greyhoundlady

Finding a food that works is always a challenge. So many factors go into it, most of which is how the dog is tolerating it. I have my grey on Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Bison dry and then add in some canned Natural Balance Beef or Venison. It is a food that is finally working for him. He was on TOTW but his poop was very mushy. Now things have firmed up. His coat is super shiny and he looks great. I also give him the Natural Balance beef roll in his Kong for a treat. You have to just try different things to see what works. What works for one, doesn't always work for another, as you can see from the posts.

Another happy whiner here! I look at it as his way of talking to me. And, boy, does he carry on a conversation. Sometimes he is even whining as he walks out of the room and I can hear him as he continues on into the next room. Cracks me up.

I would say to definitely correct them. It isn't behavior that anyone would appreciate.

I have had a female greyhound and a male greyhound (both now at the rainbow bridge) and neither ever mounted anything. I currently have a beautiful male greyhound(for 4 months now)and he has never tried mounting either. We were in a situation recently where a little terrier tried to mount him! He looked at the terrier with a "Like, really????". It looks like from the posts, some do mount, but I haven't seen it happen.

You aren't alone here, my first thought was medical issue, my second thought was ghost(s) in the new house. Nope, not alone. My FIRST thought was ghosties. Yup, I'm with the ghosties group But, if you don't want to go with the supernatural (I have heard that dogs/animals can sense them - but don't worry I doubt the ghosties can harm you), then I think all the newness has gotten to your grey. I have had hounds that were not happy if their dog bed was moved or their bowl put in another place. Does your hound seem okay when going for a walk, etc., and is it only in the house that you see this behaviour? Might just be new/strange that is causing confusion. I would still go to the vet for a checkup, just to be sure. I don't think the vet would think it is strange that you want to find out what is the problem. Good luck!

It is so fun reading about all the other 'dancing feet'. Imagine having them all together and watching the antics! We'd all sure be smiling. Thanks for sharing your stories!

Here is something interesting that my grey has started doing - I have him now for almost 3 months. After he pees or poos, he vocally does a snorty, grumbly/growly sound while kicking his back legs in the dirt/gravel/grass/leaves to cover everything up. Whoa, don't be on the back end of this boy! Showers of debris! It actually gives me a chuckle as none of my others ever did this. A few weeks ago, we went to a greyhound hike with other greys (obviously) and one of the greys there did this. I think my guy took notes. He started this behavior after that. From what I understand, it is a way for them to either spread their scent or to cover it. I also read that dogs have scent pads in their paws and this is also a reason for the 'dance'. Wolves supposedly do this. Anyone else have dancing dogs? I am not sure if I should discourage it, but I am trying to anyway. He is easily distracted by treats, so it is like he gets a reward for relieving himself. He must think these humans are fascinating creatures

That was so nicely put and I agree completely. I lost my female greyhound this past January to pericardial effusion and just lost my male this past September to osteo. My heart broke twice in one year - but I recently rescued another grey and he is putting my heart all back together again. I wouldn't choose a dog based on his medical line - I don't even know how to check that - I go with the joy we can share for however long we can do so. For me, it is a gift to have them in my life.

I was just perusing the post and thought I would share a funny story - when I clicked on the pictures and one said video, I clicked on that one also. My new boy (just rescued 3 weeks ago) was sleeping next to my chair. When he heard the rooing, he jumped up and ran from the room to look for the greyhound that was making all that noise! It was so cute, he just kept going in all the rooms while the rooing was going on. My guy is 72 pounds and very lean, but just recently off the track. His ribs are showing, as well as his back pin bones. He could probably use another pound or two and still look slim.

Great topic - I, too, have a non-jumper. I just rescued Sambuca this past Sunday and although he really enjoys riding in the SUV he will not jump into it! My two previous greys never hesitated to jump in or out and never needed to be taught. We are working on this one. So far, I have tried the front paws on the back and a boost up from the rear. Also tried entering in through the side door. Also a no go. He is a little over two years old, so I know he can physically do this. Next time I am going to try tossing in the stinky treats. He is food driven so that might work. Since we are on this topic - when you lift a greyhound, what is the best way to do so. I have been putting my forearm under his belly and my other arm across his chest. Any correct way? PS - I just found a posting on this on Greytalk - Physically lifting a Greyhound. Got my answer! Looks like under the tuck with one arm and around the chest with the other will work well with my guy.

