Re: momentary 'lameness'
In a message dated 3/28/2003 4:31:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: about twice or three times a week, my pup suddenly starts hobbling around with his right hind leg off the ground ... as if it were injured. But this only lasts a couple of minutes, sometimes even less than a minute. Then all of a sudden, he's playing and running around as usual. This sounds very typical of a luxating patella (ie: slipping kneecap). LP is very common is many toy breeds but not unheard of in Bernese and other breeds as well. It can be caused by trauma or it can be hereditary. Here's an informative website: http://www.cpvh.com/Articles/78.html ~ Sherri Venditti
Re: At what age . . .?
Hi Maria Also, at what age . . will the strength of his bladder be enough to keep him from peeing for about 9 full hours. I guess that depends more on the individual dog rather than his specific age. My first berner boy could hold his pee for a long time even as a young puppy. Ditto my second Berner boy. My youngest peed for England until he was over a year old. My first 2 NEVER had an accident after 12 weeks, the younger one did occasionally until he was 8- 9 months. I don't think I did anything different with either of them. But Maria, I NEVER expected either of them to hold their pee for that long when they were puppies. And Jack is still very much a puppy. Nine hours is a long time. I'm not sure I could hold it that long and I am forty! Could you? If your dog is fed on dry food he needs to drink quite a bit and chewing on bones and toys is a thirsty activity, too. All my dogs wander straight to their water bowl for a long drink after a hearty chewing session. You wouldn't expect a young child never to pee for 9 hours, would you? Same with young Jack. I am certain that he ISN'T peeing out of spite or to punish you for your absence. He HAS to go to the toilet. You know what it's like, when you gotta go, you gotta go! As far as I can see you have 2 options here to address the problem. 1) you could arrange for someone to come in and take him out for a pee and a play half way through the day. I would coax, bribe, pay, exchange favours, whatever it takes - I'd do ANYTHING to set this up if I were you. It must be just horrible for him having to sit or lie in his own urine until you come back. Horrible. That is NOT an effective way to use a crate. Please think about how you'd feel if you would have to wallow in your own exrement. 2) If the former is completely impossible, you MUST set up a peeing area inside the kitchen or somewhere ( with newspapers or towels or whatever) where he is allowed to relieve himself if he has to go. I never wanted my dogs to feel that peeing in the house was a good, acceptable thing to do so I didn't really do that. EXCEPT when they were very young when I put thick layers of newspaper right next to the door leading into the garden. If they had an accident there, I simply cleared it up and sayed nothing more. But whenever they peed in the garden, I praised lavishly, treated, danced and clapped - I'm sure my neighbours thought my pups had just won the Nobel Prize, such was my enthusiasm! Use a specific word when you see him peeing, like be busy or go pee so that he connects the activity with a word. Eventually you can just say the special word and the desired activity will follow. The newspaper method has another excellent application. If an accident HAS occured, roll up some clean paper and hit YOURSELF sharply on the head, muttering I MUST pay more attention to the puppy. It's MY responsibility to train him properly, not his to train me. Repeat as often as needed. Like a meditation mantra. Very therapeutic and it will sharply increase your attention span. Worked brilliantly for me. G He will sometimes pee in the house without giving us any indication he has to go even if there is a door open and he can just walk right outside to pee if he wants. He WILL get there! Just make a huge spectacle of yourself when he gets it right and shower him with treats the moment you see him peeing in the garden. Ignore the accidents completely UNLESS you see him relieving himself in front of you in the house. Then say something like Oh - hold on! or Not there! or something that gives him some feedback on his activity ( Note: personally, I wouldn't use the word WAIT since I use that for another purpose, as in stay exactly where you are until I get to you and if you plan to do likewise it's better not to confuse your youngster). And finally, this one really bugs my husband, at what age . . will he start to lift his leg up to pee like a man instead of barely squatting like a girl? (I guess It's a guy thing). At about nine months with my first boy, 6 months with my second one and 12 months with my young peeing champion. Jack might go through an intermittent period whereby he'll sometimes lifts his leg and sometimes he'll squat before permanently lifting his leg. Or, especially since he is going to be neutered, he will keep in that intermittant period thoughout his life. All the best big hugs to young Jack Arabia Michaela, Harvey ( the water retainer) Rupert ( well, I LIKE peeing!) Devon/UK
Appenzeller question and the plane facts about 700 Vari Kennels
Have your veterinarian check for luxated patellas right away; can usually be felt by palpation and owner observation of the dog (this regards the Appenzeller question). Now for the 700 Vari Kennel issue; not all planes have cargo doors big enough to get them into the plane; I found this out the hard way ten years ago so check with your airlines first as to the kind of plane that will be used for your intended flight. Lisa Allen _ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Puppy Issues
Ok berner experts as a I am a berner in waiting my wife has a concern that hopefully someone can respond to? Her concern is allowable length of time a new puppy can be left at home alone? That is in the event she chooses to go shopping with the girls or perhaps an occasional day trip. I am out of the house at 6 AM and I return at 4:30 Pm. At some point during the day if she decides to go out perhaps early morning what is the maximum allowable time to keep puppy in cage or pen? Thanks Kenny
At what age?
