Chilvers

Our Pyrenean Mountain Dog came here when she was already over ten. An ancient age for a Pyrie. She was happy here and lived to the ripe old age of almost 15 without any health problems to speak of.

She took care to stay out of the direct sun and liked to lie on cool stone floors. We did clip her and regularly wet her down during the hot season, but made little other allowance for the heat.

When she died, she simply went to sleep and never woke up.

Thanks for the opinions......obviously got a lot to consider and a difficult choice ahead. However, whilst I definitely see the risks, it would be good to hear from anyone who has brought GSD's over and they've had really good enoyable lives (or any other large dogs for that matter).....and any other precautions you took beyond the ones already mentioned.

Am now in Chiang Mai, looking for accommodation to rent and checking out vets and kennels.

God, so happy to be here........

Thanks for advice......whatever I decided to do I'll be prepared that's for sure!!!

Have have you found the dogs adapted to the conditions when coming from the UK..........

As for kennels:

There is a Dutch lady who runs a kennel service near San Sai. We've left our dogs there three times and no real problems -- except our dogs are spoiled and not used to kennel life.

I can dig up her contact info if you want.

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thanks all for the advice and info............this dutch ladies info would be great please..........

I'm moving to Chiang Mai in january with my partner and her child.

I'm coming to Thailand because it is different.......because it sees things differently and because lives different.

It's culture, beliefs and ways of life are different because it has a different past to the one I have grown up in. There are a billion different people in this world and a billion different beliefs. And I have CHOSEN to learn from those around me, not try and convert anyone to my belief. To learn from those around me, and enjoy them for what they are.......living beings.....to learn and accept.

Maybe the only guidelines in the world should be to enjoy each others company...and learn about each others beliefs..and if you can't enjoy someones company, go and find someone whose company you do enjoy.

To move into a culture and try and convert it to your beliefs, that are based upon your experiences and your reactions to your experiences (which lets face it may be wrong - I'm still learning that many of mine are!!!) is both ignorant and arrogant. Sure, show people skills your culture has developed to enhance our lives - and by that I mean reading, writing, and new methods of living that help our lives whilst still remaining in balance with the world around us........but to also push onto people your beliefs............that approach is definitely 'I'll love my neighbour once I've changed them' not 'love my neighbour no matter what'.

I'm not religious.......i've learned from many beliefs and many people.....but the biggest thing I've ever learned is that to truely understand and accept people for what they are......I've had to accept and love myself first.......and when i've done that I've found it's Ok for people to be who they are.....because it is OK for me to be who I am.

Why can't we just appreciate the amazing opportunity we've been given......to be alive....

I'm not moving to Thailand because it is in the process of being converted to Christianty.....but because it is Thailand......and long may it develop the way it wants to............

Now I know there are a million holes in what i've said.....and a million things that i've missed or not said.........I'm not perfect.......and neither are my arguments.......I know this........which is why I won't be putting up a million billboards around Chiang Mai.........Just wondering if the billboard ghosts out there truely believe they are 'perfect' enough to put up billboards around Chiang Mai..........

That's a great help Geordie.....thanks for taking the time to answer.

Really appreciated.

" Forget Chiangmai University Vet clinic, she says too expensive, have to wait long times and don't appear that concerned about the animal."

To be fair:

I had to take my beloved cat to the small animal clinic at the Uni yesterday. It was lunchtime and carrying the animal in I was greeted by nonchalance by reception. I walked straight through and got the same from behind until I persisted a little. But I have to be fair once they got going it ended up with five people working to save Buster's life for more than half an hour. Checked temperature and heart, and found a vein straight away for the drip, three injections, then a catheterisation to ease the bladder which they found was blocked. Darling Buster died right there but they tried to revive him for some time. They showed considerable skill and coordination. I could hardly believe it when I got a bill for a miniscule 200 baht....they must have lost money.

I might say if he had been properly diagnosed by the vet in the road between the Suthep Road and the "wing" air force base two days before he would be alive today.

He was a gentle giant....a great cat.

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Thank you .....and I'm so sorry about your loss.....and highlights the only reason I'm unsure about bringing my GSD to Thailand.......

So sorry again.....

Hi all.....hope you had a happy Xmas and about to have a happy New Year....

Moving to Chiang Mai in January.....can't wait considering it's -3 here!!!

Was wondering about people's thoughts on Health/Medical insurance? Is it worth the £120/month for two adults and one child that i've been quoted so far, or is it worth taking the risk and paying privately if the incident occurs. Or does someone know of cheaper insurance with other companies.

Plus......anyone have any idea what it costs to have a baby out there (all the pre-post medical stuff)?

