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Post by Pauliana on Apr 24, 2013 9:13:58 GMT -7
Hi Debbie!
Angel is likely depressed or bored.. Maybe a new stuffless toy, the ones with the soft fabric, no stuffing and they have squeakers in the tail and heads. Tyler adores his and cuddles with them.. A new toy seemed to distract him from the blues.. Or just something to cuddle with gives them a sense of comfort. If she gets overactive with it that is not a good thing but if it cheers her up and comforts her then it's a good thing. The view out the patio door is a great idea..
Composure chews are worth a try too. A few members here have had good success with it. I used a Comfort Zone infuser here and it helped too. Using a combination of things sometimes works better..
Sending Angel a hug over the miles..
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on Apr 28, 2013 8:21:50 GMT -7
Thank you Pauliana, she has good days and not so good days. It was nice yesterday, so since she is coming up on her 4 week mark, when I took her to potty, I sat down in the grass, and let her walk around. After she went pee, she walked over, I stretched out my legs, and she came over and curled up there and laid down. I think she is just missing the Mommy and Me closeness time. She is doing VERY well physically. I am so Blessed..
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
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Post by Deborah & Angel on Apr 30, 2013 9:25:41 GMT -7
We have reached the 4 week mark...YAY!!! We have done our first 5 min walk of the day and Angel is napping...lol
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Ticker Marie & Daphne
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New problem - uncontrollable kicking of back legs when walking
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Post by Ticker Marie & Daphne on May 4, 2013 9:36:45 GMT -7
Haven't seen a post from you in a few days and was wondering how things are going? How is Angel doing with her being confined? Still depressed? Have you tried the Composure Chews? If so, how did they work? The surgeon told me I could use the Trazodone for that if I needed to, one day she was really whiny and if I went outside to do yard work I could hear her barking which got my other dachshund howling!! What a duet they do. Anyway, I cut the 1/4 tab in half and gave it to her and it helped, she has been much better since and I haven't had to give anymore. She doesn't like it if she can't see me and I had to go to town yesterday for groceries and my husband said she cried for about an hour after I left! Hope things are going good for you and Angel. Many hugs to both of you.
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Post by Pauliana on May 4, 2013 12:34:40 GMT -7
Debbie, how are things with you and Angel?
Thinking about you both!
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 4, 2013 12:43:34 GMT -7
Thanks for thinking of us...Yes..we are doing ok, we have 10 days to go..then we will be doing supervised out of crate...I'm so nervous. We are getting the house ready. I popped in here to look for the link for the Foam ramps, I thought I book marked it, but didn't. We are wondering if, we should make them, or just buy them...Haven't tried the Composure yet, or the rescue remedy. Trying to get things in order, and watch the budget too. The hubby had oral surgery two weeks ago...ugh...it just never ends...Will be easing Angel into physical activity, and want to get a small pool, she doesn't really like water, so I don't know if I should even bother with the pool, so many decisions, so little time...HELP!!!
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Post by Pauliana on May 4, 2013 13:26:58 GMT -7
Here is the link to the foam ramps that Paula posted: www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Foam-Dog-Cat-Pet-Ramp-GE12-/360393266126?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e91cd3ceI remember being nervous when Tyler graduated crate rest, worrying he would hurt himself. We made the house back friendly. Put baby gates on the inside stairs, pillows on the love seat and chair. He never jumped up on furniture even before IVDD, but we still put the pillows there when the chairs aren't in use. We still carry him outside though he walks in the yard on leash. We don't let him free run on the property because if he sees people he dashes off to greet them and gets very excited. We have worked up to longer walks and he acts as if nothing ever happened. We just gradually increased his walks a few minutes from week to week and he is enjoying life now. He knows he can't jump up on people or for a toy and if he tries, I say "No jump!" He soon learned what was off limits and what he can do safely. The worry is always there but I have learned that prevention is most of the battle. Y ou will find you will settle into a new routine with Angel and everything will be ok!
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 4, 2013 13:31:09 GMT -7
So.... I'm checking out the Composure, and the Mini are $10.00 for 30 versus, $15.00 for 60 of the larger dog...just not fair..
