission
Hi Emma, All you can do is keep working on your recall commands and "spit it" which is a term I use to get my dogs to leave their nylabones in the house when they try to take them outside where the lawnmower chomps them up! Mice are likely to have fleas hence a risk of tapeworm, birds are notorious for lice so no you don't want her getting into those either. Chasing hens will get her into huge trouble and I'd keep her on leash in the forest in case she spots a deer. A couple of my dogs have bagged themselves birds in the past, the best one was Zulu bringing home a partridge, she has a soft mouth and could work in the field:-) The other incident was a young crow and at that time we weren't overly aware of West Nile, now I'd have sent it for analysis because I suspect it was low flying if not actually dead in the yard when three of my youngsters decided to play "fly birdie fly" with it! Two of them had it by the wings and ran in tandem with the third nipping at the tail feathers. Poor thing was a bit "tatty" when I retreived it. I had two bushes by my front door that birds used to nest in and then the parents would get hysterical everytime we moved so when the babies flew I chopped down the bushes and now they nest in a big spruce far out of reach. My dogs are particularly animated by the cheeky chipmunks and they don't stand a hope in hell of catching them but it provides some entertainment and gets them exercising as the little creatures zoom along the top of the chain link. Rose T.
RE: GROWING PAINS ???
Hi Robert, Your puppy is very small for his age and if I do the math right you purchased him at six and half weeks?? Most breeders sell their puppies between seven and eight weeks and if puppies are under-developed most breeders would grow them on a bit and check for reasons for delay. Most eight week old puppies weigh between 17 and 22lbs. When I got a puppy from a New York state breeder I had to wait until she was eight weeks old. Some states are strict about what age a puppy can be sold. I would most certainly take your puppy to your vet for a full physical examination. You may also seek consultation with an orthopedic specialist. He is still young and his hip joints not fully formed severe dysplasia will cause pain and discomfort when moving. Refrain from pressing on your puppy's rear to make him sit (if this is what you are doing) and use a food lure to achieve this exercise. When he is laying down does he have difficulty rising, young puppies should not be pulling forward and hauling up their rears they usually get up with energy used in the rear. Bone pain and panosteitis usually appear in the rapid growth phase which is five to nine months and is when the long legs bones are lengthening. I would be most concerned to see pain expressed in such a young puppy. Have you discussed this with your breeder and checked to see if the diet you are feeding is correct. When feeding BARF diet to young growing puppies it is extremely important to have the guidance of experienced breeders who have raised several litters to adulthood on this type of diet. Rose T.
RE: Berners in Stores
Hi Radya, I breed Berners and I would never consider loading up my van and taking a pile of puppies to a store carpark to sell. I start the interview process well before the puppies are born and even if at certain times of the year the phone enquiries slow down I do not panic and sell in haste. I make my buyers "work" for their puppies, if they do not show sustained interest or are unwilling to listen to my advice they don't get one. Any little doubt on my part and they don't get one. PPOs are talked to at length on the phone, invited to meet up with me at dog events and if I'm happy to do so they are invited to my home to meet my dogs and have a nice long chat one on one. I cannot do this if I were to operate out of a store carpark. Dr Ian Dunbar advises breeders to show the adults en masse to potential puppy buyers, let them realise how much dog emerges from those cute fluffy puppies and then educate them about the journey between puppyhood and a well adjusted adult. He also states that when humans are looking at puppies they turn into blabbering fools incapable of absorbing your words of wisdom. It is this very concept that puppy stores rely on to make a quick sale, it's called marketing the product or getting the hook! The puppies at this store's carpark sale are the hook, then the owner is influenced into stepping into the store to buy all the necessary clothing and supplies to start their sporting interests. All this store is requiring from attending breeders is that the puppies are registerable and a seven day health guarantee is given. Proof of parents genetic testings, not all breeders do all the necessary tests and how many PPOs are aware of specific problems reletive to specific breeds to even ask. Instead of selling from the truck we move into an ex-pen, not a whole lot of difference just better presentation of the "goods". Welcome to Parvo land where puppies can test their undeveloped immune systems while humans wander from pen to pen to pet and hold the little treasures! No good breeder would take such young puppies to a multi-dog event. Rose T.