Your Thoughts - Philosophical or otherwise - would be appreciated

Some forum links you might want to browse through:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=45464

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=41248

Vet fees are pretty cheap (not being from the UK, can't compare  )  Think it costs us about 600Baht for a full round of innoculations. Just looked at our vaccination book but unfortunately doesn't have the charges in it.  Just know that when my wife takes him to the vet she usually asks me for 600.00B .

This is a list of the vaccinations in the book he has received:

PNEUMODOG (Kennel Cough Syndrome)

PRIMODOG PARVODOG (Canine parvovirus)

TETRADOG (Combined Pentavalent Vaccine)

HEXADOG (Combined Hexavalent Vaccine)

RABISIN/IMRAB-1 (Rabies)

HEARTGARD, IMMITICIDE, WITNESS - DEWORMING

This is over a period of 2.5 years and some are periodic.  Bambi might be able to explain these better (our resident Vet).

As for temperature, never was much of an issue for the Shepard due to our house having lots of shade.  Usually stayed on the porch or car park.  My wife got the GR in Lampang (about 90km from CM) but if you browse the above posts you will see more information including breeding kennel books that are available.

Also need to watch out for ticks and keep control of them.  Some areas they can get quite bad.  But with proper control techniques won't be a problem.  Another thread in the Pet Forum on tick/flea control.

Whew, got all wound up here, hope it helps.

ps:  Just saw MYMA's post and do need to be sure you get the GR from an accredited breader. Ours is a pedigree with all the authenticated documents and is a perfect specimen if I say so myself.  Between 6000.00 and 10,000 Baht for a puppy should be the ballpark figures.

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That's all amazing help and advice.....thank you very much.

As I said I am in two minds as to what is best for her....but I feel as long as we get settled....she will come out and join us.

If you have any other thoughts and advice in the meantime....it would all help.

Cheers

I talked with my wife about this (she takes care of medical for our Golden Retriever). She said the animal clinic called "Dog and Cat clinic" located at Chiangmai Land is the absolute best.  Forget Chiangmai University Vet clinic, she says too expensive, have to wait long times and don't appear that concerned about the animal.

The above clinic handles animals of foreigners quite a bit so they can understand English. Phone number: 053-204215

The clinic has kennels but maybe for sick animals only.  However they will know where good kennels are and you can just ask them.  Be sure to keep on top of skin diseases with your shepard.  We had a shepard and he got an acute case of mange and died from it.  At that time we didn't know where the good vets were.

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Thank you very much for that advice.....really reassuring......i've been in two minds on whether to bring her since the other option is to stay in UK with my parents who she loves, and they love her......so is not a bad option, except I'd miss her like crazy.

Having experienced 'mange' yourself, have you any advice on what to do to help prevent it. Also, what's the vets fees like in CHiang Mai, compared to UK?

How well did your Shepard adapt to the temperature in CM prior to the skin problem?

And did you get your Golden Retriever in CM.....if so, where, since we're thinking of getting one once we've settled as a companion to our Shepard?

Sorry for the 1001 questions and answers.....really appreciate your advice and help on this.

Hello all.....hope you had a happy Xmas and are going to have a brillient New Year!! I posted this on the Pets forum but also trying my luck on this one.

I'm moving to Chiang Mai in January from the UK with my partner and child. We're planning on bringing out my German Sheperd Dog later on but want to ensure that things are settled first.

Does anyone have any info on the Chiang Mai area including:

1. Good Vets - especially English speaking or Farang ones.

2. Any good kennels (again english speaking would be good). We have to travel for 3/4 days ever 3 months so want to find somewhere good for her to be.

3. Any other good info anyone has about having dogs in Thailand.

Thanks for your help.....and cannot wait to be there!!

Whatever you do bring a collar and a leash take the dog inside at night and generally keep keep a close watch on Ol Shep...I hope he'/she is a big dog because as we all know the medium sized black ones a VERY popular!

Thanks for the advice......and pardon the ignorance but.....popular in what way????!!!!!!

Hello all.....hope you had a happy Xmas and are going to have a brillient New Year!!

I'm moving to Chiang Mai in January from the UK with my partner and child. We're planning on bringing out my German Sheperd Dog later on but want to ensure that things are settled first.

Does anyone have any info on the Chiang Mai area including:

1. Good Vets - especially English speaking or Farang ones.

2. Any good kennels (again english speaking would be good). We have to travel for 3/4 days ever 3 months so want to find somewhere good for her to be.

3. Any other good info anyone has about having dogs in Thailand.

Thanks for your help.....and cannot wait to be there!!