GeorgeofNE

Did they test him for diabetes? I suppose you might have to go for the ultrasound next?? I'm so sorry.

Thanks! If there is one thing George enjoys more than walkies, it's eating!

George takes cranberry supplements. I have no idea if they help or not, but three vets told me to give them to him, so I do. He has a mysterious, persistant pee issue.

George caught a big fat robin once, but he let it go before killing it. It lost a bunch of tail feather but ran off! I don't know that you need to do anything. Circle of life and all...

Dear Batmom: if you meant ME re: the food issue--I don't actually think George's problem has anything to do with food--but I've been curious about grain free for a long time anyway, and what the heck! The dog has a cast iron tummy and LOVES to eat, so switching it up after a few years on one food can't be too bad an idea! He would not have stopped peeiing for nearly two years if his problem was food related, agree? You know I respect your opinion a great deal. Or if you didn't know that, you do now!

I heard Dr. Couto speak for two hours a year or so ago. He calls Greyhounds "three legged dogs, with a spare." Obviously he deals with a LOT of amputations-- Explain to your hubby that because of a Greyhound's narrow "stance" (their legs are close together), removing one creates very little hardship. They shift their remaining leg about an inch, and do just fine! Amputation is much harder on a dog like, let's say, a Rotty, whose legs are much further apart. We had a Borzoi in my town in California that lost a leg (some idiot shot it with a pellet gun) and it used to chase cars!!! On three legs! Once she heals, she'll be just fine!

My parents' dog has IBD, and he is on daily Flagyl. I think something to note about the scary quoted material is it clearly says "moderate to high dose." Davy takes a low dose. It's the only thing that controls his diarrhea--that and eating absolutely NOTHING but his Hill's diet.

Not to hijack your thread Lauren, but today, after FIVE WEEKS dry, George had another accident, and honestly? I am ready to totally surrender--and then I saw THIS. Hi Susan. No worries about hijacking. If you can get info to help George, then by all means! Questions for you though Miss Suzan...does George show a bacterial infection on a culture? Did you do x-rays and an ultrasounds to rule out tumors or stones? I was trying to remember what you've done with him so far. I think I'll go back and do a search in the GT archives too. I hope you can find something to help the little buddy! Never one single speck of bacteria. At least 5 urinalysis, 3 cultures. X-rays. Ultrasound. All indicate a 100% healthy, fit dog. Whose urinary issue responds to antibiotics... Sigh. Thanks Judy. The only consistent pattern with George is that his pattern is inconsistent. And for those reading who I KNOW are thinking, "Oh, the poor dog just can't hold it. Why doesn't she hire a dog walker?" I DID have a dog walker for a while. It made no difference. He'd have gone before they got there, or he'd go after they left and before I got home. It's not a matter of length of time when he does go. It's like a urge comes over him--which is why I agreed to the ultrasound. It was one of those "good news/bad news" results--no evidence of stones or structural abnormalities, no thickening of the bladder walls to indicate possible issues, NOTHING. Cute aside: the vet said she's never had a dog laying on his back (they use a U shaped, foam lined form to get the dog on his back and hold him that way) wagging his tail while he was ultrasounded!

Not to hijack your thread Lauren, but today, after FIVE WEEKS dry, George had another accident, and honestly? I am ready to totally surrender--and then I saw THIS. I admit to be extremely skeptical, but...WHY NOT? I've tried everything else!!! Judy, do you happen to remember WHERE you read that about incontinence and grain? I'm really beyond depressed right this particular minute (I'll get over it). How did you determine it was RICE if you switched to grain free with a different protein? I am not doubting you--just curious. OK. Off to order some grain free kibble!

Lauren, my vet INSISTED that George must be drinking too much water--not sure how she decided that--so I did measure it for four days in a row. He drinks EXACTLY 2 cups during a day--way less than normal! Can you just put a baby gate between the two of them some how to measure?

Poor sweet girl. Sherrie, what you and Jim do, taking on the older ladies, is so wonderful, but I know each loss is heartbreaking and too soon. Run free Kendra. Say hi to Kramer for me.

