Nienke

Bullies are prone to skin issues and it's is often triggered by the puppy-vaccinations.

Many are intolerant or even allergic to processed chicken protein. But as you give raw, I'm not sure. Nonetheless, you could have a look at that. And also have a look at this website to check if you give enough variation in your puppy's diet: http://rawfeddogs.org/
The skin issue can also be demodectic mange. Have seen that a lot in Bullie-puppies. The many vaccinations given within a short period of time to an immature immune system can do a lot of havoc. Demodectic mange is immune related. A healthy immune system can keep this parasite in check, but a suppressed one not. And if then, the puppy already has a predisposition to this kind of dis-ease, it can be an unpleasant bingo.

I would be careful with supplementing the diet. Over-supplementation can also do a *lot* of damage. But sometimes a teaspoon of coconut oil (slowly going up to a tablespoon when your pup reaches adulthood) can do wonders.

It indeed shows all the symptoms of Vestibular syndrome:
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_head_tilting?page=2


Important is to find the underlying cause (if possible), such as the big ear infection you already mentioned. So, a full check up at the vet, ear cleaning. and whatever fluids and meds the vet prescribes.
You may have to hand-feed him the most delicious juicy stuff till he feels good enough to eat on his own again.

My late GSD, see avatar, got VD around the age of 1 year. He never really recovered from it. Later he developed skin issues that got worse and worse over time. Because of that I always thought he had a low working thyroid (also because all results came back below the average), but the vets didn't think so.
And now I read this: "In some cases, low thyroid levels may cause vestibular disease issues" (https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Symptoms-of-Vestibular-Disease-in-Dogs)

I really do hope your dog recovers fast.

To my knowlegde neutering a cat should be between 600 and 900 baht.

It's a routine operation which any vet should be able to do properly.

Spaying a cat is more than neutering and is a little over 1,000 B.

Haven't had a cat S/N for ages, but had a 19 kilo dog spayed 2 months ago at about 3k baht. (for comparison)

The nice thing about the Small Animal Hospital is (IMH0) is that after several of their students flew out to study abroad, they came back and brought their knowledge and expertise with them. And you can notice that.

There are many good to very good vets in Chiang Mai, many with extensive practical experience, but they are all general practitioners. A handful may have done a Masters in only 1 subject.

Downside of the SAH is that you always have to wait at least an hour. I often loose a whole morning.

maybe you haven't checked prices for a while? we took a male cat to SAH for neutering about 6 months ago and were quoted 2500 - possibly a little more. we decided to double-check as we thought we had paid 2500 for a female cat at Baan ka Maew. when we called we were quoted the same for the male at SAH. they said 2500 for a female cat was "a price from many years ago". when we checked with a vet in Sansai - also male=2500. we like SAH so we went there. final bill was 2690. they give you an itemized list attached to the receipt of all the medicines used for the anesthesia, how much gas, oxygen, how many cm of plastic tubing, gauze, cotton, syringes, etc., etc. - everything itemized and charged for.

Maybe prices have changed in town. The vet in Doi Saket (Dr. Goy, lovely vet) asks 600 baht for the neutering with medicines. I just double-checked because, indeed, it has been a while since I had a cat neutered.

There's a LOT of spraying going on in the rice fields, which are being made ready to cultivate.

Can it possibly be something like that instead of deliberate poisoning?

Thank you for the warning, though.

To my knowlegde neutering a cat should be between 600 and 900 baht.

It's a routine operation which any vet should be able to do properly.

Spaying a cat is more than neutering and is a little over 1,000 B.

Haven't had a cat S/N for ages, but had a 19 kilo dog spayed 2 months ago at about 3k baht. (for comparison)

The nice thing about the Small Animal Hospital is (IMH0) is that after several of their students flew out to study abroad, they came back and brought their knowledge and expertise with them. And you can notice that.

There are many good to very good vets in Chiang Mai, many with extensive practical experience, but they are all general practitioners. A handful may have done a Masters in only 1 subject.

Downside of the SAH is that you always have to wait at least an hour. I often loose a whole morning.

6 meters 3" diameter metal poles for 300 baht. You can ask the shop to cut the poles into 2 or 3 meter pieces, or whatever length you prefer.
Shop is on left side, when coming from Superhighway and heading to the railway station. About half way. Don't know name of shop.


And 10 meters rolls of 1 meter high and 2" chain link fence for 680 baht. Shop is just before PTT station and next to big pet shop on Mae Jo road, just passed the Mee Chok market. They also have 1.20, 1.50, 1.80 and 2.00 meter rolls and with 1.5 " chain links.

