In article ,
"Shelly" wrote:


On the other other hand, in light of the discussion of GSD health
problems, and in light of Kathy's recent bad experience with one of her
dogs, I don't think it was an unreasonable question.

There's also the "my dog has really bad breath, what are the possible
causes?" I admit to over-researching things and driving myself a little
nuts. But with research comes the ability to make informed opinions and
understand what vets are recommending (or not), etc. Our fairly recent
foray into Rudy's urinary issues is one of those things. I researched
diabetes. kidney issues, etc, etc, etc, all while waiting for test
results. It either drives me crazier or helps pass the time. I don't
know whether it is better to dive in or wait for a diagnosis, but some
things CAN be caught by a flicker that came from research, that even a
good vet didn't think of or address.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:

As
for the latter question, you might be a concerned and
devoted owner or you might be a hypochondriac. In your case
you're being responsible (I give each of my dogs a once-over
every day or so) but somebody else might be being neurotic.
I think it comes down to expectations.

I get that. I tend to go through more vigilant periods after something
has been found, and don't obsess. I think of the first time I found a
cancerous tumor on a dog though, while cleaning her ears (tumor was on
her side). All I did was rest my hand there and it was the size of a
pea. At that time, I wasn't the least bit concerned. I figured it was
something totally benign. I will never think that of any lump again.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"Janet Boss" wrote in message
...

There's also the "my dog has really bad breath, what are the possible
causes?"

Sure, but before that, you have to have an inkling that it may be out of
the ordinary. If you don't have any reason to suspect that it's not
just plain "old dog breath," then you aren't going to think it's
something worth researching. (And you'd be surprised at the normally
clueful folks who will just shrug off something like bad dog breath.
Like barrels-on-legs syndrome, many assume that bad breath is a
by-product of aging.)

I don't know whether it is better to dive in or wait for a diagnosis,

I tend to be a researcher. You've got to have *something* to occupy
yourself with while you're waiting for the appointment/test results.

but some
things CAN be caught by a flicker that came from research, that even a
good vet didn't think of or address.

Yep!

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"Janet Boss" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Shelly" wrote:


On the other other hand, in light of the discussion of GSD health
problems, and in light of Kathy's recent bad experience with one of her
dogs, I don't think it was an unreasonable question.

There's also the "my dog has really bad breath, what are the possible
causes?"

See I wish I had done that


I admit to over-researching things and driving myself a little
nuts. But with research comes the ability to make informed opinions and
understand what vets are recommending (or not), etc. Our fairly recent
foray into Rudy's urinary issues is one of those things. I researched
diabetes. kidney issues, etc, etc, etc, all while waiting for test
results. It either drives me crazier or helps pass the time. I don't
know whether it is better to dive in or wait for a diagnosis, but some
things CAN be caught by a flicker that came from research, that even a
good vet didn't think of or address.

Yep. The same goes for doctors. I was the primary caregiver for my father
when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Neither his oncologist or his
cardiologist informed us that chemo can reek havoc on pro-tine levels of
someone on Coumadin. If it wasn't for research/support groups I never would
have thought to have them checked - they were way out of whack!

Kathy

"Janet Boss" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:

As
for the latter question, you might be a concerned and
devoted owner or you might be a hypochondriac. In your case
you're being responsible (I give each of my dogs a once-over
every day or so) but somebody else might be being neurotic.
I think it comes down to expectations.

I get that. I tend to go through more vigilant periods after something
has been found, and don't obsess. I think of the first time I found a
cancerous tumor on a dog though, while cleaning her ears (tumor was on
her side). All I did was rest my hand there and it was the size of a
pea.

Yikes Shadow has one of those too. I didn't think to mention it to the vet
at his last visit. He didn't mention it so I'm not sure if he even noticed
it.

"Shelly" wrote in message
...

"Melinda Shore" wrote in message
...

Honestly, it sounds like proxy hypochondria to me. It's one
thing to be informed and another thing to *look* for health
problems.

