DocsDoctor

Thanks everybody! It is temperature-controllable and I'm hoping that a low setting will be OK, but will check how hot that actually is before I buy. And I can run it past Doc's physio, too, we are seeing her on Thursday. I don't have a microwave which rules most of the heat packs out. I did try one of those gel ones that you heat in hot water, but they don't actually get very warm, and cool off again very rapidly.

Thank you Remolacha, that's useful to know. I will check the available temperature settings before I buy - for toasty, rather than toasted!

I just wondered if any of you had used anything like this on your hounds? http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=19054&ar=1 It's human-sized of course but Doc is a big chap, and such a good boy that I'm sure he wouldn't mind having it put on him. He was thirteen in August and has a dodgy back - medication helps, as does physio every couple of weeks, but I know his shoulders get sore by the end of the day and thought that he might enjoy lying there with it on for a bit in the evening. Under supervision, of course - we've already experimented with a hot water bottle, and it did seem to help, but of course with that I have to sit there with him and hold it on! It's a very reasonable price so I think I might get him one as an early Christmas present....

silverfish - just in case this helps, what worked for us when Doc had a UTI was an old shower curtain tucked around his (duvet) bed, then on top of that a large but very lightweight polyester counterpane from the charity shop. The counterpane was easy to chuck in the washing machine and the shower curtain could be rinsed and dried on the line at the same time. He is a bit of a nester too, but both of these covers were large enough for him not to scrabble them off. It would also be possible to reinforce the arrangement a bit I should think by adding fastenings underneath - maybe using the shower curtain rings, or running a tie or some heavy elastic round the edge, like a big bath hat!

Doc has something similar, on both elbows, though rather smaller. I should think most greyhounds do - it's a callous, developed to protect the skin and bone, especially when they lie down on a rough surface. Yes do get the vet to take a look but there is probably not a problem, unless it seems inflamed/ uncomfortable/filled with liquid. It may well shrink of its own accord now she is in a home and lying on soft beds/ carpets, you could probably encourage the process by massaging in something like Sudocrem (UK brand of medicated barrier cream) but it is helpful to have a bit of something there to protect the elbow!

That's interesting - I'll look forward to hearing what the test shows - maybe the genetics question deserves a thread of its own? There is a link to Doc's pedigree below, but his sinking rear end is I am pretty confident 'just' LS. We know from x-rays that he has a couple of compressed discs in the lumbar region of his spine, and as he is weaker on his right hind leg it seems likely that a nerve on that side is getting pinched, but as he's an old boy (13 back in August) Ie've not wanted to put him through further tests. On an anecdotal level, I remember the manager of our greyhound rescue saying that sinking rear end seems especially common in older male greyhounds. I had assumed that, as with humans, there is some difference in the pelvic bones between the sexes (isn't that how archaeologists ID skeletons?) and that this could be a contributory factor for developing LS. But if DM and a genetic element are involved, I suppose that sex might again come into it - aren't there quite a few human diseases where one sex is more likely to be a carrier than a sufferer? PS what has been working well for Doc since the summer is a combination of tramadol and gabapentin, and also one tablet of prednoleucotropin each day. No more NSAIDs. I was a bit dubious about putting him on steroids permanently, but actually he tolerates them well and is definitely still a very happy dog - eating and digesting well, taking 3 short walks a day, and romping between times with his Ted. My vet practice had no experience of the depo-medrol shot, and would only have done it under general anaesthetic so we didn't take that route!

Just throwing out some thoughts for you to consider as I've not seen your earlier posts so don't know the background: What is the night temperature? Could he be feeling cold? Try feeling his ears - if they are cold he will be feeling cold. Try housecoat/ PJs maybe. Could he be hearing something outside -cats, foxes, people passing? Could he have a health issue - e.g. urinary tract infection, worm infestation - which is affecting his digestion? Where does he sleep? He may settle better if he can see you, e.g. on a bed in your room. In the daytime too having a bed somewhere where he can see what's going on will encourage him to use it.

