DOG BLOG
Musings
Emergency Mobility For Giant Breeds
Preparation is critical, and we all have our moments of oversight. Even I, being detail-orientated and organized, have been caught off guard. Doing so is particularly crucial while owning giant breeds, as their sheer mass and size can pose significant challenges in times of crisis.
Preparation is critical, and we all have our moments of oversight. Even I, being detail-orientated and organized, have been caught off guard. Doing so is particularly crucial while owning giant breeds, as their sheer mass and size can pose significant challenges in times of crisis.
The loss of a giant breed dog is a profoundly emotional experience, as we recently lost our beloved Wolfhound, Kellyanne, several weeks ago at 10 years of age. Then, unexpectedly, we lost her brother, our dearest stallion wolfhound, SBIS Ballyhara Ki, two weeks later. A towering male, standing approximately 36 inches at the shoulder and during the prime of his life, was 175 lbs.
How do you solve the dilemma of moving an injured, sick, or dying giant breed dog when you are alone? There are various animal stretchers and options on the Internet and Amazon. But most are well-suited for average-sized dogs and not giants. I researched as many options as possible and settled on a particular stretcher I could use by myself.
Some giant breeder owners use the black two-wheel animal stretcher from Amazon, which is 45 inches long and great for medium to large breeds. I decided against this option as a long-backed giant breed is much more elongated than 45 inches, and you must lift the stretcher up only on one end to haul the dog. I was concerned about stuffing an injured or sick IW into this small space and then having them slide down, despite the webbed restraints, and bumping or dragging along the ground when hauling this stretcher. In my experience, the mesh barrier could not possibly hold the weight of a wolfhound whose body is sliding from gravity as the stretcher is tipped up to move.
I chose a medical stretcher, which is an excellent alternative. Pricer than the typical animal stretcher, this is a human-size stretcher. The criteria were simple. I needed a long stretcher that my Wolfhounds could lie on (this one is 72 inches long) that was low to the ground so that I alone would be able to drag a massive wolfhound onto it one section at a time, such as the hindquarters then the front-end and head and so forth. The other criteria were that it had 4 wheels for motion and a handle and would be narrow enough to fit through a typical doorway. The dimensions of this medical stretcher are 72.8 inches long, 19.6 inches wide, and 7.8 inches high. It has thickened Oxford cloth that can carry up to 350 pounds, has two web belt restraints, and is foldable.
As seen here, the Amazon animal stretcher is 45" long by 22 inches wide and 6 inches high. It has only 2 wheels, and the animal must be tipped up to move it. A model made with 4 wheels was previously available. Still, it has been out of stock, and there have not been any updates on when it will be available again.
Unfortunately, and heartbreakingly, we had to use our new stretcher shortly after receiving it. As I mentioned, we lost our beautiful hound and had to transport Ki from the backyard to the vehicle. Though my husband was here to assist, after using the medical stretcher, I was comfortable knowing that I would have the ability to at least move my injured, sick, or dying hound by myself to get them to the Emergency Clinic. Getting them to the vehicle safely without causing further harm to them is paramount.
Getting them into our van is another issue. We have always used a telescoping dog ramp with side rails for the hounds' access to our vehicles. Our new stretcher can fit on our wide dog ramp, but it is a tight fit, as the dog ramp is 20 inches wide with side rails. Our ramp telescopes up to 82 inches and can hold 300 pounds. Still, I would move the van so its rear access doors are adjacent to higher ground to minimize the slope to a comfortable 25 to 30-degree incline and then haul the stretcher up the dog ramp. Even better, in the future, after we get done with our construction here, as we are going to be building a new house and dog lounge, I will construct a permanent, gradually sloped earthen ramp for such emergencies where I find myself alone having to move an injured or very ill wolfhound.
If you need to purchase a dog ramp, the one below is an acceptable choice. I'm glad to share my experience with everyone.
Irish Wolfhound or Any Sighthound Breed Emergency Kits
I suggest that all Irish Wolfhound owners organize and have an emergency kit available at all times, especially if you plan on traveling with your Wolfhound. In it should be several indispensable items that I have linked to Amazon for ease of purchase….
I have posted on my website Irish Wolfhound Health Concerns the items that are absolutely necessary for an Emergency Kit. This kit is terrific for any of our Sighthounds but could be a lifesaver. If anyone has additional suggestions please send me a comment or an email.
