greyhndz

Wow, that's got to be one special birthday party up there! Happy birthday to all of the Angel littermates and a big hug for their loving mom and family,

He was meant to be here. To say it was fate would be an understatement. His arrival was so well-plotted that from the time I put in a call to Anna Clements (of SOS Galgos) in Barcelona, to the day he arrived in Pittsburgh (courtesy of David and Marci Anderson, who happened to be in Barcelona at the time fate went into action) only one week had passed. And within 24 hours of posting in search of a GUR crew to get him north from Pittsburgh, the run was completely filled. Yes, Teo was definitely destiny! Teo had two very distinct personalitiies: his public persona was of a fearful, unsocialized and mistrusting hound; in reality (and you have to take my word on this as no one ever witnessed it) he was an outgoing, euphoric, happy, wagging, leaping-in-the-air, rooing, eastie-westie, tippy-toeing fuzzbucket. An "I'll get behind you so I can nose you in the butt while you're walking down the stairs" kind of guy. Afraid of the world, but in the safety of his home, with his mom and pack, the world was his. He was a tremendously loving and brave brother to Mafi and Gigi, but had an adversarial relationship with Dandi, with poor Teo usually being on the losing end. But since Dandi died 18 months ago, Teo came into his own, and became the core of the pack. Always happy and exuberant, he sparkled as the pack settled into its new order. I could never imagine Teo anything other than the funloving pup he'd always been, so it took a while for me to recognize that he was changing. The boy who literally climbed the walls when I arrived home, no longer did so. Medical challenges arose which at times affected his ability to do what he loved, and over the course of a short couple of days, he trusted me with his soul, and told me what he needed. The only gift I could give in return for the blessing that was Teo, was to listen. Please joins us in a special "Celebration of Fuzz"

If anyone is currently using this (5mg) for their hound, please PM me. Ditto furosemide, aldactone, enalapril

Teo couldn't make it until Friday, the day set for his journey. My dogsitter came by Wednesday and it was clear to her that he was ready. He wouldn't eat, had fallen and cut his lip, and couldn't stand and walk. I came home and he could not get up to greet me. There was no question any more. I called and texted Fiona (our vet) and she came over in the evening. I curled up next to him, held him, and told him every way possible that he's my hero, my angel, and has always been -- and will always be -- adored and worshiped. Everything I wanted him to know about how wonderful he was, and how much he was loved, was said.He just slept, and barely noticed Fiona was doing anything. It was blessedly peaceful -- he deserved no less. I will post more in tributes, and thank all of you for your loving understanding. (I lurk for months on end and reappear with unhappy news. I just need to talk it out with friends who will know...) My sad revelation is this: we come to the realization that our pup is declining. We watch their eyes closely, know this will be our gauge for knowing when we have to make a painful decision. We hope they will trust us enough to know we will be listening, though of course we hold out hope that his eyes will continue to laugh, and in so doing, allow us to put the decision in a drawer for a long while. But suddenly, without warning, there it is. A complete blindside. Things were going along pretty well, but we seem to forget that "pretty well" for us is not always "pretty well" for our pup. And the instant that you meet his eyes, you know. And, yeah, you're so grateful that he turned to you knowing that you would hear him, and you do. And you know it's time to take the decision out of the drawer and do the right thing for him. So you separate yourself into the rational side -- who recognizes the decision and makes arrangement -- and the heart, who is reeling and overwhelmed by the message you have been privileged to receive. It's humbling. But I've been reminded in a way I have never been before, of the lightning bolt of sadness that strike when eyes meet and you know. Teo (the fuzzy galgo) has had a tough year. Last year he developed a chronic cough and stridor, which we suspected might be LP. He was scoped by my IM vet who found that he didn't have LP but did have a swallow disorder and abnormal pooling of secretions, which caused his cough and foamy drooling. It was controlled fairly well with softened food and famotidine but his symptoms worsened late summer. He'd already had a couple of episodes of aspiration pneumonia but this was not going away. His CXR showed an enlarged heart (not present a year ago) which my vet thought might be cardiomyopathy, and his murmur had progressed, so he was seen by cardiology. His echo showed severe valvlar disease, the worst of it being severe mitral regurg and pulmonary hypertension. He was felt to be in mild congestive heart failure at the time. The cardiologist started him on Vetmedin, enalapril, lasix and spiranolactone, and he did improve quite a bit. (Forgot to mention he'd also had 2 probable strokes, with vestibular-like symptoms and ataxia.) Over the past week or so, he's gone from happily inhaling his food to barely being able to swallow small pieces of chicken. He's drooling on his R side and actually is now regurgitating water after drinking. This is starting to sound more like megaesophagus, but with his valvular disease, there aren't many treatment options. Teo is definitely not Teo, and I see in his eyes that he is very unhappy.... I hate when that realization hits, but I can only honor him by setting him free of the problems that have taken away his goofiness and spirit and love of life. I knew that the heart disease would limit his time, but I don't even think that's what's making him so miserable -- I think it's more that he can't eat normally, he's ataxic, he doesn't feel well enough to leap into the air and scratch at the walls when I come home. I didn't think Teo would be next... and I think this is going to devastate both Mafi and Gigi. And me.

