Supplementary support

I have three fabulous Jack Russell boys, one of whom (Graham) was featured in your "Good Boy Awards' in July 2008, after I had rescued him. A few weeks ago I noticed that Graham was doing the classic couple of coughs, and clearing his throat that all dogs do now and again, but more often than was normal. My vet gave him some antibiotics and anti inflammatory tables to rule out infection. This seemed to help initially, probably due to the anti inflams., but then he started this coughing again.

This time at the vets he had X-rays, and unfortunately Graham (now aged seven) has an enlarged heart, this is pressing on his trachea, and he has a small amount of fluid on his lungs. He is still very happy, perky, cheeky and energetic. He has been put on Vetmedin for his heart, for the rest of his life, and a couple of weeks worth of diuretics to get rid of the fluid, with a follow up consultation in a weeks time.

My question is can I give any other supplements to support Graham's condition? I have heard of a supplement called Taurine which is supposed to help with heart function. I don't want to overdo it though.

He has a daily sprinkle of 'Pooch & Mutt's' Bionic Biotics, a natural health supplement on his evening meal, and as I said apart from the coughing sessions a couple of times a day, he looks in peak condition.

Many thanks,

Sara Marlow, by email

On guard

Hi

I'm pretty desperate for some help with my 20 month Golden Retriever.

He is a friendly dog who is very loving.... 99% of the time

However, he has a problem with resource guarding that is getting worse.

He is fine with his food bowl (I've worked with him on this, adding treats etc to it, so he loves it when I approach him!). We've never had a problem with beds, toys etc

He does display very strong guarding behaviour towards "food based" items such as Kongs. As a result I avoid giving him anything like that, which on reflection I realise may not have been the best way to deal with things.

Where the behaviour is really worrying is where I can't predict it - I've known him to guard pebbles, holes he has dug in the garden etc. These are things that I can't understand why he sees them as "high value". It's almost as though he gets fixated on an item or activity and is determined no one is going to spoil his fun.

We consulted a APBC behaviourist in the past, who recommend that we work on the "drop" and "leave it" command. He knows these and will perform the behaviour fine in a "no pressure" situation, but not when there is something better on offer!

We have got used to managing his behaviour within the family, but he has been staying with a dog sitter (who was made aware of the problem beforehand) and there have been a couple of problems there.

I clearly need to stop sticking my head in the sand and deal with this. I'm petrified that something really bad is going to happen.

Can anyone recommend a good behaviourist / trainer who has had success with this problem in the past? Does anyone else have a dog with the same problem who has been successfully treated?

I urgently need help from someone who can work with us on an ongoing basis. I feel really desperate at the moment, so any help would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

Nicky, south Northants

Diet help for kidney disease

Hi there,

Just had my dog diagnosed with Kidney Disease. Normal practice I understand is to feed a low protein/low phosphorus diet but I have also read its better to feed a higher quality protein. I am not confused.

Can anyone else tell me what they have tried with success or at least to keep her comfortable. I know there is no cure for this disease so won't to make sure she has the best why she is still with us.

Many thanks

Jan, by email



Alison Logan, vet, advises...

Actually, there is no confusion. You are considering two different aspects of the protein in the diet and, as you inadvertently but correctly say, a dog with kidney disease needs a lower level of higher quality protein.

Kidney disease affects the ability of the kidneys to excrete the waste product urea from the body which arises from the liver breaking down surplus dietary protein. It therefore makes sense to try to feed only as much protein as the body needs, reducing the amount of urea produced so that the kidneys can cope with excreting it. Many of the effects of kidney disease arise from excessive levels of urea in the blood so your dog will feel better if these levels can be brought down.

Your vet will probably have advised feeding a prescription diet formulated to meet all the needs of a dog with kidney failure. Thankfully, there is a choice so that if your dog dislikes one diet there will be another one he can try. This was not the case when I qualified more than twenty years ago!

It is possible to home cook a suitable diet but there are different ideas out there as to the ideal recipe.

Spring clean

Dear Dogs Today

Can you and your readers recommend any good vacuum cleaners?

Mine is on its last legs and cannot cope with the amount of hair shed by my white GSD-Labrador cross!

Thanks very much,

Pam Beal, by phone

Can you help me find a reputable breeder?

Hi there,

I just wondered if you would possibly be able to tell me where it was best to buy a Cavapoo puppy safely? I have been looking on the internet as obviously The Kennel Club does not have breeders listed for Cavapoos as not a pure breed.

I bought your magazine to see if you might have any adverts in the back of the magazine but could not see any for Cavapoo puppies for sale?

It was actually Harrods who told me to get in touch with you as they thought that you maybe able to help in my search. They warned to be careful on the internet for adverts but I guess it is okay if you go to visit the breeder and puppies and see Mum and if Dad as well, and see it in situ and with all health checks done etc?

We already have a seven-year-old Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

I would be very grateful if you might have any ideas and had any safe websites that you could recommend for instance?

Look forward very much to hearing from you soon

Many thanks for your help.

With kind regards and best wishes,

From,

Miranda, by email

Approach with caution

My friend has a nervous German Shepherd who is eight months old. She was rescued from Ireland and was pretty emaciated when adopted - despite being pregnant! She's slowly gaining weight, has had her pups, and has bonded brilliantly with her human family. She is great with other dogs, but is nervous with people. She ignores people on walks, but barks if they look at her or approach her. She's tried telling people to ignore the dog and not look at her, but to no avail. She has heard that you can get a T-shirt or tabard or something with 'Rescue Dog in Training, Please Ignore' or similar printed on it.

Anyone know where you can buy these? She has had one-to-one behavioural help and is coming on well, but she just needs people to ignore her when out on walks while her confidence is being built up.

Claire, Dogs Today

Barking at the moon

Madi (my collie cross) is driving me berserk - barking at the moon! It's not always, but when the moon is gibbous she's very bad - barking and jumping around, eyes fixed on it. It is as if she fears it.

Why do dogs bark at the moon? And why only when it is in certain phases?

Claire, Dogs Today