My boy had his bozo ears until he was a year old, because my husband loved them and would not let me trim them until it was time for a show. The grooming was done with thinning shears or a mat breaker, not sure.He just hated for those last remaining signs of puppydom to be gone. My six month old girl has had all her adult teeth for about a month now. I would imagine that your boy has his too. She still will have moments that she will try to mouth on hands, mostly when she is very excited. Just keep giving your puppy the appropriate toy or bone that it is supposed to chew on and know that this behavior will stop with age and reinforced training. I believe that my boy was around 11 months when he started trying to balance on three legs and hike. Really, it was more like an adventure in hopping than balancing, and he could cover great distances while he tried to go. Don't be in any rush, my plants were much happier when they did not get rained on. As to the last part of your questions, I will apologize in advance if my answer comes across as harse, but I do not believe that there is any age that a dog should be expected to wait 9 hours to empty its bladder, not a seven month old puppy or a 10 year old adult. First, it is not healthy for the animal to go that long before being let out. Can you go 9 hours at work without a bathroom break? Would you expect a human baby to stay in the same diaper for 9 hours? That is what you are expecting from your berner baby. Maybe you could have someone come over during lunch to give them a little time outside if no one in the family is able to do it. Possibly a neighbor or hire a dog sitter to visit them and give them some play and bathroom time. Nine hours is just too long for any dog to be left and confined and expected to hold it. It is just not a question of bladder size. Good luck with and enjoy that new boy. Kay Sloate Caddie and Divot
Re: Happy 10th Birthday to Indy!
Whoaa HUGE happy birthday and belly rub to Indy and many more to come! Gail Miller Cynosure Bernese in Arkansas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Appenzeller question
Hello there, Has your vet checked your dog for slipping patellas (Patellar Luxation)? At times in affected dogs the knee cap can shift to on side and cause temporary lameness - the dog then stretches the leg and the knee cap slips back into place and all is well again. The knee cap is kept in place with the help of a notch or groove where it sits. Sometimes the notch/groove is not the correct shape (often shallow) and allows the knee cap to slip (medial or lateral luxation). This is not an uncommon problem especially in smaller dogs such as Jack Russell Terriers. Your vet should be able to palpate the knee cap to determine if this may be the cause of your dogs temporary lameness. Bernerly, Angela Wagenblast Wagenblast Kennels Caledonia, Ont. about twice or three times a week, my pup suddenly starts hobbling around with his right hind leg off the ground ... as if it were injured. But this only lasts a couple of minutes, sometimes even less than a minute. Then all of a sudden, he's playing and running around as usual.
Tack Margareta!.... prayers needed for Griffin
Dear Listers, Some may recall my Griffin's nosebleeds last fall which lead to a rhinoscopy in January as well as a discovery of high ehrlichia titres. Towards the end of December, Griffin developed some suspicious lesions on his muzzle as well as a severe case of conjunctivitis. His breathing was also whistling as if his right nostril was stuffed up. During this entire time, Griffin was under the care of experienced veterinarians and specialists, who all assured me this was not histio. My intuition said otherwise, but I stuck with the vets and complied with their advice. Griffin's nasal symptoms subsided without treatment eventually and the muzzle lesions settled down (though I could still see them lurking). Well... sadly, Griffin is having the same problems again. The lesions are back with a vengeance and this morning he woke up with bad case of conjunctivitis in his right eye. This looks to be a classic case of systemic reactive histiocytosis. I might be jumping the gun a little, I know. However, I am now abandoning the vets that we have been seeing since the late fall and winter. Another Swedish lister, Margareta Strand has been counselling me (Tusen tack Margareta, du är underbar!) and has graciously set up an appointment for Griffin at her vets this Tuesday. Margareta's Vincent was diagnosed with systemic reactive histiocytosis late last year and has been doing very well on cyclosporin treatment. In fact, Margareta has given up Vincent's follow up appointment this Tuesday so that Griffin may come in instead to her vet as an emergency case. This is such a generous gesture that I felt I should share it with all of you. Pat, I think I need one of those histio blood test kits let me know what to do, k? If it will go faster, just tell me what tubes are needed (additives and if you want them centrifuged) and I will managed the blood collection myself. My beloved Listers, thank you for making this list such a caring and generous community. Please say a few prayers for my sweetheart Berner, Griff in tonight. Hugs to all your Berners from us here in Sweden, Cecilia Ståhl and Griffin Stockholm Sweden
Limping Appy
I forwarded the message about the Appenzeller that was limping to a breeder of these dogs for a long time. This is her reply. Coral, I haven't heard of anything like this occasional lameness. I would suggest taking him to another vet. It could be a nerve problem, maybe in the spine. Sorry that I cannot offer a better answer.
