trailrider

When I needed to have a safe feeding corral area for the sheep, I put up a 5 strand electric fence. I`m always curious as to why this would not work for keeping the dogs in. My dogs were kept out from the sheep feed area, and the 3 different rottweilers who wandered around (unwanted) never got into the area. One did get killed on the road, and another one disappeared. I think an above ground electric fence with several strands would keep other bothersome animals out, as well as keeping your own pets in and safe. There is also less chance of a sudden rush of enthusiasm that makes the "invisible" fencing something that is worth avoiding.

My barn area is full of rabbits, and there are fresh droppings every morning. The dogs snack on them, but have never had the vaccinations for lepto. How sick do they usually get if it is not serious? Of course one caught a rat this morning. They just "own" them, but don`t seem to eat them.

I have 2 sisters that had similar conditions. The worst one was tested for allergies (using the pulse taking method) The worst 2 reactions were corn and canola oil. I have put them on a food without these, and still use the tested natural foods. She is 90% and has no more skin problems.

Does anyone ever use rotenone powder for all the skin bugs? I have used it in the past for ONE flea infestation of my property, for a horse with lice that I got at an auction, and for 2 saparate cases of demodex. It is external, does not get into the organs to cause allergies etc, and the powder can stay on the bedding for further insurance. It is natural ground derris roots, and no chemical reactions seem to occur. I have used this on the first sheep I ever had - they had keds. I have even put it under cushions to help prevent a problem. PS that horse lasted til she was 34 years old. A great endurance rider and protector of the sheep.

This seems to come and go, sometimes barely noticeable but other times he's obviously having trouble walking on the foot/leg, usually after lying down for a while. Sounds like pain, mayber a pinched nerve anywhere up to the spine. Can you feel any heat anywhere on the leg? That could indicate damage and inflamation. Try light squeezing massage very slowly up and down, all over the leg to the spine. Any tender areas should give you a sign. Pain is tiring and irritating for the dogs, but they tolerate it better that we do.

Is kibble a part of the diet? I soak the kibble in water (50/50) for a hour before feeding to the dogs - with raw ground meat on top. The wet kibble will digest more efficiently by mixing with the enzymes more completely, and there is less chance for lack of water.

A vet suggesting a dip for demodex is incompetant. He may be "thinking?" of sarcoptic mange, of course, but that makes him seem even more in need of educatin.

Years ago I had one border collie who would jump over a gate or fence, isolate one sheep and keep her from leaving, even if it meant keeping her lying down. I borrowed a shock collar for a week. She stopped going over and through to get to the sheep. Didn`t take much to get her to respond the way we needed.

A week ago I lost a 5 year old with Lymphoma - similar problems. It is hard to accept, but I spent most of her last week giving her all the support possible. Love her while you can.

With wool and dog hair mixed, the people who make roving will blend them well in any ratio. Spun and knitted, this mix makes great hats and mitts. No smell after processing, and the dog hair does not absorb the melted snow as does the wool. So the yarn is nicer in winter clothes.

Years ago I had one pup of a litter eat rocks. I took her to the vet, and xrays showed she was filled with them. We opened her up, but the damage was too serious. She had tapeworm. The vet figured the rock eating was connected to the tapeworm. (fleas on cats from a farm down the road)

It is amazing to me to hear all of the politics. Is there a similar detailed "inspection" for criminals housing stolen property, homes where children or others are abused, cars which are not maintained and present deadly possibilities, abusers who continue to live free, ....??? These "rules" and the people using them as part of their job with animal CONTROL continue to seem to become unjust. Stupid. There are 10 dogs that sleep in my house. There is mud, dust, hair, leaves, drinking water, sheep manure bits and all kinds of stuff on the couch, floor and everywhere. Why would this be considered illegal in comparison with a dogless home with a similar mess?

This afternoon I was looking through some articles on weeds and problems with grazing animals. That gave me the idea of poison ivy, poison sumac, or any of the other bothersome plants. Was the dog running in wooded areas, around wild fields etc? Just a possibility.

How about using a regular electric fence wire on the inside and top of the present regular fence. That has stopped my dogs from getting into the sheep pastures. They have to be in the wrong place - on the fence - before they get the punishment. And you can control the strength of the charge on the wire.

Just curious. $34 for 35 pounds??? I`m paying $36 plus taxes for 15 pounds.

Well, I finally decided to give my suggestion. Get a bottle of vicks vaporub. Rub it on the tire where it is usually available when the dog tries biting. Most dogs don`t like the taste or smell of the vicks.

And....... realize that she could be back in heat, redy to breed in September, or October. Seven years ago my dog had her first heat in February, and surprised me with puppies in June. Be cautious and observant.

I`d be really concerned about kidney damage. The vet should check that, since she may need intravenous fluids to recover with healthy kidneys. Heat exhaustion can kil even a year or two later with kidney damage. Get fluids in her as best you can til the vet can help.

This sounds like a horrible experience for the dog. Is the foxtail involved like this stuff on the link? http://www.ecclectica.ca/issues/2004/1/smith.asp

Several times I have used heavy foam. I bought 2 inch foam, and wrapped it around the neck twice. Then used tape to keep it just tight enough. From the cheek bones to the shoulders. It is bulky so the dog can`t reach the rest of his body. It is cheap and can be used again and wrapped to fit the next dog. The dogs don`t seem to mind, and it is comfortable when it bumps into humans and other dogs.

I`ve had 2 come into heat at 5 1/2 months. Good luck.

About 20 years ago, when a family moved into the farm nearby, their cats kept coming to my place. I was visiting a friend with 3 of my dogs, and she noticed the flea dirt on one of them. I went home, and sure enough we had fleas. I used rotenone powder everywhere, and never had fleas again - that i could see. I didn`t know until later where the cat came from, so I sent it to the animal control. The people were mad, but I thought it was a stray. Does anyone ever use rotenone these days? It was labelled for horses, not the really concentrated stuff.

Try a product called miracle groom, bath in a bottle, 5 in on1 formula by absorbine. It is a horse and pet product. It helps get the dirty laundry smell out of my dogs. Just spray it on and brush. There are directions for spot removal, etc. My friend uses it on white dogs. It deodorizes nicely without a perfume smell.

i have a dog using TOTW wetlands (only) and she is gaining weight with less food, very active. She is allergic to corn and canola oil (which is in the other versions of TOTW) It all depends on each dog.

Frontline topspot and frontline plus are on a warning list. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is evaluating the safety of spot-on pesticide products to control fleas and ticks for pets following a sharp increase in adverse reaction incidents. In a statement released Thursday, EPA reports that it is intensifying its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better protect pets. In 2008 alone, more than 44,000 potential adverse reactions were reported to EPA, ranging from skin irritations to seizures and, in some cases, death. Although incidents with flea and tick products can involve the use of spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos, the majority of the incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products. Spot-on products are generally sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more localized areas on the body of the pet, such as at the base of the neck, in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back. This advisory pertains only to EPA-registered spot-on flea and tick products; these products have an EPA registration number on the label. EPA recommended that pet owners take precautions when using these products. Specifically, the EPA urged pet owners to carefully follow label directions and to monitor their pets for adverse reactions after application, particularly if using a product for the first time. EPA advises pet owners to take precautions when using spot-on products, adding that they should follow label directions and monitor their pets. The agency also suggests that pet owners should consult a veterinarian about how to use flea and tick products responsibly and effectively. EPA plans to “meet shortly” with spot-on product manufacturers to address the issue. The meeting will be held in conjunction with Health Canada, the Canadian health department, which has identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products. For a complete EPA release statement and a list of the products and their manufacturers, see here: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html