batmobile

thanks everyone. Martha is not sore any more. She is now on Wellbeloved kibble and moist food and seems to be much better. She is however still piddling everywhere, not as often and not struggling but after every play session we get a nice big puddle on the floor and she is peeing quite a bit more frequently than seems normal. However, i think a lot of this is because she has forgotten any house training she had before she was ill, and just goes when she pleases. She can get through the night and a few hours in her crate without an accident so I suspect it's up to us to go back to basics and remind her she can actually hold it when awake. she has her final jab on Fri so will chat to the vet about it then if it hasn't improved... to be honest, having her back to her demonic ways and so happy is such a relief - we can work on the piddle!

That's fantastic!!! Well done Tess. Can't wait to see the piccies. x

We are following exactly what the very experienced kennel club breeder (I hope you detect a slight tone in my posting!) told us to feed. It is 12 years since any of us had a pup as I have always had adult rescue collies but to be honest, I thought it was a lot of protein too especially when I read the ingredients on the Royal Canin packet. I am going to just feed her chicken this eve as we have some ready boiled - would you recommend a bit of rice to go with it? And maybe the same in the morning and see if this starts to help. It is Kibble which I am not sure is complete or mixer but it still has 30% protein in ingredients. I know a pup can't be fed rice and chicken permanently but for a couple of meals it might help to reduce protein levels and ease her pain. she has slept far more than normal today which is distressing as although you beg for a rest from the puppiness, I'd rather have that than poorly any day. Her name is Martha and she's a golden retirever pup.

Thanks for the replies so far. I have never come across this before after years of dog ownership, so it has come as a bit of a surprise. There was only 'high protein' in her urine, nothing else obvious the vet said. I am wondering if the change of kibble (she was on Royal Canin puppy and they had run out so was on Royal Canin Junior which are bigger pieces) might be the cause but am reluctant to change too many variables. As in, she is on Antibs, if I change food as well, how will we know the true cause if she improves with both things being done? Can food give them a UTI? Poor little thing is so sore. Photos will of course follow soon! x

I have an 11 week old puppy who appears to be suffering from a UTI. She was almost housetrained, and then started squatting anywhere in the house, nothing coming out or a little bit and peeing a large number of times without warning. She would also whine just after peeing at the back door or front door. We took her and a urine sample to my vets and he said there is no 'obvious' infection but that there is a lot of protein in her urine. He gave her an antibiotic jab and a course of antibiotics which have only just started (this was yesterday eve). She is still the same today, though you would expect them to take a while to kick in, but what bothers me more is her crying and writhing when trying to go to sleep. She is asleep now after about 15 mins of changing position, crying, rolling etc. When outside and with my other dogs she is normal, playing, running round and generally having a great time, but still peeing little and often. My vet is very good and she is due her last jab next Friday anyway plus a check up (though of course I will go before if this doesn't get better) but i was wondering if anyone has any experience of this sort of thing and any advice on how to ease her discomfort, how to help her and how to not undo all housetraining (at the moment we try and encourage her to at least 'dribble' on her pads but it's impossible to get her out each time). Also, high protein in urine: She is on Royal Canin Junior, 3 times a day once mixed with egg, twice with chicken and diluted goats milk inbetween as a snack. This is what the breeder recommended but I am VERY scepticle of any breeder recommended food as I know it is often about endorsement not quality. Could the food cause it or is RC a good make? We are willing to change the food but want to see if the anti bs work first so we can find the potential cause more easily. Sorry for the length of this. Oh, and I have two rescue dogs, am a homechecker for rescues etc so please don't hate me for the 'breeder' thing - my parents have always had a pup and when they lost their 13 year old retriever before Xmas they wanted another. Hubby and I agreed as we are in a situation where we can share the raising of a puppy (we live in a shared house in the middle of the country). We are also on the list at Retriever rescue for an older rescue when one becomes available. sorry for the length of this, I would really appreciate some advice. Jo x

Not been on here for ages and just looked you up to see how you were doing. So sorry to hear this. She was such a sweetie and I am sure she had the happiest life possible, thanks to you. I hope you are coping ok and we send you lots of love from us all.

Update: Well panic over. Bunny, who it turns out is definitely a little girl, has been given a clean bill of health. She is not pregnant, she is about 9 months old and her teeth are fine. She has a clear discharge from her nose which the vet said can be due to stress but to phone if it turns yellow. He said Please name her - I expect something great - and gave her a myxo jab. I am pleased and will be taking her back for her other jab in two weeks and then booking her in for a spay come next pay day. Then I will find her a friend to bond with as my old grumpy lad has shown no interest and I think it would be too stressful in the long run for him at 10.5 years old. I shall post some pics when I have some decent ones. At the moment am letting her settle properly into her new home and relieved.

