Good morning all. Lovely you have joined us Hannah, hope you enjoy being part of the family!!
I have to say I do wonder how much of the digestive problems discussed are due to the highly processed complete so called premium diets and treats that are on the market these days. Andrew, his Dad and I used to run a dog food company, we made diets such as James wellbeloved, Burns, our own brand was Berties to name but a few. Once you get onto the premium varieties or some of the cereal based treats there is so much in them, our breed are still what I call primitive, by that I mean they do not need or cope with huge amounts of vits and mins, or beet pulp lots of oils, we have not bred the Munsterlander so much that they are not what they were so they are not in anyway a designer dog that copes with all the added extras. I feed Skinner field and trial Duck and Rice, it suits them so well, having also had a pet shop for several years I have tried all sorts of brands but always come back to this one. I am not in anyway saying Ghillies problems could be sorted by diet, I know how Lynn has done that and tried it all. It's hard to read the problem you have had as I have never gone through that with any of mine, not exactly cast iron stomachs in them all but I don't ever had the dietary problems that some seem to have. For treats I use natural things, such as Pigs ears, (these are fatty so not too many), cow hooves, lambs throats, tripe sticks and pizzles, we also have beef hide flat chews too. If anyone gets a little loose or isn't gaining the weight I think they should be I feed raw chicken wings, (don't cook them as the bones become brittle) I always have some in the freezer and defrosted the dogs crunch them up. Tree bark is another remedy worth keeping in, all of the dogs will forage and some eat all sorts of horrid things, if it upsets their tummies I use Tree bark mixed in some probiotic natural yogurt and the next day they are eating and solid.
The only one of mine who has had tummy troubles was Fancy, she was a naughty puppy who ate a biro and perforated her gut, this left her with spells of feeling gassy and sick, when she was pregnant she was very gutsy and I tried her on charcoal tablets, I did this as she was often stealing coal out the scuttle. Well she found such relief using the charcoal she would come and ask for the tablets, and would eat 8 - 10 out of my hand, it can be a bit messy, but work 100% of the time, I would give them about an hour before her dinner and she always ate. Other things which can help to bind them up is a good old fashioned calcium bone, if they will eat them that will help too. I'm not saying this will sort Ghillie out but it may help Oscar.
I think one thing to remember in all of this, as a breed they are not one that regularly suffers from digestive problems, with all of mine the only one who picks a bit is Tarka and at her age I think she is entitled to be fussy!!!! I became a qualified nutritionist when we were manufacturing the pet food, so if anyone is having specific problems please feel free to email me and I will always help if I can. Also always ask your breeder for advice first, as they may have had a similar problem and know the answer, a lot of lines will have different quirks.
Sarah you are very welcome, it was lovely to see you all, sorry if it was a bit frantic, but Darcy was so happy to be there all he wanted to do was play and greet every dog and himan he saw!! I think Jed was incredibly well behaved, yes it was a bit overwhelming under the canvas and very noisy and windy but he took it all very well. We must find some ring craft classes for you and Tor to get the boys too so you can show them yourselves at Crufts!!!
Sharon, I missed your post yesterday, SNAKES........... God grief, can't stand them sorry, goon on Hudson for listening to you, what type of snake was it? I do think the dogs can surprise you with traveling, I know Diva did on her trek for 6 days. I also think the dogs know when we shout and mean it, it must be the sound of panic in our voices.
Elspeth, give baby cakes a hug from Nanny!! I can't understand people and what they are thinking in situations like that. I don't think it only happens up North, Julie a friend who has Goldens not only had her gorgeous 5 month old attacked and severely damaged but she was badly injured too by a stray mongrel. All very frightening and boy am I glad I am lucky enough to have our own land that's private. What annoys me is it can so easily scare Munsters for life, being so intelligent and sensitive they never forget.
Sorry seem to have gone on a bit today, Karen Tilly is so gorgeous love the pic of Elsa watching!!!