I've lived with dogs my entire life, and aside from a little bit of moving around, none of them have been noisy at night. What kind of noise are you talking about?

OK! This is useful! So... this dog is probably simply not housebroken yet! It takes a while! You are on the right track, for sure. Remember, he has NEVER had to tell anyone anything--they're fed on a schedule, let out on a schedule, etc. I've had my dog for three years, and he still doesn't really get that he needs to TELL ME if he has to go out when it's not actually time! So you want to housebreak him as if he's a puppy who knows NOTHING. That means you take him out upon waking, after meals, after a long nap, after a play session (if he plays inside), etc. You also need to watch him like a HAWK. Sometimes the signs are very subtle that they have to go. The only accident George ever had (that wasn't related to his mysterious health issue) he actually DID tell me he had to go out--I just didn't know that in his mind, picking up a toy and trotting around the living room was HIS way of saying, "Hey lady, I have to pee!" so I ignored him and he let one rip on the carpet. Now I know!!! Any sign of pacing is a pretty good indicator they have to go. If you can, keep him in your eye sight at ALL TIMES when you're home. And it's REALLY important, I think, to have a word for peeing so you can tell him it's time to go, and consequently praise him like a lunatic when he does!

I know nothing about seizures, but my last dog AND my parents dog both had/have thyroid problems--which are actually easily controlled with pills that are not very expensive. Soloxine is what they take. Kramer had a very sudden appearance of thyroid issues but very, very obvious. His coat got very coarse and started to fall out,and he gained weight. Davy (my parents dog) had areas of fur that were very coarse and patchy. The vet typically starts with a typical dose, and then checks the levels fairly frequently the first year, then annually. I would say in the grand scheme of things, thyroid is really no big deal to deal with! FYI, my mother had her thyroid removed! She also takes pills and is just fine! I have always thought it bizarre that in one family, two dogs of different breeds living in different places had the exact same problem, and that my mother had a tumor on her thyroid. Weird, huh?

My last dog was a dedicated puker! It was almost yellow bile stuff. My vet had me give him a daily Pepsi, and that helped a LOT! I would personally take a stool sample to the vet at this point--he could have a wide variety of parasites (easily treated).

Yes! My last dog was covered with lumps!

The rabies certificate I got with George was from the track--clearly printed on a cheap ink jet printer, and I was rather concerned that he'd been vaccinated at all. There was also no tag; required by state law in Massachusetts. It did, however, show his name, tattoos, and the vaccine type, so my vet assumed it had actually been done. She redid all the other vaccines.

George's creatine is 2.2, and Dr. Couto told me that was nothing to be concerned about given his other labs, which are totally normal. The lowest his creatine has ever been is 1.9. What exactly is the specific gravity of the urine? As you probably know, George has had pee issues since day one. We are currently towards the tail end of a 20 week course of Doxy-- Lest everyone think I am INSANE, we ruled out EVERYTHING but it responds to antibiotics. Before I spent the money on an ultrasound, I'd insist on 2 weeks of Baytril. If there is no change, then go ahead with it. I'd also start measuring his water intake. I am not sure how you can do that with two dogs...

Please don't feel badly! You were smart enough to see there was an issue, big enough to admit you needed assistance, and ultimately you did exactly what you're supposed to do--contact your group for help. I'm a firm believer that if you believe it's not going to work out, better to make the return sooner rather than later. No sense in having the hound get attached to you and THEN return him, right?

When I had my home visit, the adoption rep brought and absolutely stunning hound with her--he stared at my cats the entire time he was there. Never even looked at my dog! When my dog died, and I was ready to adopt, she would not let me adopt that dog because in her opinion he was simply way too interested in the cat, and since they had other dogs who they were more sure of, it was in my best interest, his best interest, and their best interest that I choose a different dog. I think that you're going way too fast. I had three cats when George arrived here. While he showed no interest in any of them, he was crated, or in an x-pen every second for the first few days unless he was on a leash by my side. After that, he had his muzzle on for DAYS. So you've had this boy home for two days, and you seem to be going out of your way to make this an in-your-face introduction. When I introduce a new cat I don't even let it interact with my resident cats for days! I would never let two kittens loose with a new dog. If you're willing to try hard, I would suggest you make a room comfy for the kittens (litter box, food, water, cat tree, etc.) and leave them in there for at least a week. They'll be fine! Go in and play with them, etc., but don't let them out. If the dog doesn't loose interest fairly soon in the closed door, then you may have a problem. Please don't feel guilty about keeping your cats safe. And if you believe this dog is not the right one, then it's in his best interest to contact your group ASAP. Good luck!! And as someone else said, there are plenty of hounds who have no cat issues at all. And plenty of homes with no cats. You don't always get the right hound the first try, and that's no one's fault.

