GeorgeofNE

Whooops! I already commented! sorry! Happy weekend!

You may be overly worried about space issues and potential destruction. While there are no doubt dogs who do that, it's really not the norm; you have to housebreak ANY dog, and dog proof your space, but we've had dogs my entire life, and aside from the ocassional chewed chair leg, before using a crate for puppies was "invented," there really haven't been issues! A dog who receives ample exercise is usually fairly happy to sleep it's alone. I will agree with the others--five days a week, 11 hours alone? I wouldn't do that. That's a long day for you, and are you REALLY going to feel like getting up early to walk the dog, and then again after your long day? And while SOME dogs can hold it that long--I don't think there is anyone who would suggest leaving a dog alone that long every day without a dog walker or a dog door is a good idea. Greyhounds don't need a lot of space indoors, and "independent" they may be, but dogs are pack animals, and they really do prefer to have company even if they tend to sleep a LOT and ignore that company! Why do you want a Greyhound? If the answer is that you want a lovely companion animal, than you can work around your issues.

Excellent advice on reweighing. You can put your dog on the scale at the vet four times in 10 minutes and get four different weights!

I've gotten it for George, and I got it for my previous dog, a mixed breed named Kramer. My sister in law and father have both had Lyme disease, and my brother was hospitalized for Babesia. (Babesiosis??) They all live on Nantucket, a hotbed of tick borne disease, and that's where we go to visit and for holidays. My vet did tell me it's not considered highly effective, but I figured reducing his risk of getting it by even 25% is better than nothing. He had no reaction at all. My last dog was EXTREMELY sensitive to chemicals and vaccines, and he had no reaction either.

I hope that your veterinarian has looked VERY CLOSELY at the x-rays of your dog's bone. A bone that breaks on a greyhound who is doing nothing other than normal activity is suspicious. Glucosamine is alleged to help with joint lubrication, and won't help a broken foot. It also takes 4-6 weeks to show any results at all--I used it on my old dog for over 2 years and saw difference at all. Fish oil is excellent for the coat, and omega 3 fatty acids help with inflammation, but again, that won't do anything for a broken foot. As you vet about Tramadol for pain relief if Rimadyl doesn't seem to be helping. I'm sorry this happened, and I hope he feels better soon.

Why is he still in the crate at night after four months? Crates are great for dogs that like them, for housebreaking, and for puppies. And adult dog who is housebroken doesn't need a crate. If he LIKED it, it would be a great place--but I think he's rather clearly telling you he doesn't! You need to train him to get "off" and "go lie down" if you don't want him on the bed. It'll take a few repetitions (or maybe many!) but it's not that hard for them to learn.

I would suggest that a walk in the evening OR the morning is not enough, and do both!

It doesn't matter. George was on Baytril for 14 weeks; I was told to give it to him after his last trip outside--the theory being for his very, very stubborn issue we wanted the medication to stay inside him as long as possible. He didn't get it with food since he eats his dinner, obviously, well before last outs!

About a year and a half, believe it or not.

If you're even considering it--the sooner the better, for the dog. The adoption group will find her a suitable place. Don't worry about that. Sometimes it doesn't work out. Please don't beat yourself up.

Not sure what you mean he won't eat his "morning and afternoon" meals? Is he not eating at all? I would not jump to thyroid issues; could be that what you're feeding him doesn't agree with him. How's his weight? Is he vomiting? Is this once in a while, or often? Most Greyhounds seem lethargic to people who aren't used to them. I'd start with the basics before I paid for a full thyroid panel; bloodwork, fecal, and urine. If those are all normal, I'd consider changing his diet.

Oh MAN. I thought I was done crying about this little piece of life, but no. I must say, I have never had as much fun, plotting and planning with Deb and others to get this gorgeous girl to Susan! I think Deb and I both deserve Academy Awards! And I know Susan will never QUITE believe anything I say again! And thanks to all the HUGE hearted people who helped make this happen! I think Jessie has found the perfect home, as has Jonah and Joshy!

