Pitbulls - Are they really that bad?

[ryanhull]

Ended up getting this little devil from the market, he was covered in ticks and seemed pretty weak, after a trip to the vets and some proper food he seems a happy chappy, he has a massive house to roam in now dedicated a full room for him.... Just trying to train him up now but think it will take a while because he is always up to no good... May consider getting a soi dog as his buddy in a month or so. Thanks for the replies and advice all

[96tehtarp]

That's a fine looking dog you found there!

I've had as many as three dogs in my house and found the tick shampoos and powders ineffective. There is an injectable medicine that does work and lasts about 45 days. If your tick problem persists please feel free to PM me and i'll get the name for you. A years supply costs about 30 baht. It's most commonly used for cattle and buffaloes.

Good luck with your pooch.

[ryanhull]

That's a fine looking dog you found there!

I've had as many as three dogs in my house and found the tick shampoos and powders ineffective. There is an injectable medicine that does work and lasts about 45 days. If your tick problem persists please feel free to PM me and i'll get the name for you. A years supply costs about 30 baht. It's most commonly used for cattle and buffaloes.

Good luck with your pooch.

Thanks for your reply,

That would be usefull, the vet said we cannot use front line etc yet as he is too young so I have taken him to the 'dog salon' twice now to get washed properly with the tick shampoo and I agree I still see the odd one, when I burst them in my nails blood seems to come out of them so I would really like to get rid of them, Id like to know the name of that but I would be a bit unsure if its ok with him being so young,

Thanks

Edited August 24, 2014 by ryanhull

[wayned]

Most likely the inject-able medicine that 96tehtarp is referring to is Ivermectin. I raise Golden Retrievers and it is an effective preventative medication for the control of heart worm but I have found that the high dosages needed to control ticks is dangerous and could prove fatal. Before using it I would consult with your vet. Effective control of ticks is a real problem as it seems that each animal reacts to the available meds in different ways. Front line works okay on most of my dogs but I have two that seem to be immune to it

[96tehtarp]

Most likely the inject-able medicine that 96tehtarp is referring to is Ivermectin. I raise Golden Retrievers and it is an effective preventative medication for the control of heart worm but I have found that the high dosages needed to control ticks is dangerous and could prove fatal. Before using it I would consult with your vet. Effective control of ticks is a real problem as it seems that each animal reacts to the available meds in different ways. Front line works okay on most of my dogs but I have two that seem to be immune to it

Yes, Ivermectin was the drug I used. A 50 ml vial costs 55 baht (now that I remember.) I second the advice quoted above to use it only on recommendation by a vet. My experience was that a very small dose worked quite well and the dogs tolerated it well. Typically a 1.5 cc dose under the skin did the trick, lasting about 45 days for a 30-40 kg dog.

The ticks are very small and look a lot like tiny crabs. They affix themselves to the skin and gorge themselves on blood and will swell up to the size of large peas. The problem I experienced with shampoos, powders, and sprays was my tick free dogs would pick up new ticks in a matter of minutes from any land or area that had previously been used by soi dogs. The ticks were very clever at finding new hosts.

Incidentally, most of the powders and lotions contain permethrin which is very toxic to cats.

[wayned]

Actually a 1.5cc dose is not a small dose. I use 1cc every 2 months for control of heart worm in my Goldens, but it has little effect on the ticks. Before giving the ivermectin you should always have the animal checked for heat worm.

There are some powders that are very effective for killing ticks, Knock85 and Sevin dust, they can either be used as powder or mixed with water and used as a spray or dip, but they only kill the ones on the animal and do not prevent them from being re-infested again. They contain 85% carbaryl which is a very powerful insecticide which is banned in some countries. I use Sevin in the bedding area outside but do no put it directly on the animal.

