GeorgeofNE

So sorry about Ronan AND Bee. I wouldn't bother with a FNA either. Crummy disease!

I don't personally believe dogs think like that AT ALL. "Well, I used to be able to sleep on the bed, and now I can't, so I'm going to urinate now." Remember, to a dog, pee isn't a bad thing. Sounds like a medical problem to me, and I'd take her to the vet.

I'm so sorry. It seemed highly unlikely NOT to be cancer. I think I read that 40% of bone cancers are only detected when a bone actually breaks. You did the kind thing, but I know how painful it must have been. Run free Nikki.

Bet they'd like it even more if you DIDN'T cook it!

Same with George. Deramaxx and Gabapentin, actually. Doesn't affect him in the least appetite wise.

Yeah, I agree with the above. I had three cats when I got George; he never showed ANY interest in them beyond looking at them. Even if it IS just play, he could hurt them, they could hurt HIM. Have you made a cat "safe route" so they can physically get somewhere he cannot fit? Truthfully, even with a muzzle on, a dog who really wants to grab something can. Was this dog perchance fostered with cats? Or did the group just give him a little cat test? Your BEST resource for these kinds of issues with a new dog are the people who know the actual dog--so don't hesitate to ask the people who picked him out!

Just my opinion, and no criticism intended. You don't sound like a Greyhound is the right dog for you. If you want a guaranteed affectionate, outgoing, playful dog and won't be happy with one that may end up being laid back, totally disinterested in playing--even aloof--you probably should not take a chance at this stage in your life on another Greyhound. Again, just my opinion based on what you've expressed! My last dog was a shelter dog. He was brilliant and beautiful, and absolutely perfect for me--at the time. But I'm older now, and I appreciate the quite companionship of a dog whose two favorite things are eating and sleeping!

If I try to pill this cat my arms might up being bloody stumps. I thought you weren't supposed to bathe them first if you're going to use a topical? Or is that only for dogs? Oh, possibly! I'd run in front of a train naked before I'd ever try to bathe a cat again--last time it wasn't pretty, and I got so cut up I ended up letting the cat run off covered with soap! I have a cat pilling trick! Get a common drinking straw--cut a slit aross one end (just slice right across the hole). Stick the pill in the slit. Stick the straw in the cat's mouth as far as you can, pull out straw, run. No, just kidding about that! I find wrapping them in a towel like a mummy before attempting this is very helpful. Also sitting on the mummy wrapped cat--gently of course!

I cannot believe your adoption group didn't explain to you that you need to respect his space; his bed is his space, and you need to leave him alone when he's on it. He's not used to having to share his bed. Remember, they live in crates at the kennels. It's essentially a one bedroom condo with a dead bolt on the door! He's never had to share. Also, hugging is human thing. Many dogs consider that an act of aggression. Your group should have also told you it can take months and months for a Greyhound's true personality to emerge. It took my boy a year. He may end up being super playful, or he may be one of those Greyhounds who loves nothing more than a long day sleeping on the couch. I may be among the minority here, but I think if after such a short time you're "leaning toward" returning him, it's the best thing for HIM. The longer you have him the harder it is for him to be returned. If you WANT to keep him, there are going to be a lot of people chiming in with suggestions and ideas--people with more Greyhound experience than me. Good luck in your decision making--and please--don't go on his bed with him!

I'd second the stopping glucosamine. Glucosamine might help in mild cases (and there is plenty of disagreement on that), but it never did a darn thing for my dog, and as Batmom said, it's not a pain reliever. I don't know what metacam is--is that an anti-inflammatory? Urinating in the house isn't caused by old age per se; something is causing it. Did your vet do a culture? As everyone has said, this is a very personal decision. My own guidelines have always included appetite, interest in normal activities, and the look in their eyes. My last dog had SEVERE allergies, arthritis, and a malignant tumor. I knew is was just a matter of time, but when the day came, he just looked at me, and what I saw was, "I'm tired, and I've had enough." And so I let him go that day. 1 Tramadol a day was enough to help my Greyhound with pain, by the way. Not sure what dose they put your dog on.