Irish Wolfhound Emergency Kits
I suggest that all Irish Wolfhound owners organize and have an emergency kit available at all times, especially if you plan on traveling with your Wolfhound. In it should be several indispensable items that I have linked to Amazon for ease of purchase. Just click on each item’s photo following the list.
Hyland's Carbo Veg. 30X Tablets, Natural Homeopathic Relief of Nausea, Heartburn or Gas. IMO, these Carbo Veg pellets are crucial to have if you own any giant or breed prone to Bloat. If your wolfhound is pacing, looking very uncomfortable, has difficulty lying down or lies down and immediately gets up or is retching and or vomits yellow bile, or has a firm, distended stomach then dose immediately with the adult human dosage of 4 pellets. However, if you have a very large IW weighing approximately 160 pounds or more then I would begin with 6 pellets. Tip 6 pellets into the bottle cap and then raising his muzzle upwards, open your IW’s mouth and drop the pellets into the back of their throat, quickly closing his mouth and massaging his throat. If they are not swallowing or trying to gag grasp the muzzle closed and then blow in his nose to make them swallow. The pellets dissolve within a 20-30 seconds. Repeat again every 30 minutes while you seek emergency medical care.
Alumina from Boiron 30c. This is another important homeopathic remedy that is in my Emergency Kit at all times. Boiron® indicates that Alumina may be effective in alleviating various digestive issues. Aloe in this form could provide relief from stomach problems‚ like flatulence and indigestion. I use this the same exact way I use the above Carbo Veg. and dose immediately after I dose with Carbo Veg. I recommend using the adult human dosage of 5 pellets, but again if you have a very large wolfhound over 160lbs. then I would increase to 6 pellets. Repeat again every 30 minutes while you seek emergency medical care. Both of these homeopathic remedies may alleviate the gas buildup causing distress and could very well save a life while you are seeking emergency care, and may relieve or reduce the gas buildup while you are en route to a Veterinarian.
Remedies for simple upset stomach. If your dog has an upset stomach, the above recommended Carbo Veg and Alumina should be used to quell the nausea. For non-emergencies, use the Carbo Veg and Alumina 4 times per day if your dog is nauseated, car sick or is refusing food and they do not have a temperature.
Metronidazole aka Flagyl. We do not travel with our wolfhounds without bringing along prescription Flagyl. It is an antibiotic that treats diarrhea resulting from inflammation of the colon due to bacteria, as well as intestinal infections due to the Giardia parasite, Gastritis and Colitis to name a few. This you will have to obtain from your Veterinarian as it is only available via prescriptions. Get a bottle before you leave.
Proviable DC Digestive Health Supplement. This is a portable Probiotic with Prebiotics that should be given when a dog has diarrhea. Each Capsule has 5 billion CFU’s. However, I give this on the day of our trip and every subsequent day afterwards while traveling until we return home as it regulates the Ph balance in the gut and is very helpful during times of stress. Dosage is one capsule daily during times of travel and is easily hidden in a soft treat. Give immediately at the first signs of loose stools.
Rectal Digital Thermometer.
Gauze, non-stick bandages, and adhesive tape. This is for covering a wound, stopping bleeding or even a sprained ligament. I use 3M Vetrap 4” wide, soft gauze and nonstick gauze pads. Also stock waterproof adhesive tape, especially if it is wet outside as Vetrap is not waterproof.
A Canine First Aid Manual and/or download The American Red Cross App “PET FIRST AID”. Have either or both available at all times —I recommend “Dog First Aid: A Field Guide to Emergency Care for the Outdoor Dog” which is pocket sized and can fit in any emergency kit. The American Red Cross App PET FIRST AID is very good as well and is on my Smartphone and iPad. Another choice for a small portable emergency book is the Pet Emergency Pocket Guide 2nd Edition which has tabs at the bottom making it very easy to find information in a hurry.
Cephalexin Antibiotic. I do not travel without this antibiotic in case of the onset of high fever which may be present if the Wolfhound has diarrhea or lethargy. You will need to obtain Cephalexin from your veterinarian as it is a prescribed antibiotic. Explain that you will be traveling with your hound and in case of emergency, away from home, it may be extremely helpful to control an unexplained fever as a result of a bacterial infection such as a respiratory tract infection or a soft tissue infection.