Immodium and puppies
Hi, Have to contradict here:-) Immodium should not be given to a five month old puppy with loose stools. There is a possibility that internal parasites might be the cause and to slow the gut responses allows these parasites extra time to multiply, same with coccidia. Take a fresh sample to your vet for analysis and you might choose to worm your puppy to be on the safe side. I have had negative tests on puppies with loose stools and problematic diarrhea and a course of Panacur at 1/2cc per kilo for three days and then repeated three weeks later has done the trick. Parasites such as whipworm can be very difficult to identify on a fecal float and if roundworms are not shedding eggs in the time frame of testing you will get a false negative there as well. Pregnancy will activate encysted roundworms in the bitch's body and these are transfered to the fetus and via the milk, many breeders are cautious about worming and even if they are wormed on a regular basis while at the breeder's they may still be infected. My vet advises regular worming until six months of age and then regular check after, particularly when there are young crawling children in the family. Another cause for loose stools can be overfeeding, at five months some puppies have calmer bowels if they are fed twice a day. Providing the puppy is being fed an appropriate diet this should be sufficient. Also check the fat content of the diet, some young puppies cannot tolerate too much chicken skin and fat or marrow or dairy fats, some minor adjustments may be necessary if you are feeding BARF. Rose T.
Cabelas
Hi, I think another approach to Cabelas would be to encourage them to sponsor field trial events and demonstrations of hunting dogs' skills, to run information booths about the various types of breeds typically found in field work and to educate the public as to whether or not these breeds are suited to urban life. Invite them to embrace the breeders who will take the time to educate the public without having an ex-pen of puppies on hand. The type of breeders who welcome people to visit their facilities and those that can boast of field trial acheivements, those that operate an interview and suitability system. Far better for the stores to be associated with the creme de la creme of the sporting dog world than a few BYBs selling puppies of questionable heritage. They could gain kudos by sponsoring Sporting Groups at large venues and having a booth with some of their outdoor and country gear. Many dog people have a big need for tough outdoor clothing and it is in these venues that they might reap greater profit than a few $50 vouchers tied to a puppy's purchase. Another aspect to be considered is if a puppy bought in a Cabelas parking lot sanctioned by the store turns into a fear biter could not the store be held liable or is there perhaps some waiver to be signed by the purchaser. Rose T.
RE: Help with pack issues
Hi Deborah, Oh yes you have got a problem:-) Chessies are tough dogs and you and Henley are the visitors, this is not a long term arrangement so you must honour the house rules and fit in as best you can. I would not leave my male dog neutered or otherwise alone in the company of an established pack of three dogs. Either keep him crated or in a separate room when you and another person cannot be there to supervise them. If you leave them to work this out on their own fur will fly and injuries will happen. Just because the boys are neutered does not make them mellow pussycats. Boys raised together can tolerate and fix their pack order but a visiting adolescent male has to be "sorted" and this may not always be very nice! Don't let the dogs spoil your holiday with your sister, recognise that these two tolerate each other on a very limited basis and control the situation. If your sister is going to throw food treats on the way out of the house small wonder WW3 hasn't broken out but it's her house and her rules for her dogs. Keep Henley in your room at night or crated or make sure you're up and about when she leaves for work. On neutral ground like a park you and your sister could probably let them interact more freely but on Chessie's home turf he is to be King of the Hill. While it is essential to break up hostilities make sure you don't side with the loser as that will only make the leading dog feel he has to have this battle again. Remain calm and when trying the two dogs together leave their leashes attached to buckle collars so you and the other person can haul them apart if they get physical without risk of being bitten. Remember when dogs are angry with each other they are not remembering their human bite inhibition training and many an owner has got bitten by getting in the way. Berners are lovely dogs but very tenacious and not wilting flowers when a good punch up is happening, don't let those good looks fool you:-)) I live with twelve dogs and there are days when I'm worn out monitoring the in-pack dynamics. You should try a few Berner bitches all with PMS at the same time for some real fun!!:-)) Rose T.