I guess I'm unclear from the OP on what her intent is. If she's wanting
to know what problems are common in particular breeds, so that she can
better choose an upcoming dog from a breed that's relatively healthy,
then that seems to make a certain amount of sense. I know people who
won't own certain breeds because health problems or lack of longevity
are deal breakers for them.

And if she's already got breed X in mind, then I don't see what's wrong
with researching that breed's health. Health was something I looked at
when I was researching Boxers. I think it's silly not to find out what
you're potentially getting yourself into.

On the other hand, if I had a mixed breed dog, I don't think I'd waste
much time researching health problems in the different breed components.

On the other other hand, in light of the discussion of GSD health
problems, and in light of Kathy's recent bad experience with one of her
dogs, I don't think it was an unreasonable question.


Thanks It is definitely on my mind after Shelby's experience but I don't
think I'm obsessing. I think it is more a game of 'catch up'. These are all
things I never thought of before so I am thinking about a variety of things
all at once and asking a lot of questions so it might appear like I am
obsessing.

Kathy

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"Melinda Shore" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Janet Boss wrote:
Where is that line drawn though? I know FCRs (and Goldens) have high
cancer rates, CHD exists, etc. If I OFA, am I looking for a health
problem or being informed? If I poke all over a dog for lumps and bumps
and have them biopsied, am I a hypochondriac or a concerned and devoted
owner?

She's not talking about getting her dog OFA'ed, she's
talking specifically about looking for health problems. As
for the latter question, you might be a concerned and
devoted owner or you might be a hypochondriac. In your case
you're being responsible (I give each of my dogs a once-over
every day or so)

See I never even did this until recently. It was my daughter who found
Shadow's tick and also his pea sized lump.

but somebody else might be being neurotic.
I think it comes down to expectations.

I hope *not* to find anything! To me neurotic is thinking you (or your dog)
have something when you really don't.

Kathy

Janet Boss wrote:
In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:


As
for the latter question, you might be a concerned and
devoted owner or you might be a hypochondriac. In your case
you're being responsible (I give each of my dogs a once-over
every day or so) but somebody else might be being neurotic.
I think it comes down to expectations.


I get that. I tend to go through more vigilant periods after something
has been found, and don't obsess. I think of the first time I found a
cancerous tumor on a dog though, while cleaning her ears (tumor was on
her side). All I did was rest my hand there and it was the size of a
pea. At that time, I wasn't the least bit concerned. I figured it was
something totally benign. I will never think that of any lump again.


I know my dogs' bodies better than my own. When we're watching tv I
always have one or another of them on my lap and my hands are never
still. They consider it petting, and it is, but it's also an exam and
evaluation... weight, muscle tone, coat texture, lumps, bumps, scabs,
sore spots, smelly ears or breath.

My daughter does the same with the BCs, but Cooper will generally offer
to bite her if he thinks she's getting too personal. Last week she was
trying to get a look at a rash she'd glimpsed in his groin area and he
was growling and refusing to be flipped over for examination. I told
her she was being rude, going about it all wrong and that she should ask
him to show her instead of grabbing at him and trying to roll him over.

So I cooed at him, said "Aww, who's a good Cooper dog? Poor wee man.
Can I see your belly?" And he laid his ears back, wiggled his stubby
tail and rolled over and let me look at his rash, which was basically a
contact dermatitis from running through tall grass.

I cleaned him off with a wash cloth and warm water, rubbed some salve on
the red parts and called it good.

DD was disgusted, told me I baby that dog too much. I don't necessarily
think so. I'd call it customizing my approach to the individual dog.

"Shelly" said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

Sure, but before that, you have to have an inkling that it
may be out of the ordinary. If you don't have any reason
to suspect that it's not just plain "old dog breath," then
you aren't going to think it's something worth researching.

It's good to set and record a baseline, which many dog owners
don't do. Pulse, heart and respiration rate, gum refill, and
can everyone describe exactly what their healthy dogs' eyes look
like?

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

"kat" said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

Also are there
any good reference books/sites about the various breeds and
their medical problems.

http://www.dogplay.com/Breeding/health.html

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.