Re: no subject
In a message dated 1/29/2003 6:43:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I guess my real question to the list is what are some of the more unusual/unique tricks that your Berners do? I haven't done it...but the cutest trickster I've seen was a Sheltie. When her owner sneezed, she raced across the room, grabbed a box of tissues, and returned to offer them to her owner. Very cute... -Sherri V.
Re: Seizures and anesthesia for MRI
Hi Thia, I don't have experience with what you're going through, but one way of approaching decisions like this is to consider what benefit will be gained by doing a proceedure that carries risk. I ask my vet if and how *knowing* will affect our treatment plan and outcome. Sometimes it IS critical to know what you're dealing with in order to gain a positive outcome. Sometimes, you'll feel the treatment is not a viable option so you wouldn't do it anywayin which case *knowing* is only valuable in terms of your 'need to know'. Sometimes, the future will be similar whether you know exactly what's going on or not. When dealing with risk or extreme discomfort for my dog, knowing the potential gain is a major part of my decision process. ~ Sherri Venditti
Re: BMDs Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
Hi Fred, I'm not a vet but everything you've described sounds very much like a severe case of the gulps. You'll find lots of information on this in the Berner-L archives, just do a search on Gulps. I haven't done the diagnostics that you have, but I have an 11 y.o. bitch who's prone to allergies and has had Gulps since she was a youngster. They got worse over time and got better and worse seasonally along with her foot licking. There were periods when I was up with her all night long for weeks on end. :( I was able to address her seasonal allergies with some basic supplements and get her off the pred regime during her worst periods, spring fall. That process reduced the frequency and severity of her Gulps a great deal. With that success as a springboard, I finally took the plunge and switched her to a totally BARF diet so I could control ALL ingredients. (We realized early on that specific foods would set off the Gulps in a flash, and it only took a morsel!) In the course of refining her diet, I discovered that she is so sensitive to soy that most brands of Vit E (which is typically derived from soy) will trigger an attack. Beef, buffalo, wheat, most cruciferous veggies, and a few other things will as well. BTW~ Food allergies often develop over time so the food a dog has been fine on previously can suddenly become problematic. Also, food manufacturers tend to change their ingredients over time so the food can change without you knowing it. I found this by reading the label on the super premium kibble I'd used for years. The good news is that with her seasonal allergies under control and her diet under control, my old girl's virtually gulp free! The only exception is if she's put on some medications, such as antibiotics. If she does have to be on a medication that's a trigger, I give a Pepcid AC COMPLETE once a day (Berry flavored chewable, be sure to crumble it up before giving). The Complete contains a conventional antacid for quick knockdown AND a drug that reduces the production of stomach acid. It's VERY effective. For longer term use such as the presence of an inoperable mast cell tumor, the regular Pepcid AC is usually given daily. FWIW~ Based on the resports of many owners, there appears to be a connection between allergies and gulps. Gulpy dogs often have other outward symptoms of allergy (foot licking, hot spots, yucky ears, etc). Also, when the allergies are worse, the gulps are also worse, in frequency and severity. My *inexpert* theory is this: In an allergic reaction histamines are released (known). The histamine triggers an increase in production of stomach acid (known). This excess acid (and possibly reflux) results in what we see as the Gulps (theory). (BTW~In terms of your workups, the level of eosinophils circulating in the blood also increases as part of an allergic response (known).) The pred will give you quick knock down of an allergic reaction and the fish potato diet should address a food allergy. If you use pred down the road, do keep in mind that it's very hard on the stomach so it can be a juggle between the benefit of the steroid and the possible aggravation of the irritated stomach problem. Assuming that there isn't some acid trigger going on (excessive stress and mast cell tumor are possibilities), I'd expect that Mick will be doing very well in no time. Once he's gulp free, go VERY slowly at reintroducing food items, treats, and supplements if you use any. Keep an eye on his footlicking, if it continues while he's on the fish potato diet, there's a good chance it's due to an environmental allergen which you may not be able to eliminate. In that case, there are some very benign supplements that can be very effective in dealing with the allergy. If you're interested, I can share the protocol that's been successful for my girl for several years now. I have no financial interest in any of it and was quite the skeptic...trying the supplemental route as a long shot to avoid routine pred. Wasn't I surprised to find that it actually worked! -Sherri Venditti
Re: AKC Registration
In a message dated 1/29/2003 10:30:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: we as breeders can have control of the AKC registration. All we have to do is before the pup leaves the house the registration is filled out and signed by the new owner. Makes sense to me Elke! I wonder how many breeders do it? -Sherri
Rehome in Westchester
In the Pennysaver in Westchester there is an add for an 8yr old bernese mtn dog. I was wondering if anyone knew how to help or who the local club was I could maybe call and talk to these folks and lend a hand. Radha __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
Idea for Oprah?
