GeorgeofNE

Trust me, I know what this is like! My dog was the same way. Is she being crated? What fixed my dog INSTANTLY was getting rid of the crate. I really tried the crate--I think he stayed in it for six miserable weeks or more. Once I got rid of it, one of my neighbors actually came by and said, "I hope you didn't get rid of the dog because of ME!" and I said, "I didn't get rid of the DOG, I got rid of the crate that made him so unhappy!" I'm sorry--I don't remember if you told us you were crating her or not. Drugs are a last resort, IMHO. You have really tried much, yet, so for her sake as well as yours, I hope you'll give the alone training a good try! I really does help!

Could be lots of things. Pinched nerve, disc problem. Make sure the vet understands the "screaming in pain" part and hopefully they'll make time to see you right away.

Goodness! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Millions of dogs have lived quite happily and healthy on foods that many consider "junk." My dog eats TOTW, and does well on it, but if he did best on Dog Chow, that's what I'd feed him!

I start with some Immodium myself, and continue with a dog's normal diet. Give the OP has another dog who also ahd diarrhea, I'd be concerned about giardia or coccidia or something like that, and take a stool sample off to the vet.

Whatever it is, it'll wait until Monday. I'd restrict his yard running until then.

Contact the group you got her from. They might know! Or put a post in "Everything Else Greyhound" here on Greytalk with a title something like "Anyone in [insert your geographical area here] want to get together?"

Try and avoid the temptation to smoother him with hugs and kisses until he's settled in. And remember--many Greyhounds are not used to being disturbed when they're asleep, so always, always, always make sure you know he's awake before you get near his face! I learned this the hard way, not ever having had a Greyhound before.

Only you can decide. My last dog had a tumor and given his age, the pain that treatment would involve, and the virtual certainty that it would come back, I opted for no treatment, and he lived as long as the vet guessed he would have with the painful surgery.

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry. I'm sure Lila will get over it a lot faster than your Mom. Keep us posted.

$90??? Are you sure that's a full dental? Lowest price around here is at least $400.

Book stores? Amazon.com There is nothing they don't have! Please try not to despair! You're really darn lucky if all she's doing is whining. She's still very new in your home, and this is NOT a severe case (and please--do not drug this dog!). You might give the DAP diffuser a try. I used that for George. Don't know if it helped or not. Also available on Amazonl.com. And if you're not, you might leave the TV or radio on. Word is most Greyhound kennels have radio playing 24/7.

Walk her on a leash until she poops? If she's just having FUN in the yard, and not taking care of business... Also, sounds like you might need to do some more thorough cleaning to make sure the scent of having gone there before isn't attracting her. I'm sorry you're going through this. Sounds like you have enough on your plate already. My father also has Alzheimer's. This is going to be a sad Christmas. Both of their dogs died last winter, and Dad is now in a home totally incapacited.

Detecting a heart murmur is very subjective. I had one vet swear my old dog have a "significant" one, and four other vets say he had the strongest heartbeat they'd ever heard. I would not worry too much about that, particulary if he said it was "mild." Also, it's totally normal for a Greyhound's heart to appear larger than a "regular" dog, so unless your vet is Greyhound saavy, I wouldn't get to upset about that at this point. There are plenty of reasons a dog might be losing weight--your doctor seems to have decided without any real solid evidence that your dog has a heart problem. I've never heard of a curved aorta--but it's a flexible structure, is it not? I'd be more inclined to look at his belly area first for the cause of weight loss.

Mary Jane, I used to go to Dedham Veterinary Clinic. They're great. They are partnered with a speciality practice, and the surgeon (Dr. Briere) did her surgical residency in Jacksonville at the same clinic many of the injured racers go to. And she owns Greyhounds! Everyone there is terrific.

Yes, your dogs CAN sit. They might not want to, but all dogs, including Greyhounds, can sit! My dog is EXTREMELY stubborn, and I taught him in three days. As to the OPs inquiry--training is never a bad thing, especially if he's your first dog. It would be good for both of you! There aren't many dogs that will come when they're called at the dog park (one reason I would never take George to one) without significant training. I know--I used to watch my neighbors calling and calling their dogs to no avail. I blew my whistle, and my dog ran to my side, and they'd either say, "Wow! You're so lucky he obeys!" (uhm, twice daily lessons month after month after month!) or "Wow! Where did you get that whistle?" (as if the whistle somehow made him come to me). That dog wasn't a Greyhound. But I've trained a number of dogs, and none of them have posed the challenge that George has. For George, since he was five when I got him, and I sort of figure he's done his job, as long as he walks nicely on a leash, doesn't kill my cats, and goes to the bathroom outside, anything else is "gravy," so to speak! I also found it to frustrating after having the most trainable dog ever prior to George to work too much on obedience with George.

I'd expect nothing! George was on Doxy for longer than I care to admit, and he had ZERO side effects. I do give him a probiotic supplement when he's on long-term antibiotics, but other than that, no problems. Doxy has been around a long time and is quiet commonly used on dogs.

Your poll is missing "I do not feed lamb based food"! My last dog, a mix, didn't do well on it, so I've never used it on George.

Couple of things! You don't want to leave things like pig ears and rawhides with an unattended dog. They can swallow them and choke. There are plenty of other things you can put in a Kong she might like. Banana slices, ground up kibble mixed with water and made into a paste which you can freeze, be creative! My dog has no interest in toys, at all, and never has. Food? Yes, food he likes! I used to hide kibbles around my condo for him to hunt for (that was suggested by a behaviorist) when I was gone. Highly doubtful she "misses" puppies. Remember--she's not a person who chose to have a baby because she was in love. She was bred in hopes of producing fast puppies. She may have been an awesome mom, or she may not. But I can't imagine a dog thinking in that manner. They really do seem to live in the moment--which is why it's so key that you find SOMETHING to distract her for those first few minutes when you leave, which really is the point of the idea of a Kong with something in it! Also, I don't think a newly adopted dog can get too much exercise, so if you're not taking her for nice long walks, consider adding them to your daily routine!

Does not sound like a case for medication. Sounds very mild. She may be completely quiet when you're gone, and just start whining when she hears you coming. Please get and read the booklet, "I'll Be Home Soon" by Patricia McConnell, and work on the alone training method described in the booklet. It will help head off any potential problems!

There is no solid data on either side, at least that I have found. I use raised dishes. We actually lost a dog to bloat--a large Lab. There was no "reason." He hadn't done any of the things they say can lead to bloat (gastric torsion). His stomach flipped and twisted, and before we knew it, the vet was telling us that because of his age, he would not likely survive the surgery, and even if he did, his stomach could twist again, so we opted ot have him put to sleep.

My vet assumed my dog was drinking "too much," so I started to measure. He drinks EXACTLY two cups of water a day, which she says is well below average. But it's normal FOR HIM. If your dog's urine is properly concentrated, and her blood work is OK, I wouldn't stress about it too much.

Same food, one cup at 5:30 AM, one cup at 4 PM. Warm water. Salmon oil in the evening, a 50 mg Deramaxx in the AM! Laughing Cow cheese wedge and Gabapentin after super. Mmmmm. Cheeeeeeeeeze!

Arthritis would not cause her to knuckle over.