Keithp
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Fetish or what?Although we have looked in regularly this is our First Post on the BCGB forums.
A bit of background, Gini was our first Brittany who we had until 15.5 yrs old. She was extremely affectionate and well behaved, apart that is for her overwhelming killing instinct, but oh what a pointer and wonderful friend.
Our Next was Rosie who was a rescue from BCGB She was about 6 and through a bad illness was only with us for about six weeks before having to be given sleep. Heart breaking having lost Gini not long before. Again true to form Rosie was very affectionate and responding well to training but hated other dogs with a vengeance.
We now have Abby another BCGB rescue, at almost 10 yrs old, very affectionate,loves cuddles etc and follows us around like a shadow. She was quite fat when she arrived in early Januaryand could hardly reach to clean properly. now 3.2kg lighter she can run about and is looking more like a Brittany.
A while ago she started licking a back foot which the vet examined, nothing to be found applied cream etc foot healed. Not for long though, next time out in the wet Abby licked slobbered over and chewed that foot until she got through the pad down to flesh. We treated it with canine teatree cream and wrapped it twice a day all is now well.
However, can anyone help with this............ Abby has started madly raking her bed up and sometimes raidng the cloak room and what looks like nest building. She is also collecting stuff which she puts in her bed, including her toys (which she's usually not interested in) to the cordles phone. Could we be experiencing a phantom pregnancy or what? Apparently she has had 2 litters.
We were informed that she was ending her season when she arrived on 5th Jan this year and so would have her speyed end of this month or early next. Could this behaviour indicate the start of her season.
Regards to all
Keith & Christine
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Mugi
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It sounds indicative of a phantom to me, both of my last bitches had them adn the nesting etc is typical, timing could well be right too and I would not personally spay her until she was settled.
As for the foot licking, my WSS does this as a stress reaction but you may find it worthwhile bathing her feet and drying them well as she comes in from wet walks, just in case something locally is irritating her.
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Patricia
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It sounds like a phantom pregnancy...It would be about the right time to whelp.Spaying would be done in between seasons, that is when the vets recommend the op. At that age, it is a good idea as the risks of mammary tumours, pyometra etc...are there.
Where did you get Gini from?
I mention it because, as a coincidence, I sold a bitch called Gini who killed guinea pigs!
Patricia
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Keithp
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Hi Patricia, good to hear from you, Gini is the same bitch, Patouche Griotte we bought her from you! she wiped out a colony of guinea pigs here too, much to the dismay of the children. I was going to use Gini for falconry but gave up the falconry in favour of Gini as she was such a hunter. She was a brilliant pointer and I did use her for some rough shooting. Our eldest Lad said he wouldnt leave home whilst Gini was alive and at 28 is still here but now with girlfriend in tow.
Back to Abby though,if she finished her last season early January and is now showing signs of a phantom. When would it be right to get her speyed? we are in the dark on this one!
Keith
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Mugi
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Hmmm, reading Patricia's post made me realise I may have sounded negative about spaying. Having lost a bitch to pyometra I would defintely recommend having her spayed although I would wait until her behaviour was back to normal post phantom.
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Patricia
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Keith, nice to hear from you. I have never forgotten the story of the guinea pigs. Gini was by the lovely Boy du Hameau de Sorny, a wonderful dog, X Dorvalstan Carina if I remember right. Black & white.
To make you laugh, her half sister killed 2 pet gerbils. One she swallowed whole and the owner rang me in distress wondering whether she would digest it! 
It is a long time ago but my present bunch will happily kill rats.
For Abby, I would seek advice from your vet.
Patricia
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Annie as admin
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Hi Keith(and Christine) great to hear how Abby is getting along. You had a hard time with losing Rosie so soon after giving her a home and she had such a horrid life before. I think she was very fortunate to find you both, so thank you again from me on her behalf. I just wish we knew who her previous owner was so we could let him know exactly what we think of him.
I agree with everyone, it is a phantom. The foot chewing may also be related - might be an expression of frustration. My vets usually advocate spaying mid way between seasons.
Annie
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Hi Keith, Merlin does the foot chewing bit. He lies down and the next thing is he has his foot up to the hock down his gullet. Ghill chews hers when she has been into stinging nettles and I just rub some Aloe Vera over them 
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Victoria
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Jan, thank you for that little tip re aloe vera. Gaston is allergic to paspallum grass (I wonder if you have it over there) the flower heads are sticky; the aloe might help there.  Poor boy got a wasp sting on his right ear last night down at the river...oh dear, the chamomile lotion helped.
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Poor lad...Ghill used to try and catch wasps till one day she succeeded and got stung. She had a lip like an overhanging balcony. She gives them a very wide berth nowadays 
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Victoria
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Poor girl!! I don't think G will be keen to have another encounter either.
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Ghilliegumdrop
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All it needs now is for the Demon to do the same 
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Mugi
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Apis Mel 6c can help for Wasp and Bee Stings.
I am not a huge advocate of homeopathy preferring to rely on cures that I can at least start to understand but I do keep Apis, Arnica and a few other cures handy and they have seemed to help. Freddy stuck his paws in a wasp nest last year and was covered in wasps, poor lad was in shock and we were miles from anywhere. I gave him some Apis from my rucksack and he did seem to feel better quite quickly - maybe he would have done anyway but I felt better at least trying to ease his pain.
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Yes, I keep that and also Arnica in the cupboard, and also in the dog first aid box in the car.
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sallie
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i keep arnica, rhus tox, sulpher and rescue remedy spray... not sure they are beneficial, but it makes you feel better when trying to help them overcome the initial injury/pain.
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