GeorgeofNE

How old is Ben? "Mild" cataracts are quite common in older dogs. Before I worried too much, I'd take him to a specialist to confirm that he really does have them, and not just that weird sort of bluish haze that so many older dogs seem to have.

It sounds like Cushing's to me too. My last dog had some issues, and he was tested for it--I had to leave him there for the day. I had to withhold food and water for (I think) 12 hours, then deliver him and his first morning urine to them. Then I think they fed him, and waited a certain length of time and did another urine test. He did NOT have it, but I wonder if it's possible your girl might?

Great news Bev! What is the combined weight of Darcy and Duffy on the couch?? They look so comfy.

Five inches for a tail tip? I think that extreme. And to not even TRY to let it heal up? I've had two dogs with happy tail. One was severe. Sixteen weeks of trying to get it to heal. We finally amputated two inches, but only because he was having major orthopedic surgery anyway. George came to me with happy tail. When he had his dental, I asked the vet to remove the damaged tail part. When she called after the dental, she had NOT amputated anything because she said it was well on it's way to healing. It did take two more months of constant bandaging and changing, but it's good as new now, and has not been a problem since.

Me too! Just did my laundry, and when I opened up the washer, there was a Milk-Bone, all nice and clean!!! Every coat/jacket/and windbreaker I own has dog biscuits in the pocket!

I can understand being nervous about surgery, but this is extremely minor surgery, and shouldn't take long at all. There's generally no need to jump to removing ALL lumps and bumps; your vet can do an aspiration and check for "bad cells" without removing the lumps. I'm sure she'll do just fine!

I wouldn't consider a dislocated shoulder a "birth defect," first of all! Sounds like he just got stucking coming out, and once the shoulder was popped back into place, the "defect" was gone. I do think, however, any limping Greyhound should have an x-ray due to the high incidence of bone cancer in Greyhounds. A couple of films of the ankle won't cost a ton, and will, if nothing else, ease your mind about that. It could be anything. Have you checked his pads for corns, by any chance??

When my last dog got old, he also had suspected kidney issues. We put him on Hills K/D, and he did just fine. There were no issues. We get so obsessed dog food these days. Truth is, millions of dogs do just fine on what many of us consider "junk." She's 12. If the vet thinks the diet may help her, then I personally wouldn't concern myself over the notion that it's not "good" food. It's kind of relative--if the formulation helps her teeth, which in turn help her kidneys, then she'll be better off than she is now on what I can only presume is a "good" food, right? My understanding is the reason the kibbles are so large is to force the dog to chew them. I don't know about your girl, but George swallows his kibble mostly whole. So there is NO chance it's going to clean his teeth! If she has to bust up the kibbles to eat them, then the theory is that the kibble is scraping away at tartar. I hope you can find something that makes her feel better!

Teaching "go lie down" is a great fix for dogs begging at the table. George knows he can stare at me and drool all he wants--while he's laying on his bed--I do not let him stand right in front of my food (I eat in the living room, in my recliner--cause I can!!) while I'm eating.

None for George. Good stuff!!

Dr. Bunch-Lake is one of my FB friends. From what I've read, she's collecting information for now. She's a genuine working vet, and isn't a researcher, per se. You should friend her Leslie! She's awfully nice. And folks? I think the reason there is an email address in the message is because you're supposed to send the info. on your hounds to it? Not sure the doctor reads GT.

They actually make dog gravy! I think most larger pet stores carry a variety of them--or you could always MAKE some I suppose. George is going to be 8 on Thursday. He gets a brisk 45 minute walk every morning, and he only gets 2 cups of food per day. Oh, and Milk Bones! Don't forget to mentally calculate how many treats you give her during the day when considering how much she eats. That's why I only feed George a cup of kibble at each meal--because he gets treats throughout the day (as rewards for various behaviors).

I have two cats, and one hound. He growls at the cats if they get too close to him when he's on his bed and he's not in the mood. I do NOT correct him for that beyond a saying something like, "That's enough" as he has, I think, the right to tell them to back off. Consequently, one of them is smart enough to say away from him when he's on his bed. The other one is totally unphased by the growling! The other reason I don't "correct" is that the cat who doesn't care about the growling will actually attempt to chew George's tail; I correct the cat when I hear the dog growl and see him batting at the dog's tail. Not that it does any good... Your hound is most likely becoming more secure and confident in the home, and is therefore being more vocal about his likes and dislikes. Providing he's not going after the cats but is only warning them, I'm not sure I'd do anything. But I also have complete confidence that George is only warning the cats. Frankly, most of the time they're growled at, they total deserve it. 90% of the time, it's a very peaceful relationship. See:

Joey! Don't upset us like this! Donna, I don't find that George has any residual wonkiness in the AM if I give him a Tramadol in the PM. I know it won't help Joe, but my own shoulder muscles have been twitching for two days now! I hope it's nothing, and that Joe is his usual self by tonight!

Hmmmm. My first thought was Cushings. Don't believe that's very common with Greyhounds. Are these accidents ONLY when he's asleep?

Agreed. This dog has no business at a dog park (unless it's empty). I would buy muzzles for your other dogs, and keep them ALL muzzled when they're in your yard. If you wish to continue going to the dog park, leave her at home. I'm sorry this happened, and I'm sure you had no idea AT THE TIME it would. Now you do. My George is one of the few hounds I've read about that is, even years off the track, absolutely intolerant of ALL other breeds. I can't even let him "meet" other dogs--at least on leash. He wags his tail in a deceptively friendly fashion, and then lunges at them. Very shocking to all! Loves all greyhounds on sight without exception--and the only dogs who aren't greyhounds I can let him near are my parents', and that is only after nearly a full day of being in their house with his muzzle on, and getting the VOG every time he snarled at them. Once he realized they were not fair game, he's been fine. It's frusting I cannot introduce him to dogs on the street, but IMHO, better safe than sued!

Well crud, I do, but I cannot deal with this messed up board right now! PM me if you want to hear all about my experience with a torn ACL, surgery at Angell, the bone infection, and the second surgery... Susan

Put it all away, and consider baby gating him out of the kitchen entirely. As far as stealing the other hounds' food, perhaps you should feed him in a crate?

I agree--sounds like he's getting too much. My last dog was on thyroid meds, and once the dose was right, he just acted NORMAL. It was before the meds that he was off. My parents also have a dog on thyroid meds; totally normal. He should not be shedding any more than normal.

Jeff, will we ever be able to use Chrome again and have the forum display "normally"?

Well, considering it's been THREE DAYS I wouldn't be too concerned just yet! I would also not just let him out; I would get up very quietly with no fuss, take him out on his leash, come back in, again, no fuss, put him in the crate, and say, "go back to sleep." He'll adjust, but it's going to take a bit longer. George got me up at 4:30 for about a month until I realized he didn't actually have to go. Then I just started to tell him to be quite, and he gave up after a few days.

I knew I wasn't the only person who felt this way!! Harnesses are fantastic for spooky dogs, or situations where you just want your dog contained. They're not good at all for training a dog to walk "properly" on a leash. I put properly in quotes because I realize there are a lot of people who aren't terribly fussy about how/where their dog walks. For me, properly means on one side of me (I am a traditionalist, so its my left), not lagging behind, not pulling (ever), and never, ever crossing in front of me unless I say "OK." When I need him at my side, I use "heel" as a command. That means his shoulder is even with my legs. Any dog training book will have instructions on teaching a dog to heel. It's pretty fundamental stuff. There are lots of different ways to get started--you just have to pick one you feel seems right for you. And stick with it!