RE: anal glands
Are anal glands ever surgically removed? Just wondered what risks are involved, and if this is standard procedure with repeated anal gland problems. Our vet in Memphis charges $25 to do anal gland expression, so I was curious as the cost can mount up for the procedure over the years if you are doing it every other month. Thanks!!
RE: Help....My puppy eats rocks..
Hopefully the pebbles are small enough to pass through when swallowed. This can become a "LIFE THREATENING" situation if the rocks/pebbles lodge in the intestines. It is also a very expensive surgery.
We have a Basset Hound who has had two surgeries from swallowing rocks that became lodged in his intestines. First time was on a camping trip, and we believe the two swallowed rocks came from under the picnic table and probably had spilled food or drink on them. The second time was in our rock proofed yard until the "Cable Guy" came into the yard, dug beside the house unearthing rocks from the foundation, and tossed them into the shrubs along with a spilled coke can, and partially eaten doughnut. Bogie found them and back for another surgery.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/Bogiesincision.jpg
Here is Bogie's incision from his first surgery. The second looked the same.
Our vet told us to prevent him from doing this again to get a muzzle for him to wear whenever we were near rocks. Bogie has become a real trooper about his muzzle. It's an Italian Basket Muzzle, and he can bark, pant, and even drink water with it on. We had to put screen mesh on the sides sewed on with dental floss, because he learned he could lay his head sideways and scoop up things he wanted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/bogiesmuzzlecloseup.jpg
My husband calls him our "little hockey goalie".
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/IMG_1118bogiecloseupmuzzle.jpg
A close up of the muzzle with the screen mesh.
I would remove the rocks and put down another surface if possible. Good luck finding an answer of how to prevent this behavior. When you do let us know.!!!
RE: Where to go in Alaska
We took anouther route. We flew to Anchorage,Alaska and rented a RV from Great Alaskan Holidays:
http://www.akholidays.com/
We had an awesome two weeks of touring going from Anchorage to Denali National Park and took the Tundra tour and saw Denali on a clear day; to Fairbanks and tours to the Artic Circle, a Gold Dredge and a gold mine; saw Musk Ox in Palmer; took a 26 glacier tour in Prince William Sound in Whittier and drove through the tunnel on train tracks to get there; went to the Kenai Peninsula; Seward; hiked many trails to Glaciers, and stayed in wonderful campgrounds. We hope to do it again.
RE: A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}
That's awesome!!!!!! I don't post often, but I do keep up with your continuing story, and the wonderful work that you and Sue have done since the Ole Fella story began. You two are truly very special people who have touched so many lives.
RE: Share a picture of your best friend (not spouse) K9
Here are a couple of our four year old Basset Hound, Bogie.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/IMG_1560.jpg
Where are we headed today?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/IMG_4102600pixbogiebestimpatients_1.jpg
Mom just wanted to show off her flowers.
RE: Taking our Lab pup camping for the first time
Great advice from everyone. I would rethink letting your pup be loose in the RV. In a panic stop, wreck, etc. your pup would be a flying missle possibly getting hurt and possibly hurting you. We use a safety harness for Bogie hooked to the seat belt on the couch in the RV. He loves his perch, can see out, and is safe. Take short rides to get used to the confinement, before you head out on a long trip. Lots of praise and rewards and they will happily adapt to their riding spot. Here are a couple of pictures of Bogie hooked up in the RV.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/600pixBogiesridingspotIMG_07232.jpg
Let's hit the road. I'm ready!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/600pixIMG_1037Bogiesridingspotclose.jpg
A chilly morning in Yellowstone as we head out for a days sightseeing.
RE: So. Dakota to OH advise
When you are going through the Black Hills area be sure to stop at the Crazy Horse Monument and see it in progress. Also a lovely museum there.
In Chamberlain,SD on I-90 on the way to Sioux Falls from the Black Hills there is a nice campground at Cedar Shore Resort on the Missouri River. Nearby is the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center which is awesome and a wonderful way to learn about the Native Americans and their history in the Dakotas.
In Mitchell is the "Corn Palace" which is a building in downtown on Main Street that is covered with wonderful murals made from various colored corn. Done like paint by number except with actual corn kernels, corn cobbs, etc. The theme changes yearly and inside are gift shop areas and films & displays on the history of the area. After tourist season it's the home to the Mitchell Kernel basketball team games and other community functions.
RE: We lost Bailey yesterday.
I am so sorry you have lost Bailey. It was a wonderful tribute you wrote about a special little guy who will always have a special place in your hearts. Rest in Peace, Bailey.
RE: Trip to Mt. Rushmore
Ditto on "staying away" from the Hills during Sturgis week, which is a mess the week before and the week after, with heavy motorcycle traffic and crowds everywhere in the Black Hills area.
Be sure to visit Crazy Horse and the Indian Museum on site is excellent. If you are going to the Badlands area there is a very nice KOA at Interior, SD on the White River. Surprisingly lots of shade trees, well kept, and even a very nice fenced dog park area where your pooch can roam off leash. The best campground we've found in the Badlands area. Also The Mammoth Site in the Hot Springs area and the Black Hills Wild Horse Sancturary are well worth a visit.
http://www.mammothsite.com/
http://www.wildmustangs.com/
So much to do in the Black Hills area!!!!
