Australian Shepherds

[raero]

I just wanted to say that Penny's ears are starting to flop and it's adorable. She looks like an aussie now, not a fox! It's just one right now, and I secretly hope it stays that way -- cutest thing ever.

[Blinkme_xx]

This thread seems to be taking off quite nicely
so many Aussies in here now!

i have to say Meeko is loosing quite a few teeth now ,
lost one of her big Canine (i think thats what there called) ones the other day
Her ears havnt change yet ... i say YET! lol i dont want them to i love her ears!

[kian]

Hello my fellow Aussie lovers! I need to catch up and promise I will, just have been very busy and now my Allie is Ill.
I don't want to make a new thread since many people don't know my experience here and I know all of you will send healing thoughts! If it doesn't improve by the Monday morning a call to the vet is needed. She is drinking, not eating and has some diarrhea. No vomiting which is another good sign as well. Her hydration is just fine which is good as well.
I do have meds which is improving the diarrhea and I did get her to eat some boiled chicken I made for her. She just mopes, I want my jumper back!! Will let you know what the vet says. I hate it when they get ill on a weekend.

[Blinkme_xx]

Kian : im so sorry to hear that! i hope she gets better soon! its never fun having a sick animal
definatly sending MANY healing thoughts your way.
keep us updated and i hope things improve.

[alexalou]

Poor Allie! Get better soon! Really soon!

Poor thing. It is awful when they get sick on weekends. I always hate it if my horses are acting a but strange too. It's expensive to call the vet out, especially if you're not completely sure you need him/her. At least with dogs you can take them there as soon as they're open.

Get that little aussie girl better fast Kian!

This thread seems to be taking off quite nicely
so many Aussies in here now!

i have to say Meeko is loosing quite a few teeth now ,
lost one of her big Canine (i think thats what there called) ones the other day
Her ears havnt change yet ... i say YET! lol i dont want them to i love her ears!

Meeko's ears are cute! But, they also seem much larger than the average aussie. She might grow into them. They're so cute, so hopefully not! I think Topaz's need to get a bit larger. Of course, I know nothing of how their ears are "supposed" to look. I just know how other aussies ears look. Either way, Topaz and Meeko are both adorable.

Topaz still hasn't lost any teeth. She turns 5 months on Wednesday though, so it shouldn't be long!

[alexalou]

Oh, I had some questions for all the aussie moms and dads on here ....


1. Does your aussie get that really curly hair on their back right before their butt? Topaz's is wavy, and another aussie I know has curly hair there.

2. Does your aussie get "kinky/wavy" hair on their ears? Topaz's always looks like it was in a bunch of little braids. Unless I blow dry it out of course.

3. Does your aussie have a favorite toy?? Topaz likes whichever toys she hasn't played with in a while or is brand new. She gets sick of the same things I guess.

Oh, and a warning. I am getting my new camera today! The canon 50d for anyone who wants to know. So, expect A LOT of pictures! Heheheheh.

[kian]

Thanks! Allie update: 3 am this morning she started with the whimper again & I was at the vets door before they opened!
Her temp was 103.2 (normal 101.1) and very tender to handle with pain head-toe. He tried to get blood from her neck, it was no go, she just yelped in pain at the slightest touch. He did get blood out her leg vein and the liver came back just slightly high, nothing really to cause alarm. He believe she has a virus that is kicking her butt, the pain was the one factor that was odd to him with other symptoms. He tried to give her a pain pill, it was a no go, so he had me try, it was another no go. I asked for an injectable which he agreed was prob better. After an hour, she went to her food bowl and ate, drank more water and barked at my OH working in the yard. The bark made her yelp again. She is more perky now and he wants me to report back tomorrow on her progress. Right now is laying by my side very peacefully.

Now I will answer Alexas questions!
Yup curly hair there!
Yup on question two.
She loves her toys, she really loves "squeaky ball" she got from Marco. She carries it around...squeak, squeak....

