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skycat

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Everything posted by skycat

  1. skycat
    Interesting! I wonder what that extra nutrient is that they get in the wild? I've spoken to people who have reared fox cubs in captivity, and they all say that they need to give them extra Vitamin C for them to survive and thrive as they do in the wild. Animals know so much more than us about what they need to thrive!
  2. skycat
    i saw a red kite over a local housing estate near leicester last summer Only one? There's practically flocks of the things in some places these days: in Wales a few years back when I went to the Game Fair, I saw at least a dozen all soaring over a hill side, and there's a lot round the Midlands nowadays.
  3. skycat
    Whether or not it was her pups you had out with her, she feels she's gone up in the world. Her status as a breeding female means that she is no longer the bottom of the pack. Seen it a lot with my bitches: in some the change is very subtle, others take the opportunity to pull rank at the slightest opportunity, not necessarily nastily, but the signs are there, and bitches which have not had pups in the past will often defer to one that has.
  4. skycat
    Parvo is simply a particularly virulent form of gastro enteritis and enteritis means inflammation of the gut. Parvo, as has already been said, has a particularly nasty and unique smell about the diarrhoea: once smelled, never forgotten, and the dog is very ill with it as well. the dog will be very lethargic and won't even want to drink. It can kill in as little as 24 hours, BUT... I've had apparently healthy dogs crap out nasty looking red gunk like that, without even having a temperature. Dogs pick up all sorts of crap which could cause a bacterial infection, not to mention the fact that we
  5. skycat
    They really are stunning animals, and look in very good condition as well: you must be doing something right! How did you come up with the pre-soaked beans supplement? Was it trial and error or what?
  6. skycat
    Everybody has different experiences with different dogs, and this is not only because each dog is different, but because each person is different as well. One training method may work for a particular dog, but not for another. This is where it really does help if you have access to someone who can 'read' both you and your dog, someone who has had a lot of experience with different temperaments and breed types. Failing that, I'd suggest watching as many videos as possible on Youtube on dog training: there are so many videos on there it's amazing. Some are brilliant, some are rubbish, but it
  7. skycat
    Sorry: didn't see the 'small' bit OK, so how small do you actually mean? Something under 20"?
  8. skycat
    I reckon my Airedale lurchers are the toughest dogs I've ever had. They may not be the fastest things on four legs (compared to something that may be 3/4 Greyhound) but for sheer drive, brains, tenacity and physical toughness they would take some beating. Having said that, a well bred Collie Grey is also a very tough dog indeed: good feet, muscles that don't tear easily, reasonable stamina and brains to spare.
  9. skycat
    Sensible decision: chances are the poor little thing hasn't been properly socialised at the correct age, or it has already had a bad experience with kids, OR, it just doesn't have a good temperament. It happens sometimes.
  10. skycat
    I've had some which settled almost immediately, and others which screamed blue murder for days and nights The trick is to feed him in there: feed him, take him straight out for a pee after being fed. Play with him until he's tired, pee or crap again: make sure he goes before you put him back in the crate again. Give him something to chew on: a bone he can't swallow or something else to occupy him. Then he'll sleep for a bit: you breathe a sigh of relief, then he wakes up again, you go through the same routine, watch him like a hawk, the moment he wakes, take him outside for a pee, before he
  11. skycat
    Put pup in crate next to sofa, that way you can touch pup through bars in crate when it cries, to let it know its not alone. Make a nice deep nest of woolly bedding, hot water bottle instead of lurcher to keep it feeling warm and safe. If you give in to it's crying it has already learned that crying means it gets what it wants: not good.
  12. skycat
    That's one hell of a chicken run Trouble is in this country it would end up a mud bath with ducks in there too: south of France is the best place for a set up like that: I'm assuming that's where it is because of his accent.
  13. skycat
    Unless it is an abscess, it sounds like what they usually call atopic dermatitis: which simply means a bacterial skin infection of unknown origin. As long as you are sure there isn't a foreign body trying to work its way out from under the skin: your vet will have already checked that I presume: then all you can do is wash it with hibiscrub and put loads of antiseptic cream on it: Sudacrem has worked for me in the past. What is the dog's diet? Some dogs are more prone to this sort of thing if they are fed a diet high in cereals. Also, contact Dorwest Herbs who do some very good reme
  14. skycat
    Lovely: really enthusiastic and happy pup
  15. skycat
    And, (dare I say it with all the rain we've had) watch out they don't dry out: raised beds need a lot more watering than ground level.
  16. skycat
    Said it many times before: 12 weeks is too old for first socialising. Pups need to start their socialising at around 5-6 weeks: this means carrying pup with you when you go out. Walk to end of road, sit and watch the world go by. By the time pup hits 12 weeks the window of opportunity is closing in terms of pup's ability to complete the 'wiring' in its brain which allows it to see new things, people, dogs as non threatening. Big mistake to keep pups in yard, house until jabs complete as the timing is all wrong for dog development. Don't worry about pup catching disease as long as it has had i
  17. skycat
    If you are seeing frequent attempts to pee, and maybe a bit of blood it is more likely to be cystitis, which is a bladder infection. Or could be puppy vaginitis which is a non serious production of mucous, though there isn't blood in the discharge. Read here for more on puppy vaginitis: http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-PuppyVaginitis.htm and on cystitis: http://www.dog-world.com.au/cystitis-in-dogs.htm
  18. skycat
    Just attach the water and food bowls to the side of the run too high for him to piss in. Edited to add: oops, hadn't seen that had already been posted
  19. skycat
    Have you tried a plastic dog bed in her kennel? Or something the piss won't soak into. I know this sounds mean, but if they find they are sitting in wet piss they do sometimes realise that it is not the best place to pee: also you can really bleach and disinfectant a plastic bed every day and dry it before putting it back into the kennel. And try putting shavings or straw at one end of the run so it is more attractive for her to pee in that place than in her bed. Some dogs just don't like peeing on hard surfaces, and prefer to go on something it soaks into. Worth a try.
  20. skycat
    The only people who really care if rabbits get myxomatosis are those who want to ferret, shoot them. Farmers don't mind it as it saves them having to get someone in to control them, and the public don't care (for the most part) as they don't generally see wild animals out in the countryside. it's not like they are ruining a cash crop like the Colorado beetle on potatoes; in fact it's the opposite way round: rabbits ruin cash crops: no rabbits, crops safe.
  21. skycat
    Brilliant offer there: a big thumbs up to you for your generosity :thumbs:
  22. skycat
    So very sad to lose a little pup, and especially to such a horrible disease: thankfully it is not common at all. You've had a lousy experience but get out there and get another pup: it will help to ease your loss, especially for your young 'un and wife.
  23. skycat
    Thanks for putting that link up: amazing photos.
  24. skycat
    Great shot I never thought that ferrets could look pensive or noble: but he has just that look! Almost looks as though he's posing for the camera.
  25. skycat
    Thanks for that info: so it is, as usual, entirely due to humans that they are endangered: nothing changes! Muntjac, which are of course not a native species to the UK, have adapted very well over here, to the extent that they are considered a pest in some areas: fascinating little deer:
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