Flynn 11 y/o Foxie Cross - Right adrenalectomy- Good Bye Flynny We will miss you

Hi Naomi - here is the website of the store, not a lot of info on it... but it shows the freezer where I get his meat from :D You don't have to cook it, its raw. Just defrost and eat.

http://www.petessentialsnapier.co.nz...ree-Meats.html

I have not seen the Kiwi Peak dry food, will keep my eyes open. I have been giving Flynn the Hill hypoallergenic treats lately, he likes them. I picked up some of the 'possum and veal' meat so will see how that goes.

I have been at the vets again this afternoon, with Mum and Dad's cat, she had somehow managed to totally rip out a claw. I had noticed it yesterday when I called in for a visit and cleaned it up and put some antiseptic (pet) cream on it, but today it looked more swollen and tender so I drove Mum and puss to the vets for a checkup. She got an antibiotic shot and checked out ok otherwise.

We took Flynn with us for therapy, so he could go to the vet and see they can really be nice people and not hurt him all the time! It was not our usual vet on today, but the one there recognised him by sight and he knew all about him. He made such a fuss of Flynny petting him, giving him a biscuit etc and said it was good to bring him in so he would not be so scared of them hopefully!! But Elle the Siamese did not help, she sqawked and squealed like she was being slowly murdered, crikey what a fusspot :eek::eek:

Trish xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Trish,

We haven't been in to Pet Essentials for a wee while ... last December sometime, but I know at that time the owner said there was a shortage of rabbit at the time. They use hunters in Canterbury from recollection.

We give everything raw and base it loosely on the BARF diet, I add in kelp powder, used to give brewers yeast to Sabre (but Flynn I decided not to after he came out in a rash after I added it to a meal), yoghurt, egg yolks, flax seed oil, cottage cheese and yoghurt. He gets left over salmon skin and salmon leftovers (from the kids). We generally give him chicken necks in the evening (to bring the cost down) then the morning meal can be chicken nibbles, mince, venison, rabbit, possum pieces or possum mince. I am a no grain Mum ..... purely because Sabre used to have terrible ear infections at certain times of the year but we found that grains would make it worse. So, because Flynn is the same breed with nice big floppy ears we have stuck to this. We did use to feed Flynn Orijen Biscuits in the morning but he got totally bored, had gas with a pleasant aroma from his rear end - NOT (ie really stinky farts) and the price went up so we decided to go back to totally raw. We do however find that it is quite hard for Flynn to keep weight on with a raw diet so we are adding a lunchtime snack for him as well!

As for the weather .... we have been having absolutely stunning weather so here's to crossing fingers that it will be fabulous on Friday. I haven't seen the forecast for tomorrow but I hope it will warm as I have to go to the beach with 70-80 kids and probably will get coaxed to help in the water. Beach Education Day .... and lucky me volunteered to help :)

Angela and Flynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SoggyDoggy

Sabre! A doggy with discerning taste! Good boy, reject that tripe! :D

So I'm really curious about this food that you two are getting, (and I have no objections to possum either, I know they are a pest over there, quite frankly I think they are a pest down south here too! And they stink when they get in the roof space!) Anyway, the food. Is it a raw food or something you cook up? I'm always on the lookout for something preprepared to use as a back up on the occasions when I need something quick. So come on, details please.

Also, wondering if you guys have tried the kiwi peak dry food? The boys love the treats that they do, but I've never tried the biscuits. They are so expensive here and I'm afraid they will turn their noses up and I will be left with a whole bag! They hate the canidae dry, and the only bikkies I can ever get them to eat consistently is Advance - which aren't that wonderful :rolleyes: In the past we've tried Holistic (no go with that), Eukanuba (as puppies, Fraser starved himself in preference to eating that) Pro Plan (ok for a while but then they turned noses up) Hills (would touch it, ended up returning 3 bags at different times) Natural Balance (which they do like - this is a locally made one) Nutro (Fraser will eat it if there's nothing else, Oscar won't touch it) and Advance - which they both eat consistently. So they are not kibble dogs for primary food source, that was just too hard, but I'm ever hopeful to find something else they will like.

