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Messages - suzanne

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1
Medical Conditions & Diseases / Re: Seizures
« on: November 28, 2005, 05:20:32 am »
My 5 (nearly 6) year old Pyr, Sophia, had her first seizure 8 hours after a rabies injection 18 months ago.  Fortunately, they are under control with low doses of Phenobarb and Pot. Bromide.  A website (and forum) that I found to be a gold mine of info is http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/  Also, I cannot recommend strongly enough the benefit I feel Bach Rescue Remedy has been...during and after a seizure.  It's not the quantity but the frequency that is important.  Sophia is 123 lbs...but even if she were 23 lbs., the dosage would be approx. the same....a few drops (approx. 1/4 dropper) on the fleshy, inside part of the ear flap (avoid a hairy area so the RR gets directly onto the skin).  You can administer this on the inside of the mouth, or on the tongue etc., but I find the ear location easiest.  As soon as she goes into a seizure, I grab a "puppy piddle pad", which I have located in various places around my house for this purpose, pop it under her bottom as she ususally loses control of both her bladder and bowels.  Then I run for the RR.  It seems to help shorten the length and severity of the seizure.  I give her a dose every 15 min. or so until she seems to be back to normal.  There are times I have given her 5 and 6 doses over the course of a few hours.  It's safe and good for "Mom" too to help her de-stress.  Also, if you have some ice cream..prefera bly plain, like vanilla...(in fact I used to keep some on hand just for this purpose), it can be soothing and restorative as a seizure can be exhausting.  But, don't feed anything until the seizure and re-coup time has passed. Good Luck.

2
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Beware of "greenies"
« on: November 27, 2005, 03:47:40 pm »
I just received an email warning dog lovers about the possible danger of "greenies".  There have been instances where dogs have incurred bowel obstructions from these treats.  To learn more, go to http://www.kirotv.com/investigations/5325021/detail.html  for an investigative report, and to the "urban legends" site, http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/greenies.asp   

3
Neapolitan Mastiff Discussions & Pictures / Re: HEART-WRENCHING DECISION
« on: November 03, 2005, 03:55:57 am »
I'm so sorry you are having such a sad and difficult time.  I went through a somewhat similar problem a year ago.  Ripley, the litermate of my nearly 6-year-old Pyr, Sophia, bite me 3 times...once quite badly..in a 3-week period.  I worked with Patricia McConnell, a nationally known animal behaviorist (author of "The Other End of the Leash") as well as with a local behaviorist.  Additionally,  my vet put him on Prozac, in case there was some kind of imbalance. This went on for over 2 months,...with me fearing each day that he might attack someone else.  He had always been "Mommy's boy".  He was Puppy #5 from the one litter I had (under the guidance of a long-time Pyr breeder), and we bonded from day 1.  Of course, we all speculated that he might have a brain tumor, but decided not to do a CAT scan as after spending the approx. $1,300.00, to check it out...if he did have one, there really weren't any practical options.  Believe Me....money never comes into play with my dogs if $$$ can fix the problem.  On top of the health ins. I have carried on all my dogs for the past 20 years, I have willingly spent thousands of dollars to give them the best possible quality of life.  Then one morning, I realized that there was a look in his eye that fightened me.  Plus his behavior was a little "off".  But, as someone who always wants to give her beloved pets every possible chance, before I made the "final decision", I called a long-time, highly respected Pyr breeder to get her opinion.  She guided me to the choice I knew was necessary, and my wonderful vet came over to my house that evening to perform the sad task.  (Of course, like all of my deceased beloved dogs, he was creamated and his ashes have a place of honor in my bedroom.)  Like someone else mentioned  in a previous response, one always must consider the quality of life possible for dogs who have physical or behavioral problems.  And, of course, risk to self, and others must factor in.  Dogs know yesterday and today, they do not know tomorrow, and...a peaceful death by euthansea  is sometimes the kindest and most loving thing we can do for them.  My thoughts and best wishes are with you and Petra.