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 4, 2013 13:32:01 GMT -7
Oops..just saw you responded..thank you.. I did order 2 of the foam ramps...and I'm guessing you are right Pauliana, after all, we made it this far, and I'm sure we'll be OK. I was gonna get some PVC pipe and try some of those furniture blockers, but not sure if they might knock them over. Since she is already used to the crate, I'm going to use it when we are away from home, and leave the "playpen" in the Living room. Things will NEVER be the same...but they will be OK..
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Post by Pauliana on May 4, 2013 14:01:55 GMT -7
Your instincts are great Debbie! Very good about leaving the "playpen" up in the Lliving room, just in case, and crating her when you will be gone. We do the same with Tyler.
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 4, 2013 15:37:04 GMT -7
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Post by Pauliana on May 4, 2013 19:53:17 GMT -7
Good question Debbie, I have never seen a combo soft stair/ramp before.. I'll ask Linda about it and see what she has to say.. Hmmmmmm
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 5, 2013 6:44:53 GMT -7
Hi Debbie, I'm not sure what the point of it is either. The only thing I can think of is that its for a real high bed and the ramp being steep maybe those steps (I think they look more like humps) keep the dog from sliding. I guess I've never really looked at all the ramps available now. My husband always made ours. For our higher bed we used one that we set along the end of the bed and it looked more like this one with a platform at the top. www.amazon.com/Pet-Gear-Stair-Ramp-Chocolate/dp/B006I8LLGK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_2I guess it all depends on where you want to use it. Lisa, our moderator just did a review on www.puppystairs.com/ She really liked their ramps. Its on our FB page (kind of far down now) or if you'd like I'll post it for you.
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Deborah & Angel
Helpful Member
No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 5, 2013 9:25:31 GMT -7
Hi Pauliana oops, or whoever, is around, the Composure comes in different sizes, I guess I need the mini's?
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Post by Pauliana on May 5, 2013 9:29:48 GMT -7
The mini's would be the right size for sweet Angel.
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 5, 2013 9:31:04 GMT -7
Thank you, just wanted to be sure...makes me mad that they are so much more expensive..
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Post by Pauliana on May 5, 2013 9:32:32 GMT -7
Doesn't make much sense that the big ones are less expensive than the mini's. I don't get that either.
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 5, 2013 9:36:46 GMT -7
Thank you Linda Stowe, our bed is 2 foot off the floor, yep...it's up there (used to be a waterbed with 2 sets of drawers underneath), anyways, I ordered 1 of these: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HRKQWA/ref=ox_ya_os_product, hoping it does the trick as the room is not really that big...ugh
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 7, 2013 10:20:22 GMT -7
We are down to the last week...YAY!!! The outside ramp is built, and others are coming this week via UPS. So excited, but nervous too.. Angel goes back for her check-up on the 20th..lol...That's her 5th Birthday..
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Post by Pauliana on May 7, 2013 11:07:55 GMT -7
Hi Debbie!
You are doing all the right things to get prepared so I just know everything is going to be ok with Angel.