RE: Allergies
Hi, Dogs lick their paws for a variety of reasons and diet can be one of them, also contact allergy if she has been in contact with sprayed ground, a change of carpet or floor cleaner or insufficient rinsing of washed surfaces. If the feet are red and waxy between the toes you can try an anti-fungal treatment to clear it up. Also do not trim the hair between the toes as the spikey regrowth can be an irritant, only trim the base of the pads. Are her ears gunky as well or nice and clean? Is she displaying anxiety or otherwise a calm bitch. Have you changed diet in recent months and this is possibly a reaction to a new ingredient, are you feeding unhealthy treats such as processed rawhides and pig's ears and cow's feet. Do you use any of the plug in airfresheners or aerosol sprays in the home? There is much to investigate and review what is new in her environment:-) Check her feet for redness, erudite matter or calluses that might need biopsy. There are many allergy diets on the market and I have one dog fed Eukanuba Fish and Potato with added canned salmon, she does well on it. Many allergy diets are geared towards intestinal upset but a rule of thumb on finding out what ails a dog dietary wise is to use an elimination diet. This is where you feed products not normally found in regular kibble and these might be fish and potato or duck and sweet potato or venison or lamb and rice. This is done for a few weeks until everything is calmed down and then start to add one thing at a time until the allergy appears again. Then you know one of the culprits. Hill ZD is a good alternative but expensive for a large dog. Many people have switched to BARF and successfully got allergies to subside but I am not familiar with tackling that but there are some great people on this list that can help you if you choose to go that route:-) The allergy pills your vet has given you are probably prednisone which will provide relief and enable you to get things sorted out and under control from an environment point of view but it is important to work this out and wean off the drug slowly. If you notice a flareup you can give two Benedryl tablets three times a day for a short period and perhaps a lower dosage to get you through what might be only a seasonal problem. All the best:-) Rose -Original Message- From: edward abbati [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: July 9, 2003 1:43 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Allergies Does anyone have a berner (6 years old, female) with allergies? Our dog is constantly licking her paws so the vet gave us some allergy pills. We tried them but they do not seem to work. Now the vet wants us to change her diet and us Hill ZD Altra food. I hate to go thru a million different treatments - any help or suggestions.
RE: Excessive snot, sneezing, gurgling, reverse sneeze ....
Hi Tracey, It is best not to speculate about the teeth causing the nasty nasal discharge. Seriously infected teeth will cause problems in many areas of the dog's body notably the internal organs. Prior to subjecting an old dog to any procedure requiring anaesthesia you should have a full blood panel done and a urinalysis, most vets will do this automatically but check with yours beforehand. If you have this workup done first a day or so beforehand your vet will be able to advise you about his general health and organ function and whether or not the procedures are recommended. The nasal scope will not take very long and if a tumour or polyps is located or severe nasal and sinus infection is noted then the vet may not want to do the teeth at the same time if surgical removal of obstructions are to be performed. There is a lot of bacteria in a mouth that is likely to enter the bloodstream if any cleaning is done and this will travel to surgical sites compromising the health of the tissue or adding to other bacteria present. You will have to rely on the advice of your vet depending on what she sees when scoping. If there is advanced tumour activity in the sinuses your options are very limited, if it is severe infection then your vet may choose to culture and prescribe specific antibiotics. If she feels the infection is related to the teeth then cleaning and extractions may be warranted and followed with strong antibiotic therapy. If your dog is placid enough he may tolerate some teeth cleaning without being anaethetised, how about a nice bone to chew on to help chip some of the tartar off and then have someone experienced scale the teeth. Again wait to see what your vet sees when scoping. All the best Rose
RE: Move over Dog!!