4
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Re: Collars On? Or Off?
« on: October 30, 2005, 01:44:38 pm »
Sophia and Riggs are microchipped and wear their flat buckle collars, with ID tags except when given a bath or brushed.   If their fur was shorter, I would have collars with their names and contact info  imprinted directly on the collar.  But think, if ...GOD Forbid!!!...they ever got out of the yard etc., that people would be more apt to see their colored ID tags immediately.  To keep them from having to hear "tags clinking", I do not keep their rabies, or license tags on...only their large size plastic name tags...with my name, address and phone number.  I am a strong microchip advocate!!!!  Collars and tags can be easily removed or lost....microc hipping is forever.

5
POOR Zoey!!! and POOR Mom to have to suffer through this with her.  Bach's Rescue Remedy might be helpful for her...and Mom can take a dose too.. before her next visit.  If one of my dogs had a similar experience, I would give them 3 or 4 drops...onto the fleshy part of the inside ear flap a couple of hours before the her appointment, then repeat it 2 or 3 more times 15 - 30 min. apart.   Do an online search for Bach's Rescue Remedy and read about it to determine if it is something you think might be helpful for her.  It's a natural and safe de-stressor.  Good Luck!!!!!

6
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / World's Tallest Dog
« on: October 18, 2005, 01:27:50 pm »
Gibson holds several world records...Worl d's tallest dog, tallest therapy dog, tallest Great Dane...and he has his own site  http://www.gibsondog.com/

7
Treatment & Preventative Meds / Re: Rescue Remedy
« on: October 18, 2005, 01:19:40 pm »
I am a big Bach Rescue Remedy fan.  The dog I have used it most on is my 5-year-old Pyr, Sophia.  She had her first seizure 16 months ago...8 hours after a rabies shot (not a big fan of innoculations, prefer titers when possible!!!).  Fortunately, her meds have her pretty much under control now, but I have noticed that Rescue Remedy always seems to help bring her out of a seizure faster.  And if she goes through the "pacing" that is sometimes associated post-seizure, it seems to help reduce her anxiety.  http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/rescue_remedy.htm    is a link on a canine epilepsy group I belong to.  It has some good info.  A couple of other "general info" links are:  http://www.bachflower.com/rescue_remedy.htm
and   http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&articleid=1360.

I prefer to use the liquid form that you administer with a dropper, as opposed to the cream.  You can add a few drops to the dog's water, or a holistic vet I sometimes go to for accupuncture and chiropractic treatments (for the dogs :-), not for me), puts a few drops in a small spray bottle of water and sprays it on the bedding...or directly into the cage..of animals who have had surgical procedures or are distressed for any reason.

You can administer a few drops directly into the dog's mouth..inside the lip, for example, or, ...the method I prefer...a few drops inside the ear flap on the fleshy, hairless part.

The important thing to remember is that ...it is not the quantity, but the repeated doses that proves most effective.  Sophia weighs approx. 120 lbs. so I drop 3 - 5 drops...or approx. 1/3 dropper full unto her inside ear flab, then fold the flab and smoush it around.  Then I repeat the dose after 15 minutes or so, and keep repeating the dose until she seems to be calming down.  This is far more effective than trying to give a large dose...regardl ess of the size of the animal. 

This is a really safe remedy, but...as has been suggested previously...d o a "search" on Rescue Remedy for dogs and learn more ways this can be used.  Anytime anxiety or trauma are involved....it's a helpful remedy to have on hand.   ...take some yourself when stressed.

Most health foods stores and some of the larger grocery stores carry it.  It can also be purchased online...but check different sites as there is quite a price variation.

8
 ;D  ;D   ;D  YEA!!!!!  Think I was able to edit my profile so that a photo of my two Little Darlings will now automatically show up.  After some of you told me the photo had to be less than 400K, I called my daughter, and she told me how to find out what size the photo I had been trying to ad was.....and it was over 400K.  She then told me how to resize it.  Gosh!!! I feel so powerful each time I master one more option on my computer.  THANKS  AGAIN for your kind replies and offers to help!!!  ...Also was able to change the time to my EST zone, thanks to your info. 

