GeorgeofNE

I'm sorry Hilda. 14! Wow. Run free Gabby.

I think that's too broad a question for anyone to answer intelligently. What kind of stones? What sort of symptoms is your dog having? What tests have been run? What treatments have you tried already? No experience personally, but I bet there is more than one person on the board who can help with more information!

They're really too different things so even if she does great on a new canned food right off the bat, you're going to have to introduce the new kibble slowly. Just buy a small bag to start, and mix it with her old kibble.

Have you spoken to your adoption group? I had three cats when I brought George home, and he never showed any interest in them. If she's already 'attacked' the cat, you probably need to speak to your group and get some real one-on-one help and maybe even have someone come observe Tabby to see what they think.

Sounds like he's in pain somewhere.

My dog eats 2 cups of kibble a day (and treats, I admit to treats!). He weighs 64 pounds. I can see the last three ribs and the hip points. He was JUST at the vet, who proclaimed him "perfect." I'd say if your vet thinks the dog could lose a few than he's probably right!

I can't even imagine the volume of apple seeds a healthy dog would have to eat to actually harm him... Every dog we've ever had has eaten and loved apples, seeds and all. And let's not forget apples are frequently given to horses, who trust me, do NOT spit out the seeds. Anyway, I bet this boy is nibbling on the apples and moving one. With an unlimited supply, he probably skips the core! I think the muzzle/poop cup suggestion is a good one!

I have lots of training books, and in one of my favorites the author/trainer (a professional who works with a lot of police dogs and such) tells of a dog who was always in a kennel with a view to where he was training another dog. One day he looked over at her and saw that she was obeying commands he was giving to the dog he was training! Another vote here for training one at a time outside, or in a large room with the others baby gated out.

So, it sounds like there is hope that time and patience will help her. It also sounds like you are doing all the right things -- reasonable activity daily, daycare a couple times a week, crate available where she can go to chill out when there is to much activity for her. I really would get her checked for urinary infection as the dog can seem entirely normal except when under more stress (as when visitors come). If she doesn't have an infection, you might try taking her outside for potty 10-15 minutes after visitors arrive. Some folks have suggested she might not be the right dog for your household. None of us can really determine that -- up to you as to what level of patience your household has. She does sound like a very nice dog. She DOES sound like she can be worked with; but it also sounds like at this period in your life, right now, your household may well not be the place for a dog. Sounds like you barely have time to breath, never mind work with a dog who has some issues. And all dogs need really consistent routine; you can't do things differently all the time and expect a dog like this to just roll with it. I'm not suggesting you trade her in for a new hound; I'm suggesting that it's POSSIBLE that this is just not the time in your life and that of your family to have a dog at all. Please don't read this as a criticism or attack; I can tell you're a caring and kind lady. But the dog doesn't sound happy, and believe me I know how stressful the piddling in the house is. I expect this little girl would be a very different dog in a quieter, less busy household.

As someone that usually stays out of these discussions I just had to ask this, if this group denies you because you don't have one of their greys, how does anyone ever their first one from this group? Dick They denied them as fosters, not adopters. If I ran a group, I wouldn't place fosters with people who had never had a grey before. Nothing against the OP; but my dog was in a foster home with someone who had never owned a greyhound, and had fostered only one other, and she did him more harm than good.

Suggestions? Brush him.

I'd try OSU instead. They're the cancer experts.

That applies to the liquid form. One presumes your vet would have to specifically request liquid, which they wouldn't do. George's pills say "George, a dog" on them.

"Greyhounds are weird"?? Sorry folks--yet another behavior that isn't greyhound-specific. It's a dog thing. The couch is there--it smells good. It maybe tastes good. Why NOT lick it???

George would go totally ballistic if he were shut in the basement and he could hear people and another dog above him. And that wouldn't be "out of character" because his routine now is that he's loose in his own home on the top floor and he can move about freely and see anything that might be going on outside in the condo parking lot. I assure you, if I were to lock him up in ANY room and have someone going about their business (a plumber, let's say) it would be a totally different story. I'm not sure I understand why your landlord/friend or whatever needs you to keep him confined in the basement when they already have a dog and presumably LIKE dogs.

Funny you should ask! George just started on it Saturday! I've noticed that he's sleepy (Which is a good thing in my book. Note to self: next greyhound, leave "high energy" off the wish list!), and on Sunday he was a bit clumsy on the stairs going up (one of his problems IS going up the stairs). Nothing else. No panting, etc. The vet found pain from his mid-spine to his tail, so I really wanted to give it a try. He's also shown other signs of nerve problems--snapping at his flanks, really testy behavior for no obvious reason, and peeing without seeming to know he's peeing. I got a 30 day supply of 100 mg. at the human pharmacy (Walgreens) for about $10. It was 50% off with my AAA card! Which was the vet's suggestion to try using a AAA discount.

I'd use Frontline Plus instead for fleas/ticks, and if you give dogs heartworm meds up there, something for that--I give George Heartgard chewables (he loves them). The ONLY thing that repels ticks that I know of is K9 Advantix OR a Preventic collar.

Me too Me three. Oh, never mind. I see you've done that.

I personally wouldn't spend a lot of time and money on supplements. I'd get him on an NSAID. I've never heard of a dog that doesn't like fish oil. Did you by any chance buy one of the varieties flavored for people?

I thought I'd read never give Ace to a Greyhound, but if Judy and Chris have both done so with no problems... I can tell you that I used to give it to Kramer before we flew (12 seater Cessna, dog on the floor by my feet) and once he got to be about 9 or 10, my vet would not prescribe it. He said it was too dangerous. Kramer was a mixed breed, very strong and healthy 75 pounds.

I used Forbid on my last dog, who went through a poop eating phase, and it worked like a charm! Of course he was also leash walked. As to your kids being "freaked out," use this as a learning opportunity--dogs are not furry humans, they're animals, and what is disgusting to us is just NOT to them!

One of the hounds I follow racing clamps her tail down pretty hard right before a race, but I have it on good authority this gal is as far from timid as you can get. I assume she's just very intensely focused on the task at hand and is sort of all coiled up, like a spring! Typically when a dog clamps its tail it indicates fear. As I recall my horse used to clamp her tail right before she tried to kick you!

Your choices are limited to who is there. My point was -- you won't find ANY vet in this area who isn't familiar ENOUGH with Greyhounds to treat yours while you're on vacation if there is an issue. And on an island, you simply don't really have many choices. Just Google "Veterinarian, Martha's Vineyard" and have the number handy. There might be more than one, as the Vineyard is much bigger than Nantucket. On Nantucket there is exactly one place to take your dog--and it's an MSPCA-affiliated clinic (and VERY expensive). Most ailments and emergencies that effect our hounds are actually common to all dogs--it's really only anesthesia that's a concern with a vet who might not have dealt with the protocols. Any vet can, for example, stitch up a cut or treat an upset tummy.

I was wondering that too!

Is this your first dog? There isn't a thing wrong with having him sleep in the crate, but it'll make things MUCH easier for all if the crate is in your room. Suggest you have a LONG, honest chat with your adoption group. I find it a bit worrisome that such minor issues have you thinking about returning the dog.