Doi Saket. Close to the mountains and the Mae Kuang lake. Easy to be happily grumpy hidden away in between the many trees.

Went this morning for my 90-days reporting at Immigration Promenada. . Same experience as Lannathaijohn.
I was called within minutes after receiving my number (058). All went on a very friendly and efficient note.
Whole procedure didn't take longer than half an hour. That included the copying of my passport pages and filling in the TM47 document. (my printer gave up)

Thank you Immigration.

Hi All,

I've recently retired to Thailand and live in a house with a totally secure garden.

I've read this thread and found it very interesting.

Back in the UK I to kept working GSDs and Malis but didn't think it fair to bring my current 2 dogs with me, one 8 years old and the other 5 years old (Mother & Son) so they've stayed in the UK with my daughter.

I'm now looking to buy a pup or young adult either a GSD or Mali.

However, I've been looking at the Thai dogs (Ridgeback) obviously I've never owned or trained a Thaidog but based on what I've read they appear to have a similar temperament to a Mali ??

I have no Dog contacts here in Thailand so if anyone can point me in the direction of a breeder or if anyone knows of a young adult that's for sale please let me know. As I said the breeds I've had over 25 years experience with are working GSDs and Malis but if the Thaidogs are as good as what I've read then I'd condsider also consider a Thaidog.

Apologies for going off topic but I felt that plenty of real dog people have contributed to this thread, hence, my post.

Many thanks,

H.

Are you on Facebook? If so, I can pm you a contact, who is THE person to talk to. From (working) GSD to Mali to TRD breeder.

No, he is not too old to learn new tricks.

But knowing the background of this dog, the cause of his barking (anxiety and not dominance), the fact that your dog has been able to practice and refine this behavior for 4 years, and despite of all the attempts (punishments/corrections) to stop this behavior it has gotten worse not better, the desensitization and counter-conditioning process (which I think is strongly indicated here) will take (considerable) time and needs your full involvement, commitment, change of mind-set and above all patience patience and more patience, because the behavior modification progress goes with baby-steps, progress and set-backs.

Thank you for all your replies - I am slightly overwhelmed by all the suggestions. For the moment I will carry on with the course of meds and we will wash him regularly with medicated shampoo.

If it looks like we are not getting anywhere I will look further at the alternative suggestions.

For the avoidance of doubt - Micky still has most of his hair, and the main hair loss is underneath and around his crotch area. But I can also see patches on his main coat where it is thinning out, and then there are the sores on his leg where he has licked them.

Here's some pics we took today, where you can see that the hair has thinned out around his legs.

1454642908634.jpg

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There is blackening of the skin, hair-loss, violent itch that causes ongoing biting and scratching, which as a result causes secondary bacterial infection.

These are also symptoms of a very common fungal or yeast infection, named Malasssezia pachydermatis: http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs/897

This fungal lives naturally on a dog' skin but can multiply and cause harm when the immune system is weakened.

Blood parasites weaken the immune system. But also, blood parasites have a chance to multiply when the immune system is weakened. Most dogs carry a few blood- and/or intestinal- parasites. Too many parasites cause dis-ease, but a few actually can cause a strengthening of the immune system.

So, the real question for this dog is: what caused/is causing the weakening of the immune system? Blood parasites and skin issue are more likely a result of this.

What is the vaccine history of this dog? Over-vaccination can cause auto-immune (skin) diseases and problems with the thyroid ( a world-wide health issue under the dogs and heavily under-diagnosed by the vets, again worldwide, who more often than not aren't able to properly read the test results )

And one of the adverse reactions of the Rabies vaccination is ongoing violet itch, often between the toes.

And what is the dog's diet? I've seen several dogs now, including labs, with similar symptoms. All were fed chicken-based and often low-quality commercial diets (everything that is available in supermarkets is of low quality). Many dogs, worldwide are intolerant or even allergic to processed chicken protein.

The dogs, I've seen, improved considerable after switching over to a brand called 'Premium Edge skin and coat': http://www.chewy.com/dog/premium-edge-skin-coat-salmon/dp/45391

It's not cheap, but also not much more costly than Hill's Science Diet or Royal Canin. In Chiang Mai it's a 15kg bag for 2,650 baht and only available at Ran Rak Sath on the Superhighway, between the Big C Extra and the Makro, almost next to the Green Leave Petrol Station and opposite of YOK.

It is very possible the dogs would have improved on another skin-and-coat diet with the same ingredients as the PE brand as well, but my experience is with PE and I've seen at least 15 dogs with symptoms similar as show in the pictures improve on it big time.