Re "other pill", If on high-dose steroids, could cause behavioral changes, but I'd always rule out underlying organic disease before attributing biting behavior to meds. >>Peeling nose has never improved. May never entirely clear... IME, waxes and wanes seasonally. Worse in winter because of dry air, heating, etc. >>He does have sleep/space aggression. "Bam". Under what circumstances is he snapping? Are they applying topical ointments to his nose, which might make him defensive? Just getting too physically close? An exact desription of the events leading up to the snapping behavior would be helpful. >>What could contribute to the new aggression? Other circumstances, stressors or issues in the house? I'd have hoped this would have been explored by the behaviorist. Any of your guesses could be factors, but as far as DL itself as the cause, unlikely.... however, systemic lupus would be another story. Additional work-up needed, I'd say, if the situation at home is safe. <Hi Ducky! >

Ducky, check in with Roberta (3greys2cats), whose GH, Sara, lived with GME for several years. She had an amazing outcome, although Roberta lost her 2 years ago. She can describe the diagnostic and treatment plans. One of the authorities on GME is Dr. Alan Sisson at Angell Memorial Hosp in Boston. I brought Lexi to see him when she was quite ill and we were concerned about the possibility of GME. He is an extremely sharp cookie, and after spending a short time with her, and hearing her symptoms, he ruled out GME as her problem, and correctly diagnosed her with immune mediated polyarthritis. This is a very active yahoo group They post many articles and publications by Dr. Sisson and provide support as well as their experiences utilizing different types of immunosuppressive treatment. Actually, I just came across this link to an article by Dr. Sisson. Hope this will answer your questions! ETA: leflunomide is a chemotherapy Dr. Sisson often recommends. Lexi was on this for her IMPA, and really did not have any problems while taking it.

I tried several things: I put him onto an all-canned-food diet, and didn't really see a difference in his symptoms, with the expection of having globs of canned food flying in every direction because he doesn't form boluses normally. It's helpful for me to stand over his bowl and use a spoon to relocate the food to the center so he can grab it, but when he has to turn his head to get to food on the sides of the bowl, food seems to drop right out of the side of his mouth. My next venture was suggested by another hound friend: grind the kibble in a coffee grinder, then water it down into a slurry which he should be able to tolerate. That created a few problems: It was so dry that I had to continuously water it down for hm to be able to swallow it; he also had trouble getting to food on the sides of the bowl causing food to fly out of his mouth again. I think the texture just exacerbated his problem. So, I went back to watered-down kibble, left to moisten well. This was a bit better but still was choking on kibble occasionally. I tried to create little balls out of the canned food. The texture was a bit challenging for creating meatballs, and I was pretty sure I was going to hurl just from the sight of what I was doing, so that can't be an option. Today's attempt was raw burger mixed with raw eggs, bread crumbs and veggies. They're in the crockpot, and I'll see how it goes. Oh no! Now she tells me!!!! Off to check the crock pot! Teo has no other dietary restrictions - this is all strictly to find a way to feed him and reduce risk for aspiration. He might need a barium swallow if nothing is successful. So it shouldn't be a total loss, I discovered out pill-hider of the week: cheese danish. My mother would have been proud....

Thanks, guys! The failed meatballs actually worsened his choking considerably, so I'll pick up regular raw burger tomorrow. Being a long-time vegetarian, I had to think hard to recall how my mother used to make meatballs. I thought I recalled her using either bread or breadcrumbs and raw eggs for texture. I also don't remember her baking them - she must have sauteed them in marinara sauce. I thought I'd put everything into a crock pot and let them simmer in their own juice. I was thinking about getting beef for beef stew but it would be too tough for him to swallow. I'll do some cooking tomorrow and hopefully this will work for him. Thanks so much!

Just sent you a PM. LOL! You're not the only one.