Someone has just asked me if it would be possible to present an idea to Oprah about doing a show on the puppy mills and auctions. I know that people have raised this idea in the past (since Oprah has a few Golden Retrievers, it's possible she would have some interest in the merits of the idea), I wondered how much luck anyone has had in getting this across to the show producers? Any ideas? Pat Long ( Luther) Berwyn PA Check any e-mail over the Web for free at MailBreeze (http://www.mailbreeze.com)
RE: BMDs Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
Hi Fred and Helen, My eight year old girl Lily was diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis after a bout of e-coli plus 3 following a raw chicken back (no flames here I was trying a BARF thing and learned very quickly that a dog suffering from immune mediated disease does not need raw chicken in their diet) We got the brakes on the diarrhea with 100mgs of Prednisone daily and reduced to 50mgs and slowly weaned off. Lily had endoscopic examination of her stomach and duodenum and samples taken for pathology. Early cell change was noted. This disease progresses steadily reducing the body's ability to absorb nutrients and the dog will lose condition. We stabilised Lily for awhile and her alarmingly low albumin levels picked up but they plummeted down again and we put her on 25mg Prednisone daily for a week and then went every other day but she was not able to manage being dosed every other day. She had never been a Berner to eat socks or towels etc but just lately she started and had also taken to gulping snow down despite having water constantly available to her. The progression of this disease varies with each patient but it cannot be cured. Palliative care works best, when they are on Prednisone you cannot use Metacam or other anti-inflammatories so if you have other treatments for other conditions you should check with your veterinarian. Watch your dog closely for eating socks etc, I think Lily's internal soreness prompted her new habit. Rose
Re: Idea for Oprah?
Well , I've emailed the show several times about this same subject and have never gotten a reply back or acknowledgement it was received :-(. Guess it would be a try if a LOT of people emailed them. I don't have the address anymore Laurie Montoya S. Central PA Someone has just asked me if it would be possible to present an idea to Oprah about doing a show on the puppy mills and auctions. I know that people have raised this idea in the past (since Oprah has a few Golden Retrievers, it's possible she would have some interest in the merits of the idea), I wondered how much luck anyone has had in getting this across to the show producers? Any ideas? Pat Long ( Luther) Berwyn PA
tricks
Most every dog can speak on command, but we added a bit more which has been great fun - espically when visiting schools, kids, etc. First I taught Hank to speak, but added whisper. When we go out, I often ask him to say Hi and, ofcourse, it is always a big, big bark. (use a hand signal so no matter what word you use - Hi, Bye, etc. he will respond to by barking) Then I say something like, Oh, Hank, that's really too loud! or Hum.. Hank's got better library manners than that. Using the shhh signal (finger to lips) I ask Hank to whisper. He has learned a quiet bark in response to this. Great fun... espically if you ask a crowd of kids to help you remind your dog to speak quietly. This is not rocket science trick training, but sure is fun. Jeanne
Re: no subject
well Bogen has a trick everyone loves - except Tarheel fans. I aim my finger at him like a gun and ask Would you rather be a live Tarheel or a dead Cavalier? and he flops down and rolls over his back with all 4 feet in the air. At 11 years old he still does this trick with a smile on his face!! My mother's border collie mix also did this trick but he added theatrics to it and would slowly dissolve into the ground groaning like the movie stars then slowly roll over on his back and hold perfectly still. Bogen wags his tail the whole time so he leaves the theatrics to the hard crash he makes when he hits the floor. Sorry UNC fans ;) Go Wahooos! Molly and the gang Charlottesville, VA PS - The Cavalier is the mascot for the University of Virginia
Fwd: Re: Bernese Mountain Dog Photographs
