St Bernard Rescue

[jupiters_gal]

So, I've been looking into getting a dog forever. After taking every compatability test, and reading up on lots of breeds We are going to start the process to adopt a Saint :iloveyou:

I know about the drool, I know about the shedding, and i dont care. I love them. Their dogonality is what we are looking for in a doggy.

Does anyone here have experience w/ this breed? Im looking to get an adult, and i realize it may take awhile for the right dog to find us. we have been in in contact w/ the rescue leauge in my state

I have a nice big house that we own w/ a fenced in yard, 6 ft fence.I live in a nice neighborhood for walks. We have 2 small children, and 1, 3 legged cat.

Any considerations i'm missing? ask away? im trying to research as thouroghly as possible

[courtnek]

K, our sys-admin has Saints. she wont be on til later though since she's in a different country/time zone. She can give you lots of info. Also, Malamum has Malamutes, which are somewhat similar.She may be able to help too.

[CincoandDahlilasgirl]

goto [url]www.petfinder.com[/url] they should have some info

[AllAmericanPUP]

Good Luck!
Please share pics when you get your saint!
I absolutley looooooooooove saint bernards!!

I had the chance to adopt a 1 year old, splash/smooth coat saint months ago, but i couldn't because we already have 7 dogs :(
sucked too, because when i get a saint i want a splash/smooth coat..
guess i'll have to wait til i move out and am on my own..

[Malamum]

Hi there,

As Courtnek said, I have Malamutes but unfortunatley I know next to nothing about Saints, sorry. :oops:

I do think that they are absolutley adoroable, however I think the only similaraties between them and Mals would be the amount of hair you get in everything. I think K is your best bet for info.

Good luck in your search.

[Malamum]

Just curious K, why no pork?

[ESSlover]

[quote name='K'] what colour are your house towels?...my idea is to buy a completely different colour and leave one in every room...remember one beside the water bowl and try to wipe faces after food and drink (mine are blue[b]..never [/b]use the blue towel at my house..ok? :o )[/quote]

:o *puts into long term memory* never use K's blue towels, never use K's blue towels, never use K's blue towels....

[pyrless]

well congratulations! what a lovely choice!
well, the pyr is the "ancestor" of the saint, and one of the most important things is to watch out for their hips, as in any large breed. if you have a truck or SUV a ramp is really helpful so they don't do alot of jumping in and out. Also if you get a pup, be sure to grow it slow, start adult food at 6 months or so so the body weight doesn't outgrow the frame.

[jupiters_gal]

lol thats funny about the towells, i was thinking of it this morning. designated drool towells :lol:

i will research bloat more, i thought all dogs were supposed to have their bowls raised, so i was planning on doing it anyways.

i filled out my application yesterday, so now we wait. and i just keep researching.i have no idea how long it will take, but i'll try and be patient.

thanks for the rundown, im sure i'll be around w/ all sorts of questions!

[imported_Kat]

Good luck on adopting! You got some fab advice from K :wink:

[courtnek]

I apologize if I confused you. For some reason, while I was thinking Newfie, I type malamum. Malamutes are NOT like Saints, but Newfies are
in some ways. Sorry about that.

:oops: :oops: :oops:

[behle]

K is the expert here on Saints, so I can't really add anything definative to what she has said.

What I'm posting is simply my personal expereience. I've had two saints, including Ben who is in my signature. Both have been very people oriented and gentle if somewhat strong minded about their own agendas. For example, both dogs simply walked away when it was time for any procedure they weren't interested in completing. No growling, snapping, thrashing about....just rising up and leaving. Perhaps this is unique to my experience, perhaps not. Just like he's thinking, "Oh, I'd rather not stay around for this, thank you anyway."

Persistence in training is a must since it takes a while for my Saint's neurons to fire...you've gotta love them! Firm voice, patience, rewards, etc. I'm convinced that Ben had been struck before he came to us. It took about a year for him to stop flinching when I would move my hands quickly close to him.:-?

Both dogs adored cold and snow and need time outside in the winter to enjoy it, but never for extended periods alone since they are so focused on being with their pack and they get cold eventually just like the rest of us.