Re: mast cell
Have you done the 6 weeks of Prednisone therapy? That is what we did with Laura for her Grade II. Laura never had multiple surgeries. Her Grade II was her first, and it was treated with wide incision surgery, followed by 6 Weeks of Pred Therapy (which we were told by several Vets was standard treatment for Grade II). Laura had no recurrence for years after that. Then, she finally got a Grade I, had that removed, with no Pred; she succumbed a year later to Grade III at age 10 yr 7 mo. I strongly (!) recommend you do the 6 weeks of Prednisone Therapy for your Grade II. Sara Steele - Original Message - From: Teri Andrews [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 8:57 PM Subject: Re: mast cell Well we just finished with our 5th surgery for mast cell grade II on our boy. He was first diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago with multiple sites and has been doing well on holistic meds and now chinese herbs. Just don't want to keep cutting. Wondering has anyone else had so many surgeries? Do we keep cutting with wide margins? Successes? Really want the tumors to stop growing. Other than the tumors, he's healthy, happy, full of vim and vigor. Just turned 6 in Feb and want to keep him around for a long long time. Thanks Teri
Ceciliia and Griffin
Dear Cecilia, You know that my thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. I am sure that I am safe in saying that the whole list will be praying for Griffin and you. I am wishing you God's Speed in being able to obtain some answers for Griffins health problems. Cecilia, you have been a constant support for Stevie and I during some of our darkest days, and we are so appreciative of everything that you have done for us. We are sending all the love and warmth that is in our very full heart, that we can possibly muster. So much of our heart was filled up by this list. This list was so supportive to Stevie and I during our time of need and continues to be and I am confident in the knowledge that it will be to you as well. Draw strength from it, you are an amazing person who has already brought your precious Griffin through so much and I know that you are up for this fight. I am right there beside you girl, and will be whenever you need it. Big Huge Berner Hugs and Gentle Kisses from Karen and Stevie NB, Canada
Berner Ravel v. Lloyd the Cat.
Just uploaded a wonderful new composite pic from Laura Lopez Mendez. Ravel and Lloyd have a cute fight! Nice one, Laura, hope you didn't get too flattened underneath that! Find on the Recent Updates on my Longlease Site. All love, Jean, Sunny, Simmy, Barney and the Gang X http://www.angelfire.com/anime3/longlease/index.htm
Re: BERNER-L digest 4344
Another way to get extra tickets!!!...BETTER HURRY!!!
Another generous donor, who wants to remain anonymous, has pledge money so that the next five checks over $50 will get an extra $25 worth of tickets!!!That means that those lucky people will get an extra 20 tickets for the current fundraiser. Now, how can you resist such a wonderful way to get a better chance to win one of Willem's beautiful paintings? Here is what you can currently get for your donations of $50 or more (checks must be dated and postmarked on or before April 28th: (1) For a $50 donation, I still have some pens with a tiny berner picture on the end of them - these great pens were donated by an anonomous donor in memory of her Berner, Aimee who is at The Rainbow Bridge. You can check the pens out on the web site at: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/histio/ Just tell me that you'd like one of those pens, and I'll send them to you as long as they hold out!! or you can choose: (2) For the first two people who donate $50 or more, they will receive 8 extra tickets from another generous anonymous donor. Not that is a bargain!! or you can choose: (3) Another very generous anonymous donor has made a $500 donation to the AKC CHF Fundraiser, but he wants all of his tickets go to the next people who donate to the Fundraiser. I have 200 tickets to give out and I will give double tickets to the people whose checks are dated March 29th or late until they run out. This generous gift was given in memory of Frodo, Winston and all the other wonderful creatures who brought us joy and were snatched from us by this terrible scourge. or you can choose: (4) For the next five people who donate $50 or more, they will receive 20 extra tickets from another generous anonymous donor. How can you possibly resist these marvelous temptations of getting more tickets for your money? Remember the ultimate gift that you will receive is the warm, fuzzy feeling that you will have by donating to such a wonderful cause. Your gift of love in the form of a check to the fundraiser will help fight malignant histiocytosis. Don't forget to visit the web site that Karen Pickel made to see the lovely paintings that Willem Wijnberg painted especially for this fundraiser: http://www.overthefence.com/raffle/histio/ Please also visit Jean Cheesman's web site to see the Berners in the Histio Roll Call: http://www.angelfire.com/anime3/longlease/histiorollcall.htm There are not many days left for us to reach our goal - we still need to raise $4,000 more to hit our goal. Please help us.. Joye Neff and Nick (Ben) Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA P.S. This is one fundraiser that you can't dilly dally about and send in your money at a leisurely pace, because I am going to be out of the country from April 11th through April 23rd. My son, Jay, and his wife, Lisa, are adopting a baby daughter from China. Lisa is not able to go to China because of the SARS outbreak (she was a double transplant recipient five years ago and is on anti-rejection drugs) so I am going in her place. The fundraiser is over on April 4th and the drawing will take place in the evening on April 10th. So.MAKE MY DAY!!!FILL MY MAILBOX WITH LOTS OF GENEROUS CHECKS/CHEQUES so we can hit our goal!! THANK YOU ALL