Sounds to me like she ate something that disagreed with her. Not necessarily her dinner, maybe a treat or something she picked up on a walk? With Doc I would just let him skip a meal or so and within 24 hours it normally sorts itself out. Or it could be worms - how recently has she been wormed? Soft poops and a gurgly stomach have certainly indicated worms here, in the past - rapidly sorted out with a dose of Drontal.

Excellent news - well done you!

I think it depends a bit on the individual hound's physiology, like us some feel the cold more than others. Also on what they're doing - they may not need a coat if they're outdoors running around, but if you're walking them on the lead or keeping them standing round in the cold at a meet and greet, say, then yes they probably will! I also note that my Doc feels the cold much more now that he is an old boy (13+) with less muscle mass. I put on his coat out of doors if the temperature goes down below 10 centigrade, or above that if there is a chilly wind. He also likes to wear a housecoat at night after the heating goes off!

If I were you I'd try bringing the duvet from the living room into your bedroom for now, just at nights if there's not much room for it. That's what I used to do with Doc. There's no need for him to sleep on your bed, and indeed I wouldn't advise that given that it sounds that neither of you would be comfortable with sharing! Just tell him no, should you hear him trying to get on it in the night, but probably he will just settle down happy to have you within sight. When he has settled in and is feeling more confident you could always encourage him to sleep elsewhere, if you don't want him in the bedroom permanently, or he might even choose to do so himself - I shifted Doc to an upstairs bed in the back bedroom, from which he would take himself down to the living room in hot weather because he knew it was cooler. Then when he became old and arthritic our vet told me he should no longer attempt the stairs - I was worried how he would take this but actually with a bit of encouragement (new super-comfy bed, special bedtime treat) he was quickly happy about staying downstairs overnight.

As silverfish says Tramadol is very bitter. Another option would be to use a pill gun* - Doc has to take 2 gabapentin plus one tramadol and with a bit of practice we have got jolly good at me quickly shooting them in, one at a time and as far back as possible so he doesn't gag/taste the tramadol. Then he enjoys the treat afterwards. It works well for us! *The one we use is actually a 'mothering kit' for orphaned puppies and kittens, minus the silicon teat: http://www.mikkipet.com/?mikki_care=mothering-kit

I'm glad she is feeling more like herself. When Doc has been put under I have always found he is initially a bit woozy and sorry for himself - never wants any dinner either, just a good night's sleep. After that he has always been much better, but it may still take up to 24 hours for all effects to wear off and him be completely back to normal. Any problems after that length of time and I would definitely be calling the vet for advice.

What a lovely tribute to your boy - he clearly enjoyed a wonderful life with you. Run free, Brucie!

Doc I have had good success with the following method - relatively light and comfortable, and he can't get it off! Take a lady's cotton sock, the ankle length kind for wearing under trousers. (Black or a dark colour will stay cleaner-looking longer.) Cut off the foot section off, so that you are left with an upper section which is just a straight tube. Turn that inside out and sew straight across, firmly enough so that no claws will poke through. Then turn it right side out again. Find a velcro cable tie - the kind used to fasten up computer cables tidily is just the right length. Sew it onto the sock, probably a couple of inches down from the top but try it on your dog first - you will want to be able to fasten it just above the ankle joint. It needs to be fitted tightly enough so it can't slip down, not so tightly that it impedes circulation. The velcro is greyt for this purpose because it is so easy to adjust it and the whole contraption is easy to wash too - make a couple of spares too and then you will always have one ready should you need it.

I'm glad the situation has improved! Doc has a housecoat which I made myself from a fleece throw, using the 'Snuggler' pattern at the bottom of this link:http://www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk/howyoucanhelp/howyoucanhelpFrame.htm?http&&&www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk/howyoucanhelp/coat2.htm If you want PJs I expect US Gters can recommend a seller and there is a recent thread about making your own, showing some very stylish hounds: http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/309877-its-jammie-time-again/

I bet it would get eaten up pretty fast at that!