Saints need to be kept cool in the summer, just like any other dog with a long thick coat. Ben is an inside dog and is supervised when outside his fenced area and is only in his fenced area for short periods of time in the hot summer (with fresh water available - we've got one of those water cooler style things that keeps the bowl full). Our other saint was also inside and towels were a must for him! I never thought of the color-coding! That makes perfect sense! Ben is relatively dry mouthed, so I clean up slobber spots weekly from everywhere he rests or travels in the house, in addition to the regular mopping up of spills, etc..

Both dogs were extremely gentle with children. Ben has come to my classroom on many occasions and seems to be able to spot the kids who need to pet him.

They are a lot of WORK, but if you are willing to do the work they are absolutely wonderful companions. Making space for a Saint in your home is like having a slovenly, but extremely loveable relative come to stay on the couch - for about 8 years or so!

Good luck on your search!

[boosiebutt]

Aujeszky's disease (also known as pseudorabies and mad itch) is caused by a herpesvirus, Herpesvirus suis. Although pigs are the reservoir host, other animals, for example cattle, sheep, dogs, cats and rats, can also be infected. These species are dead end hosts, however, and do not generally transmit the disease themselves, although cats and dogs may shed virus in their oral and nasal secretions.

Infection in dogs and cats is usually associated with contact with infected pigs or eating uncooked, infected pig meat. Note that in some areas of the world this may include wild pig meat, e.g. wild boars.

AUJESZKY'S DISEASE CLINICAL SIGNS

Almost always fatal, and often rapidly so.
First clinical signs seen in cats and dogs are usually behavioural changes: restlessness, anorexia and hypersalivation.
Some dogs appear overexcited, continually barking.
Often no clinical signs seen in cats as they run off to hide early in disease development.
Intense pruritus, commonly localised around the face or mouth is often described as a characteristic sign of Aujeszky's disease in dogs.
May become frenzied in an attempt to alleviate the intolerable itching, and self-mutilation can often result. It is in this form that the disease may be mistaken for rabies, but unlike rabid animals, cats and dogs with Aujeszky

[Guest Anonymous]

Congrats on deciding on a Saint. I have two myself and will never be without one in my life. They are wonderful dogs and very loving. That more than makes up for the drool and all the other work that you put into them. One word of caution, don't let a Saint roam free. My two will get a scent that's interesting to them and almost nothing you do will get their attention. Also, Saints are usually very good with children and tend to "adopt" them. My Roxie has to wander upstairs and check on them while they're sleeping at least once an hour. But a excited Saint can sometimes accidently knock over a small child. I have two children, 9 and 5. When they get Roxie all riled up, she sometimes bowls right into them. So I would add that supervision when kids are around the doggie is a must. I also have drool towels placed around the house. But my two hate to have their mouths wiped so they've started drinking only outside. Which is fine because I usually take them out once an hour or so. Even if they're not asking. But there's always fresh water in the house in case they need it. But Bentley refuses to drink from it because he knows if he drinks outside I won't wipe his mouth. Also, like K said don't let them fool you into thinking they're starving. My two would eat all day if you let them. Good luck with the Rescue. I went through the application process with the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation in GA. It really didn't take all that long before I was approved. They checked all my references (especially the vet) and called me in about a week. Be sure to post pics! I love pics of Saints! :lol: And once again..... CONGRATS! :D :D

[imported_Matty]

Here is some interesting info on bloat.
[quote]What causes gastric dilatation and volvulus?

There is not one particular activity that leads to the development of GDV. It appears that it occurs as a combination of events. Studies of the stomach gas that occurs in dilatation have shown that it is similar to the composition of normal room air suggesting that the dilatation occurs as a result of swallowing air. All dogs, and people for that matter, swallow air, but normally we eructate (burp) and release this air and it is not a problem. For some reason that scientists have not yet determined, these dogs that develop bloat do not release this swallowed gas. There is currently several studies looking into what happens physiologically in these dogs that develop GDV. Through previous studies, there are several different factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. They are: being a male, being underweight, eating only one meal a day, eating at a faster rate, and being a fearful or nervous dog.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include restlessness, pacing, rapid onset of abdominal distension, rapid shallow breathing, and nonproductive vomiting and retching. Profuse salivation may indicate severe pain. If the dog's condition continues to deteriorate, especially if volvulus has occurred, the dog may go into shock and become pale, have a weak pulse, and a rapid heart rate. A dog with gastric dilatation without volvulus can show all of these symptoms, but the more severe symptoms are likely to occur in dogs with both dilatation and volvulus.