Another option is, like what has been written above already, to try a raw food or BARF diet. I've also seen many dogs improve a lot on only switching to a raw food diet with a large variety of raw ingredients (not only chicken carcass with so once in a while a raw egg). In case, you are interested in this diet, please, do read up before you switch:

http://www.rawfeddogs.org/rawguide.html

https://www.totallyrawdogfood.com/ordering-info-tools/sample-menu/

It is also possible this dog has AND blood parasites, AND mites AND a fungal/yeast infection, all caused by a weakened immune system.

A good immune system starts in the digestive track, and ONLY HEALTHY animals can be vaccinated (something to keep in ind when the Lab is up for his next booster (according to the vet).

It seems rules have changed. Better to contact Thai Airways and (I think it's) Nok Air directly.

A terrific new find for those in the Bangkok or even Pattaya area.

Eastern Bangkok Veterinary Surgical Center AKA Parichart Suminthawong Animal Hospital

It is a very well equipped facility staffed by vets on the faculty of Kasetsart and Mahodol Vet Hospitals/Faculties

No website but they are on Facebook

My local vet referred me there as my dog had an oral tumor. It was much more convenient/fast than going to Kasetsart, vastly less expensive than Thonglor and did an excellent job.

They are in the Minburi/Lat Krabang area (airport vicinity) on Soi Kom Klao 11. Just a short distance into the Soi and before you enter the Mu Ban.

I was able to arrange through my local Vet to get the pre-op blood work done locally and bring it with me so that we were able to arrange for immediate surgery with just one trip, would suggest anyone else coming from afar do likewise. Most local vets will know who they are as it is well known among Vets in Thailand.

This is the staff:

20151004_175246#1.jpg

My dog was treated by Dr. Wannasit ("Tony") who rrained in the UK and speaks English very fluently.

I want to contact this clinic but unfortunately you omitted to give a number and I can't find it in the Facebook search. Greatly appreciate anyone helping out with contact info for the clinic.

Tel.: 02-5576608-9, 080-4993265

Line ID: parichartsah

https://www.facebook.com/psahospital/

I thought I'd share this with anyone going through chronic renal failure with their dog http://eatswritesshoots.com/2014/06/16/recipe-for-low-phosphorus-dog-food-caring-for-a-dog-with-chronic-renal-failure/

i would just like to share this with you,if you have read my posts in this forum you will know the problems my boy has had.

well yesterday we got his latest blood test,our main worry was his platelet count not anymore its shot up.

but for some reason his creatinine [kidney's] count has gone up to 1.75.from 0.8,guide is 0.6-1.4. its always around 1.1.

he is only 5yrs.old and eats well and pidle's well.

the last test was done on the 21st.dec. 0.8.

what the wife found out that the blood sample was not taken to the lab for over 40hrs.when the guide lines say not more than 24.looks like another incompetant vet.

so we have got to get him done again.

i agree with you about these expensive so called foods,having had racing greyhounds for 20yrs.i never gave them an ounce of the stuff.

toasted brown bread,horse meat and veg.

my boy gets brocli,carrot,cauli,pumpkin,boiled chicken,beef steak and 4oz.of smart heart.so his diet is pretty good.

Continue with the diet, but including more green leafy veggies and with above-mentioned site as guideline and DEFINITELY taking the commercial dog food out of the diet, Sam may very well be on a fast road to recovery.

I thought I'd share this with anyone going through chronic renal failure with their dog http://eatswritesshoots.com/2014/06/16/recipe-for-low-phosphorus-dog-food-caring-for-a-dog-with-chronic-renal-failure/

Finally came around to look at this site. Nice site!!

Maybe you can find some info here:
https://www.google.co.th/search?q=canine+crf+diet&rlz=1C1AISC_enTH529TH529&oq=canine+CRF&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.16118j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

woops, wrong.

Oh yes, grieving and mourning is not only a human trait. It's been found more widely in animals, including our four-legged best friends.
Barbara J. King has done research on that:
http://nypost.com/2013/04/28/how-animals-mourn-their-dead/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/grief-creature-compassion-how-to-identify-grief-in-animals/
and by Marc Bekoff: http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/50/10/861.full

Also, dogs can and do make best friends and form deep bonds with other dogs or animals species. I have seen this happening several times at the kennel and way back, during my childhood, our family dog's best friend was a boxer living around the corner. She would come and play with him every time she had a change to escape her owners' garden.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/20/can-dogs-have-friends_n_5601345.html

For those who think any joke about rape is funny, and especially for those who do not (want to) understand why this isn't received as funny,
I suggest you watch this vdo: .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP7OXDWof30


As for the mounting subject: here's a link that explains the mounting and humping behavior in a bit more detail:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201209/why-dogs-hump

Reading back a few post .... it seems the platelets keep on going down and not up.
80k, 28k and now 24k? That's creepy. Hard to believe it is still from the blood loss end of October! You said that in an earlier post as well.