Hi Susan, The telephone connections to the computers are separate from the power source and it was through those lines that the modems got fried. Rose -Original Message- From: Susan Berlin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: July 4, 2003 8:43 AM To: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List Subject: Re: Move over Dog!! Just a comment -- I, too, once lost a fax machine that way. That's why I have my computer and accessories plugged into a surge protector AND I unplug the whole thing every time I close down the computer. Susan with Djinn and Riley > By the way that was why I was quiet on the list for a few days because > although we were not on-line both computers had their modems fried!
RE: airlines a/c
Hi Lisa, All planes licensed to carry live animal cargo will have climate control in the holds but oftentimes during extreme weather there is an embargo in effect because conditions for loading and unloading cannot be controlled. Your local airport cargo office can advise you of the specifics. Rose T.
Move over Dog!!
Hi, A few days ago we had a sudden and nasty thunderstorm, I was standing between the sink and stove when a huge flash happened. We took a lightening hit on the telephone pole which traveled up the line and blew up the junction box just below the kitchen window, there was a big crack and the casing flew in two parts several metres into the yard. A big blue and white flash actually in the kitchen just at head height above the sink where I had just moved from and the overhead light was blown out. All in all a quick reminder as to Mother Nature's power and now it seems quite sensible to me to want to hide when there is a thunderstorm. I can appreciate the nervousness experienced by dogs but I don't judge their character by it, they are the smart ones if they seek shelter! By the way that was why I was quiet on the list for a few days because although we were not on-line both computers had their modems fried! Glad I wasn't yacking on the telephone or my brain would be crispy too! We found half the junction box cover and Mudpuppy Wilma trotted in with the other half, a prize in the aftermath:-) Rescue dog in the making:-) Rose T.
RE: drugged BMDs on the 4th of July
Hi, One suggestion for scared Berners during fireworks or thunder and lightening storms is to pull the curtains closed and turn on the lights, bright indoor lighting lessens the flash effect. Put on some background music, feed half rations for supper. If they feel more secure in a cupboard or crate then let them have access but the main help is light up the house and pull the curtains. Don't molly coddle but carry on as normal, if your dog is really nervous then a mild sedative from the vets is okay to give. Rose T.
RE: bell question
Hi Linda, What you didn't do was "introduce" the bells to the dogs. What were you thinking?? Of course they were alarmed at this irritating noise everytime they moved. When you train animals you don't suddenly dump a new experience on them but introduce gradually. One reason for putting bells on dog's collars is to frighten and ward off wild life so if the dog isn't trained to accept the noise beforehand he is going to have the same reaction. You now have some repair work to do and that would be to ring the bell everytime you give a cookie or before you feed them dinner, then a tinkle on the bell while talking and carrying on around the house with your normal chores. In time attach the bells to yourself so the dogs get used to the noise. Soon the ringing will be tolerated and then you start to walk them with the bells on their collars, do some sits and recalls, and then let them run in a controlled zone with their bells on. Only then can you be sure they are comfortable with them before letting them run loose in the park. Swiss bells were designed for cows, you might like to find the type of bell gundog owners use which are lighter sounding and less clanging. Far better to reinforce your recall commands and keep your dogs on leash when walking in wildlife country. Many a dog is lost forever once it takes after a deer. Rose T.