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Sabre was a rather snobby boy ... only the best for him :).

We haven't tried the Ziwi Peak dog food but like you have tried to treats. From what I see the treats are pretty much the same as the food but yes they are VERY expensive ... but they do justify this by saying that you need to feed less than you would normally.

Angela and Flynn

Thanks so much Angela - I am going to look at your additives and give it further thought about what he needs. I weighed him today, he went up 1/2 a kilo in the past couple of weeks. :eek: But his weight has been up and down like a yoyo, 13.8kg now. I am cutting back to half a cup of biscuits and only one cube of the meat each day. He is hungry though, I know Mum and Dad give him snacks through the day as well. Mainly healthy ones :D

I tried those Orijen biscuits last month, OMG he STUNK too. He liked them though, but it was gagging stuff! So out they went. I googled the ziwipeak food just now, it is supposed to be in our pet essentials store so will have a closer look next time I am in. Might try him on those treats too and maybe the biscuits to supplement the venison/possum. He does need some carbs I think to help his bowels.

Uh oh, weather is on news while i am typing this, hate to say but it looks like rain tomorrow up your way :eek::eek: will cross fingers they are wrong!

I just realised today it two months since Flynn's adrenalectomy, wow look how far he has come!! It feels like months haha

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2 months!!! my gosh how time does fly. Less vet visits, more time just enjoying life. It all sounds good to me.
I have to say that I am reading this food stuff in your thread and not even sure how to react to possum on the menu, and all these other things. Sort of having an ugh moment.
We definitely can't just walk into our Pet Essentials store (is that like a Pet Mart?) and pick up some possum and rabbit for the nights doggie dinner that I know of.
It's like a whole different world. Wow! I'm just sitting back and learning a whole new culture of dog feeding. :) :) :)

hugs!!!
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Believe me Sharlene, I have had a few ugh moments too with this new food! I did not know it existed either until a couple of weeks ago. But I swear he has got an extra spring in his step, teeth are whiter, both loose poop and lip smacking appears to have disappeared since he started this new wild food! I buy it frozen, it has about 8 meal size cubes in each pack, so just defrost and eat. I will keep it going while he continues to do so well on it. He had possum and veal for breakfast and tripe for dinner! Plus half a cup of gastro Hills biscuits, but I think I might try him off those when I get some of the natural ziwi food this weekend.

I met a reflexologist guy up the beach tonight on our walk, we had quite a chat about our dogs. He recommended I give a Magnesium supplement a try for his tremours, so a bit of googling for me to check that out.

I guess Pet Essentials is like your Pet Mart but we do not have that here so I am not sure. It is a store with everything you need for pets, accessories and food etc. Flynn is allowed in this store, he loves to visit there, he just about wiggles his nose right off with all the delicious doggy smells in there!

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Hey Trish,

The pet essentials food sounds very like a version of BARF (would this be right?). I've tried one brand with the boys, but being the fussy bums that they are, wouldn't eat it again after 3 meals. :confused: I think though you get more variation in what meats they use. The ones I have seen have something like 12 different options, including rabbit, roo, chicken, lamb, beef etc, but not possum or venison. I tried a rabbit one, but it was really fatty I found, in fact I think the fat content of the ones I have seen is just too high anyway! The other thing is, when I heated it up a bit (they don't like anything cold) all this fat started draining out of it! Just gross! Don't know, may look at another brand one day, there are a couple of different types available here, but will be doing a bit of research first. ;) Unfortunately, they don't sell a variety mix pack though, you have to buy 12 of the same ones when you get a box. No point if they won't eat it more than once! (Tonight they got roast beef and turkey. :o)

As for pet places, our options are City Farmers, My Pet Warehouse, Pet Stock, Better Pets and Gardens. There are obviously lots of little places around, but these seem to be the big 4 that have pretty much everything. It's great, with loyalty cards at each, there's usually a sale on somewhere :D and what one doesn't stock, another one will so we are getting more variety around these days. Also, dogs are welcome in all of them. In fact most even have hydrobaths so on weekends it's like a dog club with everyone lining up for a bath. :D:D:D