well, this is encouraging. Molly Hi Molly, Thanks for you e-mail and as a site we work to provide accurate informational for all the breed, that why we are updating our site and are in a process of rewriting all the information. Therefore if possible if you can send us the correct information and we will alter the changes. Thank you. Margaret Kiyimba
Re: Stevie and BEHAF
In a message dated 1/30/2003 12:05:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: post Stevie's medical billing are being taken care of. This might rise her soon to be ex-husband's interest. What if you said that Karen has Stevie's medical bills under control. I noted that too, good point. Vilma
Transporting large animals
From my first aid training, you can improvise a quick stretcher from two 6 ft closet pole rods and a blanket. For a dog I would fold a blanket in half and lay it on the ground. Then put the two poles (in parallel)on top, a little more than a third of the way in from the edge on each side. Fold the first flap in to go past the second pole. Then the second flap goes back over to the the first pole. The weight of the dog or person keeps the whole thing together without pinning it together. It works well for short distances for urban environs, like getting from the park or house to the car. Another alternative is to use a zipped jacket and stick the poles through the arms. This might be a little small for our size dogs, but works. Of course this takes two people to do this but is very effective. Having two 1 1/4 X 6' poles around in the garage is cheap insurance in an emergency. The other method that people were describing is called a travois. It was used by indians and hunters with horses very effectively to haul the tee-pees' poles and materials. (It also is an acceptable device for draft tests as well.) It is basically a triangle of three poles, two long and one shorter one going across at the bottom. Then a mesh of branches or tarps covering the open field of it. It is fairly effective for going longer distances but it definitely need to be lashed securely if you plan to be covering any amount of rough terrain such as a trail in the woods. I doubt that I would want to drag my injured dog along the ground for any distance what so ever. I guess that's another good reason to have more than one dog with you. (Setup a drag that the dog could assist in pulling with you.) The only other option is practicing the firemans carry position. (This should be practiced with a willing healthy dog before having to do this in an emergency situation.) I don't know if many of you could actually lift and carry a 85-125 lbs of dead weight for any distance by yourselves. So keeping other people informed of your where abouts is essential. Be safe out there Jim LaFrom San Jose, CA now get out there and work dem workn' dogs
Good News
I just thought I would share some good news after all the bad news and sad news we have had lately on berner-l. I took my soon to be 11 year old intact male to the vet yesterday for a geriatric work up. I realized he has not had any blood work for over 2 years and with losing my 7.5 year old to histio a few weeks ago, I decided I wanted to be sure this old boy was in the good health he appears to be! Well all blood work is NORMAL! His heart is normal, his temperature is normal, his blood counts are good, the vet palpated him and said everything was normal, he has a few sebacious cysts and fatty cysts typical of a dog his age, but nothing to pose any concern. His eyes, ears, and teeth all look good - he is the picture of health! This made me so happy that I wanted to share - also to let those of you out there who may be new to the list who are reading about some of the sadness we experience with this breed know that yes, there are some healthy guys out there who are full of themselves and going strong. He can still jump in the back of my Grand Cherokee, on and off my bed, and almost kept up with the youngsters chasing a herd of deer the other evening. The only suppliments he gets are Glyco-Flex and Vitamin E - he is as sound as he can be! Thanks Bogen for all these wonderful years and I look forward to many more! Molly and the Quellen gang Charlottesville, VA
Re: LOC calendar effort
If someone could post in plain text the post that Ann shared I would appreciate it. Thought I was in plain text but the gods at prairienet felt otherwise :) Susan
Stevie's Steady progress!
