Sorcha

So latest is that X-rays show a full stomach, but he only ate maybe 1 cup of his dinner (he gets 3 cups for dinner). Before dinner he had defecated outside. So why is his stomach full? Vet "does not think" there is an obstruction. He can either stay there overnight, and repeat X-rays in the morning or my dog sitter can take him home however he would be alone (with my other dog Nola) overnight and petsitter will return in the morning. Or, I can drive 2 hours home in the dark (I have night blindness and am recovering from a brain injury and am not supposed to be driving!) and bring him back here with me. Aaargh what to do?? So it would be 4 hour drive round-trip.

For the first time in months, I am away from home tonight. Two hours ago I received a phone call from the dog sitter. Fintan was unable to eat and was screaming out. He would eat a few bites of food, then scream. This happened three times. Second time it happened she called me. I told her to take the food away from him. I ticked off symptoms of bloat, while she was checking he let out a belch and it seemed all was fine. 15 minutes later she gave him the rest of his dinner. For the third time in a row he ate a few bites and started screaming, I could hear him screaming over the phone. I told her to take him to the emergency vet. Fintan, 13 months old, never been sick. I have never heard him scream out, it scared me. I called ahead to the e-vet, told them he is on the way and advised of his symptoms, and provided my credit card. I had to chose a level of care, and I simply said do whatever it takes to make him better even if that means surgery. The initial exam by a vet turned up nothing. I asked if they had tried feeding him, no they had not. Well, duh! So they did. Vet calls back and yes, he ate then screamed and his stomach does not fell right. Exactly my fear, is it bloat? Vet did not think so, but can she do x-rays? Yes, do whatever to find out what the problem is! I am so upset and frustrated that I am not there. I am out of town for a family event taking place tomorrow, staying at a hotel. So far the bill is nearing $600. I am waiting for a call back with the x-ray results. Maybe he ate a toy or something, before the petsitter arrived at the house to feed dinner? I don't know. Fingers crossed that the source of the problem if found and he is treated.

Use the vacuum cleaner wand to suck up the bug, if bagless then dump outside. Bye bye bug.

Thanks for the input. I miss his soft, silky coat.

I expected my purebred borzoi to shed in the Spring, but he nearly looks like he was shaved! (He wasn't.) Fintan is 8 months old and during the shed he lost a voluminous amount of fur and all the curls and waviness are gone. He just has one small patch of puppy fur left on his back, and his tail & rump fur seems not to have shed. I am embarrassed to ask, but is this normal? My borzoi-saluki cross did not have this happen as a puppy so thus my confusion. I just am left wondering if there's a medical reason that I should have him checked for, like a thyroid issue.

My deepest condolences, Robin. I am so sorry that your beloved Treasure had to leave you this way. Hugs.

Lucy, words fail me but please know I send my condolences on the passing of your beloved Jabari. You were there with him in spirit when his time came and he knew of your unending love for him. Hugs.

Great news! Wishing all the best for Jabari.

I am possibly adopting a borzoi soon. He has been eating Holistic Select. I am not familiar with this brand. Does anyone here feed it to their dogs? I feed my dogs Pro Plan Select. http://www.holisticselect.com/

Oh, Jay I am just now seeing this and am so sorry for the passing of your beloved Cody. Hold tight to memories, he will forevermore remain in your heart.

I buy from Jeffers Pet Beef knee caps Beef shank bones Pork femurs Filled cow hooves Pig ears Pig snout Beef snout Beef trachea tubes Knuckle bone and other knuckle bones Beef center bone And lots more in their Made in the USA selection

Hi! I am also a Sarah from Delaware. I met you and the handsome Tino at the ice cream social. Nice to see you here.

I am sorry for the passing of your beloved Marx. He was a special hound, both in looks and personality.

