Bluzinnias

Our distributor reps have told us the parent company that owns DVM (Teva) was shut down. The DVM products were ok, but are warehoused by the parent company who cannot ship product. Debbie, our docs have switched to the Douxo line of shampoos and sprays and they really like them. I'm not sure about their availability in gallon sizes but it might be something worth trying. (Especially for the Chlorhexiderm alternative). Man, when the big one falls, they all fall...I have trouble getting Virbac products now too because they can't keep up. Also, Butler Animal Health and NLS have an almost identical supplement to the Synovi G3 chew. They are both made by Vitality and are practically a bio-equivalent. We have switched some folks over to it and I guess I will too when my Synovi supply runs out. Dasuquin just came out with a soft chew also. Canapp and other ortho docs love Dasuquin. Michelle

Lynn, I work in the veterinary industry in the same area as you and while I have not had any direct interaction with Dr. Canapp, he is HIGHLY regarded as an expert in these issues. Many friends with working border collies have worked with him and have been thrilled with the results. You couldn't be in better hands. Michelle

Sue, I've overlooked this thread and just saw your post. I'm so sorry about Bute. You and your family are in my thoughts. Michelle

Nancy, I agree. This looks a lot like a seizure to me too. It actually upset me when I saw it. Michelle

Hey Megan! Bill likes to behave like an idiot sometimes when he's in the crate in the car and other dogs are working. I purchased a crate cover for the kennel and I have to cover him like a canary when I leave him. I think it is from dogs.com. It's funny because he doesn't carry on too badly if the dog who is working is doing a decent job - if it's a young dog or things aren't going well and the dog and the sheep are all over the place, he's very vocal (almost like he's tattling on them). Michelle

Debbie, Sorry, it's Sat/Sun Nov 29/Nov 30. We don't want you to miss it!!!!!!! Can't wait to see your boys! Michelle

There may be an open working spot available at the Jack Knox Clinic being held November 28 and November 29 in Coatesville, PA near Kennett Square, PA. Please pm me if you would like a flyer. Auditors are welcome to attend as well! Michelle

Latest issue just came in to our vet hospital today - There is a great article by Donald McCaig about his trip to the World Sheepdog Trial in Wales. Michelle

I just looked and Nancy Obernier got an 185!!!!! Yeah Nick!!!

Jack has the weekend after Thanksgiving (11/28,29,30) available for a clinic. Karen Karkow has the farm, time and talent to host the clinic if we have enough people interested. Her place is located near Kennett Square in the town of Coatesville, PA. If anyone is interested in attending, please pm me here and I can get together a head count. Michelle

Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about Eve. And we were just talking about her a couple weeks ago. I know how dear she was to you - as you were to her. She will be missed as she was loved - deeply and forever. Michelle

Thanks for posting this! I love the lanyards and I think I may have to get myself one of those lavender whistles. Michelle

Thanks Julie! I never knew that. PS Got my VBCA newsletter yesterday - congratulations on your award and great book review! Michelle

Oh, my god!!! I just read your story and tears were flowing from my eyes at work. I was trying to hold back my chuckles and sent myself into a rage of hiccups!!!! Being city folk, I gotta ask....what was the sugar for? Michelle

I LOVE LOL cats and LOL dogs!!!! Some of them really crack me up! I can see them coming out with a calendar soon. Michelle

Here at the vet hospital where I work, we see the majority of pyometra in older, unspayed female dogs. Pyo is an infection of the uterus. It is rather gross and quite a danger, maybe even fatal if left untreated. I'd spay her if she was otherwise healthy. Michelle

Caroline, I sent you a PM. Michelle

Here in Baltimore County, we have seen plenty of cases. Some where diagnosed before the 4DX test but that was only because we are a donation site for the Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank and they had found it in some of our donors. Michelle

Hi Debbie! Another one of your pups that will be near me! Close enough to dognap! If you come up 301 there is a nice park in Annapolis called Quiet Waters. Not sure exactly how midpoint that is for the both of you but it's a nice place. Did you see the latest photos I took of Keen in the photo gallery? He's sure is a little cutie! Michelle

Hi, I'm not too far from you! I'm in Towson, MD and work in Monkton. Living in the suburbs doesn't make for good sheep keeping so I mooch off of a great group of friends in the area to get sheep time with my dogs. There's a real nice couple I've met through lessons that I've worked out a farm sitting job with so that I can work their sheep. I've also been working with Stephen at his farm in Havre de Grace. He's been a great help to me! You're pretty central to a lot of opportunities. There are plenty of good clinics coming up this spring and summer and even if you don't have a dog to work, it's great to audit. Definately time well spent if you are interested in stock work. The folks are really nice and are always willing to answer questions and help out someone new. Michelle

At the hospital here where I work, the Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank visits about every 6-8 weeks. We have quite a few staff members and clients that are regular donors. They don't use sedation, all the dogs that donate must be happy and willling. My dog Speck donates every time. He loves it! It's very similar to human blood donors - it's pretty quick and painless and they give the dogs a ton of "cookies" when it's over The perks are good too. Speck gets a CBC, heartworm test and tick borne disease panel every time he donates. They always have freebies, bandanas etc for the dogs. And god forbid, he ever needed blood it would be free for him. At over $250/unit it's quite a nice perk. Here's their website if anyone is interested. They travel to quite a few hospitals in Maryland and Virginia. http://www.evbb.com/ Michelle

The score posting is GREAT! I feel like I'm right there and can follow along from my desk at work. I can't wait to go! Dang work schedule!!!!! Michelle

At the hospital where I work, we have not done a vasectomy. The doctors believe that while a vasectomy would prevent reproduction, the other advantages that you get when neutering are not addressed. Before my time, we had a client come in for a "neuter" with their dog who had a "vasectomy" somewhere else. Apparently, the vasectomy wasn't successful...they found him tied with her sister's dog and the result came soon after. The sister was 100% confident her bitch wasn't exposed to any other males and they thought this dog was "safe". Curiously, dad was a Mastiff and mom was a Great Dane and she only delivered one pup. So I wonder if his sperm production was *reduced* because the vasectomy wasn't *complete*. Makes you wonder.... Michelle

Welcome! I'm in Maryland too, near Baltimore. He is a handsome boy! Michelle

There is a new Iverhart - Iverhart Max that has the praziquantal (sp?) that addresses tapeworms too. Much cheaper than a Heartguard and a drontal tab. Michelle