Just looking at your list, it seems that each accident is right after a meal. So, logic dictates you take him out right after he eats! Have you had any experience housebreaking a dog? If so, there's no need for anyone to explain how it's done; if not, let us know, and I'm sure everyone has some favorite tips! What helped me with my dog was to say, "Let's go tinkle" (or whatever you want to say) as I could see he was going to, then "good boy! good tinkle!" and give him a treat IMMEDIATELY after he piddles outside. Not after you get in--it has to be an immediate action/reward thing.

Sounds like you really are on the right track--but I did determine that straight up sticky stuff in the Kong takes WAY longer to get out than kibble or biscuits topped with stuff. Do you have wood floors, or carpet? If you have carpet, you might try a Buster Cube. That's a big plastic thing you put kibble in. The dog has to bonk and roll it around to get the kibbles out, one piece at a time! A younger, redder George in action! This is a fun toy, but will be noisy on wooden floors.

Ah, too late! I was going to say not to spend your money on a second x-ray. No point in checking for stones via x-ray if the first x-ray didn't show them, as their are 2 types, as you know, and only one of them shows on x-ray! I went the ultrasound route--of course it showed simply that my dog is perfect in every way (at least inside!)... At least I know now!

What sort of culture do you mean? George's urine has been cultured three times; nothing has ever been found. I don't mean to suggest to ANYONE that I KNOW he has mycoplasma. But I do think it should be noted that while ALL TESTS in three years have been 100% negative for any kind of infection, antibiotics slow down or halt the peeing. Every time. Clearly something is going on. The Doxy was really a last ditch effort based on education guessing by a vet experienced with Greyhounds. Honestly? I don't care WHAT he has. But the Doxy is working, albeit painfully slowly. He's been dry five weeks now. Contrast that to peeing 3-4 times a week--I'll take it! Susan, dearest, I have SO many questions for you that I can only hope I won't be imposing too much in asking them! First off, I don't spend a lot of time on Facebook, but I'd be willing to reform my neglectful ways if I could find ex-track vets or otherwise greyhound specialists on there! How do I find them too?! Second, and more importantly, could you ask your vet friends if one could consider giving Baytril and doxy simultaneously? I don't know if I can stand the idea of 8 weeks of Baytril, only to then start 16 weeks of doxy. Of course, I don't know what I actually will do. The quasi-scientist in me likes to do things stepwise and likes to know things for sure. But the realist in me recognizes that we can't always know everything for sure. And the mom in me just wants to get my boy -- and me -- some relief. Feel free to PM or email me if I've asked anything too ...too anything! And thank you again and again for all the useful info you've shared already! If you want, I will ask the vet if it's OK if I give you her name-- The other vet is someone most of us have at least heard of...she says mysteriously... Can't just give out their names as they helped me simply as a favor. And I just noticed the serenity prayer in your siggy... Drop me a PM. I'll give you my email addy. And I don't think you'd give the drugs together. Clearly the FIRST time, Baytril worked, but it didn't work the second time.

What's IN the Kong? I use peanut butter. I just buy grocery store brand, and I keep the peanut butter jar in the fridge so it's a bit stiff. I take a knife and run a coating of peanut butter all around the inside of the Kong (king sized). The I refrigerate it. Takes a lot longer than 5 minutes to finish. I don't put anything else inside, but you COULD. The behavior lady also suggested a game of hide 'n seek; take pieces of kibble and hide them all over (places that she won't damage if she paws a bit to get the kibble).