I truly appreciate all your very sobering words. I know you are speaking from your hearts and your experience. I absolutely agree, logically, but it is the emotional part that is tearing through me. I won't let my boy suffer, though. Right now he has not reached the stage of listlessness, panting, refusing food/water. He gets up to go outside to do his business and if I am not in the room with him, he gets up to look for me. I am not fooling myself, though. I know I don't have much time. I won't increase the pain meds and I will be smart enough to let him go when it is in his best interest and not mine. I haven't called my own vet yet. After talking to the oncologist, I just couldn't have a conversation again about this today. It was a good suggestion about asking her what she would do. I know she will be honest with me. I'll try to talk to her tomorrow. Thank you again for all your support. I know that even as other's read this, they are learning things too. Even if it is upsetting, it is important to know the reality. Bless you, and all your hounds. You have helped me in so many ways. Now I will go spoil Saber rotten (as if I haven't already!) and do what is best for him for whatever time he has left. Thank you.

Just a question though, all the gabapentin I have ever encountered with FedX and at work (i am a nurse) is always a powder in a capsule. how do you give 1/2 a pill? I wonder also if it is a tablet if maybe it isn't getting absorbed as well given dogs short digestive tract? I get my gabapentin at a human pharmacy. Saber is on a tablet form (pill) which I cut in half at the indentation. I wasn't offered a capsule/powder - but that is a very interesting point - thanks. I spoke to Saber's oncologist a little while ago. Last week he had told me to call him today so we could discuss how effective the meds are so far. He told me that we are pretty much maxed to the medication (as NeylasMom pointed out). Saber, btw, is 72 lbs. Vet also said that the pamidronate should have showed significant results by now. While, I don't see Saber getting worse, I can't say he is completely pain free and does show some difficulty when he tries to lay down. That is really the only painful part I see. The oncologist (vet) told me he only sees amputation as the viable pain relief answer. And that would have to be followed by chemo. He said my grey is in lots of pain and he won't show it easily, and that Saber is showing discomfort when attempting to lay down indicates he is in far more pain that I can comprehend. The vet said if I won't consider amputation, the other possibility is radiation, be he doesn't really think that will help. He said the only increase in the meds would be to go to a codeine type pill but he felt that will give him no quality of life. Can you hear me sobbing from here? I just can't in my heart agree to the amp - but I am beginning to almost feel like a bad person as the oncologist is saying that is the only way Saber is going to be pain free guaranteed. He said if he stays on the meds only he probably doesn't have much time and I will soon have to make the heart wrenching decision of letting him go. But, in my eyes, he does not seem to be on death's door. He does get up, he goes where I go, he loves his food, listens for the car to pull in the driveway. Yes, his quality of life isn't the same because he can't go on long walks and he is uncomfortable until he lays down. I am just having such a hard time wrapping my head around a decision to take my beautiful boy, who seems so much alive and in love with life, to the vet to put him to sleep. Am I being selfish? God, this hurts so much. I am going to call my regular vet later, (when I am coherent), and see what she has to say. That vet knows us well for over 7 years and I am hoping she can help with some insight. Please keep us in your thoughts. As you all know, this is so, so hard.

Thanks, Neylas Mom, I will admit I don't know much at all about pain medication. I am relying on my vet(s) to direct me - but you raise a very good point about them being conservative. All this is very new to me. This may sound like a dumb question, but does Saber need to be on enough med dosage that he absolutely feels no pain at all when he gets up and down? Or do we aim for minor discomfort? Sorry, I know the more experienced may be thinking What is wrong with her?, but that is why I am here Right now Saber is on: 600mg Gabapentin 1/2 pill 3x a day 75mg Rimadyl 2x a day 50mg Tramadol 2 pills 3x a day He also had the infusion of Pamidronate last Thursday (bone strengthener) which is done monthly.

