two questions: breathe right strips and shaking?

Lexxsmom · 10-12-2007, 12:40 PM

Hey there, i have two completely unrelated questions but i thought I'd make life simple and ask them together

1. Lexx has never had a problem with his ears being taped until last week. He scratched his ears SO much that around the base is all scabby and gross. I immediately un taped them, washed them carefully and put polysporin on them, but needless to say i don't want to re tape over the scabs until they are more healed. He is 21 weeks now and his ears have been taped and posted since 7 weeks of age. They stand up really well but as he is still teething I haven't risked leaving them down for longer than 24 hours EVER. Now i have a problem though. So, i figured that I would try these breathe right strips that everyone on here talks about, atleast to give them some extra support ( god FORBID they start to flop and all my hard work goes to nothing). Here is the issue, i CANNOT get them to stick properly!!! He's only had them on since last night and he's gotten rid of two already... any tips?

2. Lexx seems to shake. Ive talked to the vet about it and she said not to worry, but it hasn't gone away and it worries me. Normally its when he is settling down to sleep and its kind of a cyclical shaking, almost paired with when he breathes IN. He also shakes a little when he's eating sometimes. Its really weird and I'm really afraid that something is wrong with him!!! He doesn't exhibit any other symptoms of anything being wrong, no pain, no lameness, no lethargy and he's done it since we got him at 8 weeks...

Please help!

**bagsjr** · 10-12-2007, 12:45 PM

Dobies shake just to warm up or get to sleep. IMO not to worry on that one. Puppies shake more. Just cover them up they usually like blankets.

Couple of tips on the breath right. Do it when he's sleeping on your lap. Get everything you need nearby so you can glue them. Put glue on strip wait about 30 seconds then attached. Paint more glue around perimeter. IMPORTANT part - Hold the ear to the breath rite for about five minutes while puppy is sleeping. Also trim one side of the breath rite so that it's not wide. Put the wide end up towards the tip of the ear. Look at luvbirds latest pic of her pup to see correct install. Hope this helps.

Murreydobe · 10-12-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexxsmom

Here is the issue, i CANNOT get them to stick properly!!! He's only had them on since last night and he's gotten rid of two already... any tips?

Are you attaching them with Skin Bond? The adhesive on the back of the Breathe Rite strip itself isn't strong enough for them to stick for any length of time.

Lexxsmom · 10-12-2007, 12:59 PM

AHHA! GLUE! what a concept! hahahahaha, ok, i'll go buy some of that then, obviously that will make things so much easier.. i was really wondering... i feel moderately dumb now.. thanks guys

JavasMom · 10-12-2007, 01:07 PM

Don't feel dumb - taping & posting is not for the faint of heart!

Murreydobe · 10-12-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexxsmom

AHHA! GLUE! what a concept! hahahahaha, ok, i'll go buy some of that then, obviously that will make things so much easier.. i was really wondering... i feel moderately dumb now.. thanks guys

Keep in mind you can't use just any glue. It has to be the kind used for human colostomy patients. You can get it from medical supply stores, some drugstores will order it for you.

MandysBlackRoses · 10-12-2007, 01:52 PM

The shaking you are seeing reminds me of Doberman Bobbing syndrome.

There is a couple of treads about this if you search them out. My Rayna also had this problem. But she has seemed to out grown this. The vets don't know too much about it. Only that it seems not to be harmful, and is something they out grow.

reddobes · 10-12-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murreydobe

Keep in mind you can't use just any glue. It has to be the kind used for human colostomy patients. You can get it from medical supply stores, some drugstores will order it for you.

If you can't find the skin bond quickly, you can also use DUO which is just like skin bond, but is made for attaching false eyelashes. I have found it at walgreens (in the cosmetic isle - be sure to get the DUO and not the other kind of eyelash adhesive - it doesn't really work) and it works really well. Just be sure to let it get tacky (dry slightly) before putting the breathe right strip on.

Also, I would check inside the ears -- the pup may be scratching if there is an early yeast or bacterial infection in the ear canals. If there is any odor or redness/inflammation, I would recommend a trip to the vet.

Lexxsmom · 10-12-2007, 02:26 PM

Hey thanks for the responses. as for the possible infection, nothing to be seen, his ears look as happy and healthy as always, i have no idea why he was scratching, maybe he's just sick of all the other dogs laughing at his antlers!

I looked into the bobbing syndrome as suggested, but it doesn't sound like what he does. his head and neck don't bob or shake back and forth or up and down, its more of an all over shiver. Probably just to warm up like bagsjr suggested. Can't blame me for asking though, i just want to be a good dobermom