Dogs in Brisbane and how they cope

[suee]

We're up on the north part of the Gold Coast, Pacific Pines, and have bought land and building our housein Upper Coomera, ten minutes from where we're renting.

[Georgie]

Hi Suee
I sent you a private message

Hi Melly
Amazing i didnt know Cane Toads could leap that high-imagine i am having my coffee in the morning looking at the view from my verandah and one of those leapt into my lap!!

Try a cool jacket for your dog and see if that helps. Look out on this post and i will find the web site for you to look at. Helps the dogs to sweat more like a human as a dog can only lose inner heat through its tongue when panting and not through the skin like we do. I ordered and it came the nest day and cost $70 and i think it helps. Do you shave your dog very short? As that would help too.I think its the humidity that worries me too.
By the way i have tried Perth, Melbourne and now up to Brisbane. Used to live there 22 years ago but you forget and it will have channged beyond recognition i suspect.
Any how i will post the address when i find it
Georgie

[DebsX]

Hi guys

Dogs can have a yearly jab to protect them from heartworm. A good thing really as I couldn't be relied upon to remember to give him a tablet daily.

He also wears a tick collar as well. My vet advised me this was the cheapest and best way of avoiding ticks. By no means is it foolproof though and I do check him daily. Especially around his ears and chest region. I do think your dog is more at risk if it's in long grass and bush.

He is walked early in the morning and late in the evening to avoid the heat of the day and I've totally clipped him out, as he has a very long thick coat.

I've come across Samoyeds and Alaskan Malamutes up here, who still have their full coats on.

My dog used to pant in the winter in the UK and he is doing just fine up here. It did take a bit of getting used to for him and when he first got here, I had the aircon on all the time for him.

I don't let him out in the evenings alone. He just goes out before bed for a final wee.

I don't think the cane toads pose as much of a risk to larger dogs. I would though be worried about the smaller breeds. I was told the toxin is a type of halluciogenic drug for dogs and the problem is once they get a taste for it, they keep going back again and again for another "fix "

Debs x x

[Georgie]

Personal Cooling Vests by Silver Eagle Outfitters

This is the address i got my dog cooling jacket on. Its very prompy delivery and seems to work. Also found more sites (possibly a bit cheaper) if you put in search for cooling jackets for dogs. you can get cooling mats as well for them to lie on which look good.
Georgie

[kia1]

Hi do dogs actually need heartworm tabs everyday or can you get them vaccinated?

[kiwi]

See DebsX reply. You can apparently get a yearly jab. Phew! Anyone know the cost of these jabs as opposed the the daily pills?

What I want to know is what do all these people do with the cane toads once they have a freezer full?

[DebsX]

Kia. Dogs can have a yearly jab against heartworm.

It's much easier than giving them a tablet everyday imo.

Debs x x

[DebsX]

One thing I did forget to mention as well guys, is that your dogs also need to get their Lepto vaccination done as well when they get here.

Most dogs won't have had this in the UK as it messes up the blood test results.

My vet did tell me that there is quite a nasty form of Lepto here, which is passed on from Bandicoots. This form of Lepto can kill your dog in three days if it contracts it.

I'm not sure if this varies from state to state or not, or if it relates to all of Australia.

My advice would be, go and see your vet once your dog gets out of quarantine and discuss the dog's needs with them.

The vets are usually pretty good as they are fully aware that we have other conditions to consider in Australia, that we obviously haven't had to encounter in the UK.

Debs x x x

[melly]

Thanks Georgie and Debs,

Will look at the cooling jacket-our girl has her coat on at night now so no reason why she can't have a cooling jacket in the summer !

We asked out vet about lepto vaccines and was told it was not necessary !

We give our dogs yearly heartworm vaccines then we don't have to worry about the tablets all the time. Can't remember the cost thugh as it is done with their annuals so an expensive time !

Kiwi-I think the toads either go in the bin or gt buried in the garden-nice !

There are a lot of things to worry about here but let's face it-lots of people have dogs and they are all fine !

[kiwi]

Well I buried my last two placentas in the garden so why not Cane toads?
Ooh, but the pup might dig em up again.

I wonder if the poison in them destroys plant life?

Not too worried about my doggie. You do what you have to do in the area you live. In Auckland, NZ, lepto and parvo are common killers. I worked in a vet clinic and saw lots of wee pups taken this way, so I'm into doing whatever it takes. Hey, at least there's no rabies.