RE: Puppy biting own tail
Hi Jayne, Border collies very quickly develop neurotic behaviors when they don't have enough in their lives to occupy them. I would suggest upping his activity level, they were bred to work in the borders, which are huge areas of land, herding sheep and they do not enjoy confinement. Feeding time as a puppy might have been a somewhat frenzied scramble for the dinner with perhaps a scrap or two making dinnertime anything other than a pleasurable experience. I would exercise him more and then try feeding him outside on the grass throwing his kibble onto the grass so he has to search for it, or use a dispensing treat ball for him to work for his dinner. Also up his obedience training and hand feed him and try to have everything calm at mealtimes with him sitting beside them. They need to seek out a behaviorist and one might find one in their area on the website for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Do you know if the parents were working dogs with stable temperaments. This puppy needs a lot of mental activity, obedience, herding trials and agility, a tired dog is a happy dog. Do you know if the children in the house have been teasing him and encouraging him in the past to "chase tail", this is not a good game. Unfortunately now his tail is raw and painful he will more than likely chew it, it may be necessary to surgically dock his tail a few inches from the tip to good tissue to facilitate healing. Rose
RE: Pee spots in yard
Hi Jayne, I have twelve dogs (ten bitches) who are watering my lawn and yes it does get brown in places but the heavy rains this spring have revitalised our grass and all is green again for a while (middle of hot spell) We do not treat our grass with anything, no fertiliser nothing. Its only grass and my dogs health comes first:-) If your lawn area is small and you have nice shrubs (probably won't have those for long as Berners are avid gardeners and landscapers:-) then you could make an area to train your future puppy to toilet on. Two of my puppy owners made an area covered with peastone and for the boys put a tree stump for them to lift their leg, worked great and the lawn stayed green. Hose down and javex once in a while and all stays fresh:-) Do not feed any products to the dog that are designed to change the Ph of the urine, that is potentially harmful to the dog. Rose
RE: 41 brands of dog food contain anesthetizing agent
Hi Pippa, The source of meat meal may well be the same for "natural" foods. In order to be truly safe in what one feeds the dog the food would have to certified organic and slaughtered for human consumption. Even "organic" livestock are euthanised on the farm if they are not fit enough for transportation. Even if one chooses to feed raw natural (BARF) there are likely to be residues of antibiotics and hormone growth drugs in the meat and bones and then there is the pesticide and genetic modified effects on the fruit and veggies. Certified organic is the way to go but it is very expensive. Rose
RE: Puppy Playhouse (CA) Lawsuit 6/26/03
Hi Lisa, You might have more success with an ad in your local newspaper and contact your local veterinarians who may have had to treat some of these pets. Wishing you all the best for Thursday. Rose T -Original Message- From: Lisa Rhyne Jubas [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 24, 2003 7:49 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Puppy Playhouse (CA) Lawsuit 6/26/03 What we urgently need is emails/faxes of testimonials from people who've had dealings with Puppy Playhouse in La Crescenta, CA. We are going to Small Claims court this Thursday. The goal Thursday is to show that they misrepresent themselves and Jason Scheetz as well as misrepresent these animals. (basically, this constitutes fraud and bad faith). If we can show we are not the only people that they've lied to that will give Dean & I more credibility in court this Thurs. (there is strength in numbers). They claim they had to hire a lawyer to deal with us. (DOUBT IT.) So, they've filed a counter-suite for "reasonable attorney's fees" for $1,576.92. If we have enough written testimonials that back up what we're saying, we can win our suite and their counter-suite. If people will email me ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or fax (310) 458-6125 Attn: Dean Jubas or if they'd like to show up at the trial this Thursday 6/26/03 at The Glendale Small Claims Court, 600 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205. Time: 1:30 pm, you are most welcome. Again, thank you so much for joining our efforts. I do believe there is strength in numbers and that we are in the right and these people need to and can be shut down. Thank you ~ Lisa Jubas - Los Angeles, CA __ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com
RE: update on limping pup
Hi Jenn, I don't know why it is but some human males seem intent on arm wrestling dogs and rough-housing them. This is not good! Ever! Most men have no concept of their strength, also in dog language the grabbing of legs and scruffs is a very aggressive gesture its what stud dogs do in a fight. Tell him to think of non-contact hockey when he wants to play with the dog and remind him that one day he will be 100lbs of hooligan whose respect for humans might be diminished if his aggression is heightened in rough play. Rose ps there is a lot of soft cartilage in an 18week old puppy and the joints are not hardened off yet.
Cute stories
Hi Jean, My Phoebe and I were visiting a friend's house when she was a puppy and she went exploring. As we sat in the kitchen chatting she dragged in the bunny's cage from the spare room and enquired as to whether we had a pot big enough!! Rose
RE: Happy Birthday Boris!