Fun Survey
OK, I give in- here's my survey answers! 1 --- Do you live in a) city b) suburbs c) country d) on Planet Berner (b) on (d) Bernerville, in Carmel, NY 2 --- Where does your dog spend the night? They both sleep in our room with us- Sallie stretched across the middle of the room, Jackson at the foot of the bed on my side- protecting me, or on my Husband's side on a pillow (not a dog bed, an actual pillow :) 3 --- What is your dog's favorite toy? They both LOVE their Booda hedgehog dollies- they each have a large size one they suckle on, they get repaired, washed and replaced regularly due to over-suckling (I have a few new ones in reserve!)and they have a baby Hedgie in the family room for regular play. 4 --- Your dog's most remarkable feature is Jackson:his big brown eyes- very soulful and loving, and his monkeytalk he is rarely quiet! Sallie: Her insanity 5 --- You bought a new car for your dog(s) Yup! I got a Subaru Outback. 6 --- Your dog participates in (feel free to list any titles your dog has won) Backyard training, playdates, hikes and walks, goofiness, slipper stealing 7 --- The naughtiest thing that your dog has done is. Jackson: ripped up sofa cushion, ate the moulding and doors inside the house, ruined my favorite shoes- Is now the world's most perfect dog! Sallie: currently eating the outside of the house- one shingle at a time (I guess they think the outside should match the inside!), ruined daddie's slippers,steals food out of your hands, takes everything that's inside outside Kendra, Jackson, and Sallie
Mozart (1993-2003)
Although his owner isn't on this list, I wanted to share the loss of a great Berner. His name was Mozart and he was ten years old, a therapy dog, and a great friend to everyone who knew him. Mozart was with his second family, having been rehomed after suffering considerable neglect under the care of his first parents. His second life was a dramatic improvement - Mozart's human dad (Del Wilkinson) took him everywhere with him and they even ran a house-sitting business together - Mozart's smiling face was the picture on the business card. Mozart was the first Berner we ever saw live - at our first meeting we followed (some may say stalked) him and Del for 2 miles through the Santa Fe AIDS Walk - Mozart impressed us so much with his gentle character and handsome looks that we were inspired to become the Bernese Mountain Dog owners that we are today. If you ever came to Santa Fe and saw a Berner, it was probably Mozart walking with Del. They had a very special bond and a dedication to each other which was unmatched. Mozart is undoubtedly waiting patiently by the Rainbow Bridge, watching to see if the next person coming by is Del. If anyone has any messages of support that I can give to Del, please send them to me and I will pass them along. Sue Burnham and Matilde (who learned all of her Bernerly ways from her best pal Mozart) Santa Fe, NM
A very nice game
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
accidents and pre heat behavior
is there any relationship between the tendency to have urine accidents in the house by a female in whom a male is actively interested and bothersome. woofit has been driving chi crazy, there is no sign of blood as of yet, and chi who never had any accidents has had two, the last in the crate while being licked and pursued by woofit. thanks andrea, woofit and chi shavertown, pa http://www.brin.org/Woofit_and_Chi/
Moses' magical day
Moses spent most of the day at the Cottle residence in Jamestown, Rhode Island, where his litter sister, Tory, lives. Piber, Moses, and I went there to attend a Bernese club draft work clinic, with Piber participating and pulling her tiny plastic kiddy wagon. Moses was permitted free access to the extensive, fenced property, which stretches right to the ocean's edge. He loped about the grounds, and I took numerous photographs of him with the Newport (RI) Bridge in the background. At one point, Marjorie and Chris instructed the group to heel and Moses looked like a king appraising his subjects as he relaxed on the grass in the middle of the circle. My heart filled with pure joy to see him grinning with happiness, enjoying the day, oblivious, as it seemed were most clinic participants, to the recent (11/2002) loss of his leg (osteosarcoma). Piber's utter joy when she discovered and went wading in the Bay and Moses' spirit singing so loudly and joyfully made the three of us wish that this perfect day would never end. Lisa Allen _ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