Ohh, heck, fat content and pancreatitis. I had Zoe on commercial raw turkey patties and then I found out the fat content was sky high- there is a formula to figure it out- cant go by the bag so now I cut her down from six ounces a day to about 3 ounces and add in Honest Kitchen Zeal (dehyrdated fish and sweet potaots, etc). I read really good things about Ziwi Peak food back when I was researching for Zoe. Only thing I would be worried about is if you use up all the exotic proteins and run into any kind of food allergy, you dont want to use up all your protein sources. Save one or two just in case.:D:D:D:D:D

Trish, I cant believe it is two months, where did the time go?

Give Flynie a two month hug for me!!!!:D:D:D:D

Hi Trish

I was busy yesterday and didn't get time to post. I forgot to add the other day that Dr Billinghurst, who supports the BARF diet (Bones and Raw Food), also recommends a "vege mix" which will add those carbs. Flynn is not a fan of this so if we do it we have to mix it in with the mince. We use celery, carrots, brocolli (not too much ... only 1 head in the bulk mixture) and spinach ... he also recommends to add egg yolks and garlic. You could also add the brewers yeast and kelp to this. I make it in bulk and freeze it down to portion sizes. We use the juicer and then mix the juice and pulp back together ... we have also used a food processor in the past.

Naomi .... we don't have the pre-made BARF products here in NZ but Pet Essentials basically stock frozen raw meat in bags - some I don't go near ... like the horse or the tripe!

Angela and Flynn

I read about the nice guy that is your dads reflexologist over on Tina's thread. That was a walk that turned out to be really good even if you didn't Think you wanted to go.
Flynn obviously has quite the social life while you are at work. hahaha Poor dad though with gout and the kitty with the claw.
Have a good day all! I'm going to relax tonight, then I hear maybe some snow tomorrow.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Angela, let me commend you on your decision to stay away from horse meat! I don't know if horse or tripe stinks worse, but they are both beyond disgusting, though completely different. And talk about urgh moments!

We actually have branded Dr Billinghurst BARF here, so maybe I should try that with my boys one day- I've tried anotherbrand but not too impressed as said before. the good thing is, if they won't eat it I can always give it to my sister for her Aussie Shepherd. That dog eats pretty much anything - if I give it to her that is :cool:

Hi everyone, lots of comments on the food! Thx Angela for the tips on the vegie mix, I do give him vegies that we have for dinner but will look at adding a few more. He has never liked fruit of any description. Not sure if I will go totally raw, he seems to be doing so well at the moment on the half and half we are doing.

He gets a bit bunged up on bones, although I did give him one of the smallish venison bones the other night, he loved it and no problems that I have seen. I worry about those chicken necks, he gives them one or two crunches and they are gone! It's weird because he crunches on a single biscuit about 10 times, I wish he would chew the chicken necks a bit more carefully! So I don't give him those anymore, I imagine them going through his gut practically whole :eek:. I have not seen any horse, would not buy that if I did see it.

xxx

Hey Trish,

Our news just said a tsunami warning was issued which includes New Zealand:eek::eek::eek:

Stay safe!!! I sure hope Angela is not heading towards the beach with the little ones:eek::eek::eek:

Aww Addy, thanks for thinking of us but the alert is now cancelled so all feet and paws have remained dry! Angela's city is on the coast as well and they are certainly are a worry when they announce these warnings, but all safe here!

Keep those furry little paws dry....glad to hear everyone is safe.

Whew, relief!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

gotta run Zoe overslept again, whats with that girl?

:eek::eek::eek::eek: Didn't hear that one! Wow, glad it is cancelled though, very scary with that possibility hanging over your head, and lets face it NZ has been through enough earthquake activity in last few years, especially south!

Take care on those beach walks with Flynn!

Goodness! I saw Addy's update first and had a panic attack over a tsunami! Then what a relief to see you say it had been cancelled. No one needs that kind of water heading their way. I think New Zealand is due for a break with earthquakes and warnings of one kind or another.