Warning noted and very excited for those pictures!! You will love the camera, I promise. Are you going to take any classes? I took a few and so worth it. The picture I entered in the contest is with my SLR and I threw the dirt clod she is looking at and took the pic at the same time. You must try those action shots, they are the best.

[raero]

Kian: How's Allie? I know you must be worried but you seem very calm about it, which I know SHE appreciates. She/you are still in my prayers!

On another note --

Topaz I tink it was you that asked about the coat, and I can say that Penny does have kinky ears right after a bath, but it seems to relax a few days after. Her butt -- which she will NOT let me brush -- is quite fluffy. Also, her white areas seem to be fuller than the brown part of her -- sort of like a mane? That's an aussie thing, I *think*. One of the reasons I got her vs one of her siblings was that they all had extremely full coats, while she and two of the other babies were more like there mother and had shorter, smoother coats. The heat down here can get unbearable, and I figured less hair, less panting.

I too, have a question -- when Penny gets very zoom-y, I like to let her chase me and do the whole dodge-and-weave routine, but now I'm beginning to think I might be reinforcing her herding drive a bit too much, as I don't have any mini sheep lying around. Should I find another way to help her burn energy?

[aussiemama]

There's a lot of us on this board now that own aussies. Anyone have problems with very sensitive tummies?

Yes, I know just what you mean. One of my Mini boys has a very sensitive tummy (the other doesn't have as much of a problem with it, which seems odd because they're littermates.) Once in awhile he'll get a little bout of diarrhea for no apparent reason -- no change in diet, eating something he shouldn't, etc. We've had all the tests done, and the vet said he is a healthy boy.

I have had great success in giving canned pumpkin, which can help firm up loose stools, and also helps with constipation, as well. Make sure to get plain pureed pumpkin, not the pie filling. Just add a dollop to the top of his food at each meal. When their tummies are upset, I always put the dogs on a bland diet for a couple of days until things clear up, just giving them plain rice with cottage cheese or plain whole milk yogurt, plus a little of the pumpkin. Usually does the trick.

Since his last episode, I have put both dogs on a nice, balanced, all natural homemade diet -- no more kibble. With all the recalls, you just never know if there is something in there that could harm your pets, and I'm not taking chances anymore. Seems to be going well so far; their digestion has improved, their coats are shinier, and their allergies seem better. I frequently refer to the book "Home Cooking for a Healthy Dog" by Jonna Anne, to make sure that I am providing proper nutrition in the meals I make.

Best of luck to you and Marco! Hope his little belly feels better!

[Sandy, Cheyenne's mom2]

Hi Kian. So sorry to hear Allie is not well. Hope she gets over it quickly. Marco won't be too happy if his girl is sick! Please let us know how she is, OK? This thread, or another, we'll find it! Praying for you and her.
Hugs,
Sandy & Cheyenne

[kian]

Allie was doing great until this afternoon, mopey again and whimpers some. I just want her better! I'm glad I don't work tommorow, may have another vet trip. Still need healing thoughts and prayers please! (I'm trying to stay calm, but I was a wreck Sunday night when talking to the vet)


As for Pennys zoomies, I love those! I let Allie chase a ball rather than me, she also loved to chase a tied bundled sock on a rope.

[Sandy, Cheyenne's mom2]

Sweetie, you've got all the healing thoughts and prayers in the world, coming your & Allie's way! Even some crossed fingers, toes & eyes! Cheyenne looks funny with crossed eyes!

And since I'm posting on this thread, pretend my Rotten Shepherd, Cheyenne, is just a funny looking Aussie.

Zoomies are even funnier when it's a puppy and kitten - Lucky and Skittles are absolutely hilarious.

Try to relax, Kian, and get some sleep if possible!
Hugs,
Sandy

[Anonymous15235]

There's a lot of us on this board now that own aussies. Anyone have problems with very sensitive tummies?