9
Thanks to nickerbokker and henrysmomma for your replies.  Even though the suggestions made by henrysmomma were what I had tried in the past, I did so again...but, again, I was unsuccessful  :-(    ...at least they did not show up in the members list.  Maybe the problem with trying to post the photo is that it is too large, although I can include it if I add it at the bottom of any posts or replies.  A friend who is more computer literate than I will be here Thursday evening...mayb e she will know if i need to do something to decrease the photo size.

Suzanne

10
I would really appreciate it if someone could give me step by step...easy to understand...i nstuctions for changing the info on my Profile.  I have tired to add my signature info, plus a photo of my pyr and newf that will automatically appear each time I post or reply.  I am  ashamed to tell you how many times I have tried to do this and failed to have the info show up in the Members section, or automatically when I post or reply....but if you were to guess 5 times....you would still be a little low.    :-[

Suzanne
www.raiseddogf eeder.com

11
I have been reading some of the posts about members leaving BPO.  And, from what I have gathered, based on numerous replies, these members were considered to have valuable input by numerous other members.  I don't know what started the dissention, but it is sad to see.  A national rescue group to which I belong has had similar conflicts among a few members.  How much better it would be for all if we could respect the opinion of others, try not to take things personally, and not "attack" members with whom we disagree on a forum that is viewed by all.  How dreadfully boring  life would be if we all felt exactly the same on all issues.    Of course, there will be times when a member will put forth an opinion with which we disagree or find appaling.  Certainly there are words that can be used to express dissatisfactio n that are not personal attacks.  I assume that all of the people with this forum have joined because they love dogs and want only the best for them. 

Suzanne Phillips
www.raiseddogf eeder.com

12
Remembering those no longer with us. / Re: Goodbye Gunner
« on: October 06, 2005, 12:24:21 pm »
I am so very sorry about you losing Gunner.  One of my Pyrs, Tinkerbelle, also died of cancer...after a month long battle...a few years ago.  My only consolation was that she was no longer suffering.  She and most of the other dogs I have loved and lost are on the Pet Loss Support section of my website.  http://www.raiseddogfeeder.com/html/pet_loss_support.html    It contains many links, articles etc. that may help you during this terribly difficult time. 

Suzanne, Sophia and Riggs

13
Babs, I am so very sorry for your sister's and your great loss.  I have quite a bit of Pet Loss Support on my website that might be of help to you.  http://www.raiseddogfeeder.com/html/pet_loss_support.html
Whenever I lose a beloved pet I take a small degree of consolation in telling myself it is not good-bye forever, just until it is my time to join him/her.  I have had all of my dogs creamated and have their ashes in various urns.  My daughter already knows that when I go, she will need an urn large enough for my ashes and those of all my past pets.  Her biggest decision will be trying to figure out where to put it....although I suspect it will not be the focal point of her living room.  I'm thinking of you.
    Suzanne, Sophia and Riggs

14
Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: Happy 30th Michael!
« on: October 05, 2005, 01:17:34 pm »
Suzanne, Sophia and Riggs send you our very best wishes for a wonderful 30th birthday and an equally wonderful year!!!

15
Medical Conditions & Diseases / New Deadly Dog Flu
« on: October 01, 2005, 09:21:33 am »
There is a deadly flu virus that is spreading in dogs. Info about it has appeared in recent articles in the NYTimes, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and some national TV news broadcasts.  It started in 2004 with Greyhounds in Florida who ate  contanminated horsemeat.  It is highly contagous...sp read through the air....and is creating widespread concern at dog shows, kennels etc.  The mortality rate is 5% - 8%. For more info, you can do a search...dog flu...on Google, Yahoo etc.  One of the most comprehensive articles  I have seen on it is at  http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/dogflu.asp

Suzanne   (Mommy to)
Sophia, 5 1/2 yr. old Great Pyrenees
Riggs, 9 1/2 mo. old Newfoundland (very proud grandson of Josh, winner of the 2004 Westminster Dog Show)

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