My IG is very picky when it comes to his food. For months I have been trying to switch him over from one dry food to another (due to a medical issue, doctor's orders). He will pick out the "good bits" (his old food) and leave the rest (the food I am trying to switch him to). I would try adding different things with no luck. He's not a fan of parmesan so that type of shakey cheese was out. Finally, I happened upon a cheddar shakey cheese made by Cabot. He loves it, and finishes up most all his food now. So, to those with finicky eaters be on the lookout for this:

I use a denture tooth brush on Nola, it gets the back of the teeth clean as well.

My deepest condolences, Beth & Aaron. I know how very much you loved Patrick and how special he was. May memories of happier times with him bring comfort.

I awoke to Nola standing by my bed and she wagged her tail. When I took her outside she "jogged" to her usual area in the back of the yard, whereas yesterday morning she slowly lumbered and just went to the nearest spot of grass. So, it seems she is feeling better this morning, but not 100%.

Thanks for the input. She is pretty much acting the same, not in good spirits. When I arrived home, she did not greet me as she normally would. When I found her (in the den) I took one look at her and could tell something is off with her. I feel bad and wish there was something I could do other than give her aspirin and gentle pets.

Thanks for the good thoughts. I heard back from the vet, he said to give her buffered aspirin so she has that on board now. I feel bad leaving her to go to work (am running late, oh well), but I will come home early. Normally in the mornings she greets me when I come out of the shower, sits by the table as I eat breakfast (hoping to finish the milk from my bowl of cereal), and lays at my feet while I iron but none of that happened today.

Sending positive thoughts for Iker!!

You know when you just know something is not right with your dog? This is one of those times, and I can't figure it out. She has yelped in pain a few times this morning and is keeping her head down and tail between her legs. I have felt all over her body and with no reaction from her. She is not the usual happy, bouncy, lovey Nola. The only thing I can guess at is maybe something with her neck but I just don't know. I left a message for the vet asking if I should wait & see or bring her in. Unfortunately this morning I have to get to work due to an assignment I cannot miss. It should be possible for me to leave work early this afternoon, though. Oh, Nola - what's the matter?

My most heartfelt condolences on Albi's passing. He was very special and I know his absence leaves a big hole in your hearts. I will never forget that day at Jersey Shore Animal Shelter, and at the reunion a few years back. Rest in peace, Albi, and know how loved you were.

I am thinking about taking a much-needed vacation for about 10 days, likely in May but no plans have been made yet. I first want to see if it's even possible to plan a vacation and the number one priority is finding someone to watch my dogs in their home. I have a pet sitter, but with the length of time I will be away I would prefer to have the dogs go elsewhere and the petsitter come to the house just to take care of the cat. So, I am looking for one place with a fenced yard where Nola the borzoi-saluki can go to, and another home where Harkan the Italian greyhound can go. Nola is 8 years old, low maintenance, loves everyone and everything, she goes with the flow. Harkan is 10 years old, and the complete oppostite of Nola. He was neglected & abused the first year of his life (before coming to live with me), he has conquered his SA issues but is still very much a momma's boy and hates change. Also, mentally there is something not quite right with him. He can never, ever, ever, EVER, be trusted off leash - even in a fenced yard. He has a long leash that enables him to run around the yard to get his energy out, and he needs at least one walk a day. He is crate trained and is to stay in the crate when no one is home or when he otherwise can't be supervised. At night, he burrows under a blanket on the bed and does not stir until morning. So, if anyone in the Wilmington, Delaware area is willing to take one or the other I would be most appreciative and will provide more information about them. At this point I just need to know there is a place for them to go to (separately or together) and I will work out my travel date around your schedule. Thanks, Sarah

Thanks to everyone for their input. Edited to add: There is no pus, no drainage, no odor, etc.

My cat received accidental burns a few weeks ago, was rushed to the e-vet, received treatment and was sent home with burn cream and pain meds. The worst area scabbed over and initially it looked like the scab would fall off because the edges curled back, but then the scab grew fur and remains firmly stuck on. I have been applying bacitracin ointment around the edges. Is this normal or do scabs sometimes not fall off? (Edited to add photos, not for the squeamish):