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MerlinsMum

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Posts posted by MerlinsMum

    Canoeing With Your Dog

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    We went canooeing with Merlin back in 2007. He doesn't like the water and doesn't know how to swim. We bought a life jacket for him. He got into the canoe and gnawed on rawhide the whole time, and he was fine. I would love to do it again, but we probably won't. I was nervous the whole time :rolleyes: I wouldn't worry with a GSD or a mutt or any dog that loves water and loves to swim. But greys... it would really depend on the dog.

     

    If you think your dog would enjoy it, though, and you are certain you can do it safely - I say go for it. :)

    Tylan Powder

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    Tried to switch to it when we thought that Merlin was having side effects from chronic use of Metronidazole (we don't think that was it now), but had to switch back to Metro almost immediately because Merlin refused to eat it. It's very bitter, even worse than Metro - which has worked very well for him over the last 2 years, so we stuck with that instead.

     

    I've heard from others that they have liked using it, though. :)

    Mouse Poison

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Yes, you should be concerned. Emergency vets everywhere experience first hand the agony of watching a dog fade in pain from mouse poison. I can't believe poison as a form of "pest" control is still legal in this day and age. It makes me SO angry. Death by poisoning is a horrible, horrible way to die (and slow for the animals who ingest it and aren't taken to the vet because they're considered pests instead of companions).

     

    I strongly recommend that you and your neighbor go talk with your other neighbor - as diplomatically as possible, at first, of course (after all this is just a suspicion at this stage, and you don't want your other neighbor to get defensive...) and find out if s/he is really using mouse poison. Good luck.

    Cesar's Leader Of The Pack

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Why the general public continues to disregard science and believe in "energy" and "linear social hierarchies" as a means of behavior modification is beyond me. It is truly upsetting.
    Ah. Terrific post. Thank you!! I don't get it either and yes, it is truly upsetting. :headwall Then again, there are people who pay charlatans to "translate" what their animals are psychically telling them :huh So is this surprising?

     

    Giselle,

    Sometimes it all boils down to faith. Science cant explain everything.

    I'm sorry, but ^this is silly. We're talking about dog behavior and training. Faith has absolutely nothing to do with it. There are methods that are based on the plethora of studies we have conducted on animal behavior, and then there's someone's self-concocted "formula" which is based on anecdotal evidence and opinion. I'll stick with science. And anyone who is interested in leaning how to communicate better with dogs should do the same.

    My Grace Girl Earned Her Angel Wings 2/18/03 - 1/19/13

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    :ohno :ohno :ohno Grace!?

     

    Oh Lauren - I am so, so, so sorry. I am in absolute SHOCK. :ohno:cry1... so I can't even begin to imagine the shock you must still be experiencing. Losing your heart dog is awful, but losing your belove dheart dog so suddenly... I can't even imagine how deep your grief must be. I know how much you love her.

     

    OMG :weep:cry1 Sending a TON of hugs your way. I am so sorry for your tragic loss. From your posts about her, it was so clear that you thought the world of your girl and loved (love) her to pieces.

     

    :grouphug

    Low Fat Food And Treats After Pancreatitis

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Merlin has severe and chronic IBD. He can only eat I/D and Low Fat I/D diet food. He has both the kibble and the canned food.

     

    These are the only treats he can eat without any problems. They are hypo-allergenic and low fat. You should be able to buy them from your vet's office.

     

    PD_K9_T_d_NA_o_O_HPAL_orig_200_en.jpg

     

     

    I'm sorry - I couldn't find a larger image of them. They are prescription treats and compatible with the I/D diet. Merlin loves them.

    Vaccination Questions

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    The only reaction I've ever experienced personally was a few years ago when Merlin had a delayed reaction to the Distemper combo and spiked a fever. He was really under the weather, poor baby. I took him back to the vet, they gave him a fever reducer, he was right as rain the next day. Gave me a bit of a fright, but there again I always get neurotic when Merlin is "off"... :rolleyes:

     

    Do your research. Speak to your vet. There are so vaccines (like Lepto) that are recommended more and more because of our encroachment on wildlife areas and the presence of raccoons, squirrels, porcupines, etc even in suburbia now. And standing water at dog parks in some areas, etc. Merlin and Sagan don't get the Lepto vaccine because they are leash-walked, I monitor them constantly, they don't go to dog parks or have access to standing water, and when they're in the backyard they wear muzzles with stool guards on them, and they are supervised by me or DH. However, my vet and I have a conversation about it every year to re-assess the need and any updates with the vaccine.

     

    I also talk to my vet about the Lyme vaccine. My boys don't get that either - last I heard it's not yet effective enough to warrant everyone getting it (please someone correct me if my info is out of date). My boys don't run around in the woods and other tick-infested areas and we are lucky in that our neighborhood is relatively tick-free (for now...)

     

    As I said above, do your research, but don't let the OMG MY DOG GOT THIS VACCINE/SHOT/TREATMENT AND NEARLY DIED stories on the internet scare the crap out of you. Remember there is just as much misinformation (actually probably a great deal more) as there is information on the web. And you can't base your decision on these stories because in most cases when you read about them you never get the full picture - the dog's genetic predispositions, prior conditions, environment, diet, etc etc etc.

     

    Talk with your vet! Good luck :)

     

    ETA - Oops, I just realized that this thread was started in July of last year so my post is probably redundant at this. Sorry :rolleyes:

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