Well, $185 later we're good to go....lol.

Kody got his 3yrs rabies shot and Mya her booster. They scanned Mya's micro chip and it's in the same spot that they placed it in a few months back. They couldn't find Kody's for a few minutes. It's moved all the way down to his right side. It was originally located between his shoulder blades (like it should be). I know that over time they can move locations, but geez it's pretty far from where it should be. That's not good.

I asked about the grass eating issue and he said that it could be a lack of fiber in their diet. He suggested changing them to senior food because it has more fiber, but I'm not doing that. Kody has such a sensitive tummy that I'm not messing with changing his food. Any suggestion on how to add fiber to their diet?

He also prescribed Valium for the trip and said that we could also give them benedryl along with the Valium to make them sleepy. He said that the Valium calms their anxiety, relaxes their muscles, and something else, but I don't remember what. LOL. Since it doesn't make them sleepy he suggested the benedryl, but I don't know about giving them both at the same time

Oh, and I have said how much I love my vet?! He was giving both the furkids tons of kisses and ear scratches and telling them how beautiful they are

You could give him Metamucil every so often to up his fiber. Seriously.

Glad everything went well. Our 3 are scheduled for a vet visit the week after next. Ugh, not looking forward to that bill. Last year it was over $500 for all 3. *sigh*

Edited to add: Oh and chip migration is one of the reasons I don't like microchips and refuse to get my chi girls chipped. I know one dog whose chip ended up in their foot.

I've seen a few people at the shelter, my mom, and two vets look for microchips in stray dogs. They know they can move and they do check all over to find one.

SaraB wrote:

I've seen a few people at the shelter, my mom, and two vets look for microchips in stray dogs. They know they can move and they do check all over to find one.

Yep. Every vet clinic I've worked for check the entire dog or cats body.

I wondered if you could do the Benefiber they have out that is supposed to be tasteless powder that can be added to food. Not sure though..just a thought.

Man be careful using that added fiber stuff. Most of us here have a hell of a time trying to stop the squirts not make them.

LOL Len! I know, that's why I was like "Ummmmm fiber to their diet?" haha! A little bit of it can't hurt I guess? This grass eating is really getting on my damn nerves! I had to tie Kody up while we were outside because he just doesn't stop! If it was just the grass then fine, but he's pulling full roots and then having issues pooping them out sometimes. Very frustrating!

As for the microchips, oh thank goodness that they try to check the entire dog! I got them scanned just to make sure they were there before the camping trip and I was shocked to see that Kody's wasn't where it should be. They found it at least

Lol they usually make a note of the current location in their file as well.

hypers987 wrote:

Lol they usually make a note of the current location in their file as well.

Yeah, I think I saw the vet assistant note that in his file.

I'm just a little concerned that Kody's lost 2lbs since his last visit. He needs to gain a few, not lose! Mya lost 7! That's good for her since she needed to get back down to a healthy weight, but that's enough. She was at 72lbs a year ago and now she's at 47lbs! I wanted her at 50lbs. She looks super healthy and not too skinny at all, but 47lbs seems a bit low. I think it's all of the biking that we've been doing lately. I should up her food intake a bit!

What about adding some dog biscuits that are full of healthy grains? I think I have use the ones by the company By Nature. They are organic and have things like fruits and nuts and flaxseed (and, sadly, ground rice, if your pups have tummy troubles with that). There are others, as well, I just can't remember them now.

Doesn't pumpkin contain a lot of fiber? That should be easy on the tummy.

Pumpkin for fiber! It's awesome and the dogs love it. We started adding a tablespoon full to each meal. It's like Christmas every time they see it!

Frosti's microchip migrated or didn't go in properly the first time - they scanned her all over and couldn't find it. This was months after we got her and I was "what??? The one that runs AWAY has no chip??? Ugh!". We had her rechipped - the benefits outweigh the risks. I want my dog to be safe and be returned to me if anything happens. BTW - most shelters here only do a quick scan on their shoulder blades. Vets usually scan all over.

Pumpkin and sweet potato are both high in fiber, oh and green beans. The later isn't absorbed as well as the first two.

Pumpkin sounds like a plan! I have it on hand all of the time since I do the yogurt mix for their kongs I honestly think that it's just habit by now, but it's worth a try. We need to buy LOTS of patches of grass to redo the yard. More than half is just dirt Not good for pups that run circles back there and then come in the house. Ah!

So, I hear you guys talk about giving the dogs pumpkin all the time. Is there any special type to get or just regular old pie filling?

Keimo&Izzi wrote:

So, I hear you guys talk about giving the dogs pumpkin all the time. Is there any special type to get or just regular old pie filling?

Just plain canned pumpkin. Make sure you do not use pie filling, it's got too many additives.

Can chips that migrate be harmful in any way? I knew there's a possibility of them moving some, but all the way to a foot is a little crazy. I had Evie's done when she was spayed. Will have to get her scanned next time she's in to see if it has moved.

Melissa, do Kody and Mya get sick from eating the grass? Evie does-you'd think they'd learn! She's doing it more now that the ground is snow covered. She's gotta dig to see if it's still under there and the grazing begins

JillC wrote:

Melissa, do Kody and Mya get sick from eating the grass? Evie does-you'd think they'd learn! She's doing it more now that the ground is snow covered. She's gotta dig to see if it's still under there and the grazing begins

No they don't get sick from it, but Kody did have a bit of trouble pooping out a long piece of the root the other day. Sounds gross, but I had to grab a napkin and pull it out for him Other than that, not really.

We were outside BBQing over the weekend and I had to tie him to my chair. He wouldn't stop for ANYTHING!

blueeyedghost wrote:

Keimo&Izzi wrote:

So, I hear you guys talk about giving the dogs pumpkin all the time. Is there any special type to get or just regular old pie filling?

Just plain canned pumpkin. Make sure you do not use pie filling, it's got too many additives.

I'm glad you told me... I know nothing about Pumpkin. I don't like it myself! :-)

Adding flaxseed can also give them a boost of fiber. Although if they are eating THK I'd have thought they'd be getting plenty of fiber. Flaxseed not only adds fiber but also omega-3 fatty acids so it has a dual benefit, and it's already found in a lot of foods including some of THK's formulas I think.

If feeding flaxseed be sure to crush, grind or what ever works for you before feeding as the outer coating of it has to be broken in order for it offer nutritional value.

Useful tips about the pumpkin and flaxseed. Thank you! We were going to take Ghost to the vet with constipation today, but wouldn't you know he finally went ten minutes before we were about to set off!

Here4thePics wrote:

If feeding flaxseed be sure to crush, grind or what ever works for you before feeding as the outer coating of it has to be broken in order for it offer nutritional value.

That's why I buy milled flaxseed, it's already broken down so it is easily absorbed. You can find it in the baking aisle at the grocery store and it's not expensive at all. I buy mine from Walmart even.

Huskyluv wrote:

Here4thePics wrote:

If feeding flaxseed be sure to crush, grind or what ever works for you before feeding as the outer coating of it has to be broken in order for it offer nutritional value.

That's why I buy milled flaxseed, it's already broken down so it is easily absorbed. You can find it in the baking aisle at the grocery store and it's not expensive at all.

Thanks! I might just alternate between the flaxseed and pumpkin. All I know is that we need a solution. We're going to put the first portion of grass patches down before we leave on the camping trip so that it at least has a few days to settle. Once we get back we have to figure out how to stop them from walking on it for few days and then from eating it!