Stay safe! Paws up!
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi all

After talking about Flynny chundering in Naomi's thread, he actually did really just do it!!

I got him some of the ziwipeak food this week, they said to gradually introduce it which I have been doing. The pet essentials guy said to give it in the morning, then the raw meat (venison/possum etc) at night and he would not need any additives espcially if he had the tripe twice a week.

So this morning he just had a 1/2 scoop ziwi, some gastro biscuits but no meat like he is used too. I think he was still a bit hungry, he loves the ziwi but did not eat all the hills gastro biscuits. But he has taken to leaving a few for the past couple of weeks.

I have been busy writing up a project so not keeping such an eagle eye on him today, just had visitors and he was fine, playing with them. Said goodbye at the gate and he went and threw up on the lawn :( It had a lot of long bits of grass and bile in it. No sign of his breakfast. He has been acting fine, energetic, hungry, normal poop this morning... wanting something to eat every time I go to the bridge but I have not given him anything. Fine again straight after vomiting too, running about.

So I think he was wanting food and because I did not give him any he had to go eat the grass... but he always has been a grass eater. I just gave him half a serve of venison and he has settled down and gone to sleep. Hope he is just adjusting to diet and nothing else.

Saturday going good here otherwise :)

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Awww Flynny, maybe he didn't like this switch up in the diet. Just see how he does the next couple days. You know the drill better than most anyone when it comes to watching the Flynnster. :)

Our snowstorm seems to have tapered off. The snow is deeper than Molly is tall. She is not happy. (can't say I blame her) :)

Have a good weekend.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hope Flynn's tummy settles down. Zoe was a grass eater for awhile now she eats snow:D:D:D:D:D

I hope you have a great weekend and I think the Ziwipeak is great food. I hope Flynn settles into it.

Yesterday someone came to our office to show us wood from New Zealand. He said they dig it out of peat and it is really, really old. I thought to myself "ha! I have an inside source who can tell me if this is true or not!!!":):):):):):):)

hugs

Hi Trish! Well, I can absolutely NOT make any comments on any of the exotic food that you and Naomi have been posting about, as it is all new to me! But I wonder if Flynn got sick from the grass. Jasper is a big grass and dirt (!) eater unfortunately, and doesn't usually throw up, but it seems if he eats long blades of grass, that will trigger it. I saw that you mentioned that, and it sounded a bit familiar. I have to go outside with Jasper to keep him from eating dirt most of the time, I don't know why he does it. He has always been fed nutritious food, I don't think it is hunger related. Although now that he is on the prescription kidney formula (ick), who knows. I hope Flynn's tummy is feeling better.

We heard about the tsunami warning here also, and thought about you right away. Glad to hear it was cancelled. :)

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

huh, maybe they caught something from each other over the cyber waves? Hope Flynny settled down pretty quick, Fraser's seems to have been a 1 or 2 chuck wonder. He's fine now thankfully - maybe it was all the talk of the rich foods :D

I thought about trying to track some Ziwi down for the boys today, but it was 41 degrees (105F for the rest of you) and I didn't want to leave my air-conditioning. :eek: Then I saw it was $40 for a kilo, which if I used as directed and fed according the their schedule, would last 5 days. :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: (just as well I don't feed them straight kibble!)

Oh well, just a quick hi tonight, haven't checked in for 2 days and lots to read. Apparently it was a pretty bad two days though :(

Take care Trish, catch up with you tomorrow hopefully.

Hi Sharlene, Addy, Tina and Naomi

No more vomiting from Flynn either, I really think it was the amount of grass he had eaten. He gave me a fright on our walk though last night, trotting along happily one second then MAJOR limping, could not put his front paw down to weight bear, run to him and did an examination on my knees up the beach (as you do!) phew, just a thorn in his paw. It has been so dry here, the grass is all burned off and brown up there so easy to get a real hard bit stuck in him. Vet emailed and forwarded email from IMS on Saturday, they want to scan him 6 monthly, she was happy with UPCR, advised keep close check on BP but no meds at this stage, SAMe would not hurt and may need liver biopsy at some stage, Cartrophen for arthritis good idea. He was going to phone me yesterday to discuss further but I was out most of day with Dad so did not get to talk to him.