Dear List, Stevie actually walked from my living room to the kitchen today almost unassisted!! Looks a bit like an inebriated partier. He is now eating just about anything that is put in front of him, except kibble. He will eat a little of that if it is hand fed to him. But just a few pieces. He shakes his head alot, because of his ear, but I can't think that it is good for his wee brain. His little kitten (George) just cannot figure out why Stevie isn't chasing him around and carrying him in his mouth like he used to. Even his eyes seem to be a little tiny bit closer together. My sister has to leave to go home tomorrow :( and I will miss her terribly, so it will be back to my boy and me!. But that is ok we will be just fine I am sure. I went to the woods this morning (mostly just to face the demons I guess) I towed that *#@*!* limb out with an ATV, my son is going to saw it up and we are going to ceremoniously set it on fire!!! But I will wait until Stevie is better, because I want him to take part in the exorcism!! Alot of emotions ran the gamut as I approached that spot, believe me. But I needed to go back, for my own peace of mind. I will take Stevie back there once he is perfectly well. It looks like the end of my baby finger will most likely survive, but I will need some plastic surgery a little later on. I'll be fine. Thanks to all you who have asked about my fingers! Bye for now. Love to all. Karen and Stevie --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/2003
Sick berner
Laura, my Max had a very similar situation, and he was initially on Doxycycline, but it wasn't doing anything, so the vet switched him to another drug, similar but not the same. I can't remember what it was but it helped. I bought chicken at Boston chicken and went into the vet to feed him twice a day by hand. He did see a specialist and had his blood checked by a place in Arizona called the Pet Health Pharmacy, where they look at blood in a completely different way than conventional labs. We never did find out exactly what it was, but RMSV was what they thought. I would definitely see a specialist as fast as possible, Our paws are crossed for you, Daisy and Chance
vWD Clinic from VetGen
Forwarded for Rui Rosa: Greetings everyone. I have had lot's of people contacting me about vWD test kits from VetGen , people that didn't get back to me on time for my last clinic. I decide to run one LAST clinic for this year, in the month of February. If you or someone you know wants to test their dogs for vWD please send a check for $99 made out to VetGen to my address below. Please include a shet with your full name , address with possibly 2 phone numbers VetGen test kits regular price goes for $140.00 dollars with this clinic you will have a saving of $41 ! At the end of February or once I collect 25 request, I 'll mail them out to VetGen. VetG will mail the swaps directly to you! fallow the instructions carefully, submit them to VetGen and they will mail the reasults to you!. This usualy takes a few weeks for VetGen to process your orders, do to confidentiality only you can contact VetGen for status of you order by giving them you personal info. Please try not to mail me directly unless is totaly necessary, I find myself answering to many emails, just fallow my instruction in this e-mail. Anyone wanting to learn more about VonWillenbran and how affects our dogs go to this website, www.vetgen.com . Thank you. Rui Rosa 89 Flint street Somerville Mass 02145
RE: LOC calendar effort
Thanks to all of the LoneStar club members that came up with this idea and followed through on it. I love my calendar, and I can't thank y'all enough for all the work! It's sure paid off for LOC - you are the best!!! Pat Long, a babysat Gabby ( Luther) LOC Board Member Berwyn PA
BMDCC and BMDCO Combined Specialties Update
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED---* * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * *Mail Lists at Prairienet only accept PLAIN TEXT* * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
How to help the Montana collies - an update