I've seen dogs with even lower platelets counts caused by tick disease. After 1 to 2 weeks doxy they were pretty much back to normal range. Why is this not the case with your dog? Does the vet have another explanation, beside the blood loss more than a month ago and not taken enough blood stories?

Glad you find a reliable and knowledgeable vet in the end, and your dog is finally on his way of recovery as it seems, although his platelets are still scarily low.

And yes, I agree to always get a print out of the (any) test results and a proper explanation. Beside that, educating yourself on the basics and not just blindly following a vet's diagnosis and treatment is a must (anywhere in the world, not only here). It should be part of each pet-owner's care for their pets.

If you are a facebook member then the Chiang Mai hiking community and/or group may be of interest for you:

https://www.facebook.com/cmhike/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1595598960703876/

Staying home for and with your dog,
Go away with your dog for a few days to a quiet place, maybe a national park? (with thunder this becomes bit more difficult).

Keeping your dog inside the house close to you if the dog prefers that,
providing a small hiding area such as a travel crate. under a table, in the toilet, if the dog prefers that
staying calm yourself with relaxed heartbeat and breathing
showing calming signals, such as yawning, stretching, blinking, lip licking, etc.
Gently petting with long strikes over the dog's body and softly talking to your dog
Massage
TTouch
Dog Appeasing pheromones
calming herbs
Flower remedies
Bach flower remedies
some essential oils
certain types of music (when you google you can find music for dogs)
can all be helpful to dogs with anxiety issues, such as with thunder and/or firework.

Some dogs are noise sensitive due to a too slow working thyroid, called hypothyroidism, and will improve after treatment.
Other dogs benefit when fish oil is added to their meals

Some people advised the thunder shirt. Research has shown that a significant number of dogs benefited by the thunder shirt.

But before buying one for your dog it maybe worthwhile to try making one yourself first:

For severe cases there are anti-depressant and -anxiety medications on the market. Be careful with those, as some can be heavy on the liver or can give other adverse reactions. And it can take a while before the meds start fully working.

One thing that is absolutely NOT advisable is to sedate your dog with a medicine, often provided vets here, called Acepromazine (or Ace for short).
This medicine is a muscle relaxant, including the heart muscle. The dog looks relaxed, but he is FULLY aware of the things that is going on around him. Only this time he can not flee due to the medication. It can increase the fear big time, which I have seen in dogs.
The Dutch Animal Protection send out notices to their members each year, advising against giving this drug during the NY-celebration. Also on the net you can find vets advising against giving this drug. For example: http://www.drmartybecker.com/fear-free/2-things-pets-firework-fears/

With giving treats at the moment the thunder or firework starts, you have to be careful that you do not get the opposite effect: treats come out and the dog has learned this is the signal that bad news is going to happen.

And as someone very correctly stated before already, desensitizing and counter-conditioning a dog for his fear for thunder and/or fireworks should start, in fact, far before Loi Kratong and NY.
But for now you could try out DIY thunderwrap, stay home with your dog, maybe look into earmuffs, relaxation music, design a small area for your dog. Keep your dog on your lap (if possible).


Good luck to all who have pets that are fearful during fireworks and/or thunder. I feel for you and, especially your pet.

Longtime ago, before the SNAP test, there were 'no parasites found'. Three days later my sweet boxer died of internal bleeding due to tick disease.

Nowadays, there is the SNAP-test. It is 98% accurate, compared to the 30% accuracy of the microscopic 'test' (a vet once gave me these figures).

SNAP-test tests for Ehrliciosis canis, Anaplasmosis, Lyme and heartworm. Ask your veterinary about this. It is possible your usual vet does not have the SNAP-test in his clinic. In Chiang Mai it is not available at every vet-clinic.

Very common symptoms for Anaplasmosis are low RBC and low platelets, but WBC is normal range.

If the WBC are out of normal range it may indicate that your dog suffers from 2 tick -born diseases. That is the earlier diagnosed H.canis, which shows up as abnormal WBC, and the newly diagnosed Anaplasmosis, which often shows up as abnormal RBC and platelets.

I'm very sorry to read this, Meatboy.
Is it possible your dog suffers from more than 1 tick-born disease?

Well, lots of prayers sent your way for a speedy recovery of your dog.