GeorgeofNE

When George had his ultrasound, my vet called and said, "Well, there's good news, and bad news" and I said, "He's 100% normal, right?" and she said yes. That was good news, but also bad news, because that was really our last gasp at trying to figure it out! If you need any advice on belly bands and Serenity pads, I know much more than I ever wanted to about urine containment!

I cannot tell you how much money I have spent on George and his urinary problem. So here's our bizarre tale! There is NOTHING wrong with George, according to all of the tests and even the ultrasound. But for the first year I had him, he couldn't hold it. Nothing helped, including a dog walker. It wasn't a housebreaking issue, an anxiety issue, so my vet and I assumed it was a health issue. It makes no medical sense at all--but after a year of frustration and tests (and cranberry pills!) and tons of antibiotics, he STOPPED! Stayed dry for two full years. Started peeing in the house again last August. More tests. All negative. Ultrasound. He has no physical deformity, etc. More antibiotics, lots of them, working on a theory. Problem slowed, but did not stop. Then one day, not related in any way to his peeing, I stopped his daily dose of NSAID. All the sudden it was flood time again! It was only then that a light went off in my brain that last August (see above) my vet had changed his NSAID dose from 50 mg. to 35. It was almost exactly then his accidents started. So I put him back on 50 mg. He has not had an accident in 16 weeks! I an not suggesting your dog needs an NSAID. I'm just letting you know I feel your pain and frustration, and sometimes something IS wrong that they just can't seem to figure out! It was most likely NEVER the antibiotics that "cured" him the first time (we assumed that the 14 weeks of Baytril had done it), but simply putting him on an NSAID for his aches and pains. Who the heck knows what it is, but clearly it is some sort of inflammation in some part of him that makes him pee without an anti-inflammatory! And the reason the second round of antibiotics seemed to slow the problem is that Doxy has a mild anti-inflammatory effect (according to Dr. Feeman). I call it "The Curious Case of George."

How wonderful to be loved and cherished for 12 years in such a lovely place as yours Nancy! Run free Bandit.

George has those on his hind legs. I think it's just because his fur is so sparse on his lower legs and his skin is so dry. They're just abrasions from rubbing on carpet, etc.

I totally agree with this. I would take what the family said happened with a grain of salt and form your own opinion. My friend took in a bounce who the "family" said was "going blind, going deaf, and showing signs of aggression." The dog is drop dead gorgeous, looks half his age, has no vision or hearing problems whatsoever, and has been a joy to have in her home.

Chesney is very handsome, and NOT SKINNY. Please don't try to bulk him up. He looks good.

You spend $1,000 on a workup tht did NOT include an ultrasound? Wow. There are a lot of reasons to do an ultrasound besides stones.

I respectfully disagree that had the dog had a bad reaction when he was neutered it would be in his "records." I don't know about anyone else, but George's "records" consisted of a piece of paper indicating he had been given a rabies vaccine. Also a checklist of things the track vet had done. Checked off was "neutered." They didn't even get his tattoos correct on these two pieces of paper. George DID have a bad reaction to anesthesia when he had his dental. While my vet certainly TOLD me about it, unless she has top secret notes somewhere, it is not noted in his records. Should it be? Yes. Is it? No.

I am pretty sure I did that when I was a child. Didn't hurt me any!

I agree with a previous poster--a dog that age needs a medical work up. I expect something inside isn't working right.

Oh, that's sad. My parent's dog was given something to stimulate his appetite, but I think it was steroids of some sort. She must feel pretty darned awful to refuse food entirely. I'm so sorry.

Huh? What does neat and orderly have to do with a purebred vs. a mongrel? Please let him know that Cocker Spaniels are FAMOUS for ear problems. They also require a fair amaount of grooming. Their hair gets very long on their legs and around the "skirt" area, and they don't look particularly attractive if you let it go. Labradors are great dogs, but I would consider that a dog that needs a fair amount of exercise to be happy. They also tend towards terrible allergies as well as hip and elbow dysplasia. Have you explained to him that Greyhounds are really not that big, and very happy in small places like apartments?

Surrender now! Very few squeaky toys hold their squeak for very long. There are some that are sold with a velcro opening so you can open them up and replace the squeaker.

This weather isn't going to kill off the ticks. Those rat bastards are VERY hardy! I use Frontline year round anyway. Given I take George to Nantucket, and they had a HORRIBLE flea season, and who knows if the ferry has fleas, or even if Mom's new apartment has fleas! Better safe than sorry.

I agree. This dog needs to be seen by a vet. I had a dog with very bad night vision. Nothing they could do for him, but at least I understood why he was so spooked at night.

I wouldn't bother showing her the furnace--they can be pretty scary looking! But it's a great idea to give her treats when she gets scared by it. I moved to a new place that has a train track RIGHT next to it (which I never noticed before I moved in!) so when we're out walking, I started to give George a dog biscuit broken into three pieces as the train goes by (it's LOUD when you're walking outside--and hear it comes now!!) and it worked like a charm. Except now every time he hears the train coming he stops walking and turns to me for his biscuit!

I took my CAT in for a rabies shot and they ran a "senior profile" and it cost more than that. That was a CBC and UA. $65 to walk in the door, some INSANE amount of money for the shot...I don't think I ever leave the vet without dropping at least $200.

Sounds like a lot of food going in the Kong(s) in addition to meals. Maybe she's not hungry?

Depends on the DOG as much as the person I think. I cannot imagine anyone having MY greyhound as their first dog. He was a bit of a nightmare for the first year. I did my research in advance, thought I knew what I was getting into, and found that he is NOTHING like any other dog I've ever had, and I believe that most first time dog owners would have sent him back to the adoption group. Heaven knows I thought about it!

The only thing that made even the slightest bit of difference in my last dog who had severe arthritis as a result of major orthopedic surgery was Rimadyl, and later Tramadol.

How much exercise is he getting before you leave him? I think that's key. A dog who has started to chew has gotten comfortable in his home, which is good, but is bored, which isn't so good. If he's tired from exercise, he's far less likely to chew. And as Chad said, your dog didn't "understand" anything except his person was speaking to him in a tone of voice he could tell didn't mean good things. All dogs learn from those "lessons" is that you're unpredictable!

Could be lumbar stenosis. Sounds similar to what happens to George.

That IS possible. Have you perchance checked her anal glands?? When is the last time before the pudding poo that she pooped??

Thank you Mary Jane! I was going to say if you have a notion in your mind that your child and a Greyhound will spend hours playing in the yard, you MIGHT be better off sticking with Labs. I grew up with dogs. My parents had a dog before they had kids. We have always had at least one dog. All but one were English Setters, probably the most laid back and sweet dogs ever. I was totally blown away by how very different my Greyhound is. He enjoys eating, sleeping, eating, sleeping some more, napping, eating, and walking. I think most parents visualize an interactive pet. SOME Greyhounds are very playful. Some greyhounds could works as storefront mannequins! Many are sweet and gentle with children, but many just don't care to play. My dog does not play with toys, and if he tries to engage me in play outside, he is WAY too rough and would scare a child. Please be honest with yourself and your spouse about what you're hoping for getting a dog when your child is still quite young. If you go forward with it, make sure your adoption group of choice understands you have a very young child in the home. You will need a dog with no signs of space or sleep aggression. I do adore my greyhound; he's perfect for me at my stage of life.

What Kennelmom said. Trust me. The woman knows what she's talking about!