After IBD Galgo Dandi died in July, I thought I was finally able to get everyone back onto a simple kibble diet. Unfortunately, Galgo #2, Teo, has developed a swallow disorder, possibly due to a sluggish R-sided vocal cord as well as pooling of saliva in the back of his throat and inability to form a food bolus before swallowing. (TMI?). As a result, he's had several episodes of aspiration pneumonia and has a chronic cough/yak. Bottom line is that our Internal Medicine vet recommends that I hand-feed him soft, meatballs because of his swallow disorder. My attempt at meatballs today (I had some previously-cooked burger in the freezer, and added in soft veggies, bread and eggs, then baked) was a big fail -- maybe because the meat was already cooked and crumbled apart. Can anyone suggest a recipe for something that will fit the bill? He doesn't have a weight issue and loves his food, so I don't know that he needs fatty meatballs, but any ideas for meatball-sized, soft, nutritious meals would be appreciated. How does everyone get nice little meatballs? Do you use an ice cream scoop?

This is the oral med rather than the ophthal. drops.

If any adoption groups or GT'ers have a hound on cyclosporine, would you please PM me? Thanks! Jordan

I apologize if this has already been brought up on the board, but Dr. Couto has a new website up for his veterinary consulting practice. He is continuing to consult on sighthound medicine, oncology and hematology; will have clinical rounding at a clinic in PA; educate and lecture; and continue to volunteer his time by visits to Scooby. Jordan

OMG, no..... Sweet little Tessa, who inspired so many with her bravery and unlimited love for everyone she met. There aren't enough words to express the sadness, but there are many words to express the wonderful, happy, loving moments that she brought to you and Mac, and everyone honored to have known her. Big hugs for you, Ducky. I''m so heartbroken for you.

This. I'm posting privately to Mary with more detalled info from the literature, but there are few EBM veterinary studies and the ones that I can find have small cohorts so are not as reliable. There are no specifics on exactly how quickly to transition from systemic steroids to budesonide. But the common denominator in all of the human and veterinary studies that I reviewed is that the budesonide is started concurrently with the beginning of the systemic steroid taper, to reduce the risk of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression and other steroid sequleae. And the steroid taper is tapered more gradually (not over 5 days) as the budesonide is titrated up. This is suggested in human literature in the treatment of Crohns, and is what many of the vet studies mirror. Sadly, I'm sure the pred is being given purely for palliation, not with the intent of cure or even remission. He has Stage V disease with probable spinal mets which carries a very grave prognosis. I hope she can accept this and do what she can to keep him comfortable and happy.

If any adoption groups (foster homes, galgo rescue, etc.) are in need of cyclosporine or azathioprine for one of their hounds, please PM me. Jordan

Dandi is, I pray, in a better place with no more illness, lots of squeakies to flip into the air, and no little barky dogs to annoy him. He's a big boy so needs a lot of space to stretch out And he doesn't go anywhere fast... he plods along at his own pace. Just give him an endless supply of pizza bones, american cheese and ice cream and that will be his version of heaven. --------------- When they make their journey, where does that journey take them? Please tell me it won't bring them back to Spain, back to the lonely, miserable, painful existence they once lived. Back to the tiny crate where Dandi was once left to be picked up with the trash. Promise me that he will only go to a beautiful place where he will be loved endlessly, and that the fear so deeply seared into his soul will be forever be gone. Don't let him feel abandoned because I send him off alone without me, when I've been his life and only trusted person for so long. Let his galgo friends welcome him, and teach him that he will be so much happier playing, running and enjoying the company of his friends, instead of being a grump As Dandi prepares to start his journey this evening, I want to be able to whisper to him about the wonderful things lying ahead for him. Can you tell me of a galgo who has already past, and who will embrace Dandi and welcome him over the galgo Bridge? I know it would make him feel more secure knowing a certain someone will be watching for him. I don't want him to think he's being punished ans sent back to his tormenters: I want him to know the love I have for him, and all the love I have received from him over the past 7 years will bring him to a world filled with unconditional love. I will feel so much better if someone could give me a name to whisper into his ear......