Way to go Boris:-)) Happy Barkday to you, your mom has a great sense of humour and it's good of you to help with her exercise program running around the course on her own:-) Woof Phoebe Tierney ps so how did Junior Pointy Pest do on Sunday at the Conformation Show. I decided to stay home and cook my buns in the oven:-)
RE: AKC's Pet Healthcare Plan
Hi Pat, The premiums we pay are not really paying each others' vet bills, that money is used in the money market for corporate and city loans etc and loaned out on such things as overnight loans for business' and government agencies at huge interest rates to those organisations. Its a whopping big business that makes loan sharks look like pussycats so no if my dog overspends the value of his premiums it's not my best dogfriends I'm taking advantage of:-) Had friends that worked in the money markets in London and its scarey the transactions that go on! Rose
Andrea's post on cheap vets
Hi Andrea, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I find that over the years I've been breeding Bernese I have found some excellent vets that are right for what my needs are, the price of those services are not my priority. There are some very good vets with reasonable prices and generally they have no problem in refering out to specialists promptly when something is out of their scope. They are able to keep their initial prices lower than specialised clinics because they don't have to maintain specialised equipment and fully trained technicians. Rose T.
RE: vaccines ??
Hi Molly, -Original Message- From: Molly Bass [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 18, 2003 3:42 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: vaccines ?? "I recently attended a seminar with Wendy Volhard where there is new evidence that the pups can be protected up to 10 weeks depending on the mother's own immunity. They have found that vaccinating before the mother's immunity has faded can actually negate the first vaccine and make the pup more vulnerable than less vulnerable. She recommended that dams should be titred within either 2 weeks prior to whelping or two weeks after whelping to determine how long the pups are protected by her immunity. It also has some relation to how long the pups nurse. I intend to learn more about this prior to my next litter." Nothing new about this, its why there are three sets of puppy vaccines. Because it is generally accepted that the mother's protection while weakening at about seven weeks onwards can be longer that is why most breeder's try and go as late as possible before puppies leave home. Vaccinating does not destroy what remains but will not sufficiently challenge the immune system to strengthen the titer thus lulling the owner into thinking the puppy is better protected than it actually is. Anti-bodies are ingested by the puppies within the first twenty-four hours from the colustrum, by forty-eight hours the lining of the puppy's bowel has developed thicker and no longer allows the body to take up protection from the milk. It is because of the possible inhibiting effect of the mother's titer that the one year booster is perhaps the most important one of all. My own vet told me recently that the approved scheduling of vaccinations is now three courses of puppy core shots boosted at one year and then three yearly for rabies and core vaccines with annual remaining for bordetella and lepto. Personally I would not recommend waiting until six months for rabies vaccination unless one is keeping the puppy in a protected environment. Most puppies by that age are highly inquisitive and may want to investigate Rocky Raccoon or some other wild creature or ingest some partly digested material that a rabid animal may have contaminated. Rose T.
RE: vaccines ??
Hi Lisa, My regimen for puppies is they have the puppy course of vaccinations and then boostered one year later, following that we are now vaccinating every three years except for bordetella which is annual and because I go to a lot of dog events. My puppies are rabies vaccinated at sixteen weeks, I live in a high risk area for rabies including raccoons so I would not risk waiting until six months. I do not use Lyme vaccine nor Leptospirosis vaccine but appreciate that others who feel at risk do, for those particular vaccines I would choose to wait until six months because I don't want to overload all at one time. My dogs must exibit excellent health at the time of vaccination. Rose -Original Message- From: MARK DUVALL [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 18, 2003 2:44 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: vaccines ?? First, let me thank everyone who replied to me about pet insurance. Although I am still unsure of what company to go with I have bought the Consumers issue and will read it later. My next question I have is over Vaccines..What are your opinions on the frequency of giving them? After the first initial puppy shots, should the usual annual boosters be given every year or every 3 years? Also I have read that I should wait till my girl is 6 months to give a rabies shot ?? any truth to that ?? Lisa Duvall~~very soon-to-be berner Mom
RE: hot weather haircut?