Don't they make a Capstar kitty size? I'd give the cat a bath FIRST with a flea shampoo. Then use Frontline on it.

I'd find a new vet. I gave all the Greyhound stuff to my new vet. She happily read it. She also consulted with a friend of hers who is a vet and a greyhound owner. She's also contacted my old vet to ask questions. I personally think that is inexcusable these days for a vet to not be familiar with Greyhound values (c'mon folks, there are a LOT of Greyhound pets out there!)--but to refuse to even look at the literature? Oh, an my dog has a tiny bit of bilirubin in his urine, and it IS normal.

Or he THOUGHT he saw a flea! I wouldn't give it much thought if he says he saw a flea and you don't have any bites. If there are fleas in your house, you'll know it.

My dog was on Doxy for almost a year, and it had no side effects (very long story as to why) such as you describe. I guess every dog is different. George's creatinine is ALWAYS 2+. When viewed in light of a normal urine specific gravity and normal BUN, it's not a concern. But I went through, to an extent, the same thing. Test after test after test. I finally emailed OSU, and Dr. C himself wrote back, "There is no reason to continue testing this dog based on his creatinine. I consider it within normal range for a Greyhound." Handed the email to my vet, and she backed off.

Most dogs don't chew their food anyway, so dry dog food does little to clean their teeth. I also use water, warm, but I do it because I was told that warm water helps release the fats in the kibbles and makes it more aromatic which makes it more appealing. Don't know if that's true or not, but 75 years of family dogs have enjoyed warm water on their kibbles, so that's what I do! George also coughs up a kibble or two from time to time. I've never given it much thought as it's literally a kibble. It flys out, he eats it, game over!

I'd leave the crate door open so she can sleep there, or not. It could very well be something as odd as a raccoon in your yard, so be careful letting her out in the middle of the night. Is she getting enough exercise?

No one told my dog he's not supposed to like wet grass. Dang, I hope he doesn't read this... If it's an issue, you might just have to put her on a leash and take her for a walk--even if it's only around the yard, because of course you can't just leave without her doing her business! As to the nitting--George did it when first got him, but he stopped on his own. He also stole laundry for the first month, and stopped that on his own too. I found both things cute, and since I am also childless, it didn't concern me.

Has you mother taken the dog to the vet? Is it possible there's an animal in the yard that the dog can hear but your mom can't? How old is the dog? What does your mother do when the dog is pacing and whining? I think people can be more helpful if you can provide more details! Thanks!

They're literally STAPLES so you can't pull them out straight--you have to open up the prongs first. I've removed a few (accidentally left behind by the surgeon why my old dog had 27 or so on a surgical incision). You could try something like very small nail scissors and insert them under the flat part (top of her skin) and gently open the scissor which will separate the prongs. However, if you screw it up, you may find yourself back at the vet! I expect it could wait until Saturday if your vet would allow a tech to remove them--they probably wouldn't charge you.

Get some rubber backed area rugs and make paths on your slippery floors. I've had my dog for four years, and he still doesn't like non carpeted floors.

Awww, the picture of him picking apples is awfully cute! Putting his muzzle on should only take about 10 seconds--I've never had a young Greyhound, but I've lived through plenty of young dogs, and they really do require a LOT of exercise as the others are saying.

Sounds totally normal to be! I have found that George, my first greyhound, plays very differently from any other dog I've had. It's very brief, but very intense! Why doesn't he get to play in your yard every day?

I've had my dog weigh different amounts putting him on the scale two or three times at the vet in the same visit. I would not be concerned over a 2 pound difference from May to August. He might have gained weight, or their scale might be off (or have been off in May).

What I wouldn't give for a dog who would sleep past 5:30 JUST ONCE!!!! And I've had mine for FOUR YEARS.