P. Sherwood

To AK Dog Doc--you had me in tears. We tried chemo, but could not get on top of the cancer. He lasted just 6 weeks from diagnosis to euthanasia, with treatment. Clearly, it was well established by the time any external evidence showed up. Too bad there's not some annual screening that would tip us off to bad cells in an early stage. To all of you--thanks for the sympathy and good advice. One does try to figure out causes--and feel guilty about not feeding the right food or using the wrong flea repellant or spreading fertilizer on the lawn or... I will have another pup--though he will never be Fire, he will be something nearly as good.

I have just lost my 5-year-old companion Fire to lymphoma. Does anyone have any knowledge of what may have caused it? His breeder has never had a case of cancer. He was in excellent condition. From time of diagnosis to the day I had to put him down was just 2 months. Before I get another dog, I'd like to know more about this ghastly disease.

Somehow I messed up the first part of my reply--I just wanted to say I've had some 25 years experience teaching obedience. I even remember when Kowhler's book first came out--and thought it was very sensible.

came out. He makes a lot of sense--employing the theory that the dog thinks he's made himself uncomfortable by not doing the right thing. I'm a firm believer in the leash and choke collar (used appropriately, not roughly)--sooner or later the dog must learn that he HAS to do what you say. And that's where the "cookie" method falls down--the dog shouldn't have the option of making a choice to do or not to do. Blanche Saunders' old book "Training You to Train Your Dog' is also a good guide. But definitely try the Koehler method.

Sarcoptic mange is also "scabies", which I think sheep get? It is (or they are) mites which burrow into the skin--you can imagine how that feels! Clues are: non-responsive to cortisone, itching primarily legs and feet some on the chest, can make little bumps or lesions, apparently easily treated with ivermectin. Has to be a series of either shots or oral treatment as you must kill the mites and then their subsequent offspring. Fire's vet gave him 3 treatments each a week apart. Definitely worth looking into if your dog has a suspicious, seemingly incurable itch

I got smart and took Fire to my old vet (unfortunately some 50 miles away so we don't go regularly). Anyway, he quickly diagnosed the problem as sarcoptic mange--put the little dog on Ivermectin and he's well on the road to recovery. Apparently foxes are a vector, for those of you whose dogs run in fields and woods where foxes may gather. Thank you for all the helpful suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestions. No, he's not exposed to sheep. I only sprayed AFTER he started scratching and chewing. He's been getting the same food for the last 4 years. Bathing doesn't help. I have noticed some few very small bumps on his skin which seem to be related--that's where he scratches. They're really hard to find, so I'm not totally sure they're the whole cause. I'm wondering if it could be something besides an allergy. Will check out the website noted in one response--any other useful webesites would be greatly appreciated. I think I'll also get a reference to a dermatologist. Any other help?

Fire is 4-1/2 years old. Last September he developed a horrendous itch. The vet seems to think it's an allergy, but to what? He has no fleas, ticks, or other bugs. I've bugsprayed the entire house. I've washed all his bedding (several times). His coat and skin are apparently healthy--glassy coat, no flaking or dandruff. Have tried cortisone shots, no help. 4 Benedryl (antihistamine) a day haven't helped. Only thing that's worked so far is 20 mg prednisone, but that's not a long-term option. Does anybody have any helpful tips?

I've been reading with interest the thread Denise Wall started on gene pools and inheritance. As a total ignoramus, science-wise, I'm curious to know what/how behavior is inherited. Even in my companion dog (from working parents) I see leanings toward almost-instinctive behavior in learning things like drop at a distance, come to the whistle--stuff that's not directly related to herding, but is clearly imprinted in that brain somewhere. How? Why doesn't he point birds or retrieve ducks, for example?

No question that Fire learns all kinds of behaviour from other dogs. His Lab friend taught him to "find it"--really search for, and sniff out, a lost ball. Fire rarely uses his nose, relying on spectacular eyesight instead, so this was an obviously learned behavior. However, he wasn't just observing when he learned it. Can they learn from seeing? I wouldn't put anything past a border collie.

Keep an eye on those eyes...I have a grand-dog with Pannus disease. It can be treated by steroid drops, but will blind the dog without treatment. Halley's owner had to go through one vet and 2 vet ophthamologists before getting a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Over the couse of the years--a lot of years--I've ripped up various joints. I find glucosamine keeps me walking (groin injury), swimming (shoulder injury), and smiling. Adding chrondoitin also about doubles the price. No need for that!

I taught obedience for many years. The 180o turn advice is right on...and don't help him make the turn. You just whip around and head off in the opposite direction. Fast. Your dog will get snubbed by his own forward motion...and he thinks it's his fault for not watching you. A choke collar, properly used, teaches a lot. And the dog thinks he's making himself uncomfortable...NOT that you're doing it to him. A crucial point. Also, making 90o turns--sharp rights and lefts works. Move fast, don't slow down before the turn or give any warning. Walk through your dog on a left turn--it's up to him to get out of your way, which he can do if he's paying attention to you.

If you're going to keep a border collie confined (and mind, that's confined, not tied), you need to work a serious exercise program into your day. These are dogs who can do 100 miles a day when working, and they need to be run hard for at least an hour a day--the bad behavior is largely boredom. If you run, take the dog along. Or teach her to chase a ball. Or take up bicycling and take her. Something to work the evil spirits out. Tying a dog out is not generally considered good for the disposition. Far better to set up a fenced run with a shelter in case of bad weather.