Exclusively Setters
Just The One!
Debarking an English Setter
I checked and this discussion has already been started on this site. I read a few comments. I could not read the complete discussion. I decided to raise this discussion again in this group because I believe every member will be sympathic. I believe it is noteworthy that debarking has been banned in the UK because this procedure is deemed as mutilation. From my research very few vets debark dogs in the USA and there are steps in place to also ban this procedure. Unfortunately Australia continues to lag way behind and never learns from the mistakes of other countries. We are supposed to be a country of animal lovers. I continue to seriously question this.
I am seeing first hand the dreadful consequences of this barbaric, mutilating procedure performed by a vet for the convenience of an English Setter breeder. This is happening to my sweet Hammer. The consequences of this barbaric procedure could end Hammer's life. If you knew Hammer, he has an incredible temperament, he is a total gentleman, all he asks is for you to love him. When Hammer came to me on 22 November 2006 he was traumatised because his voice had been taken away from him.
Hammer became a Grand Champion for his previous owners.
I have attached a recent photo of Hammer, taken 2 days after his 10th Birthday, not a good photo but this photo shows his complete devotion to me, lying beside my computer chair, which he is doing right at this very moment. I feel humbled and privileged that this beautiful English Setter loves me so much and I hope we can get him through the trauma he is suffering. He is coughing up blood. He is struggling to breathe. He does not deserve to continue to suffer this way.
It is my opinion that debarking is a barbaric and mutilating procedure and this procedure should be banned in every country in this world. I am going to do what I can to ban this procedure in Australia. I am usually a flexible person but in this instance I will not consider any reason for debarking any dog. The problem is with the human. The problem is not with the dog.
Finding_Beau
For those of you who cared about Hammer, Hammer suffered a cardiac arrest at the veterinary hospital a short time ago and he died. I am in shock at the moment so I can write this last message for Hammer. His health problems have originated from his throat.
I went to visit Hammer this evening but I was not allowed to stay long because he required another blood transfusion. Hammer desperately wanted to come home with me, as he did every time I visited him. He was stressed out being away from home and being touched by strangers. I spoke to the vet specialist when I visited Hammer at lunch time today and Bruce said Hammer was almost there. He had started to go into remission, his spleen had reduced, he had stopped bleeding but his red blood cell count went down again. We were so close to getting Hammer back home.
This is a photo of Hammer and I taken on Sunday. I stayed with Hammer for more than 9 hours this day. Another big piece of my heart has died this morning.
Aug 2, 2011
Sue and Cash
Aug 2, 2011
Finding_Beau
It is extremely difficult for me to write about Hammer at the moment but I am his voice and I did start this topic. You might have to read between the lines.
Hammer did not die from a heart attack. He died from an internal haemorrhage and I do not need to tell you where. I do not understand why I was misinformed but maybe it is related to why Hammer’s vet in general practice ignored my email and phone calls about what we could do to help Hammer in March 2011 (I worded this nicer). Hammer did not have leukaemia at that time. Leukaemia is rare in a dog. Essentially Hammer was a healthy dog.
The reason I proceeded with chemotherapy was because the vet specialist told me Hammer’s condition was treatable, and I believe it was.
I regret now I did not take a photo of Hammer when I visited him in the lunch hour on 2 August because he looked much better. Hammer broke away from the vet nurse and came out to me in the waiting area wagging his tail furiously. The clients in the waiting area did not even think Hammer was sick. They all said how beautiful Hammer was and several of them came over and patted him.
Thank you to those who have supported me during this terrible time for my beautiful boy, Hammer.
This is a photo of Hammer taken a couple of days after he came to live with us in 2006. I was trying to make the bed. This is where an English Setter should sleep and not outside in a kennel run. An English Setter needs to be with his human family.
Aug 9, 2011