Figma

I hope I never have to fill that form out but glad Dr. Couto is doing this research. I would hope someone is also doing pedigree studies. I don't see that a copy of a pedigree is included. This could certainly help to determine if it is more prevelant in some lines.

I was reading the other poll on table or floor exams and saw to check Rememberance. I was shocked to read this sad news!!! I'm so sorry.

I can't complain about the prices my Vet charges and he has comped me a lot over all these years. I can't say if I got hit with a couple thousand dollar bill that it would not really hurt our budget but I don't expect free services either. There are more expensive Vets then mine in the area but I really don't think they are any better qualified and a couple of them I would never take my animals to. I think my Vet makes a *comfortable* living but I don't think he lives high off the hog (excuse the pun). I've seen him eating at the same establishments we do and they are not 4 star restaurants.

I think my Vet's prices are very fair and he has given me many breaks over the years too. He recently reduced the price on his Interceptor. I could still get it cheaper on line, by $7.00, but I'd rather pay him the $7.00 as that is not going to break my bank. There are some Vets in town that charge high prices, most of the young ones. With the cost of living being so high now I can probably see why a new Vet has to charge more. My Vet has been established for years, owns his own property and has raised his family. Like housing and new careers, I can see where it would be very difficult for any new Vet trying to establish a practice in CA. Told my Vet better not retire!!!!

There can be localized and systemic reactions and I've seen both over the years. I used to give my own vaccines to my dogs but always made sure I gave them during a time when my Vet's office was open - just in case. I always made sure I would be close by for at least 2 hours after administring shots. I had dogs react to vaccines that never had reacted previously. I had a nightmare Sheltie litter some years ago, 8 pups and they all had shot reactions. Changed pharmacuticals and they still had reactions. I know one reacted to a Rabies vaccine. My Vet and I were stumped coming to the conclusion that there was something definitely wrong with the immune systems on these dogs. This was a litter from a one of my CH females (that had been bred before) and a CH stud that had been used widely. So, I knew the health history on my own bitch and knew the history of the stud dog. Obviously, something didn't click here. Pups, outwardly were gorgeous. I made sure every one of them was spay or neutered. Heartbreaking. Nope, never repeated that breeding or close to it.

When I was into showing and and breeding Shelties, we always removed rear dewclaws (not all pups are born with them, in that breed, anyway). Removal of front dewclaws was a breeder's preference. As to the question if it hurts. Well, sure it does. They should be removed by 3 days of age and it is relatively easy unless they are large dewclaws. As many of us assisted in the whelping process, we found it was easy to remove them at birth once established the pup was stable. In most cases, just took a pinch with some hemostats, a clip of the skin with scissors and some Quck stop, if needed. Very quick, very little stress on the pup or the mom. Actually, it was often an indication to us if we saw other Shelties (of questionable breeding) or got those in rescue with rear dewclaws. Usually a good indication of poor or uneducated breeding practices. Given my druthers, wish the Greys had they all removed also if they serve no usefull purpose. JMHO

Every Grey I've had here, Greytsitting or fostering, has had their dewclaws except one female. Given my druthers, I wish they were all removed.

My deepest sympathy, Rita.

Sent what I can afford this month. Thanks, this is a Greyt site.