Dog Ear Wipes. Such as VetWELL Dog Ear Wipes - Otic Cleaning Wipes for Infections and Controlling Yeast, Mites and Odor with Aloe and Eucalyptus.
Cotton Balls and Swabs. I carry the long ear swabs such as BambooStick Cotton Buds for Dogs for hard to reach spots deep in the ear canal.
Scissors.
Bottled Water. Always, always, always use bottled water or bring enough water from home to last the duration of your trip. Do not give your dog water that he or she is unaccustomed to as it could result in diarrhea.
Dogs Dead or Injured at Big Box Store PetSmart Groomers
Tragically, there has been a spate of dog deaths at the "Big Box" store PetSmart in their grooming departments. As was reported in New Jersey as well as another incident in Pennsylvania three dogs are now dead along with another who suffered back injuries......
Tragically, there has been several dog deaths, and injury at the "Big Box" store grooming departments at PetSmart. As was reported, in New Jersey as well as another incident in Pennsylvania three dogs are now dead along with another who suffered back injuries. At the Flemington, New Jersey store alone the NY Post reported An investigation by the outlet found that over an eight-day period between Dec. 22 and 29, at least two dogs died and a third suffered a back injury at the store. Moreover, one of these casualties was there just ONE-HOUR before he ended up dead. At the Dickson City, Pennsylvania PetSmart, a Bichon Frise was killed by a so-labeled Pit Bull. These are incidents that we know of which have been reported to the media. Were there other previous incidents that were not reported to the media by inconsolable pet owners perhaps because they felt guilty and blamed themselves for putting their dog in that position or others who could not bring themselves to talk about it?
It is tragic that these incidents have occurred and that the families are heartbroken, as I would be devastated likewise.
Everyone listen, the reality is that nearly all of these PetSmart employees are NOT highly experienced, qualified animal handlers and groomers. Many are merely part-time employees paid an average of $9.97 per hour with an average annual salary of nearly $24,000!! The company website brags that they will have groomed 13 million pets in 2017 and boasts that 2500 pet stylists graduate from their Grooming Academy annually. An Academy, from what I have been able to discover according to online forums and students who have been through the program, where "stylists" are trained at a store location by a Salon Supervisor instructing not just supposedly ten or more students primarily learning "shave downs" mostly but simultaneously managing their current staff. This is not what I would consider comprehensive tutelage. Any Reader can go online and browse the real-time experiences of students who signed up for the company's so-called training. Yes, I am sure some talented, caring individuals pursuing a career in grooming had attended the PetSmart "get-em in and get-em out" program" and who went on to have a dedicated career with a loyal clientele outside the big box store. That, however, might be a significantly small minority. Qualified, caring, talented groomers more often have been trained at the preeminent grooming institutes such as The Nash Academy.
If a pet owner is going to consider bringing their beloved companion to a groomer at ANY facility, then do your homework FIRST. I do not care if it is a groomer working out of their basement, a salon or at box stores like PetSmart or PetCo. Investigate! Check online or social media to see if there have been any horror stories or complaints lodged against the groomer(s). Just asking your friends for a reference is NOT good enough simply because they may not YET have had a problem or a bad experience, or if they were even able to recognize abuse. Look around in the shop -- are there numerous dogs waiting to be groomed with only a minimum staff. If so, that is a red flag as the limited staff will not have proper time to give to each dog. Talk to the groomer and/or salon manager first before booking your best friend for an appointment and ask to see their educational qualifications as to where they were trained, make a note of it, leave and then perform your diligence. Look up the training facility and check out what information and feedback there is about it as well as the groomer online BEFORE you schedule any appointment for your dog! You may be very surprised or stunned at the information you find. Note that many states have license requirements which vary for groomers but understand that several states such as New York DOES NOT require a groomer to be licensed. So, any Tom, Dick, or Sally can claim they are a groomer, with barely any experience whatsoever and set up shop with the great potential for injuries, animal abuse and even death to occur.
Incidentally, several years ago I had an out-of-town Irish Wolfhound owner visit us at our home with her Wolfhound. As soon as I laid my eyes on this wolfhound, I became alarmed. Despite having regular appointments at a groomer (the wolfhound was just "groomed" or shall we just say bathed before arriving); the hound's ears had obviously not been cleaned out as they were filled with black wax and debris, as well as his toenails were long and nearly curling over. Let us set aside the fact that the owner bears the brunt of responsibility for these conditions; what so-called groomer would allow a client to leave their shop without tending to the basics grooming tenets? Suffice to say that the owner agreed NEVER to patronize that so-called groomer again.