Exercise, exercise, exercise! In addition to the other suggestions. Also, buy the Patricia McConnell booklet, "I'll Be Home Soon." MOST Greyhounds get over their anxiety. Some are more difficult than others. It'll be worth it when you work through this! I know it was for me.

Wow, that's a tough call, for sure. My dog was about 13 when I was told he had a tumor. Because of it's location, a HUGE amount of tissue would have had to be removed, and the chances that it would just grow back were too great for me to put him through it. I'm surprised that I didn't see anything about a biopsy? Seems to me that would be the first course of action--not surgery. I can hopefully reassure you that at Angell, they will have performed many surgeries on Greyhounds, what wtih the (former) two tracks up here. My last dog, a mixed breed, had major orthopedic surgery at Angell. I have always found the people there to be caring and very professional.

I hope he's OK today--FYI, for anyone with cats in the house--my vet won't prescribe Advantix because the stuff is basically toxic to cats and since my cat is constantly touching George and his bed, she feels the risk is too high.

I think it would say "toxic, keep away from children" if it was. And there aren't splinters--it's not a real log, right? But one of those fake things you light to get the rest of the fire going? She could call the manufacturer or check their web site. I can't imagine that hers is the first dog who ever did that--but better safe than sorry.

A UTI can SEEM to be cleared and not. Trust me...I've been dealing with a mystery infection for a long time now! We got it "cleared up" and the peeing stopped for two years--but that was after 14 weeks on Baytril! Now it's back...and my dog has had an ultrasound, x-rays, at least his 10th urinalysis, more blood work...it's all normal! Someone suggested he might have a mycroplasma infection, so now we're treating with Doxycycline for 8-12 weeks. It might be worth trying the antibiotics again--but a different one.

There's no need to "slowly decrease Deramaxx." You can just stop giving it. It's just an NSAID. The urine specific gravity is inexpensive and fast--some vets do it right in their office. It's very important to measure that before you get too upset!

If she's only doing it when you're not with her, I'd lean towards a mild touch of CCD (canine cognitive dysfunction) or senility. There is a medication that can help with that--anipryl.

You need to call the vet and ask him why he'd prescribe antibiotics for a limp, and you need to consider having x-rays done. It could be anything, but an x-ray is a simple way to rule out many possible choices.

Veterinarians like to run "senior blood panels" on dogs much younger than I would consider a dog a senior. Not sure if there is any valid reason for it, but I know senior blood work is more expensive than non-senior! George is no different at 8 than he was at 5, except for his distinguished silver face!

Nine pounds is a lot to be overweight, so 4 cups is too much! I only feed my dog 2 cups a day--granted he is a smaller male. If he barked at me for more food, I'd be working on teaching him "go lie down"! He's manipulating you, and it's working! Just gradually cut back on his kibble, and increase his exercise if possible! Just like a person would lose weight! Remember, it's in his best interest to be slim, the way nature intended. Those skinny little legs aren't designed to hold a lot of excess, so be strong!

Ohh, this should be an interesting thread! I would not feed my dog either of those foods. Better quality food for MOST dogs equals less output! And pound for pound, they don't cost THAT much more because generally you use less of it.

My old dog was crated for two years because he had SA and the crate was a magical fix for him. When I tried to get rid of it, he went nuts! So I did it in stages. First was door unlocked, but a stuffy leaning against it so the door appeared closed, but he COULD have opened it. Then it was door unlocked, closed, no stuffy. Then it was door OPEN. Then it was crate folded up and leaning against the wall. Finally I put it away. It took six months of this gradual crate transition!

If he threw up 11 hours after he ate, that MUST mean you're only feeding once a day? My old dog, a non Grey also, was a perpetual vomiter as well, I started giving him Zantac (not be confused with Xanax!) every day. Seems as if he just had excess stomach acid and it made him barf. If she's only getting fed once a day, maybe it's a similar thing? I'd try feeding her twice a day and see if that helps. I'd also try an antacid (check with your vet for dose and best type).