Just quickly as I am going out, but beet pulp comes not from beetroots but sugar beet - it's a byproduct of the sugarmaking process and is used in various animal feeds, including some dog kibbles. I think in the US at least greyhound owners can also buy it dehydrated in agricultural supplies stores. But if you can't get hold of it, try sprinkling a tablespoon or so of raw porridge oat flakes into a meal instead, this is also good for firming things up!

Coco must look like one of the Bisto Kids! (who used to advertise gravy in the UK, as shown here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bisto00.jpg) Doc likes to watch me cooking, especially if there are delicious smells, but is happy to do it lying on a comfy rug in the living room which gives him an excellent view, straight through the kitchen doorway. This is known here as 'watching greyhound TV'!

That he's so restless suggests to me that he's uncomfortable. That could indicate a problem with his ears as others are suggesting, or might he be feeling cold after the heating goes off? Doc will get up and shake himself to warm himself if it gets chilly. Feel Max's ears - if they are cold, so is he. If so PJs or a housecoat would help. Re the barking: could he be hearing something outside that sets him off - e.g. foxes? Or feeling it's time for company/ a diversion? It is certainly possible to set up this kind of pattern inadvertently - I know that in the past when I have had to get up in the night to let Doc out, because he has eaten something that disagrees with him or whatever and really does need to go out, then sometimes on the subsequent night or so he will wake up at the same time and 'try it on', as it were. But there is a difference between an urgent bark and a trying-it-on one, which I will ignore. He would probably settle more easily upstairs with you, but if that's not feasible, don't feel too guilty. Doc used to sleep upstairs but then the vet vetoed him doing stairs, because he was becoming too arthritic. I was worried he wouldn't settle but she told me 'give him a really comfortable bed downstairs, and a nice goodnight treat, block off the stairs if you have to, and then just go up. I guarantee you that within a week he will be quite happily settled down there.' She was quite right!

What a cutie! Yes if he likes his bed, I would let him stay there. And Roo has given you good advice re his feet.

Talk to your vet about whether an alternative is possible, because Tramadol just doesn't suit some dogs and it sounds to me as if Magic may be one of them. Doc has been taking it for yonks for his arthritis, and fortunately he tolerates it well, but I remember being told by my vet when she first prescribed it to keep a careful eye on him, because it made some dogs (all breeds) very lethargic and miserable, but that if this was the case it would show up within a few days. I have also read on here of it making some greyhounds anxious and restless. for you and Magic. It is just me and Doc, too, and he is thirteen now and getting frail, so I do feel for you both. Edited for sense, and to get Magic's name right!

Everyone's given you good advice but I will just add that another activity for you and Aidan that he should enjoy and that will be good for bonding with him is regular grooming. Doc gets a quick going over with a rubber houndglove every morning, then a soft brush, then a microfibre cloth to make his coat shine. This may seem like overkill for a short-haired dog, but he enjoys the attention and it helps me keep on top of any burrs, fleas, etc that he may attract. He also gets his teeth brushed every day, though this is less popular. But the routine he likes best is having his ears cleared out once a week, gently with a babywipe - he leans against me and groands with pleasure! A little light massage is also good, and something that he will probably be familiar with from his racing days. If you are not confident about this try googling 'T-Touch' for details of one gentle, non-invasive system.

Absolutely. Many, though not all, greyhounds like to play with stuffed toys - I believe in some cases these have been used in their racing training. And it's not just a hobby for the young uns - my old boy at 13 has just been prancing round the living room with his teddy bear. He's having fun and it helps keep him active. Don't worry about such an activity 'developing' prey drive - Loki knows well enough when he is playing with his bear that it is not a live one. And trying to collect toys in his own bed is not uncommon, either. He's new in your house and is still trying to figure out how it all works!

I am so sorry for your loss Run free, George - young, strong and swift once more!