I know the grooming industry very well as I trained at the Nash Academy's New Jersey location on or around 1989, in courses that took many, many months before we were qualified to graduate. We were trained in every aspect of the industry with a rigorous curriculum and the principles of dog grooming aesthetics. We were required to learn the basics of every AKC breed's background and honor that breed with its' conformation show trim -- NOT "shave downs." We specialized in all aspects of the aesthetics of grooming. Scissoring is an art that only a small number of groomer artists master and it was one of my specialties. It was an excellent school and educational experience with practically every type of breed to work on in our repeat clientele list. I took that training and opened a successful grooming salon which I eventually sold.
My training thoroughly and thoughtfully educated me on how to handle difficult dogs, besides other fundamentals. Rules such as NEVER leave a dog on the grooming table, not even to quickly turn around to grab something unless you always have one hand on the dog for control otherwise a dog can and will jump causing serious injuries. Alternatively, if they are in a grooming noose, they may choke or injure their trachea. Another essential safety policy was never to leave dogs unattended in a cage with a dryer blowing extreme heat on them which can and will induce heat stroke and likely death, especially for brachiocephalic breeds. These are just two primary rules that are broken DAILY in every dog grooming facility in America today.
I do not know as to the exact cause of death of those two unfortunate dogs nor the one that suffered a back injury at the PetSmart in Flemington, New Jersey, but I certainly have my highly considered opinion as to what may have happened to all three of them.
What is most intolerable is the company's statement in which it is clear that PetSmart's ultimate outcome is not to admit fault or liability. Never mind that one of the deceased dogs was dropped off and left at a veterinary office by an employee of PetSmart.
The summary of this matter is people MUST investigate a groomer's credentials as I discussed above or consider taking the time to bathe your beloved companion yourself. Learn how to do it properly, especially making absolutely certain all shampoo is completely washed out, and try it out. It is not difficult to do; you can purchase the canine shampoo, and dry your pet with your very own hairdryer. Make it a standing policy to brush those dogs with high coat maintenance on a daily or weekly schedule so as not to allow mats and tangles to occur. As for the details such as nails and ears, if you cannot do these yourself then make an appointment with your veterinarian to clip nails and clean ears on a routine basis. Take great care and try to choose a groomer who will allow you to wait in a lounge area that will enable you to see (at a distance of course) your dog being bathed and dried. Frankly, that is the only acceptable way that I feel most people should ever consider using a facility. Lastly, giant breed Irish Wolfhounds and Scottish Deerhounds as well as your other unique sighthound temperament breeds are NOT candidates for grooming salons!
Reposting & Revised Vitamin Supplement Warnings: Look at the Ingredients!
UPDATED & REVISED EDITION: Many Readers visit my Nutrition page of my Ballyhara website and review my Natural Rearing methods. The diet information I share is provided as a summary of my practices and this includes Vitamin supplements. Three particular vitamins that I discuss on my Nutrition page are Vitamins C, A & E and Readers should note that all Vitamins are NOT the same....
Many Readers visit my Nutrition page of my Ballyhara website and review my Natural Rearing methods. The diet information I share is provided as a summary of my practices and this includes Vitamin supplements. Several vitamins that I discuss on my Nutrition page are Vitamins C, A & E and Readers should note that all Vitamins are NOT the same.
VITAMIN E
To begin, Vitamin E, can cause much consternation. I caution Readers to use only Natural Vitamin E written as d-alpha tocopherol and NOT the synthetic chemical version deceptively written as dl--alpha tocopherol. These two similar acetates are very confusing and even I sometimes have to catch myself and remember which is the natural and what is synthetic. It does matter because there are studies which show that, in the case of Vitamin E, the natural state is much more effective than the synthetic acetate for absorption. As an alternative, you can use unrefined Wheat Germ oil for your dog purchased at a natural foods purveyor. Buy it as capsules so that it does not go rancid in the liquid form. Note: Wheat Germ oil is excellent for Stud dogs.
When checking vitamin labels, The Life Extension Magazine states "that natural vitamin E is usually stated as the “d” form or RRR- [for example d-alpha tocopheryl acetate or RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha tocopherol, and d-alpha tocopheryl succinate]. Synthetic vitamin E will have an “l” after the “d” or all-rac- [for example, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate or all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, dl-alpha tocopheryl succinate, and dl-alpha tocopherol]. Remember – “dl” or “all rac-” signifies synthetic vitamin E, whereas “d” or “RRR-” signifies natural vitamin E. If you are getting 400 IU of natural d-alpha tocopherol (d-alpha tocopheryl succinate or acetate), it is equal to about 800 IU of synthetic dl-tocopherol (dl-alpha tocopheryl succinate or acetate)."
VITAMIN A
As for another important variation in Vitamins we look to Vitamin A. Here is a significant and very concerning contrast between sources. The refined or synthetic version of Vitamin A is written as Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate). It is particularly valuable to know of the Environmental Working Group, a very well-known watchdog group, who provides a searchable chemical and ingredient database. In fact, they state that RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) scored a 9 on the High Hazard Level with an Overall Hazard of nearly 10 for health concerns of this synthetic ingredient. One or more animal studies show tumor formation at very low doses and one or more In vitro tests on mammalian cells showed positive mutation results.
Instead, look on the labels for Vitamin A (from Fish Liver Oil) to give to your dog and yourself.
Read more about the Retinyl Palmitate (synthetic version) ingredient's other HIGH concerns: EWG.org states that "Biochemical or cellular level changes; Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Ecotoxicology, Organ system toxicity (non reproductive). About RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE): Retinyl palmitate is an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). Data from an FDA study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions."
VITAMIN C
One last but important consideration is Vitamin C. There are several varieties of Vitamin C that you need to know about, such as Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Ester-C, and Sodium Ascorbate.
But,most importantly,you should be aware that according to numerous investigative resources, 90% of the world's Vitamin C supply is made in China.
I prefer Vitamin C that is not processed or manufactured in China. For this reason, I highly recommend The Wholistic Pet Organics, who offers not just Ester-C but also MSM, Kelp, Green Lipped Mussels and many other supplemental additives for your hounds, horses, felines and dogs.
Why Ester-C? Many veteran breeders use Ester C as the most favored form of vitamin C as it is non-acidic and is gentle on the stomach. Many health practitioners believe that Calcium Ascorbate (Ester-C) provides the best results relieving arthritic symptoms and for stress reduction.
ESTER C's absorption rate and effectiveness information is provided by The Wholistic Pet Organics Company that states, "Ester-C® patented form of Vitamin C is “body-ready” and found to be four times more readily available to body tissue than basic Vitamin C." Another source, Scientific Bio-Logics, reveals also that Ester-C has four times the bioavailability of regular vitamin C.
Ester-C is costly though and great for singleton or just a few dog households but for those supplementing numerous hounds you can consider an additional dual "best" option being Sodium Ascorbate. When given in low doses it is easily absorbed, pH-neutral and stays in the system twice as long as Ascorbic Acid. Sodium Ascorbate is a non-bitter, non-acidic, buffered form of Vitamin C in a highly soluble form and is sold as a powdered form or as a tablet.
Last but not least, the most common source of Vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid, the only naturally occurring vitamin C. Note, however, that in high doses it can cause diarrhea, and, some experts believe it is not efficiently absorbed. However, when given in smaller doses over the course of a day, I have not experienced the typical effects of overdosing which is diarrhea. I supplement 140 through 178 pound wolfhounds, especially the veteran wolfhounds, all each with 3000 mgs daily. Of course, I feed multiple times daily and therefore, I break up the dosage, e.g. 1000 mg in AM and 2000 mg at dinner. Do not give 3000 mgs all at once.
All in all, as I stated health practitioners favor the Calcium Ascorbate (Ester-C) as the most preferable, however, I have a concern with the addition of calcium into a dog's diet who is already being supplemented with bone meal. Calcium Ascorbate in the 1000mg version (one that I favor for convenience) would add 330 mg of calcium to the dog's daily diet if you are supplementing 3,000 mg of Vitamin C daily but without phosphorus. Additional calcium supplementation is not recommended for Irish Wolfhounds and giant breeds consuming commercial foods or Natural Rearing diets supplemented with Bone Meal. Notably, my hounds already derive their calcium needs from raw chicken on the bone as well as calcium carbonate from eggs shells.