How is gastric dilatation and volvulus treated?

Even with treatment, as many as 25-30% of dogs with GDV die.

When the dog is presented to the hospital his condition is assessed and depending on the severity of the condition, one of a number of different treatment protocols are instituted. Usually intravenous catheters are placed and fluids are administered. Then the stomach is decompressed either by passing a stomach tube or inserting a large needle into the stomach and releasing the gas. After the animal is stabilized, x-rays are taken to determine whether or not a volvulus is present. If a volvulus is present, then surgery is performed to correct the volvulus. The stomach is permanently stitched to the abdominal wall to prevent reoccurrence and then the animal is monitored and treated, as needed, based upon the symptoms. Animals that develop just dilatation are at a much greater risk of developing dilatation and volvulus in the future, and many times the surgery to attach the stomach permanently is performed to prevent this from happening. Because this surgery is difficult and invariably happens at night, many veterinarians will decompress the stomach and treat the patient supportingly and refer them to a specialty practice, or wait until morning when adequate help is available to assist with the surgery.

Dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus can develop severe complications including bleeding disorders, heart arrhythmias, and peritonitis.

How is gastric dilatation and volvulus prevented?

Despite adopting all of the recommendations listed below, a dog may still develop GDV. Because of the genetic link involved with this disease, prospective pet owners should question if there is a history of GDV in the lineage of any puppy that is from a breed listed as high risk. In addition, the following recommendations should be followed:

Large dogs should be fed two or three times daily, rather than once a day.

Owners of susceptible breeds should be aware of the early symptoms of bloat.

Owners of susceptible breeds should develop a good working relationship with a local veterinarian in case emergency care is needed.

Water should be available at all times, but should be limited immediately after feeding.

Vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress should be avoided one hour before and two hours after meals.

Some veterinarians recommend the use of elevated feeders for dogs susceptible to bloat.

Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of three to five days.

Susceptible dogs should be fed individually and, if possible in a quiet location.

Dogs that have survived bloat are at an increased risk for future episodes; therefore prophylaxis in the form of preventive surgery or medical management should be discussed with the veterinarian.

Summary

Bloat is a life threatening condition that most commonly affects large-breed, deep-chested dogs over two years of age. Owners of susceptible breeds should be knowledgeable about the symptoms of the disease, since early and prompt treatment can greatly improve the outcome. By following the preventive measures recommended, pet owners can further reduce the likelihood of their pet developing this devastating problem.[/quote]

I have a Husky that didn't flip its belly when he bloated, but he did get excess gas which could have flipped his belly. The Vet gave me these great pills to give to my dog if he shows any signs of getting gassy. I can tell when he is starting to bloat he starts drooling and licks his lips excessively and is restless. I give him these gas pills and it takes the gas right away.
My dog bloated on a high superior qualtiy food called innova. The first ingredient is Turkey, from what I have read Turkey is really really gassy and can cause bloat in some bloat prone dogs. I put him back in Wellness and hes doing great and hasnt gotten gassy since. The Vet also told me not to feed any gassy foods like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cualiflower and some other veggies which can be gassy.

Another thing large breeds are really prone to is bone cancer. So be really careful with the diet and make sure there are quality ingredients with no additives and preservatives. Feed foods like omega 3 and vitamin E and other antioxidants to take care of free radical. Its the free radicals that most times cause the start of cancer.

Good luck and you are wonderful rescueing an adult dog. :wink:

[nadooshkinz]

wow! dogo certainly is a wealth of knowledge! congrats on you're choice, and well done.. hopefully you won't have to wait too long :wink: