Ameraucana is a standard breed, not a cross breed. These darn hatcheries are doing a diservice to the fancy by ca;lling their mongrel mixed breeds Ameraucanas. They are more properly called easter eggers or simply mutts. AMERAUCANAS are bred to s standard, unlike the different crossbred mutts being peddaled by chicken hustlers. the colors for the breed are: black, white, blue, blue wheaton,buff, silver. they have pea combsmuff/beards,. some disqualificTIONS ARE LAck of muff/beard, presence of ear tufts. they were dmitted to the standard of perfection in 1984.

Good Grief...you have had your hands full, on top of far too much this year! I sure hope things settle down so you can enjoy the two big holidays, and end this year on a GOOD note! 2011 has really been a bad one, worse than I can remember in a long time, for so very many people. This must be the year of Murphy's Law. I hope your son is ok. Scary to have someone so young with high blood pressure and enlarged heart. Tho that seems more and more common with young athletes now too. I am glad the you got him to doc to find out what's going on. He will always be your baby, I've found age doesn't matter one bit. (my Jason will be 39 this Nov, but he is still mine.) Isn't it funny how we worry so much about them when they are LITTLE, and end up getting grey hairs and more worry just when we least expect it!! Being a Mom is sure a tough job, huh? I can't imagine keeping a Pug on crate rest....but I bet its very similar to keeping a Whippet on one. I'm not sure who's more miserable, them or us. LOL. I hope you and Remi get thru this, and poor Mickey having heartworm. When things settle down you definitely NEED some Me Time. Be good to yourself. I wish I could offer some help, but only have prayers and a shoulder to cry on (email anytime). When you feel like screaming, DO it. Take a pillow, go out in the yard, and yell into it till its all out of you! (Screaming in the house just upsets the dogs, LOL.) Hang in there, Girl. hugs, Karen

I wrote a very specific post, and deleted it because I didn't in any way/shape or form want to look like I was diagnosing or trying to be a vet.....because I'm not. I am versed somewhat in physiology because I was in the human health care field and this is what I'd be doing if my cat were in that situation. I'd be informing the vet that the cat is drinking excessively and taking in no nutrition. I'd ask specifically if the cat had any renal panels done (blood work for kidney function). Why? Because cats who take in abnormally large amounts of fluid could be sufferenting from several conditions and one of which is renal failue (that's how my geriatric cat presented) and because there is a condition called cardio renal anemia syndrome. It is CHF, anaemia and underlying kidney disease. I have no clue whether he/she is going the most conservative approach before proceeding, in hopes the animal will snap back. I'm not against that and often my vet does that. But, it's my job to let them know if it's working and keeping him updated. I also try to find out why he's taking a certain approach and what he may suspect if the conservative approach isn't working and what the prognosis is. If this cat has multiple problems, it might be easier on you and the cat to find out up front so you can make good decisions. IOW, I ask a lot of questions and throw out a lot of what ifs. They probably run when they see me coming, but good dialog is very important and owners understand it better than some vets think they do. LOL. I also think a talk with your vet shouldn't be postponed too long if he's doing this poorly. Starving cats, especially heavy cats who suddenly stop eating are at risk for fatty liver syndrome.

annz--- The point is.......after she came off the meds she returned to her normal self with no more accidents. Was there any kind of transition period that she had to relearn her housebreaking habits? The behavioral thing is really what I was trying to ask about. She is going to be on the lasix for life, and I know that's at least part of the problem. But I was thinking there also might be a behavioral aspect. Because of the unlucky coincidence of getting a really serious uti at about the same time she started a new drug that makes her drink and pee a lot, she was basically peeing in the house almost continuously, without getting punishment since I knew she couldn't help it. I'm wondering if she might have "learned" that the rules have changed and peeing in the house is now allowed, and that might be part of the problem? (she manages to unlearn all her table manners in about two seconds flat whenever my mom visits...) Her behavior has changed... she doesn't bother to drop her head and tuck her tail between her legs in Guilty Dog Pose as soon as she sees me, I have to go looking to see if there's been an accident. If it's behavioral, I can try to address it, but was just thinking it might be easier for her to relearn if she isn't also coping with the diurectic influence of the lasix at the same time... just to clarify, would not do that w/o the vet's ok, and would be very temporary even if I did, I wasn't really asking if that's a good idea health-wise. Was just wondering if the idea that she unlearned her housetraining because she's been unable to help herself and I've recognized that and therefore "allowed" it-- is even a possibility? Has it happened to other dogs, that after a medical issue like a uti, they had to relearn bathroom rules?