Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Out There!

1. Temps are in the 60s
2. I have 2 great dogs
3. I have 2 full days of freedom and fun with them....
What could be better?
NOTHING.....

As you know the first doesn't matter,
the number of the second doesn't either,
it's all about the last part of #3....
I'd love to hear what you have planned, or what you did this weekend...

Patty

Hi Patty! It's good to have you posting. The list sure has been quiet the past week or so. Maybe everyone is out playing with their dogs and planting their gardens. I hope everyone is doing well. We don't have special plans for the weekend, but I'm sure it will be fun!

Those on the list may recall me writing to Country Living last year, after Dave's Kaia had such an horrible reaction to Bio-Spot. I told them how sick Kaia was and asked them not to advertise this product anymore. Well, they have a ad again this year, but at least it's not right next to the pet pages! Money talks, I'm sure! There are being investigations into these products though. Here's a link:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html

I'm sure glad I don't need this stuff, since I live in Denver!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Anne I remember you posting about that and I'm still hearing nasty things about the Bio-Spot. As for the magazone... as you noted already money does talk. As for you saying there isn't a need in Denver... are you saying that fleas and ticks aren't a problem?
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

That's right, Bob, we really don't have either here. I'd say "High Altitude", but we do have the Rocky Mountain ticks in the mountains.....the ones that carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. They don't seem to come down to the city, though. I've been around dogs all my life and I've never known any to ever have a flea.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Anne... that is pretty cool! Must be a relief to not have to worry about fleas or Lyme's Disease. It's sort of prevelant in my area and as for fleas I've never seen one on the dogs but do take preventive measures. What about heartworms? Do you have to worry about skeeters that high up?
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Hello Out There,

Out here we have fleas ad ticks - When Beni first came to us he was full of ticks, and over the years (usually during the spring months) I've actually seen ticks jump off of the brush onto Beni and Kari.....very gross!!!!!! I have been using Frontline with good results, but I've never done anything for heartworm, and am not sure exactly what it is or how dogs get it... any info will be greatly appreciated....

Hope to hear from you soon,

Patty

Here is a link to an explanation. I found it in Google.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/hartworm.html

I like those special treats you give me, but how come I only get it one time a month, and only for half the year??
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Patty... heartworms are transmitted by infected mosquitos. You really should have Beni and Kari tested once a year. It's just a simple matter of your vet drawing a small amount of blood and having it examined for signs of infection. The prevention is very easy... one tablet once a month... but it's a moot point if the dogs aren't tested. Untreated dogs can die and the treatment for infected dogs is very long and very expensive. The dogs can have no excitement for weeks and weeks because during treatment the worms can break off and cause death. For my dogs I have kept them on the Heartguard year round just to spare them the yearly test though they have been randomly tested over the years just as a precaution.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

We have to have Murphy's blood tested at least once a year, due to his kidney issues. They do the heartworm test with that same blood draw.

I get stuck every time I go to the doc, but I'm a tough guy and I don't make a fuss!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Oh yes! We have plenty of skeeters, but only in summer months. He only has to have heartworm meds from May through November. Reminds me, he'll be getting his first tablet in about a week. He's already been tested for this year. Since he is off medication for 6 months, he has to be re-tested every year.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

As I mentioned in my reply to Patty I have kept my dogs on Heartguard year round just to spare them the blood test though over the years they each have been randomly tested just as a precaution.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

I answered this in my reply to "Info Needed".
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Hi Patty! Today I gave the 3 dogs a bath to get help with the shedding. You would be surprised at how a warm bath helps to loosen that undercoat. I got a ton of fur out and of course they all have that fluffed up look. I wasn't sure how Beni would react as I don't give baths all that frequently but as always he took it all in stride. Now it'll be up to me and the FURminator to get the rest of the undercoat out. As for Sunday the dogs will get a walk... I'll probably go play 9 holes and come home and mow the lawn.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Artemis got her bath this weekend too! It was in the 90s in PA--and she's shedding like crazy.

Sounds like perfect weather for you guys and a wonderful weekend to boot.

Our weather was wonderful Friday- 60s and sunny. I tried to get off work early- didn't work out as planned.

We had rain/thunderstorms the rest of the weekend. Didn't stop my plans though. Taiko and I were at agility trials all weekend. Saturday NADAC and Sunday ASCA. Qualified in a little over half our runs and placed in all but 1 (I decided to train in the ring on one run and that's an automatic No Time). Not bad for the Elite levels. Had fun, but gave my dog a stomach ache with too many treats. He's normally pretty good, but I tried a new treat and let's just say I won't be doing that again. Poor pup. If he's not straightened up by the time I get home, his dinner will be canned pumpkin and rice.

When not showing, planted some seeds with the kids so we cam get things started before heading outside, also went to dinner with my vet friend. Great weekend overall- far too short though.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

Poor Taiko. . . Hope his belly is better.

Not quite yet. I didn't manage it very well. I fasted him and am SLOWLY adding food back. Paws crossed for a clean crate when I get home today.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas