Mini Aussie Health, Care & Nutrition
The Miniature Australian Shepherd should require a minimum of clipping or trimming.
Grooming
The Miniature Australian Shepherd has an easy to care for coat that is not as problematic as some of the double coated breeds. The thicker, slightly coarse and straight outer coat is simple to brush using a pin brush or stiff bristle brush. Always start by grooming the outer coat in the direction of growth which is slightly back and down. After this is completed, start at the shoulders and push the longer hair forward, exposing the dense, downy undercoat, brush this again the direction of growth, moving down the back and sides. Pay particular attention to the hair round the neck, the furnishings on the legs and the hair on the rump as these can be areas prone to matting and tangling.
Typically, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is an average shedder. However, they will shed their coats heavily in the spring and fall. During these times the inner coat will come out in chunks or clumps and can become very matted. Daily brushing will both help speed up the shedding as well as prevent these mats from forming. If mats do form in the hair that is being shed they may need to be cut out using blunt ended scissors.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd should be only minimally clipped or trimmed for show and, typically, should not require much of clipping or trimming at home. Puppies have shorter coats that will not reach their full adult coat length until about one year of age. The Miniature Australian Shepherd has natural oils in the hair to keep the dog dry and warm even in cold or damp conditions, so it is not advisable to bathe this breed unless absolutely necessary. Dry dog powder is often used between wet baths just to help remove dirt from the hair.
BE SURE TO TRIM NAILS REGULARLY!
We enclose a paper on grooming your Aussie in your puppy packet.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd has an easy to care for coat that is not as problematic as some of the double coated breeds. The thicker, slightly coarse and straight outer coat is simple to brush using a pin brush or stiff bristle brush. Always start by grooming the outer coat in the direction of growth which is slightly back and down. After this is completed, start at the shoulders and push the longer hair forward, exposing the dense, downy undercoat, brush this again the direction of growth, moving down the back and sides. Pay particular attention to the hair round the neck, the furnishings on the legs and the hair on the rump as these can be areas prone to matting and tangling.
Typically, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is an average shedder. However, they will shed their coats heavily in the spring and fall. During these times the inner coat will come out in chunks or clumps and can become very matted. Daily brushing will both help speed up the shedding as well as prevent these mats from forming. If mats do form in the hair that is being shed they may need to be cut out using blunt ended scissors.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd should be only minimally clipped or trimmed for show and, typically, should not require much of clipping or trimming at home. Puppies have shorter coats that will not reach their full adult coat length until about one year of age. The Miniature Australian Shepherd has natural oils in the hair to keep the dog dry and warm even in cold or damp conditions, so it is not advisable to bathe this breed unless absolutely necessary. Dry dog powder is often used between wet baths just to help remove dirt from the hair.
BE SURE TO TRIM NAILS REGULARLY!
We enclose a paper on grooming your Aussie in your puppy packet.
We test our dogs for PRA/PRCD, DM, HC, CEA, CDDY/IVVD and MDR1 as well as OFA Hips, Elbows and Patellas and eye CERF exams. Health is very important to us! We also 'run the numbers' on our crosses before doing them. We watch our lines closely to avoid epilepsy. That said, they are animals and things can and will happen even with the best prevention. We will continue to be educated and test for any new problems that arise in the breed!
What We Feed
74 Ranch feeds about 25% Darwins Raw and 75% Nutrisource Puppy Chicken kibble to the puppies and our adults get about 50:50. Darwins ships to your home - frozen raw - FREE!!!!!!
Supplements we recommend: Salmon Oil, pre/probiotics. There are times we 'change' up the supplements we give our dogs depending on needs - be sure to ask for more details if you would like recommendations.
Treats we recommend: because we don't want our dogs to become overweight we use their kibble as treats as well as dehydrated raw treats such as liver and lung. Don't feed too much of it and remember a LITTLE bit goes a LONG way! WE use Vital Essentials, Nature's Logic and any natural treats and bones - bully sticks, cow ears. They all have calories so keep it minimal!
New Vaccination Protocol
(courtesy of Michel Selmer, DVM, Advanced Animal Care Center Huntington Station, NY 631-367-7387)
This is welcome news and should be taken with you to your vet should you need reinforcement against over-vaccination.
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats.
Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects.
Politics, traditions, or the doctor’s economic well-being should not be a factor in medical decision.
New principles of immunology
Dogs' and cats' immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not “boosted” nor are more memory cells induced.
Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines.
Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced.
Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, DELAY the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.
Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system.
A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age.
Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.
Or you can follow the Dogs Naturally Magazine's protocol _
WE FEEL LESS IS MORE if you can!
(courtesy of Michel Selmer, DVM, Advanced Animal Care Center Huntington Station, NY 631-367-7387)
This is welcome news and should be taken with you to your vet should you need reinforcement against over-vaccination.
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats.
Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects.
Politics, traditions, or the doctor’s economic well-being should not be a factor in medical decision.
New principles of immunology
Dogs' and cats' immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not “boosted” nor are more memory cells induced.
Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines.
Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced.
Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, DELAY the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.
Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system.
A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age.
Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.
Or you can follow the Dogs Naturally Magazine's protocol _
WE FEEL LESS IS MORE if you can!
Aussies are known to have dangerous reactions to certain drugs. This is referred to as MDR1 Sensitivity.
SICKNESS OR EVEN DEATH can be avoided if you stay away from the following drugs or have your dogs tested before using them! Please print the following list and have your vet add it to your dog's file. Ask your vet for alternative drugs.
SICKNESS OR EVEN DEATH can be avoided if you stay away from the following drugs or have your dogs tested before using them! Please print the following list and have your vet add it to your dog's file. Ask your vet for alternative drugs.
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COMMON HOUSEHOLD AND HORSE/RANCH DRUGS POISONOUS TO MINI AUSSIES:
IVERMECTIN - (antiparasitic agent) LOPERAMIDE - (Imodium, over the counter human anti-diarrhea agent) DOXORUBICIN - (anti-cancer agent) VINCRISTINE - (anti-cancer agent) VINBLASTINE - (anti-cancer agent) CYCLOSPORIN - (immunosuppressive agent) DIGOXIN - (heart medication) ACEPROMAZINE - (tranquilizer) BUTAPHONAL - (pain control) |
POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC DRUGS
for more information on MDR1 Sensitivity, click here
for more information on MDR1 Sensitivity, click here
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Abamectin
Acepromazine Actinomycin D Aldosterone Amitriptyline Butorphanol Cortisol Cyclosporine Dexamethasone Digoxin Diltiazem Docetaxel Domperidone |
Doxorubicin
Doxycycline Erythromycin Etoposide Itraconazole Ivermectin (antiparasitic) Ketoconazole Levofloxacin Loperamide (Immodium) Methylprednisolone Milbemycin (Trifexis) Morphine Moxidectin |
Ondansetron
Paclitaxel Selamectin Sparfloxacin Tacrolimus Talinolol Terfendadine Tetracycline Vecuronium Verapamil Vinblastine Vincristine |
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