Hi everyone, right, before anyone shouts at me, I have tried to do the right thing and bunny will be going to the vets as soon as an appointment is available. A friend of mine who is active in dog rescues got a knock on the door from a man who basically had heard she takes in waifs and strays. He'd seen a bunny hopping along the road. so together they caught said bunny. After visiting all the locals in the neighbourhood and leafleting, no one came forward (unlikely considering the area etc). So I said I would have the bunny as my friend cannot afford the hutch and has guinea pigs already and no space etc. I bought a hutch etc and spent a fortune on the bunny. I have another bunny and wanted them separate as they would need to bond and so on. So, Pets at Home (nearest store, sorry) sexed the bunny. My friend reckoned boy basing her determination on guinea pig bits, PAH were convinced (it is a lady I know well actually) it's a girl. Bunny has a definite dewlap and is very young (something about the face still says baby though she is not small, about a kilo). Her (if that is the case) poo is very small but firm (is that normal in young bunnies?) she is very bright eyed and inquisitive, though she does lie down a lot (could be owing to stress with moving around etc). PAH also said her teeth are misaligned and her claws are a little long. Right, so, she is gorgeous but i am so worried as I don't know the history, am worried she could be pregnant (who knows) and most of all worried about her teeth as I am thinking this is a lot to take on. I always intended on getting a pair of rescue buns like my last two, but was waiting for my current bunny who is 10 to go to the Bridge first as he has now got antisocial and probably doesn't want the hassle of bonding with a new pal since his brother died (he has seen new bunny and sniffed a bit and then carried on eating). I guess I am asking: how serious and difficult to manage is a tooth problem? How can I tell if (heaven forbid) I have taken in a pregnant bunny and does her lying stretched out in a 'relaxed' position indicate illness? I am going to the vet's on thursday but am worried that I have taken in a 'dud'. It's not so much not liking the poor thing but I have already lost sleep about the problems she may have, having no history. She lets herself be handled (as much as a relatively calm rabbit, bit of kicking and struggling when about to release her). Would a young female rabbit have a dewlap already? I didn't want to leave her with a rescue as I have enough experience with rabbits to manage and they are over full but now I am worrying about what I might have let myself in for, not having 'chosen' her. That is not meant nastily, I guess I am so worried I'll get her to the vet's and they'll find she is really ill. (Or pregnant!) the things we do for the love of animals, eh? x

Did the poor puppy have an owner or is it a stray?

I agree it is shocking he is still in there but the GBP are to blame for keeping him in. Like Kate last year, it is frustrating to see the BP keep someone who can't dance in, for the sake of entertainment which has worn thin. I get the impression John doesn't want to be there anymore either!

Dear all, having felt a bit under the weather recently and tired from working a little hard, I wanted to share this with those on here who know the programme, or those of you who fancy Dean, or basically anyone who wants to see a celebrity doing something quite funny and showing they can laugh at themselves... Enjoy. And for anyone having a hard day/ week/ year - remember to laugh. It makes you feel a lot better. Jensen

Thanks for everyone's advice. I have been losing a lot of sleep actually over what to do. I wish I had got him a mate much much sooner after Yoda died because with each day, he is getting older and I am worried it will be too stressful/ late to get him a companion. I have contacted a few local rescues and am hoping to have a chat with them tomorrow about what is best. I was also looking into getting more than another pair - I have the space for a huge run/ several runs and I am sure there are plenty of rabbits needing loving homes. I really will have to see. I cried myself to sleep worrying about Houdini being lonely - silly, I know - so in my heart I want to get him a friend but he's been through a lot over the last year and stressing him is the last thing I want to do. I believe the rescues will help me and that it will work out in the end. I have moved his hutch and run into the garage this eve as it is freezing outside and I haven't got enough hay until tomorrow. I will see how that 'change' grabs him and talk to the rescues tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes and what happens. Thank you all so much again. ps Helly, I live an hour and a half away from Freshfields now though I do work on the Wirral still. I am trying a nearer rescue first, although I have heard nothing but good things about Freshfields, and will see what happens.

I have one neutered male bunny who is 9.5 years old. His brother died a few years ago suddenly unknown cause (we think heart attack as he was completely in tact and just lying on his side). since then we have moved house and Houdini has been on his own. He looks very healthy - thick shiny coat and bright eyes and eats all his food. He has a big run and hutch combo and gets to hop around the patio eating my plants sometimes too. Anyway, I have wanted to get him another companion ever since his brother died but hubby thinks he seems happy enough without (how would you tell) and that getting him a friend opens up the cycle again. I was thinking of possibly getting a pair of rescue does, making it 3, but is this a bad idea? I thought he would die of a broken heart when his brother died but he seemed to recover and carry on. I know no one can tell you what to do but what is your experience considering his age and the fact that he has been on his own for a while now. Also, I worry if i get one rabbit, and he passes away, then that rabbit is then alone, hence why I am considering a pair. I did think of getting some guinea pigs and keeping them separate but nearby so he has someone to 'talk' to (and I want some piggies anyway). What would you recommend?

You know how I meant it - I am eternally grateful to you for your reassurance and updates - it was certainly not negative towards you! I just realise with hindsight that panicking does not help a person relax on holiday and that your vast experience should have told me that they were in safe hands - even if they had panicked or stressed out. It's hard when they're your babies though... I don't think anyone could ever tire her but I will, if I go abroad again, allow you to try and prove me wrong.

Those who say : It was just a dog, FFS' have never loved a dog. You will feel better in time but that is in your own time and no one should ever tell you how much and how long you should grieve for. You will never 'fill the hole' but you will feel stronger eventually. Give yourself a break and allow yourself time to heal. Your heart is broken and needs time to mend. There is nothing weak or pathetic or whingey about that process.