If anyone is currently using, or would like to be able to use budesonide for their IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) pup were it not prohibitively expensive, (my IBG galgo) Dandi's IM vet in Woburn, MA referred me to a human and veterinary compounding pharmacy here in NH (Wingate Pharmacy in Nashua). They are compounding 2 mg caps for $45/monthly supply. This is unbelievable pricing, as the standard human formulation averages about $300-350 for 30 caps. The pharmacy had called by the time I got home, sent it via UPS and it arrived today. I hope this will be helpful for someone else out there. I was astounded (in a positive way), and at the same time relieved, because Dandi is no longer stabilizing on cyclosporine or azathioprine. Budesonide wasn't an option because of its cost, and now we have the opportunity to give it a try. Dandi, convalescing

Tessa! What happened? I'll do a more in-depth search but so far I haven't found anything in the literature. What signs/sx is she having? Cough?Fatigue? Edema? Arrythymia? Does your vet want to get an echo? I'm here if you want to talk about it, Ducky. J

Harold, sweetie, you were in heaven the minute you arrived home with Mum and Dad. You've just taken a few extra steps to the Bridge. It took way too much time for it to happen, but you found a family who love you unconditionally and appreciate you for your handsomeness and personality. Godspeed, and remember: there are no belly-bands in Heaven!!!

I'm sorry for your friend, Ducky. It's now a quality of life decision, as far as pain control and keeping him quiet to try to prevent fracture, and how he'd deal with limited activity. As far as pain management, if there's no way at all that his owners can pill him, I can think of two alternatives for when meloxicam no longer controls his pain: the cheaper alternative is codeine (or tylenol with codeine) elixir which can easily be dosed appropriately. The more expensive option would be having a veterinary compounding pharmacy create a tramadol liquid formulation. Her vet should be able to offer options. My broodie Charming had a similar distal radius OSA, and did develop a pathologic fx (I never knew how -- I came home from work to find her in severe pain). As I was getting ready to carry her to the car, I gave her as much benadryl and tramadol as she could tolerate to keep her more comfortable (with my vet's blessing). I think nowadays, if one of my pups developed osteo, I'd ask the vet for an IM dose of buprenephrine or other potent narcotic to keep on hand for just this type of catastrophic event. I hope his final weeks are quiet and comfortable, for him and for his parents.

Oh, not Pudge! A couple of thoughts, Ducky: I agree wholeheartedly with the pepcid (either famotadine or ranitidine), even when she's off the abx. Also, ask your vet about perhaps adding some subQ fluids, if you're comfortable doing that at home. It should reduce her BUN/creatinine and probably get her feeling a bit better. If she's not drinking it might actually benefit her to get IV fluids... I'm going to give you a call now -- much faster than typing! Hugs, sweetie girl!

Stand back, you've come to the Queen of Pottypads. My first choice nowadays is:JRS Medical, Invacare pads. They come in huge sizes, too. I use the 36 x 52. If I expect a major flood warning, I'll double up on the pads on the floor. They're clean,, right out of the carton, and frankly are less expensive than the used ones sold by the other dealer. Their shipping is fast and, IIRC, free for orders > $100. I've got stacks of these that are still holding up after about 5 years and multiple washing a week. This is a place a lot of people have used, especially to buy less expensve used pads. I found the quality to be erratic, which led me to JRS. Happy shopping!

Heartland Veterinary Pharmacy When I was pricing out Dandi's cyclosporine 100mg, most pharmacies -- human and vet -- were charging an average of $130-140/month. At Heartland, the same med is $89.95. Looks like many of their products are very competitively priced. They're licensed and fully accredited. They'll contact your vet for a Rx after you price and pay online. Their turnover is very quick. Hope someone else will benefit from this. Oh, I noticed on their site tonight that they no longer do compounding.

Ducky, I'm sorry to hear that Harold's renal disease has progressed to this point. Lexi was my first renal failure girl. It was an insidious decline, complicated by her polyarthritis and immunomodulators. But all the signs you describe I saw in Lexi as well and this was the point at which I decided to make her last days good ones. Because she didn't want to eat, I brought in pizzas every few days, which she loved. When she stopped eating that, I found an organic beef chew that she seemed to like. When she turned away from the beef chews, I could see in her eyes that she was tired. The fact that he's drinking but not peeing suggests to me that either he's very dry or that his kidney function dramatically detetiorated. Labs and a urinalysis will be able to give you the answers. Many people have seen improvement with daily subQ fluids and maybe you should ask your vet about this (you can do it yourself at home). I brought Lexi home many nights after hospitalization during the day -- and continued her IV fluids for as long as the IV continued to work. SubQ fluids were so traumatic for her that I made the decision to not traumatize her any further. I know my decisions probably shortened her life, but it was more important to me that her time be happy for her, not stressful. I don't know that pain is an issue as renal failure escalates. It's more a matter of increasing lethargy, depression, inappetance, vomiting, dehydration. Invariably,they will find a way to show you that they're ready to go to a better place. Hugs to sweet Harold and to you, Ducky!