₦airaland Forum

Good day.
Please I'm in need of a reliable and affordable vet in Abuja. Can anyone recommend any good vet?
Many thanks!

Doctor-Patient consultation is not done on a public forum. Caution should be advised when prescribing drugs, for this is a public forum and the drug could get in the wrong hand. Worse, to treat a condition to which the drug is not related to.

Before drugs are prescribed, a doctor worth his salt combines both physical and mental states of his patients to help make an accurate diagnosis.

Medical school is not for fools. It's 6 years of grueling work. So to come here and see people dispensing drugs to the public is alarming. Also, to those seeking advice from them, why will you put your health at the risk and mercy of "Doctors" whose qualification and competency you know nothing of?

Pls, kindly desist from making uninformed diagnosis, and prescribing medication to the public.

Many thanks.

Eveezy:
awwwn, dis dog is so gorgeous

Thank you!

uchpanila:
wow! looking good, congratulations!!
Abeg no de spoil her beauty with that rotten chain go get a nice leash for her.

Haha. Thank you so much. About the chain, noted!

LordRegalia:
Hello Mccarthyal.

Wow! Snape is really looking good. I really am impressed, as I still remember vividly how she was when you posted the first photos of her months ago. Congratulations and kudos for a very good job. I can see she is in good hands.

Well done and keep it up.

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words! I appreciate them.

oblo:
Wow.....looking really really good

Thank you!

About 4 months ago, I posted pictures of Snape asking about how to care for her. Here's what she looks like now. @LordRegalia thoughts?

LordRegalia:
Hello Mccarthyal.

Good to know that she is doing well. She actually looks it too. Well done and keep up the good work.

LordRegalia
Thank you sir

LordRegalia:
Hello Mccarthyal.

I am quite flattered that you regard my responses thus and I appreciate the compliments. Though it may be a bit of a stretch to assume most lengthy posts to come from me; I frequently see lengthy posts from other members of this forum that are equally informative and on the spot.

Am I a breeder? Many would say or assume that I am although I would say that technically I am not a breeder, but more of a dog lover and boerboel enthusiast. Though I happen to know practically everything any responsible and reputable breeder ought to know about breeding, I do not breed my dogs often (usually once in a year or 2 years) and when I do, it is usually on request most of the time. But as a dog lover and boerboel enthusiast who was exposed to dogs from a very young age, I dedicate a great deal of time to learning all I can about dogs in general and boerboels in particular. Plus, I get to interact with my boerboels a lot everyday, being as they are indoor trained / raised and as such I see and understand everything about each individual dog. Much of the phases of their growth and developmental behaviours are pretty much textbook behaviours among most dog breeds. This is probably the reason why it would seem like I know a whole lot about dogs. It may also come as a surprise to you to discover that I am a professional and my profession has absolutely nothing to do with dogs or animals.

Regarding your pup, she is still rather too young for you to starve with the corrective measures I described. If I remember correctly, she was 5weeks old when you put up your initial post concerning her and I am guessing that she should be about 7 or 8 weeks old now. At this stage of her growth (0 - 12 weeks of age), she should be encouraged to eat as much as possible and frequently too and skipping meals should be avoided as this is an extremely important growth phase in the life of any dog. However, in light of the challenges you are experiencing with her feeding habits, especially as concerns your finances, here's what you should do:

In the first instance, do not trouble yourself with the fact that she no longer wants milk. Really, pups / dogs should be off all artificial or synthetic milk from about 2 weeks of age or maximum 4 weeks (the only exception being orphaned pups or pups who's dam is not producing breast milk at all or in sufficient quantities). The only milk needed in their diet at this time should be the mother's breast milk and they should be encouraged to take it for as long as she allows it to boost their immunity. After this period or after weaning, artificial / synthetic milk really isn't good for most pups and dogs as it makes them lactose intolerant and causes other lactose problems.

Now, gradually begin to phase out the pedigree tinned food which you mix with her dry food. By phasing out, I mean gradually serve less of it with subsequent meals while increasing the portions of the dry food. If you were formerly serving a tin with each meal, begin to serve half a tin, then a third of a tin and finally a quarter of the tin while increasing the dry food portions accordingly. In doing this, ensure that you mix the food so thoroughly that she cannot get at the pedigree food without taking in some dry food as well. This phasing out could take a few days till it gets to the point where you can stop mixing with the pedigree tinned food entirely. Remember, once you open the tinned food and serve a portion of it, transfer the rest into a clean bowl with a lid and refrigerate, but ensure that the entire content of the tin is consumed within 24 hours so it does not spoil.