You might be interested in this website: http://animals.howstuffworks.com/arachnids/tick3.htm

[ryanhull]

Hey, I don't suppose you know where to purchase a crate from? I have been speaking to a few friends who have dogs and they all started off with a crate/large cage at first to help train there dogs... placing the pup in the crate at the same time each night to give it a sense of security and control its toilet time, my friend said his dog actually loves to go in the crate at night and when he lets it out at say 6am (usually when I get up) its ready to go to toilet... see

I have read quite a few articles on crate training and it seems a good way to go however I cannot seem to find a decent good quality crate in Maha Sarakham, anyone know of any decent crates in Khon Kean? don't mind traveling to get one if need be,

Thanks

[96tehtarp]

Hey, I don't suppose you know where to purchase a crate from? I have been speaking to a few friends who have dogs and they all started off with a crate/large cage at first to help train there dogs... placing the pup in the crate at the same time each night to give it a sense of security and control its toilet time, my friend said his dog actually loves to go in the crate at night and when he lets it out at say 6am (usually when I get up) its ready to go to toilet... see

I have read quite a few articles on crate training and it seems a good way to go however I cannot seem to find a decent good quality crate in Maha Sarakham, anyone know of any decent crates in Khon Kean? don't mind traveling to get one if need be,

Thanks

My doctor uses a crate for his neurotic husky, and several of my other neighbors use home made crates. It should be quite easy to have a custom one built using either wood and chain link fencing or steel tubing (rectangular) for the frame.

This is an interesting topic, and thanks for wayned for tips on ivermectin/Sevin above.

Edited August 24, 2014 by 96tehtarp

[ryanhull]

Hey Thanks for your suggestions... I would rather buy him a decent one than make one, I am not too great at DIY and want to get him a metal one with a plastic bottom, you can see this crate here,

seems like a good way of training just hard to get a decent crate here, I want to try and get him one sorted sooner rather than later so he isn't learning bad habbits. I may take a drive to khon khean later to find a better pet shop.

Cheers

[konying]

Anyone claiming pitbulls are stupid has never owned one and has no clue about the dog at all.

If you raise it with love, it will be the most beautiful dog you ever owned.

The beauty of owning one, due to never ending supply of thick heads , you do not need to train it to be a guard dog, people will be scared just seeing it.

It's an excellent house pet , as it can be lazy to lay around the house, yet happy to accompany you if called.

Make sure to socialise it and treat it as a family member instead of a chained up monster.

I have one, and she is nothing but a pure joy.

When baby arrives , introduce baby to the dog and you may find you will soon have a nanny instead of a guard dog.

Edited August 24, 2014 by konying

[ggt]

Google canines causing deaths to humans...

Pit bull kill more humans...more than twice as many...as the next dog...which is the German Shepherd...

You are forewarned...whatever damage a pit bull does under your care...you should be liable for all medical and hospital bills...

Do not be fooled by folks who have had a good experience...why would you want to take a chance in putting your family, neighbors, and other pets in harms way...?

[ryanhull]

If it was just me, without a baby due I would have loved a putbull, great dogs love them to bits but I wouldnt risk it with a baby, not that I would ever leave a baby alone with any dog but I just would rather not risk that type of dog not to say they are savages as they are not.

Anyway found a decent dog crate if anyone is interested here

http://www.dogsiam.com

Cheers

[wayned]

If you're not looking for a crate that you can take on an airplane, most of the pet stores have fold-able ones but you have to ask as they aren't usually on display because of space.

[ryanhull]

Hi wayned,

It is more for toilet 'crate training' plus somewhere to call his den, the type I am after is this

http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5141375_main_t300x300.jpg

Cheers

[ryanhull]

quick update, I managed to find a decent crate in between marasarakham and khon kean, luckily saw it in a pet shop as I was driving by at 90km an hour! it was 1200Bhat but is really good quality, this is Leo chilling in his new den, tonight is his first night in his crate and I am just about to take him out on his 2am toilet run, so far he hasnt cried all night and seems to love it

[ryanhull]

p.s anyone wanting to know where to buy a decent dog crate pop me a pm and I will try and direct you, but it is around 20km out of khon kean.