GeorgeofNE

I wouldn't do either. I'd have my vet send x-rays to OSU, or get copies and do it yourself. If they feel the x-rays are ambiguous, then I'd follow their suggestions.

I used Dedham Veterinary Associates on Bridge Street, in Dedham, but I think you'll find that with two tracks and a vet school in Mass., most vets here are fully aware of the oddities of Greyhound blood work and special anesthesia sensitivities! The specialist I took George to at Dedham Veterinary used did her surgery residency in Jacksonville and worked on tons of hounds, and also has one as a pet! Dr. Amy Kuo is my vet at Dedham Veterinary. She's great! They're expensive though.

If he whacked his leg hard enough, it might not be the scrape, but perhaps he has what we'd call a bone bruise in a human? Don't think that's even possible, but..you know what I mean. Since the vet prescribed the Rimadyl for Merlin, I would think it would be perfectly reasonable to give him a dose.

Well, since my images in the gallery are just copies...I think I will hope for the best, but thanks for the warning! There are going to be a LOT of blank signatures if it doesn't work!! Good luck!

I'm so sorry for your loss John and Deb.

Oh dear. I'm so sorry for your loss.

That's more than twice as much food as I feed my dog. IMHO, if you are seriously giving her TWO CUPS of kibble AND a can of dog food, you're overfeeding her by a signficant amount. It could be she simply cannot handle all that food. I'd personally fast her for 24 hours, then start with boiled rice and some chicken, then ease her back into her regular diet but maybe 1.5 cups of kibble and a heaping spoon of wet food?

No, it doesn't matter.

The actually passing is like a breath of air if your vet does it correctly; they typically give a large dog a catheter before. The administer a strong sedative, and your dog will lay down. I held my dog on my lap. The vet waited until I was ready, then inserted the actually drug that stops the heart into the catheter. I'm not sure why they do that--I guess to make 100% sure it goes it the first time. Then it's just over. It won't scare your other dog. The hardest thing for me when I had a cat euthanized at home was having the vet remove his body. That was very, very hard for me. I took my dog to the clinic, and then I sat on the floor with him until he started to get cold, and then I couldn't stand it another minute and I took his collar and left. It really is very peaceful, and when a dog is ill, you will know in your heart as he leaves you that you did the right thing. One of my parents dogs sighed as he slipped away-- I wish there was something I could say to make it easier for you. Hugs, Susan

Am I missing the part where you have a diagnosis of cancer? Or are you just preparing yourself for the worst? Argh! I join everyone else in hoping for the best. Hugs from George and me.

Or, if your dog is like George, give it diarrhea! I think that ALL older dogs tend to get gassier. It's not an issue unique to Greyhounds.

Sounds like allergies to me. I'm frankly shocked your vet didn't say the same thing. As everyone else has already said, Benedryl (I actually use Tavist on George; it worked better for him) should help if it IS allergies. Could be anything from his diet to your carpet to something you clean with. An allergy typically is to something the dog has been exposed to many times, not something new. So if you've been in that house for two years, it could easily be something in the home. Do you have a dermatologist in your area? You might consider that too. Not sure what red feet have to do with your dog smelling bad?

Well, I give heartworm year round, and my vet still insists on testing annually. Don't know if that's to make money, or because it's really necessary. A heartworm test is fast and not expensive though. Put it in your computer calendar thingy like I do, and then you'll get that reminder when you turn it on, and you won't keep forgetting! I do heartworm on the first of the month, and Frontline Plus on the 15th. That keeps it easy to remember!

Wow. That seems like a lot of Tramadol to me, as I take it myself for chronic pain. The first time I gave it to George for his LSS, he acted strangely. Now that he's had it a few times (he gets ONE at bedtime), it makes his sleep startle/aggression MUCH worse, but helps his pain enough so that I am just extra vigilant.

Pull 'em out, flush 'em down the toilet. Get a Preventic collar; far more effective for ticks than Frontline Plus. And try not to worry!

No. Giving a dog a pill need not be a big deal. I find the easiest way, for the nervous, is to make it a game. I like to straddle the dog (like riding a horse) and then playfully tip back his head, gently open the mouth, and toss it down. Then I follow with loads of lovin'!

And dog parks! Sounds like a parasite to me. Just because there isn't a parasite in the tiny bit of poop they run doesn't mean they aren't there. Poor guys! I hope you get it under control soon.

George has LSS. Or he has it to the best of the specialists diagnosis without a $2,600 MRI. I asked her if the treatment would differ if she confirmed it with MRI and she admitted it would NOT so no MRI (I don't have $2,600 to spend on a diagnostic test that changes nothing). LSS is a degenerative disease. I've not heard of it presenting suddenly and so dramatically--which doesn't mean the vet is wrong, but George's x-rays showed the classic narrowing of the spinal column down near the tail. His course of treatment is to remain thin and as muscular as possible (walks, no running), Deramaxx, and Tramadol as needed. So far so good. I did buy a sling for when he needs help going up the stairs, but so far he is OK. His only real symptoms are a hitch in his gait and occasionally his back paws knuckle over. I hope she is feeling better soon, and that your x-rays are helpful.

Your regular vet should be able to show you how to do that. Dogs of all breeds injury their ears! I have seen it done in the manner you describe--basically the injured ear is sort of wrapped down flush with the head. I guess you need the right mix of gauze, tape, vet wrap, whatever! Poor guy! I hope you have a good visit with the doctor and your boy feels well soon.

His other feet will recover! Is he getting something for the pain?

That you're even asking tells me the answer is probably yes. I can tell how much you love her. What we she want if she could speak? What would YOU want if it was you? One thing my vet told me when I had my old boy put down was that she had never had a client call a few days later and say, "It was too soon." But many who called and asked, "Why did I wait so long?" It's hard, but seeing him leave me peacefully instead of suffering...it was a comfort to me.

Absolutely. Make sure your vet knows about Dr. Couto's new pre-surgery suggested supplement. I'm sorry, I can't remember what it's called, but I'm sure you can find out if you email OSU. He gives it prior to all Greyhound surgeries to help prevent excessive bleeding.

Hello from Canton, MA! There are lots of folks in the area with hounds. Your boy is mighty cute!

My father and sister in law, both pinkish beige in color, have each contracted Lyme's disease from tick bites--not off the dogs, just out of the bushes. My brother got Babesia, also from a tick. He is freckled. I'm being silly here--but you can get a tick with no dog involved at all, so picking a companion based on color as a means of preventing a treatable ailment seems a little much to me. My brother and his wife don't even OWN a dog--my brother was in the hospital for several days when he got Babesia, and he never even SAW a tick on his body. My sister in law's tick bite was on her "plumber's crack," and all they ever saw was the rash--the tick was long gone and she was infected before they ever saw it. Deer ticks are tiny. A regular tick you'd see on the dog, I suppose, if it was moving and the dog was light colored. A deer tick could EASILY be missed even on a white dog.

I know the OP lives in my area, and yes, that sounds normal. I get anything I need to administer long term from Omaha Vaccine (www.omahavaccine.com). George was on Baytril (also very expensive) for 14 weeks. It cost me about $500 at Omaha vaccine, but would have been over $,1000 at my vet. My vet charges 100-200% more than Omaha Vaccine. They refuse to price match, and I think that's SO short-sighted! I'd happily pay a small premium to get the convenience of getting my meds right at the vet visit. But double or triple? That's insane! So instead of them making a 10% profit on selling stuff to me, they get nothing! Dumb!