Yesterday got off to a bad start, phone call from Mum to say they thought Dad's hip had dislocated!! :D:D She rang an ambulance while I raced around to their house. He had a hip replacement a few years back. So a few hrs spent in ED, xrays showed it wasn't dislocated phew... probably just twisted a ligament, so he got shots of steroids and pain relief and we were able to bring him home in the afternoon.

But on the good news front, got my first birthday pressie, an ipad... YAY so spent last night setting it up.

Naomi, his ziwi cost $38 for the 1kg, but only feeding half and half so hopefully he will not go through too much. He loves it. Jeez 41 degrees would not have me poking my nose out the door let alone shopping so can appreciate your sense at staying inside. That is awful temps, humidity is such a killer. I went to Darwin last April, only there 5 days and swore I would not be back because of the humidity, it was hideous. Plus I was not too keen on seeing snakes with some guy slithering about the streets as some sort of tourist attaction :eek::eek:

Addy, that wood is Kauri. A native, very old and huge tree that has been cut down so much we hardly have any left. Our early pioneers (circa 1840's) made it into quite an industry. In like forever ago, the trees would fall and over time get swallowed up by the ground so yes... I can confirm that is true, they do dig it up :D:D

Better get ready for work, will post more on other threads tonight.

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I'm so glad your dad is okay, what a scare and then Flynn limping:eek Koko manages to get thorns in his paw. I can never find them though so I'm glad you found Flynn's thorn.

But did I miss your birthday? It sounds like I did:(:(
You will love your Ipad:D:D:D:D:D:D:D My iphone totally changed my live. I know that sounds like an extreme statement, but since I could not even remember my old cell phone number previously, it really did:D:p;)

Thanks for the input on Zoe. If I could have a nice conversation with the surgeon I would feel confident again.

Oh gee, Dad and Flynn scares all in one day! Aren't they suppose to be on at least an alternate day rotation?

So glad that both are okay. Molly's paw issue came from her getting a pine needle stuck and it breaking off, without my knowing that a piece had been left in there, which of course got infected. Now she is really good, if anything sticks to her paw, she stops and holds it up for me to take care of and I immediately pick her up and remove it. Got to love these smart pups of ours.

Birthday Ipads! oooh nice. That is going to be fun!

Have a good week
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi all

No Addy, you have not missed it, Wed 13th is the big day :D Just getting spoilt with early pressies :D:D Loving the ipad, it comes to bed with me at the moment so I can keep on playing with all the apps :D

Those thorns in the paw are awful, hard to tell if a bit snaps off, I think his is all out as he is not limping tonight. Poor Molly Sharlene, if she is anything like Flynn he does not like me looking at his feet especially if I have nail clippers in my hand. He never nips at me but he sure squirms :D:D

Night all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi all

All good here! I have my monitoring plan in place for Flynn so I am very happy about that.
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Monitoring and Plan for Flynn:

1) Six monthly US studies at Pet Hospital. Also a medical examination by IMS. Due May/June 2013
2) Monthly urinalysis including USG and UPCR
3) Monthly liver screen
4) Monthly BP measurements. Admitted for a day with 2 hourly checks to verify that it stays similar throughout the day. I would only anticipate this being necessary on perhaps 2 occasions if all is OK.
5) Commencing Pentosan injections at weekly intervals and assess 2 weeks after the last if they have been effective.
6) Use Previcox at therapeutic dose rate of 1 x 57mg when required.

If anything is progressing or found to be out of the ordinary then we should bring the US date forwards.

There are 2 brands of SAMe available one a little lass costly than the other. Denosyl comes as a box of 30 sachets and he would need one sachet daily in food. Cost is $168.60 incl GST per month!!!!!!
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I picked up his Pentosan injections this morning and gave his first shot in his scruff. It is a weekly shot for four weeks then reassess. He is booked in for his first BP assessment this Thursday, I don't like it but he will have to stay for the day and have it checked two hourly. The vet has told me depending on these results he may show me how to do it myself and I could take the equipment home and do some readings here. Not sure how that would go, as Flynn hardly cooperates with me clipping his nails let alone doing a BP!! But I would sure give it a try. He is going to recheck bloods also, we will see what his current liver tests are (these will be the first ones since he is well) then consider the liver supplements as he noted above. I am also to continue his spreadsheet and current diet.