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Post by natureluva on May 7, 2013 15:08:02 GMT -7
Hi Debbie, have you read our link on how to slowly reintroduce Angel into activities? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm I'm sure Angel's depression will lift as she gets more freedom. If you have an ex-pen, you can actually sit inside the ex-pen with Angel so that you can give her affection and help her feel less isolated. We look forward to hearing how things go! Best wishes, ~Lisa
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 8, 2013 7:41:41 GMT -7
Thank you Ladies, yes..I have read sooo much here..I think I'm ready, I have been in the ex-pen and have sat out in the grass with her...and she just LOVES it...but her happiness just doesn't seem to last, I'm hoping that changes... I found this..I know everyone is ALWAYS looking for "natural" remedies for fleas and such, I haven't tried these yet, as we haven't had the need, but I'm going too, if anyone else does, I'd like to hear some feedback. I do know that Dawn original dish soap will kill fleas DEAD, if your pet is infested. So here's the link for the other I mentioned: everydayroots.com/flea-remediesFound this one too: www.ehow.com/way_5608181_homemade-tick-repellent-recipe.html
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Post by Pauliana on May 8, 2013 9:00:51 GMT -7
Hi Debbie, Once Angel graduates crate rest in a few days, I am sure she will cheer up. She will be busy learning how to use the ramps. Ramp training lessons are coming right up. Just having some close times with you out of the crate will help too.. The count down begins... A bath using Dawn does kill fleas on a dog, you are so right, Debbie! It's a great emergency defense. One day two years ago our cousins brought their dogs over and got Tyler, who was flea free, infested. I had a major battle on my hands and first thing I did was bathe him with Dawn and that worked to start with. The Frontline flea preventative that I had him on at the time didn't work. I had to rid the house of the fleas using natural methods because I have Parakeet and have to be careful about putting toxins into the air. Birds are 90% lung and air sacs. I used Peppermint oil Castile soap by Dr Bronner mixed with lots of water in a spray bottle.. His Eucalyptus oil soap works too.. His products are available in health food stores and some supermarkets. I use this for ants too. Plus the house smells good! www.drbronner.com/
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 8, 2013 10:50:54 GMT -7
Thank you Pauliana...did you use just straight soap & water, or mix something, and what ratio did you use, trying to go as natural as possible. Also wanted to ask, Angel missed her heart worm med for 2 months, do I need to have her checked before continuing? I was reading up on that too, If I read correctly, we only need to give heart worm meds July thru Nov, but need to be tested before starting in July, is this safe? We have been doing year round protection. All this gets confusing after awhile.. :/
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Post by Pauliana on May 8, 2013 11:10:46 GMT -7
The heartworm and flea preventatives are neuro toxins and I have the same worry with Tyler. I opted to not use them because of IVDD. Paula posted info about this on the Herbal flea remedies topic in the Updates area. dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/300/
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Post by Pauliana on May 8, 2013 15:04:20 GMT -7
For the Dr Bronner's Castile soap: 1/4 oz in quart of water as a Pest control spray! Or for a smaller spray bottle just a few drops and the fill the bottle with water.
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Deborah & Angel
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No current back issues... Living Life.. <3
Posts: 294
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Post by Deborah & Angel on May 9, 2013 6:27:54 GMT -7
Paulana...You don't do heartworm at all? ALSO...need to know: All vaccine labels state that they’re to be used in healthy animals....What constitutes a "healthy pet"? Since Angel has IVDD, is she no longer considered "healthy" I'm reading she may be rabies shot exempt...Is this a good idea?
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Post by Pauliana on May 9, 2013 8:19:47 GMT -7
Hi Debbie,
Please check the update topic about flea control. We were discussing the heartworm situation there. There is a link to Dr Becker's information there.
Tyler is on an every 3 year Rabies shot that isn't due until 2014. At that time I will have them do a titer to see if he still has immunity.. Many Vaccines last longer than what we are told. They have been giving yearly shots to pets when the immunity lasts many years and the shots can have ill effects on pets in the long term.. The best idea when it's time for shots is to have them run a titer to see if immunity levels are still there..Our IVDD dogs have a health condition that has neurological implications and we have to be careful about what goes into them..
Have to leave now but when I get back later on, I will find the articles that explain this in more detail.
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Post by Pauliana on May 10, 2013 9:35:32 GMT -7
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 10, 2013 11:56:31 GMT -7
Debbie, One added note to Pauliana's reply, it may depend on what part of the country you live in whether you need some of the stronger meds IMO. When we lived in IL I only gave heartworm preventative part of the year. When we moved to TX, which has a very bad heartworm problem, I gave it every month and I had them checked every year. Also in IL, I didn't have to worry too much about the rabies. Not much wildlife in our city. Here in TX, we live where they have been building many new houses, lots of wildlife around and some rabies reported. I would never give any shots to a dog on IVDD meds or during an episode. I would also wait several months or as long as I could before doing any shots.
I hate putting shots or harsh chemicals onto a dog, but you may need to consider the part of the country you live in, laws and the general environment. How much your dogs are around other dogs. I had to give shots here in TX that I would never have in IL. Also, how much commitment you can or are willing to do.
You are doing the exact right thing, doing your research and your dogs will surely benefit from it.
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