Dale
Are you using Vetsulin insulin???? I had problems regulating my 13yo male. Come to find out, the FDA has warned vets to change dogs over to a different kind of insulin. Has something to do with the release time of the crystalline portion of the drug.
We had the WORST time at first giving shots,( and I'm a certified phlebotomist and went thru nursing school) My boy was fine at the vets we they did it…..difference is he was up on the exam table. We got a table for Einstein, put a bath mat on it so he wouldn't slip around. Biggest thing that helped was getting BD needles, the ones that come from the vets are carp-ola, they have burrs etc...the only thing you have to do is change the number of units you use.(if your using Vetsulin U40 compared to U100 for human insulin and BD needles.) I can explain in further detail if you want.
It did take both myself and my husband to get him used to the shots, be we had a very specific routine that we did not alter. Einstein knew that after he ate it was "time for his medicine" he would run over to his table and try to jump up there himself. If we were taking too long, he'd come get us. Freezed Dried Liver was used to get him on the table, then when he was done, given while he was still on the table. I made sure he could see the liver. When he was done and off the table, he got his (small) KONG filled with fat free cream cheese mixed with some tuna mmmmmmmm. My little puppy-cat loved tuna. Anyway, I went from crying during the shot, to smiling and laughing 'cause he was so funny trying to get on the table, and then doing his little dance when he got his kong. I really think the table helped...
Please let me know if I can help any more, I can describe the contraption (sp) I built on top of his metal crate, so I could give the shot by myself when needed.
He didn't seeem to mind getting the shots at all, I think he trusted and knew we would never do anything to hurt him, plus we made a HUGE DEAL out of telling him what a good boy he was....etc......people would have thought we were bananas LOL
Good Luck
PJ
'Chest dropping'
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Here are two photos of Tempest, the first at 7 months, the second at 10, you can see the difference.
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Well done Lisa, that is it exactly. It is the same in all breeds. If you notice from Lisa's picture of Tempest, in the first as a baby, her ribcage is above the point of her elbow (top of the front leg), in the second you can now see how it has dropped and just about even with the point of the elbow.
Some take time for this to happen, some just mature faster… and some never have it happen.
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Here are two photos of Tempest, the first at 7 months, the second at 10, you can see the difference.
Lisa, thanks for posting the pictures. It gives me a good visual reference.
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It takes pictures I think to describe the 'dropping' and Lisa's show it perfectly. I've tried to explian it to novices and never had suitable 'before' and 'after' photographs of the same dog. With your permission, Lisa I'd likre to refer questioners to this post, please.
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WOW did Tempest mature fast! Remarkable difference!
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Sure, feel free to use it. I was just happy that she did fill in. My first show dog never developed the nice deep chest that both his parents had. Tempest won a 5 pt major the day after the 7 month photo was taken. Even though she was still very much a puppy, so we're the other ten competitors:)
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Well I know you are proud, but can I be a bit proud FOR you. I love the red and whites, and seeing such presence and beauty in one that young makes my heart go pitter-patter.
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Thank you. My goal is to show her at Eukanuba next year. Just need that second major so we can start working on the GCH. She really turns on the charm in the ring.
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Tempest is beautiful!
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Good luck with Tempest's show career. She looks a lovely bitch. Thank you for your permission.
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One other note about chest 'dropping' (and why did dog people start using that term - it sort of conjurs up visions of dog parts falling off in the yard) One the the biggest problems in basenjis fronts right now is those that are too narrow and have a concave area between the front legs. I'm NOT advocating a front like a bull terrier but there needs to be some 'fill' there to have a good front but it's not the fill it is the actual structure of the bones in the shoulder and upper arm that - if not correct- actally pull the 'front' too far forward. A quick visual scan from the side - if the deepest part of the brisket is well behind the legs - the front is too far forward. We need to pay attention to the actual shoulder structure to make sure we are not continuing to double up on dogs with a short upper arm. That limits front reach, and creates a not efficient side gait. So go catch your dogs and do a quick check - measure from the top of the wither to the point of shoulder (the most prominant bone in the chest.) then from that point to the point of the elbow. They should be the same. if they are not - stand up your dog and put your hand between the front legs - if you hand is IN FRONT OF THE FRONT LEGS - great - if your hand is between the front legs the front on your dog is too far foward.
More than you ever wanted to know probably - LOL