Hi, Personally I don't trim my dog's down with clippers but I do comb them out and bathe them and then blow dry to get rid of any winter woollies. Spayed and neutered dogs do tend to get a bit woolly and tatty especially around the back legs so with a pair of blending scissors I tidy them up. Also keeping the ears tidy helps with air circulation but this needs a skilled hand. Shaving a dog down is a no-no as it makes the coat more woolly and exposes the skin to more sun damage. Providing a cool floor and plenty of shade and fresh water and most dogs will be okay. Exercise in the early morning and at night. Rose
RE: Pet Insurance
Hi Mike, I find the increase in your deductible outrageous! You might like to investigate PetCare and see what they would charge you for a monthly premium. Given that your gastro claims have been related to sock ingestion they might just put an exclusion on that. Shop around:-) Rose -Original Message- From: Mike&Deanna [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 18, 2003 7:24 PM To: berner-l Subject: Pet Insurance Consumer reports aside, we are VERY glad to have signed up for pet insurance. We're with PetPlan in Canada, and took the "Champion" plan (while he'll never see a show ring, Vandal's a champion to us). It includes coverage for preventative measures (vaccine, microchip, dental) as well as neutering (in just six short days Vandal - lick 'em while you got 'em!). Anyway, to date we have received from PetPlan over $1300 in refunds, beyond the annual $200 deductable and 20% co-insurance. We've had some (okay - many) gastro-intestinal issues to sort through, so trips to the vet have been more frequent than we would like. Our monthly premium is $65. Sadly, we have been informed that while we still have coverage for life, the co-insurance will be bumped to 50%, meaning that they will only cover half of all costs effective July 1, to be reviewed every 6 months. Even at 50% we would have received our premiums back this year. Still, the peace of mind alone is worth $65. We will never make a choice based on cost, only what's best for Vandal. Mike, Deanna and Vandal p.s. hi Tess - 1st birthday coming soon!
RE: tag on upper jowl!
Hi Lisa, Young dogs can get histiocytomas which are benign little growths usually the size of a pea, they can resolve by themself or the vet can remove it. If you are planning on neutering soon then that would be a good time to have it removed. Rose
RE: PET INSURANCE
Hi Linda, Always a personal decision and if one has the self discipline to save a specific amount each month towards future emergencies related to one's dog that is good but unfortunately most families might find another "emergency" and use those funds! As a matter of interest I would like to make a case here and show why insurance might be a good course:-) Here in Canada we have two main companies, PetPlan and PetCare, for a premium less than $40 per month you get good coverage for all illnesses and accidents excluding pre-existing ones. That said $40 per month multiply by 12 months multiply by 10 years (being hopeful with longevity here) comes to a total of $4800 for the life of a ten year old dog. Now that might seem like a lot of money but one cruciate surgery gobbles up $2000 and an emergency torsion costs up to $4000 and cancer treatment can very quickly exceed $5000. One eaten sock and intersussception can cost upwards of $2000 and any overnight stay in the ICU for a diagnostic workup for mystery illness starts at $350 for care alone. Lets say the medical crisis occurs at age five years then there is only $2400 in the pot, not very much really and there would most likely be follow up care perhaps for the remainding surviving years. Generally speaking the odds of having wasted the money on premiums are low and at the end of the day will be recouped for medical costs. I would recommend puppy owners invest in insurance for at least the first two years of the dog's life because this is the timeframe orthopedic problems are going to emerge and again re-invest in insurance for the late middle years and onwards. As a breeder it helps give me peace of mind knowing that my buyers will be able to consider life saving treatment for emergencies. Rose T. (and no I'm not an insurance salesperson:-)
RE: oozing cyst?
