Steve I'm just blown away reading this. So so sorry for your loss and wish you a brighter 2010.

Case

What a terrible year for you mate. Take care and best of luck for what the future will bring .

Cameron

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. What an awfull thing to happen.

Heat stroke can affect dogs in many ways and a series of hot days can contribute to a build up of heat stress. I would suggest for future reference that electrolyte replacement be given on hot days as heat stress panting contributes to a combined stress overload, which may explain what happened to your normally fit, strong healthy dogs.

I wish to add that when heat stroke does strike that it is important that you do not cool down the dog too fast as this can lead to further complications.

I would also suggest for future reference that you feed a small meal when the heat is around and preferably say a RMB like chicken frames / small piece of brisket bone over kibble due to the heat affecting your dogs panting and ability to cool down and the need for them to consume more water as this combination of kibble and excess water could lead to a higher chance of bloat. We do not feed a normal meal as such on the hot days and only use raw meaty bones.

I wish you a much better year than last, again so very sorry for your loss, thank you for sharing your story, take care.

Thank you all for your feed back and the advice on heat stress is something we all need to be aware of..........the dry food ruduction makes sense as does the regular use of eloctrolytes in hot weather......I only ever used them before when working dogs. It is over 40 C here today and I am wetting them down regulary in their pens, I will remove the dry food (usually fed adlib) and add the electrolytes to the water

It is interesting about not cooling them down too quickly........this is why I only wet them down with the hose instead of fully submerging them, I was aware if they cooled too quickly it could effect their kidneys, etc. When they were at the vets they put ice all over them and wanted to reduce them ASAP.........they were now at the critical stage and cooling them was the important bit. After talking to a number of local farmers who informed me this is common with working sheepdogs, the best thing to do is submerge them in a trough with only their head out.

2010 has already been an improvement with me on the weekend being able to purchase back a fantastic son of Avalanche .......he needs a lot of training but he has it all in him with a great balance of drives and his dads great looks.......I will put up some pictures of him in the near future in another section. His name is Leathal Weapon.

Cheers

Steve

Great hearing of your Improvements Steve. One thing i do on really hot days is feed them at night and only meat or bones.

Steve
All I can say is condolences..........
I ahve been through the emotion of losing my best mates and wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy....
Chin up mate and hope 2010 is a great year ....


regards
George

Oh Steve,

I am so sad for you and thank you for sharing it with us. We need to make sure it doesn't happen to us. I know what your dogs ment to you.
I hope 2010 brings you great joy and your new dog show great promise and gives you great joy
Kind regards Ena

Hi Steve

What a shock to read such an awful thing to happen I am so sorry for your loss, I know you put alot of effort into your dogs and breeding program and I'm sure 2010 will bring much better fortune As already mentioned shiloh and avalanche will live on in their progeny, good luck with the new avalanche son.