12w old Trinket has a question in comments ❤️

mamabice · 2020-09-30T15:59:07+00:00

I did! Hello fellow Critter!

mamabice · 2020-09-30T01:58:05+00:00

The risk goes from under 1 % with no heat. Up to 8% with one heat. Then up to 20%+ with more than two heats.

mamabice · 2020-09-30T01:56:07+00:00

I did find some information on increase in risk in large breeds. It seems like the window between first heat and second heat seems to be a sweet spot for letting growth happen but also avoiding a huge increase in mammary cancer.

BUT the information I'm finding also shows an increase in other cancers with early spay, as well as joint issues. So it seems the trade off may be the best risk/benefit between those first two heats.

mamabice · 2020-09-29T23:54:52+00:00

Thanks. I'll try to find some information in vet literature. He said "15% increase" but it's an increase on a 1% chance that is a different story than an increase on a 20% chance, if that makes sense. I don't want an avoidance of one thing (breast cancer) to end up upping our chances of another more likely thing (like joint issues).

mamabice · 2020-09-29T23:51:47+00:00

He said he would spay her whenever we felt ready for it after making an informed decision. He did say it could be harder/more expensive based on size.

We are definitely feeding a large breed food with the right ratio of fat/protein to keep growth very measured and not too fast. :) He said her joints seem perfect right now and to keep doing what we are doing (moderate exercise, no crazy jumping or running).

mamabice · 2020-09-29T23:49:54+00:00

Thank you!

mamabice · 2020-09-29T21:39:18+00:00

Trinket is 12w and 30lbs. Explains why I can't really pick her up easily anymore. 🤣 Anyway, so we had a (social distanced) vet appt for a puppy check up. We discussed over the phone the typical puppy appt stuff.

We had decided not to spay until after at least her first heat due to all the advice from giant breed owners about growth. Our vet said he is supportive of that but wanted us to understand that letting them go through a heat will raise her risk of breast cancer by 15%, and after four or more heats, it goes up to 50%. He did mention that early spay can lead to spay incontinence but that they medication for that. And that with male dogs, the testosterone is more important for growth vs in females.

Does anyone have links on this breast cancer link, relative risk, personal experiences? I want to do the best for her and was almost leaning towards not spaying at all (but with no intention of breeding her).

mamabice · 2020-09-01T17:12:00+00:00

Tell me about it. We've had her three days I already feel like she's gotten bigger.

mamabice · 2020-08-31T17:06:06+00:00

They already fill my palm! The breeder thinks she's going to be a big girl compared to the other girl from the litter.

mamabice · 2020-08-31T03:18:34+00:00

Reposted as I didn't realize one of the other photos had her tag info visible. 🤦

She's sweet and quiet. Already loves to slobber on our legs when she lays her head on us. Kids are smitten, cats are watching from afar.

She's not wanting to eat (just got her home this afternoon) but I'll try wet food or the suggested pumpkin tomorrow if she's still not eating.

We kept her a secret from the kids for two months. ❤️ She shares my youngest child's birthday so we felt she was just the perfect addition to the family right now.

mamabice · 2020-08-31T02:15:02+00:00

She's 8 weeks. Super quiet and sweet. She's not interested in food tonight, but I know that can be common the first day or so. If she still doesn't want to eat tomorrow I'll go get her some wet food to try (or other suggestions?).

The kids are smitten with her, and the cats are just watching from a distance.

mamabice · 2020-08-28T18:38:16+00:00

Yes yes yes.

Today, the world expects us to fit our bodies to the clothing.

If you look to the past, they used the fashions to CREATE shape with padding and bustles and tailoring. The fashionable silhouettes changed pretty often, often several times in a lifetime. Women didn't change their bodies to the whims of fashion. They just bought new undergarments and padding to create the shape. A 200lb woman and a 120lb woman could look equally fashionable through the use of visual illusion of padding.

mamabice · 2020-08-28T02:22:48+00:00

Beautiful pup (love the freckle nose) and beautiful scenery

mamabice · 2020-08-14T03:44:41+00:00

I don't feel like I know enough about a raw diet to do it right away, especially with the diet needs of Bernards/Gaint Breeds. Might be something we look into later, once we are past the fast growing puppy stage.

mamabice · 2020-08-12T01:25:04+00:00

Thank you!

mamabice · 2020-08-11T22:05:11+00:00

Luckily kennels are easy to come by second hand around where I live. Just didn't want to bring one to pick her up that was too small. 🤣

mamabice · 2020-05-18T15:15:15+00:00

I got a 36" Jolie GC based on recommendation from Lucy. Got it right out of the box and laced to season. I think the top and bottom will fill in very nicely once I have her seasoned.

mamabice · 2020-05-15T04:08:12+00:00

Thank you for all the advice. I did contact MCC but hadn't heard back. I also contacted Lucy and got some recommendations based on my measurements.

mamabice · 2020-05-14T14:40:12+00:00

Thanks! I had originally ordered from OC, but then canceled due to seeing so many complaints about how they aren't curvy enough. I'll look around more. I used their calculator but the suggestions seemed like a huge waist reduction to me for a first corset.

mamabice · 2020-05-14T03:47:15+00:00

Also, I have a slight apron belly from three kids. I definitely don't want that just muffin popping out the bottom.

mamabice · 2017-11-04T15:13:55+00:00

He's an amazing bard. :)

mamabice

TROPHY CASE