If you follow these steps properly and religiously I believe your pup's feeding habits would improve. The corrective measures I described in the previous posts should only be done with pups / dogs from about 3 or 4 months of age.

For contact details, you can reach me via whatsapp on 08055801653 or send email to regalboerboels@yahoo.com and I would be glad to help when I can. I sometimes get so busy that I am unable to take phone calls, but I try to respond to all (sensible) messages and emails.


Cheers and good luck with Snape.

Thank you sir! I really do appreciate the time and effort you take to answer my questions. I'm very grateful. I'll send you a mail once i get back home. Have a nice day and thanks once again!

LordRegalia:
Hello pacino26.

Most pups / dogs do this at some point in their growth / development. It is as a result of getting spoiled from being regularly fed a tasty delicacy (in this case beef or pork) with or without their regular staple food. ALL our boerboels did it at roughly 3 or 4 months of age and from getting spoiled with being fed tinned food mixed regularly with the dry food at every mealtime. So much so, they would not eat unmixed dry food or would pick off the tinned food from the mixed meal leaving only the dry food in the food bowl. This is a trick pups / dogs use to get you to feed them whatever they want because they know and can sense that you are worried when they do not eat as you would want them to. Yes, dogs are that intelligent and can be that manipulative so don't fall for it or you would be well on your way to being owned or told what to do by your dog.

The solution? Very simple. Hunger is the best motivation to get almost any dog to do just about anything. Do not feed the dog anything at all for a whole day. The next morning, feed only the regular staple food without mixing with the delicacy. If the dog refuses or does not begin eating immediately or makes a fuss of it, take the food away immediately and do not feed anything for the rest of that day as well. Ignore the dog completely on all that concerns food for those 2 days while doing every other thing you do with them on a daily basis as you normally would. By the following morning (the 3rd day), that dog would be sufficiently hungry to eat it's regular staple food without prompting. But remember to feed without mixing the meal with the delicacy and from that point onwards, only feed mixed with the said delicacy occasionally (say weekends) or as a treat / rewards.

It may seem difficult for you to knowingly starve your dog for a day or two, but as any vet would tell you, a day or two without food means nothing to a dog.


NB. Leaving food in the food bowl all day for a dog to eat at will anytime should be discouraged. Rather, dogs should have regular meal times / schedules and a time limit (say 5 - 15 minutes) within which to finish any meal or forfeit the rest. This instills food discipline in the dog and also helps you to track possible health issues or sickness occasioned by irregular feeding habits.

LordRegalia, once i see a lengthy piece i automatically assume it's you and i'm right most of the time. Your responses to questions are top notch and your advises are legit! If i may ask, are you a breeder? You seem to know a whole lot about dogs. Do you have a contact info i can reach you on? I'll love to discuss somethings with you.
My dog is also showing similar behavior with her feeding. She no longer wants milk, or her dry food. All she wants to eat is pedigree (chicken and rice) which has taken a toll on my finances. I'll do as you suggested. When i try to starve her, her stomach gets really empty and then i cave in and give her pedigree. I'll have to develop a tough skin henceforth.

LordRegalia:
Hello Mccarthyal.

How are you and your pup doing? Would love to get an update on how she's getting along.

Cheers.

Hi LordRegalia,
Sorry for the late response. I've been busy with school. Thanks for your concern. Snape is doing very well. She has gotten bigger. I feed her with dry foods, pedigree and a new formula (soya bean, groundnut, corn, and crayfish mix) i'm trying to introduce. She was given her first vaccine two days ago. She's doing well.
Attached is a pic i took of her 2 weeks ago. Once again, thanks for the concern. Cheers!

Are they for sale? Can it be delivered outside lagos?

LordRegalia:
The pup is still too young for multivitamins and cod liver oil as it's digestive system is still very sensitive. Wait until it is at least 3 months old before you begin to give it those and any other specialized supplements.

Ok. Thanks guys.

LordRegalia:
You are most welcome Mccarthyal. Glad to be of help.

(NB: If you reside in Lagos, you could get the feed from PETSMART LTD. They are located at No. 10 Ayanbode Street, Off Faramobi Ajike Street, Anthony Village, Lagos and their numbers are 08033059367 and 017748770.)

Seen. Thanks!

LordRegalia:
Hello Mccarthyal, it seems obvious that you are new to dog ownership and for this reason you could be excused for any mistakes. On the other hand, as someone looking to get a pet, in this case a dog, you owe it to yourself to be well informed on all matters concerning the pet BEFORE you go ahead to acquire one. However, it is good that you are seeking help now as it is not too late.

First of all, why in the world anyone release a pup to it's new owner at 3 weeks of age? Whether you bought the pup, or it was a gift, it is far too young to be with you now. It is irresponsible breeding for any breeder worth his salt to release a pup to a new owner this early in the pup's life. I ideally, every pup should remain with it's mother for AT LEAST, the first 7 weeks of life, optimally 8 weeks but recommended 9 weeks of age. And even at that, the pup should be given it's first vaccination shot (at 7 or 8 weeks) before the owners pick it up. The reason for this is that during those early weeks, the pup gains most of it's optimimum nutrition and immunity from the mother's milk. Also, during that period the pup learns most of it's early social skills from interacting with it's mother and littermates. This is extremely important as the pup learns about respect, dominance and submission and also how to play and interact with humans and other animals. No one teaches the pup these skills better than it's mother. Most pups that are separated from their mother and littermates too early usually develop serious life-long behavioural problems as they never learned the basic social interactive skills to begin with and as such find it difficult to adjust and live in the real world.

Secondly, did you ever get to see the parents of the pup before you acquired it to confirm that they were true GSDs? That could very well be the answer to your query as to why the pup does not look like it's mates on the internet. Seeing the parents inasmuch as it gives you an opportunity to confirm that the breed is pure and true also affords you the chance to have an idea what to expect from your pup as an adult in terms of looks, temperament, behaviour and health.

Still on receiving the pup too early, the feeding of the pup at this time should be the primary concern of the breeder and the mother of the pup. Not your's. The pup is gradually weaned off it's mother's milk with a transition from semi-solid foods to wholly solid foods and this process takes weeks to get right. Also during this period the pup's growth and development exposes any flaws inherent in it's body and structure, be it inherited, congenital or environmentally induced. Which is why from about 7 / 8 weeks, most experienced breeders and dog owners can tell the "good pups" from the bad ones. This also would have taken care of your depression in the hind legs / dimples query.

Now about your feeding query, the options are endless, but the best advice i could give you at this point would be for you to get and feed the pup Royal Canin Starter for Mother and Babydog (MAXI). This is the formula for pups of the size / category within which the GSD falls. Get it and feed according to the directions on the packaging for as long as required. Sincerely, this is the absolute best you can get and do for your pup at this time considering the fact that you already got so many other aspects wrong. Sure it will set you back a few good thousand bucks but it would be all you would need for now and it would bring the possible best out of your dog under the circumstances. Any other feeding regimen at this time just will not cut it. You could follow the royal canin feeding regimen until the pup is at least 3 months old and then you may decide to switch to other or cheaper diets.

Hope this helps. All the best with Snape.

LordRegalia, thanks for this. It really helped a lot. I'll go out and look for the feed you suggested. I appreciate it!

Dragon1997:
She's okay for a 5wks gsd puppy jst continue feeding proteinious food...when last did you deworm her

Ok. Thanks. She was dewormed on saturday - 3 days ago

Good day petlanders,
I'm new to this so pls pardon any mistakes i might be making. This is Snape, my female GSD. I got her when she was 3 weeks old. She's been with me for about 2 weeks now so she should be about 5 weeks old. However, she doesn't look like her mates as seen on the internet. When i just got her, i gave her peak 123 milk all day (5-6 times a day). Then as she progressed i added golden morn to it. Now i give her milk in the morning, diamonds puppy mid-day, 3/4 a can of pedigree for puppies in the afternoon and diamonds again at night. She still doesn't seem to be adding much weight. She's otherwise okay (mentally), as she gets very active and lively when she sees me. I'm just concerned about the weight gain. I also noticed that there's a sort of depression where the hind legs join on both sites. Sort of like a dimples. Could this mean she's not fed well? Is there something i should be giving her which i'm not? Is her eating regimen ok? Pls help guys. Thanks!



First pic is Snape at 3 weeks when i got her. Others are her curreent pictures.