Hi Betsy - Thank you, and everyone, for all your wonderful support. I hate that we are in this 'club' but it is so very helpful to feel all the caring. At first, when I told my husband I was reading these posts, he said he could never do that because it was just so very painful for him. Now, when I tell him what people have posted and that we are not alone in our sadness, he, too, is thankful you are there. As I read your post, Betsy, I can see how much Taylor seems like Saber. Saber loves his treats, especially Greenies. Whenever he would get a Greenie he would actually run into the back room, 'sphinx' down and proceed to enjoy the Greenie with gusto. Now that his leg/hip are hurting him, he would take the Greenie, hobble into the back room and just lean down on his front legs, with his elbows on the floor and his butt high in the air. As you described Taylor. Now he doesn't eat the Greenie (too much work) but will take his cookies because he can stand and crunch them. These things shoot me straight to my heart. The oncologist we went to told me that they could not do chemo without doing amputation because they need to get the 'source' of the cancer and that the chemo took care of any left over cancer cells that may be circling around. The chemo would not take care of the source. As we are not doing amputation, then chemo wasn't an option. When he told me about the radiation, and that it could weaken the bone and cause it to shatter, I decided against that too. Saber has always been a jumper - he would even leap high in the air when it was time to eat and he knew something good was in the bowl. He still makes that attempt, but I have to watch him closely so he doesn't do that. I don't need the threat of a bone shattering - but from reading other posts, that is a real concern. As I mentioned in my other post, we have done an intravenous of pamidronate as well as Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin. I am worried, though, because although it has only been 5 days on this, he still seems to struggle a bit when he tries to lay down. He never 'sat' in his life, but that is what he does now so he can get into the laying down position - a side-sit on his good side, and then he can lay down. Once he is down he is fine - he doesn't cry and looks very comfortable. I have to call the oncologist today to give him an update, so I guess I will find out more. I am most afraid of the 'Is this too soon or too late' decision. I just don't think he is ready - he eats up a storm, looks for us, follows me from room to room, and still wants to go outside to do his 'business'. It is only the awful problem of him trying to lay down. I still literally hold my breath watching him, and then I start to breathe again when he is down. You are all wonderful to share - it so helps. Thank you.

Thank you Batmom and Charlie's Dad for your kind support (and all that I know are thinking it). I need that. I guess what I really am is a bit scared and don't know what to expect. This is alien territory for me. (I know I am not alone in that.) Saber is on the prescription drugs of Rimadyl, Tramadol, Gabapentin and had one intravenous session of Pamidronate. This was last Thursday. I have to call the oncologist tomorrow (Tuesday) to give him an update on how Saber is doing. He is still limping and I know his hip is bothering him. He very gingerly lowers himself into a semi-sit before laying down on his bed. Sometimes he grunts with the effort. As I watch him, I find myself literally holding my breath until he is down.

I have been reading this thread because my beautiful boy, Saber, has just been diagnosed with osteo. To say I am devastated is to put it mildly. It was only about 2 weeks ago that I was on Greytalk to ask about a ramp suggestion for the car, as he started to limp a bit, and the vet said she thought it was arthritis. He will be 10 years old in October. He has been the picture of health up to this point and also my heart dog. I had two greys - but I lost my female, Cheyenne, at the end of this past January to pericardial effusion due to a tumor on her heart. It was quick for her and painful for us. Now I am looking at my boy here, and I just can't believe this is happening. I am in the group who will not choose amputation. The osteo is in his rear leg/hip area. I know my guy and he will not adjust to that type of surgery. I know we all have our own strong feelings on this, and I respect everyone for theirs. We are going the route of pain management. I, too, am doing the steak and ice cream for him. He gets Cheerios in milk for breakfast when he wants it (a favorite) and I boil stew beef, chicken livers, my own personal doggie meatloaf, and just about anything else that will make him happy. I have found that putting the pills I have to give him in a bit of butter helps make them go down smoothly. He loves to take them that way. Well, thanks for reading this. It helps a little to get it out. My husband and I have been taking turns sleeping in the living room with Saber because he has lots more room to settle on his bed(s) and seems to be most comfortable there. He used to sleep in our bedroom, but he needs more space to settle in now. He also doesn't want to be left alone. And he won't be. I'll be reading more on this dreadful disease. I hate that so many are going through this - it does somehow help a little to have a source to go to (Greytalk). Thank you.

Thanks, again, everyone for your input. It is great learning as much as possible on what others feel/and have learned. I've decided to go with the Solvit Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp. Looks like it might do the trick, once my boy accepts it. There are great creative ideas here on steps, but Saber would look at those and surely give me the 'look'. He is a dog set in his ways. Thanks also for all the thoughts on food / supplements. Mygreyhound66 - welcome to Greytalk. You will learns lots of great things from this site - everyone is so willing to help. I will send you an email with the vet I use, if you are in the same area.