I have done further research into alternative options for Chinese-free vitamin c, especially lower cost alternatives. I am using an Ascorbic Acid product that is manufactured in the United Kingdom. It is a GMO-free ultra-fine powder with no other ingredients nor Sorbitol. I'll keep you posted as to the trial results.
Originally, I concluded that in my opinion the Sodium Ascorbate was most likely the best option for our sighthounds if we are concerned about the additional calcium being introduced into the diet. However, I have been unable to find any Chinese-free Sodium Ascorbate. As a result, The Wholistic Pet Organics Ester-C currently is the best option for those individuals who neither have the time or inclination to verify sources of origins of the supplements they purchase. As well as those who are currently feeding a commercial dry dog food as the quality and origins of the supposed calcium found in the manufactured and processed dog food is questionable. Frankly, I would prefer feeding a non-GMO vitamin supplement NOT MADE in CHINA than worry about a small amount of calcium being introduced into my hounds's diet.
Terrific Meat Grinder for Preparing Fresh Dog Food
For those owners who prepare their meals for their dogs, I have provided a review on our new meat grinder. I purchased the Weston Pro Series™ #32 Electric Meat Grinder (2 HP) 1500 watt unit.
For those owners who prepare their meals for their dogs, I have provided a review on our new meat grinder. I purchased the Weston Pro Series™ #32 Electric Meat Grinder (2 HP) 1500 watt unit.
FeaturesIncludes:
- Permanently lubricated, 2 HP / 1500 watt air cooled motor (120 volt, 60 Hz) runs smooth for a lifetime of use
- Grinds 12-18 lbs per minute
- Offset head design (patent pending) promotes high speeds
- Precision engineered steel gears for quiet performance & rugged durability
- Five Year Limited Warranty
- Disassembles for easy cleanup
- Non-slip rubber feet for added stability
- Sturdy handle for carrying & transportation
- Reverse function on #22 & #32 models
- Tray guard on #22 & #32 models helps keep your hands safe
- #22 & #32 warrantied for grinding raw pet food - See warranty section for further details.
- Auger Grabbing Stomper for simple disassembly and cleanup
- Built-In Knife Sharpener for sharpening your favorite butcher knife
- Tray-Nested Accessory Tray for storing your plates, knife, stomper and sausage stuffing kit
- Tray Dust Cover
- Tray Safety Guard
- Stainless steel grinding knife
- Two stainless steel grinding plates: Coarse (7mm) and Medium (4.5mm)
- Sausage Stuffing Kit:
- Set of three funnels: 20mm, 30mm and 40mm
- 10mm Snack Stick funnel & high-speed auger
- Stuffing star/spacer
To date, I am a fan as this machine makes very quick work of raw beef meat grinding 12-18 pounds per minute! Amazingly fast but the best feature and one of the reasons why I invested in this machine is that it can grind small animal bones such as chicken or rabbit. In fact, the 5-year warranty states:
Weston Pro Series Electric Meat Grinders (#22 and #32) are capable of grinding smaller, softer animal bones such as rabbit, whole chickens* or chicken quarters, and other birds, due to both the power and all metal construction of the units. Avoid grinding large, dense animal bones as they are very difficult to process (i.e., bones one would find in large game, pigs, or cows).
When we travel we bring our Irish Wolfhound's meals with us. We were just preparing for an out-of-state dog show and before buying this unit, I had to purchase ground beef. Depending on the season, the price per pound could run from $2.39 to nearly $5.00 per pound. I actually checked the price of meat at our chain grocery store and at this time of the year, a family-pack of 80/20 ground beef was approximately $4.97 a pound. Thankfully, I am no longer held hostage having to buy ground beef. Instead, I purchased Chuck Roast that was on sale for $2.79 pound and ground my own hamburger meat. I ground 14 pounds of chuck roast in less than one minute. A simple switch to the finer grinding plate and back through the large, ground 14 pounds of meat went and out it came just like the product we buy in the butcher meat department. Frankly, it was marvelous having saved approximately $41.00 not having to buy pre-ground beef. Wow!
BTW, I also make my own chicken meatballs as we bring a variety of meatballs for traveling to feed the wolfhounds on the road. This is one of the reasons why I bought this 2 hp, 1500 watt meat grinder. I purchase either chicken drumsticks or chicken wings and the machine grinds the boned-in chicken in seconds. There is no need nor do I recommend passing the chicken meat through the finer grinder plate a second time as chicken meat is wet and sticky, just like ground turkey. I add oregano, wheat germ, fresh eggs and chopped garlic, roll them up and freeze and away we go.
Tips & Considerations on this particular Weston Supply Pro-Series unit.
First, it is a hefty unit and I do not consider it portable. We have it in one location and do not move it. Next, make certain that you purchase Food Grade Silicone spray to lubricate the working parts. I only use Weston brand spray as it is:
VOC compliant
Protective anti-rust film
Heat-stable
Odorless / tasteless
Sanitary
Non-Toxic
Ozone friendly
As for considerations, assembling the unit for each use must be done carefully. You cannot overtighten the knife nor the nut that holds the auger, knife and grinder plate in place. If you make a mistake and insert the knife backwards (which is not that uncommon and I believe happens more often than not) then the result is the machine's motor can and will seize up as there is no room for error within the design. Also, if you overtighten the nut placing too much stress on the knife and grinder plate then the motor will seize up as well and you will be left with an expensive, heavy, paper-weight.
Poop Scooper Rating on Lee's Stool Tool Clean up System
Now and then I like to provide helpful and honest feedback on products that dog fanciers frequently purchase. One of the common items that multi-dog owners buy are poop scoopers. Boy, do we have experience with these. You might think that they are all alike. However, you would be wrong in that assumption. Yes, there are various styles, but I am not discussing rake or claw style -- I am talking about the spade and pan style which is a must-have for giant breeds. As for the rake style, I always wonder why people buy these because they are not helpful when your dog has diarrhea. Anyway, moving on....
I had previously posted quick feedback on another brand of poop scooper spade and pan style which you can read here. This time around we purchased three of Lee's Stool Tool Cleanup System, Large Tray w/Scraper/Spade from Amazon. What the heck, I tried all the other brands and had not been satisfied because they break too soon. Yes, even the metal ones. We go through a set of three Poop scoopers throughout our property in 6 months to a year. Usually, the rivets pop off the back of the pan which is how it is attached to the hollow metal handle. Then you are left with a pan having no handle. We live in the mountains and experience sub-zero winters with lots of ice which poses a problem when you are cleaning dog waste from the yards and paddocks. Most times you are chopping away with the side of the spade to loosen frozen dog waste despite our diligent and constant four times a day cleanup schedule.
Lee's stool cleanup tray and spade are made of plastic. The description of the material is "Rigid PVC (High Impact Styrene), " but I was under the mistaken impression that it would be a much sturdier product. On the whole, they are mostly worthless to use if you have hard snow or icy conditions. This product would, however, be ideal for warm climates having no snow, and the plus side is that the PVC is slippery so dog waste does not stick as it does on metal pans leaving residue behind! The downside to the slipperiness is that you best keep the pan level at all times or the waste will slide right off, and you will have to start all over again. All in all, no, we would not buy this brand again as it was a waste of money for me if I cannot use it year-round. Additionally, the plastic is too flimsy.
Precision Pet Little Stinker Heavy Duty Poop Scoop with Spade Feedback
Well, I have yet to find a well-made, long-lasting spade and scoop set to pick up dog waste for our property. I have tried nearly each and every model sold today and have had to replace each and every set within one year's time as they have broken. It is so maddening to have to replace these tools so quickly and, of course, when you are purchasing at least three sets at a time it can be expensive. Our most recent selection was the Precision Pet Little Stinker Heavy Duty Poop Scoop with Spades.
Product feedback: Within two months the retractable handles broke with the top telescoping wand coming apart entirely from the lower wand because the flimsy, plastic band meant to hold the wands together cracked. We attempted jury rigging with good ole' Duct Tape but that lasted for only so long. Then by 8 months, the 44-inch long handle tubes bolted into the steel pans just snapped off rendering the zinc plated steel pans useless. Out to the garbage they went, one set after another, and now I am back to the drawing board.
I purchased these sets from Cherrybrook.com, a well-known retailer of pet supplies, on sale, for $36.00 per set, including shipping and I was going to complain to the company about the inferior product. Interestingly, though, Cherrybrook no longer sells these sets and I have to wonder if this is the reason why they discontinued these products. Valuable feedback before you spend your money!