Forwarded: Permission to Crosspost Here are some stories from this morning: http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=0eb91652-4fd8-450c-a16c-0c638 bfc3730 http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/2541582p-2593549c.html http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20030130/topstories/881214 .html The thought that this may not be pursued and this woman may get her dogs back just staggers me. Please write to the county prosecutors and encourage them to ask for another trial. One of these dogs died from an e coli infection after inhaling its own urine and feces. And the owner plans to move on to Arizona and continue breeding and showing. Following is a suggestion from another list that I hope we'll all act on. PERMISSION TO CROSS POST ** The trial ended today with a hung jury (see below). There is a chance that the County Attorney and the State will choose not to pursue this further. If everyone, everywhere could take the time to send an email, a fax, or make a phone call to urge Mr. Raph and Mr. Coble to not give up it could be helpful. Their contact information is: Mr. Merle Raph County Attorney Toole County 406-434-5417 Fax 406-434-5522 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mr. Joe Coble County Attorney Teton County 406-466-2860 Fax 406-466-2027 [EMAIL PROTECTED] it might also help to contact the Mayor of Shelby and the City Councillors: Mayor Larry Bonderud [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chip Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cindy Doane [EMAIL PROTECTED] Michael Lamey [EMAIL PROTECTED] Don R. Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lu Wyland http://www.theyreallkeepers.com They're All Keepers Online Breed Identification Project http://theyreallkeepers.com/id.html Rescue Public Education Coordinator of HCA Havanese Rescue http://www.havanese-rescue.org/index.htm GET INVOLVED...The world is run by those who show up.
Re: Overhead Trollies
One of my Flat Coat puppy owners (had two dogs from me) moved to a place in the country in ME no fences or dog runs were allowed. He set up a o/h trolly system for his two dogs. The younger pulled out of his buckle collar was gone for several hours. When Duncan found Parker, a neighbor had kicked the 9mo dog in the head, shattered one tooth, broke off another, fractured his jaw caused a lot of swelling on the side of the dog's face. There was nothing Duncan could do to 'prove' the people did it, but he knew. Sooo, he didn't want the dogs to get away like that again, so he put choke chains on them when they were on the trolly. He was always outside with them, but this one day, a new neighbor dropped in. He said he was only in the house 10min, but when he came back out, the 2yr dog had choked to death. Duncan had tied the dogs to their trollies so they overlapped a foot could play together. The puppy flipped around, got tangled in Casey's cable the more Casey pulled, the tighter the choke chain went until it choked all the life out of him. Duncan was lucky the pup had not choked to death too!! He I cried over the phone (we live in Ca, he lives in Me) together for 3 days!! When the lake thawed, he sprinkled Casey's ashes into the lake Parker (pup) jumped in 'on top of Casey' as he always did. Duncan had called me to light a candle for Casey---more long distance blubbering. Anyway, it's probably best to put a harness on a dog if he's going to be tied out on a trolly! Kathy Davis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Windraider Kennels California www.windraiderkennels.com Bernese Mtn Dogs - Int Am BIS Can CH Windraider's Black Oak v Bevs , HIT, CGC, TDI Tobin Windraider's Manjula v Bev's Jul Windraider's Seven Seas Briggand Briggand 10 mo Windraider's Black Oak Conspiracy Brenna 10 mo Flat Coated Retv - Int Am CH Twofold Samba Sam, CGC, TDI Sam (liver-DK imp) Labs Eskie - Scout, Babe Klondike
berners who can turn tricks
I am currently trying to teach Thor to find his baby.every few weeks we buy Thor a new stuffed animal. (This new one takes the place of the old one that we have to throw away).anyway, I am trying to teach him to find his baby'I will place (hide) his baby some place in the house and then I tell him to find it..So far he is pretty good about finding the babyif he doesn't find it in the first three or four tries he will give up and then I have to go get it for him.. I think it is really cute to see my 110 lbs baby wiggling down the hall with a stuffed animal in his mouth. Karen and (look momma I found my baby) Thor