Thanks, that is a good idea. I pretty much know he is not going to like it but, I am thinking the ramp idea is the best option. I know as he gets older it will become more difficult for him to jump up - and he absolutely loves going in the car for rides.

Thank you, all, for your great suggestions. Technically, I can lift him (because I am tall, fairly strong and determined), but he hates that. He is 82 lbs and tall, and he is not keen with being picked up. (Not that he will bite or anything, he just struggles in fear.) I have tried putting his front paws up and lifting the back end, but that is like watching a comedy happen - he's not going along with that either. Thank you, MorganKonaAlex, for the link to the ramp. I think the ramp is probably the best way to go, and I was looking to see how people here felt about them and which ones, as there are lots, it seems, to choose from. I will keep the supplement (thank you!) idea on the back burner for now, and see how he does on the prescription food. I've got enough of that to last for quite a long time!

My 9-1/2 year old male, Saber, has been favoring is back left leg every so often on long walks, or when he would jump out of the SUV. Yesterday it became more pronounced, so we went to the vet for a check. After an exam and x-rays, she told me he is beginning to show a bit of arthritis in his hip and knee. She wants to treat this with diet (Hills Prescription Diet J/D for Mobility) as she also has a greyhound of her own and has her grey on this food. She said her grey is doing wonderfully on it. Of course, I bought a giant bag of kibble and a case of canned :-). For now, there is no medication. Saber has a bit of a struggle when he is laying on his bed and tries to get up. Yes, I have now also ordered an therapeutic bed for him. My question to anyone that can help is What is the best way to help him get into an SUV? I have a Honda Pilot that he always jumped right up into, but now he keeps circling and trying, but won't jump - obviously because the leg bothers him. I have never needed to use a ramp, and he doesn't do stairs since where we live everything is all level except maybe for a step through the door. Can you let me know what type of ramps you think are best - or is there a better way. I know he will be reluctant about a ramp because is it 'new' and that doesn't go well with him, but he will just have to learn. I appreciate all your help!

I also feed Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream to my two with excellent results. To jazz it up, I sometimes add in boiled chicken or boiled beef. I also add liquid to the dry food. Not to be gross, but they went from pudding poo to rolling tootsie rolls - a sight I waited many years for!

I guess I have one that is a member of the 'Licker Club'. My guy will lick his front leg, sometimes his back leg, and sometimes one of his paws. I hate to say it, but I think the paw tasting has to do with something he possibly stepped in - but I don't want to go there. The front leg thing seems like a comfort. He very slowly licks with his eyes half closed and a slurping sound comes forth. When I call his name, he stops. Like, "Ooops - I zoned out there for a bit." Both of mine are on TOTW, but they have been on other dog food and my guy has always done this. He also holds his chew (Greenie) between his front legs when he eats it, so I can almost guess he is reliving the tasty morsels.

Aww, she is so cute! I love brindles. As to the water bowl - do you have it on a raised feeder? When I volunteered at our local animal shelter, lots of dogs liked to 'dig' in their water bowls and tip them. These bowls were then attached high up by a clip. I think your cutie just likes the action. Try a stainless steel bowl in a raised feeder. It might deter her efforts. Maybe she really wants to tip a paint can...

I am the main caregiver (female) here with a male and a female grey. The female is so-so with me and is attached to DH. The male is truly my shadow - everywhere! His name should be Velcro. I will admit, the feeling is mutual.

When I first adopted my boy (6 years ago) we went through what you describe. We live in a really quite neighborhood and at first he liked his walks, but then, no way - he would freeze and turn to go home. To be honest, I just went home with him. For a while we did really short walks, just so he could relieve himself, and sometimes just in the yard. Eventually, he actually began to get bored with this routine and wanted to venture further. He loved rides in the car, so we would get in the car and go to a place to hike. Now, he and my female grey will walk for miles. Sometimes (not often) he decides that a short walk is enough, so that is what we do. I never force him to do what he doesn't want to, as far as walking. Maybe Arrow just needs time to adjust. I am sure he will change once he feels more secure. Good luck!