Anne Grose

Hi Dawn, whilst I none of my dogs has had Cushings I have known at least three dogs belonging to friends and obedience competition folk that have had the disease and all have led a normal length life albeit having to have medication every day for the rest of their lives. There are two types one that is caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland and another that is adrenal gland caused. I wouldn't necessarily get depressed and feel bleak because there is lots of information out there and support (including yahoo groups) for dogs with Cushings and if you research enough you will find hope. It may turn out not to be Cushings and be something else - I am sending you a huge hug just to get you through this horrible period in your life. Much love Anne, Barty & Chloe

Regarding amounts - have a look at how much she should be eating as a full grown adult and feed that much over how ever many meals she has. Certainly that is what we do when we are raw feeding. ie a 20kg adult dog should have between 400g and 600g a day as an adult so a pup would have the same amount over 4-6 meals a day. I don't know if this equation works with dry food but it might be a starting point for you, or compare the protein and calorie values on the puppy food she won't eat with the Wolfit one and then feed the amount the puppy food suggests with relevant adjustments.

Probably not, depends on what you are feeding Laney. I agree with your theory and also in the wild dogs would all eat the same prey that was killed. Pups might have smaller pieces and the mum may have selected certain cuts for them but they didn't have any specially killed for them.

What a cutie. Play nice Mr Jack

I am so sorry to hear us, run free Jumble and have fun at the Bridge. (((((hugs))))) to you Jumblewitch it is hard to lose our furbabies.

Hi, I don't worm regularly as my dogs aren't scavengers. If Jumble doesn't go around eating things while he is out ( horse poo, food off the ground) I wouldn't worry about it too much. If he does I would use a herbal wormer like Four Seasons or Grapefruit Seed Extract or DE (Diatomaceous Earth) - food grade and that popped into the food on a regular basis will get rid of any worms. Ticks can be dealt with by giving high strength garlic oil (I use a human one) - we live in tick kingdom here in the summer and it isn't uncommon for some dogs rounds here to 30/40 a DAY. I usually have to pick off 3 or 4 a SEASON. HTH and love and hugs to Jumble

Hi, boosters are a known trigger for seizures and to be perfectly honest absolutely not giving him any more protection that he already has.Our first dog used to have mini seizures after having boosters and my vet at the time told me not to do them again. I blood titre tested my current dogs to see whether they needed any boosters when I was in the UK and up until the age of 8 they were showing full protection. I just titre for rabies every year now and again one shot has been enough to provide full protection. I have read a great deal of information that says routine boosters are not only unnecessary but can be positively harmful to our dogs. I certainly will not be boostering Barty ever again because of his health issues and I can't see why I would need to do Chloe again.

Sue, Amy - thanks for the reply. I am glad it is a normal feeling. I will meet our Freddie again because he has gone to live with friends of ours. I have backed off meeting him again too soon as I want him to bond with his new owners and not "fret"for me. We are going to see him again in about 10 days time when he will have been living with them for nearly a month. I can't wait to see that reaction Sue, it will make me very happy.

Two weeks ago we said goodbye to a dog who had arrived in our garden as a badly bitten, very much worse for wear collie cross. He has gone to the loveliest of homes after spending two and half months here getting well, confident and happy. I miss him dreadfully, this is the first time I have ever "fostered" a dog and I got terribly attached to him. Is it normal for foster mum's to want to rush over to the new home, snatch back their foster dog and tell them they can't have him. I have two beautiful dogs of my own and really didn't want a third permanently, so I know in my heart of heart's that this was the right decision, especially as I hear that Freddie is so happy. How do you other foster mum's cope with saying goodbye. Is doing it all again help?? Or, is it just as bad the second time around?? Anne

Hi Steve Are you worried about your dog because he is still looking undernourished or just because he still eats like he is starving all the time?? I have a rescue who has been with me for over 7 years and still gobbles everything in sight. She is not undernourished and in fact at the moment is too heavy after a cruciate ligament injury. Some dogs never forget their beginnings and will always hoover their food, some do it naturally even when they haven't been though that trauma. However, if you dog is not looking in shiny, healthy condition with beautiful white teeth, no odours from either end, then you do need to look at the diet as it will be lacking in something. Whilst a dog can live on a vegetarian diet, do not do this to a cat as they are unable to eat just vegetarian food. Anne

I don't have an ex breeding dog, but I do have one that was semi-feral when I got her. She had been living wild for about two months since she was around 4 months old. When we got her at just 6 months old, she was virtually a wild animal, terrified of all humans, didn't understand houses, leads, cars and a killing machine around small furries and birds. She is now around 7 years old and the sweetest, gentlest creature you could ever wish for. It took a long time to gain her trust and eventually tame her - she was probably 5 before she turned into what I would call a normal dog. Certain things will still spook her and she still eats like a wild animal but to all intents and purposes a happy, well adjusted and calm dog. She is also 99% chicken safe (not cats, never cracked that one). Hope that helps your curiosity Anne, Barty & Chloe - the wild one

Personally I think DentaStix are awful things. My dogs get a nice raw meaty bone from either the butcher or the supermarkets a couple of times a week. Both dogs have beautiful teeth. Barty will be 9 in May and his little sister Chloe is 7. Barty has some tartar on one eye tooth because he doesn't like to chew both sides but Chloe's are gleaming white. I have done this for about 18 years, my first dog who left us when he was 13 still had lovely white teeth when he died. The real bonus is that these bones come free - as butchers have to pay to dispose of them. HTH Anne, Barty & Chloe

Have a monstrously wonderful birthday Charlie - he looks adorable

So sorry to hear about Tiz and Cooper but at least they have both had full and happy lives. Rita looks absolutely adorable and Norris - well you know what I think about the gorgeous Norris. Anne

Jane, my heart is breaking with you. But what a wonderful person you are to be able to send him on his way with his dignity intact and without being in agony, You will have some wonderful memories and in time you will look back with fondness on your time with him. All my family sends love and hugs for you this afternoon. Anne, Nick, Barty & Chloe