RE: Sunny needs ACL surgery(probably)
Our two year old Basset Hound snapped his ACL on the left rear leg running the "Basset 500" in our home in June of 2007. He was playing, went flying around the corner, and returned on three legs. We thought he had just sprained it, so we waited a couple of days to see if things improved. They did not, and we took him to our vet. She lightly sedated him so she could manipulate the leg and do the "drawer" test. She was very certain there was ACL damage, and we could wait a couple of weeks to see if things improved with crate rest or do surgery. We chose surgery which was a good thing, because the ACL was totally snapped.
She did an "extra capsular sstabilization with retinacular imbercation", basically replacing the torn ACL using 80 pound monofilament( like fishing line). After surgery we brought him home the next day with strict crate rest for 4 weeks, only walks were to potty on a very short leash. He was on Deramaxx for pain for 3 days and an antibiotic for two weeks.
The tough part was keeping him still and not bouncing, jumping, etc. He did well in the crate, and stuffed kongs, bully sticks,etc. helped keep him busy. We kept the crate in the den where he could see us, and spent a lot of time sitting on the floor with him as he improved. After the first 4 weeks we could start increasing the walks, which we did in very small increments every few days. By 10 weeks he was back to normal, but we still did not let him jump on furniture, etc.
We followed her strict instructions, and today we have a Basset who has full range of motion, and you would never know that he had surgery, except for the scar. He bounces, runs, and is totally back to being a normal dog with no sign of a limp or stiffness. We had an awesome vet, and know surgery was the best option for Bogie.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/300PIXBOGIEACLCRATEIMG_04352.jpg
Bogie in his crate the day we brought him home.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/300PIXINCISIONIMG_04293.jpg
Here is a close up of his incision. Bogie never bothered the stitches so he did not have to wear a collar.
I wish you good luck with Sunny.
RE: Dogs in Yellowstone
We toured Yellowstone for two weeks in September of 2007 with our Basset Hound, Bogie. We have a 22 foot Class C Born Free that we travel and camp in. We stayed in the West Yellowstone KOA and left out early every morning to tour the sights in the Born Free. Bogie stays inside the RV while we did some short hikes and toured the sights. Being in the cooler weather of September we did not have to worry about him over heating while being left for a couple of hours in the RV. We never leave him longer than a couple of hours, and he curls up and naps while we are gone. We have checked with other people and asked if he barks or howls and no one has ever heard him.
You will have to keep your dog on a short leash for walks in the parking lots grassy areas, since they are not allowed on the trails anywhere in Yellowstone. Never think about tying your dog outside even in the campgrounds. Wildlife is every where and your dog would be considered a meal to many. We had a wonderful time with no problems, and as long as you respect the wildlife, and the rules you should have no problems.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/600pixIMG_0992bogieskennelinBFT.jpg
Bogie's spot inside the RV while we see the sights.
RE: Neal hospitalized again!
We ordered our basket muzzle from "KV Vet Supply" catalog. They have various sizes for different breeds. Just go to the "pet" section and put "basket muzzle" in the search box. They are very well made and after two years of daily use, it is still doing great. We actually have two, one we keep in the RV so we don't head down the road with out the muzzle. It seems rocks are everywhere we camp.
Your little guy is adorable, BTW!!
http://www.kvvet.com
Good luck!!
RE: Neal hospitalized again!
So sorry to read about Neal and his rock eating habits. We have a 3 year old Basset hound named Bogie who also has had two surgeries for blocked intestines from swallowing rocks. He has also had two other incidents where he was able to pass the rocks, which were small enough to pass through the intestines.
After the first incident that happened on a camping trip where he swallowed one, we thought we were being vigilant and scoured the yard. Along came the cable guy who installed a new underground cable while we were at work. Naturally rocks were dug up next to the foundation of the house, and the next day back to the vet for the second surgery.
After the second surgery the vet said to get an Italian basket muzzle which would prevent the rock swallowing. Bogie wears this when out in the yard and whenever we are camping, on trips, etc. where there are rocks present. On walks in the neighborhood he doesn't need it since there are no rocks around.
Bogie certainly didn't like the muzzle at first, but finally accepted it and now waits at the door for it to be put on when he goes outside. Here are a couple of pictures of Bogie and his muzzle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/IMG_1118bogiecloseupmuzzle.jpg
We had to add mesh screen around the bottom of the muzzle sewn on with dental floss, because he learned that if he drug it on the ground he could still scoop up things. The screen stopped that.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/classbgirl/bogiesmuzzlecloseup.jpg
We call this one "our little hockey goalie". Bogie can pant in hot weather, still bark, and he can drink water by shoving it down into the water bowl. We always check on him while he's outside with it on. Amazing what he comes in with sticking out of the muzzle, pine needles, sticks, leaves, etc.
I sure hope Neal does OK. I'm sure your wallet is a little skinnier now, because these surgeries are expensive. Believe me we know.
