@AnandaKiora: They sent it on Tuesday. A few weeks o.k.whew, I was worried they might not have got it. The take the blood and then extract the DNA… it can take a week or two to get that posted on the CPP site, they don't just post that they received blood.

Very good link, thank you for sharing it :cool:

As for the poison-ivy, I've talked to our diagnostic vet here at the university and dogs aren't affected by the oil in poison-ivy. However, it can stay on their hair/skin for a few days and "infect" you (you can get a jewelweed soap that works great online). So you should wash off your dog as soon as you get back from your walks. I used to take my previous beastie to my brother's place where there is some poison-ivy - I didn't think he had gotten into it since I was with him the whole time. Later that evening he was laying in my lap (it was summer, I had shorts on). A couple of days later I had a bad case all over my upper thighs.

Okay thanks for clearing that up for me - I'll pass on the info.

@lvoss: The reason for the differing information is because of the differing organizations that do testing. I am not sure about testing in Australia but in the US there are two different organizations that do hip testing, as far as I know only one that does elbows. OFA the organization that does both hips and elbows in the US requires that the dog be at least 24 months old before they will issue a registration number but you can get a preliminary evaluation after 12 months of age. PennHip which I believe is more like the system in Australia, does their hip evaluations as early as, I believe, 4 months old. Actually, OFA will do a preliminary eval as early as four months of age…but you can't get a published preliminary rating until 12 mos; and as you stated no OFA number until 24 mos.

Condolences, Debra. You went above and beyond in the process of sending your baby girl home. Sending you heartfelt wishes for peace and healing.

@chilli07: after reading all posts, we changed Chilli's food to Innovo - Evo (no grain) this is the only product i can find here in melbourne..she hasn't completely stop but still scratching. might have something to do with her stealing food from the jack russell. found that out tonight! That is a big reason that I have for keeping both the kids on the same food. If Charlie manages to get into Zaires food I know it is ok. Also I have found that with a B and a Parsonn Russell in the house kennell feeding works best for me, as neither of these dogs will back down when it comes to food. :) Great to know there is someone else out there crazy enough to be owned by a B and a Russell at the same time. :D

Sometimes a pup will get a nodule where the shots have been given.

They said that there is a overgrowth of Bacteria, which is common in some dogs. So I can either give him some yogurt or a med that they are giving me, as Medjai is a very picky eater. I just figured this would be easiest for now, but I'll try yogurt next time.

Don't worry Ivoss, I wear the pants ;) I do most of the care taking & 99% of socializing the dogs either myself or with Andrew in tow. That may be Andrew's opinion, but fortunately he isn't allowed alone with the dogs… j/k of course. Sort of. ;)

I use tea tree oil on everything. Its the "anti Basenji" tool in our house. Alex will tease me all the time. I apply it to anything I don't want the dogs to lick off. Paws, an insect bite I don't want them to lick, a rash, etc. Its also a great antiseptic and helps the healing process too. I just love it!!!!

@rnasto: We have been going for long walks in the morning and afternoon and then to the dog park in the evening… When we come home, he munches drinks some water and then goes and passes out. Bet that's one happy pup. Walk, eat, sleep. That's why we call it a dog's life, right?:D

@wizard: I've looked at that website but still don't understand the reason behind doing this test. It doesn't check for genetic defects just parentage. It seems it undeniably verifies parentage, but isn't that what the AKC registration does? There must be something I'm missing. It is to prove parentage… as you could put any name of any dog on a set of papers and sent them it.... which in cases of Puppy Millers and some BYB's that is was was being done..... so the parents were NOT the parents of a given puppy. If you read the minutes each month on the AKC site (Secretary's page) you can see how many litter registrations were reversed "due" to DNA parentage.

No EL D isn't paying any extra attention or licking it. I was pretty sure it was the paw though because he acted like it was tender when I wiped the dirt and grass off. Today it didn't seem to bother him at all (at least so far). Maybe it was just a little sprain/strain. I'll keep an eye on him for sure.

It will be best for you and for your girl b… Let us know when you get her home. I think you will be surprised how little she changes after this surgery.

@tanza: It could be her patellas more then her hip, could be slipping out of the socket. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1569&articleid=457 I don't remember where you got her from, but if from a responsible breeder you might want to ask if any of her line have had luxating patellas. Thank you for the information. I will ask the breeder if they know and then do some research prior to taking her to the vet too.

@tanza: Hmm…. I would "bet not".....gggg;) And you'd win! This morning, Magnum followed me down to the laundry room where I had put some painted-up towels I used last night to get off a lot of the paint when it first happened. Luckily, I was able to grab them up just as he got into position to throw himself down and roll on them. (I trashed them after getting them as clean as I could.) He just loves rolling in stuff that's smelly, whether it's a good smell or a bad smell! He may have learned a lesson, but it's obviously not one that's gonna stop him from rolling in smelly stuff! He seems to be okay even after getting several licks of paint in, no tummy problems, his usual laid-back self. Eating and drinking well.