Yes, I know just what you mean. One of my Mini boys has a very sensitive tummy (the other doesn't have as much of a problem with it, which seems odd because they're littermates.) Once in awhile he'll get a little bout of diarrhea for no apparent reason -- no change in diet, eating something he shouldn't, etc. We've had all the tests done, and the vet said he is a healthy boy.

I have had great success in giving canned pumpkin, which can help firm up loose stools, and also helps with constipation, as well. Make sure to get plain pureed pumpkin, not the pie filling. Just add a dollop to the top of his food at each meal. When their tummies are upset, I always put the dogs on a bland diet for a couple of days until things clear up, just giving them plain rice with cottage cheese or plain whole milk yogurt, plus a little of the pumpkin. Usually does the trick.

Since his last episode, I have put both dogs on a nice, balanced, all natural homemade diet -- no more kibble. With all the recalls, you just never know if there is something in there that could harm your pets, and I'm not taking chances anymore. Seems to be going well so far; their digestion has improved, their coats are shinier, and their allergies seem better. I frequently refer to the book "Home Cooking for a Healthy Dog" by Jonna Anne, to make sure that I am providing proper nutrition in the meals I make.

Best of luck to you and Marco! Hope his little belly feels better!

marco's problems cleared up once we put him on nutro natrual food he hasn't had any promblems since, and now we by the nutro natural dog treats for him so that's all he gets and no problems with his belly!!

i said this before, but i really hope that allie gets better soon! marco is feelin' special knowing the toy he got her she loves but sad becuase his main girl is still feelign poopy

[Todlor]

That's great Todlor! How exciting.... Agility classes! It's too bad it's necessary to wait until they're full grown.... Topaz would be flying over hurdles by now.

You'll have to let us know how the first class goes.

Hi Alexalou! We have our first class tonight for the agility! But we went the last couple of days to watch the other dogs and Lucy was SO EXCITED she was about to jump out of her skin, which is ok for agility because they make the best agility dogs. But she has to learn "the game" and she has to be more obedient. Her disadvantage is that she is learning to obey, socialize and agility obstacles all at once whereas the others mostly appear to be used to each other and have gone through obedience classes so their dogs are ready to go. So we'll see how that goes. Lucy learned her obedience at home so she is at a disadvantage because she didn't get the benefit of socialization that comes with classes. So distractions will be another obstacle. But I am glad to see she's not the only dog. There are like 25 in the class and if you can imagine, keeping Lucy focused with 25 other dogs around, most of whom already are used to each other or other dogs and the structure of commands, will be quite a task! I will let you know how it goes.

As for your dogs ears, my Blue Merle has total "crimped" hair behind his ears. I like it so i don't brush it out. Lucy has knots behind her ears that I need to bring her to a groomer to shave! Both have the sprouty ears that I love. But only Banzai has true Aussie ears. Lucy is always mistaken for a Border Collie. She has all the markings on an Aussie (the "socks", the copper points, bib and bobbed tail) but her little "triangle ears" she had as a puppy, slowly became prick ears giving her more of a Border Collie look. And oddly enough, I wanted a Border Collie but felt they were too intense for a family pet. Anyway, I'll let you know how it all goes. Sooner or later, we'll get photos too. :O)

Lori

[Todlor]

1. Does your aussie get that really curly hair on their back right before their butt? Topaz's is wavy, and another aussie I know has curly hair there. YES
2. Does your aussie get "kinky/wavy" hair on their ears? Topaz's always looks like it was in a bunch of little braids. Unless I blow dry it out of course. YES CRIMPED

3. Does your aussie have a favorite toy?? Topaz likes whichever toys she hasn't played with in a while or is brand new. She gets sick of the same things I guess. only my male Blue Merle loves toys. My black tri only like rodents

Oh, and a warning. I am getting my new camera today! The canon 50d for anyone who wants to know. So, expect A LOT of pictures! Heheheheh. [/quote] YEAH CAN'T WAIT!