Phew, I am so relieved to have the vets and me on the same page and a plan to work with. I am a definite type A and love a good list!! :D:D I am pretty sure the vets will be happy too, without me hassling them all the time.

Hope all the pups have a happy weekend, lots of hugs from me to everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

AARRGGHH I MISSED IT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR WEDNESDAY . :D:D:D:D

Hope you had a great day and got lots of pressies (though its hard to beat an iPad as a bday pressie :D)

Glad you now have a workable plan in place for Flynny and good luck with the cartrophen/pantosan. Replied in my thread too, check that for the bit about being tired (sorry too lazy to re type it today :p)

Have fun at the big concert bash this weekend!

Hey Trish,

Glad someone finally listened to you and things are falling into place for you and Flynn finally. You done good, Mom!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Dang, I did miss your birthday:(:(:(:(:o:o

Oh Trish, I wanted so much to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY so I am wishing you one even though I am a few days late.

I think your plan for Flynn sounds perfect and I am glad that it was able to come about. Hope you birthday celebration continues into the weekend though I just realized you are almost into Sunday:o

ENJOY!!!

??? What birthday???

Happy Birthday!!!

:D:D:D

Aw Happy Belated Bday from me too!!!!
Terry

Aww thanks everyone! I have been well and truly spoiled, with lots of lovely gifts, but even better spending time with Family, Friends and Flynn - the three most important F's in my life :D:D:D

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Glad you are getting spoiled.. Happy Birthday!!!!:D

Happy Birthday!!

Thanks everyone, I feel so old now I am 50 :( Oh well, moving along it could be worse :D:D

I was playing on the ipad and just put a couple of new pics up of Flynn playing with his ratty old toys this afternoon, I am so procrastinating today... I have a big project to get finished for work and the folders are sitting staring at me on the table and I just cannot get started :mad::mad: hmmmm those dishes need doing then a walk I think :D:D:D

Oh Trish, Happy belated Birthday from me too!!! It sounds like it was a good one, I love your three F's, nothing better than that. And you sure can't beat an iPad for a birthday gift. I absolutely love mine, bet you will too. Don't sweat being 50. Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds! ;)

Your plan for Flynn sounds excellent, it looks like all bases are covered. I am type A also, and feel most comfortable with everything outlined and addressed, no wondering. :D

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

2 genuine reasons not to work: It's your birthday weekend, and it's Sunday.

No work allowed! That's what mondays are for :D Enjoy your walk!

Ok, just saw where you wrote Flynn was a little wobbly in my thread after his pentosan jab yesterday. Am wondering now how he is going this morning?

I'm not surprised that the vet may not know about the reaction, I never bothered to mention it to my vet, but it does happen. Ozzie has had 5 doses since October last year (the original 4 plus one 3 monthly booster), both my sisters have had dogs that have had it in the past (now both are watching over our angels) and both Molly (shitzu Westie cross) and Sally (Lab Kelpie cross) also had the tiredness and soreness/stiffness in the first 12 hours. My Dad also has seen it in his collection of poodles (4 of 7 have had cartrophen so far). But in every case, they get considerably better afterwards, so we found it worth it. As we all know, sometimes the short term bad is worth the long term gain.

I guess people may not notice it so much or put it together if they aren't comparing notes over a group of dogs, also many aren't as super vigilant as we have learnt to be. For some it can be mild, others can increase stiffness and soreness in painful joints, all I have seen have become sleepy, but until I started discussing it with my sister, I put it down to nervous reaction after the vet. So that would be my guess as to why many don't notice or report it to their vet, hence the vets potentially not knowing. In each case I have seen, it's always passed by the next day after a good sleep, so hopefully Flynny is ready to hit the beach again today!

Keep us posted. :D:D