Hi Laura, Exactly what part of the hip/butt area is this lump? High on the pelvic bone or actually located on the back of the upper thigh high up similar to a position like the cheek of a human butt or lower down? Sebaceous cysts that can break open ooze curd like debris but wet sores that are lumpy might be more ominous. I would request a biopsy and lab analysis. Do not delay. Rose T.
RE: Tilly Flash
Hi Pam, One of the suspected causes for IMHA is vaccine reaction along with virus and stress, generally speaking there is something going on in the body to cause the immune system to become too aggressive and it destroys the red cell hence the name Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anaemia. This is a very serious condition and I have not heard of a Bernese surviving it though other breeds may stand a better chance. Rose T.
RE: Pet Insurance- Consumer Report
Aargh!! Be careful when reading these types of articles and remember that they are talking in averages. Your average dog maybe lives to twelve years, middle height and middle size with just the basics of problems. NOW let us consider the Bernese, much as I love the breed the big health issues that can quickly bankrupt an owner are hip and elbow dysplasia, sock eating with resulting intersusception of the bowel, bloat with torsion, ACL stifle injuries, and cancer. Whether to buy or not to buy insurance is like playing Russian Roulette, just as with our health plans if we grow old with no health concerns and die in our sleep one night then those premiums are lost. BUT one big health issue and at least you don't have to scurry around to see if you can afford it. Murphy's Law:-) If you have it you don't need it and if you need it you don't have it! As a breeder I strongly recommend my buyers invest in insurance, not because I anticipate health problems but it provides a cushion of financial comfort if the need arises. With a good plan one doesn't have to go cheap on veterinary care. Rose T.
RE: Brewers yeast
Hi, I give canned pink salmon in addition to Eukanuba Fish and Potato to my allergy dog and everything stays calm and the skin is good and elastic and the coat very shiny, while living in Denmark I noticed the lustrous coats on many breeds and a favorite dog treat there is dried herring and sardines, stinks to high heaven but the dogs love it. I agree with Susan that some dogs may have special requirements but if a dog has perpetual skin and coat problems then a full thyroid panel needs to be done. While the Berner tends to be on the low side of normal there are dogs that have clinical signs of dysfunction and need to be supplemented and checked regularly. Rose T.
FW: How accurate is this?
Hi Anne, I tried this method a couple of times but as no-one else was offering similar contracts I stopped and went the way of the majority. I have always liked this idea, in principle it would be fairer to the bitch owner, however I see no reason for a cap on the limit. Rose T. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 16, 2003 10:22 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: How accurate is this? This message was posted on another breed's list and I was wondering how accurate the information is? Do most stud owners actually do this? Is the practice seen more in one area than another? In all my years of breeding and owning stud dogs, I had never heard of the practice of basing a stud fee on number of pups; interesting concept. Anne Copeland (Flash CGC, TDI, 8 11/12 yrs. old Berner; Gypsy CGC, TDI, 2 yr. old Cavalier) Northern Illinois Annes4, Corr. Sec. BMDCA
RE: Puppy Weight Gain Question
Hi Eve, Some young Berners are light in weight and this is better than weighing too much:-) So long as he has been treated for worms and his activity levels are good then I wouldn't worry. Some lines mature quicker than others but if you know the parents were slow to mature then you must be patient, I currently have one of my stud dogs visiting who was quite geeky as a youngster so much so that a neighbour advised me not to show him. Well when he was two years old he finished his championship very quickly over some very nice dogs and while still more leaner than some at that time he has now blossomed into 106lbs at four years old with his ribs easily felt. I currently have a young male who will be two years old next month weighing in at only 80lbs. He still looks like a gawky teenager but his parents are solid dogs and his father's side was slow to mature and his mother as a young bitch weighed 75lbs now as a six year old she weighs 93lbs and no blubber on her. This breed should mature slowly and reach their best after four years, I have a fit when I read of young dogs weighing their adult weight three years before they typically should. I also watch the weight of the oldies, one has to balance out activity with diet and not load aging joints with unnecessary fat. Enjoy your young lad, Rose T.
