GeorgeofNE

Take her out in the yard and encourage the zoomies. I'm not a big fan of using food to keep a dog busy in lieu of the dog getting exercise. I'd consider teaching her tricks (or obedience commands, if she doesn't already know the basics) instead of just giving her treats and such. That's kind of like plopping a kid in front of the TV instead of actually keeping him busy DOING something! And unless you have some sort of physical limitation which makes walking in snow dangerous, there is really no reason you can't walk the dog when it's snowing. George and I go out 5x minimum 365 days a year. And I have an artificial hip now--but I have no choice. He has yet to freeze to death, and neither have I!

Sounds like they were not the right antibiotics. I'd get him back to the vet to find out why his gums are still inflammed.

If by "graze feed" you mean free feed, then you can easily solve this issue by feeding her regular meals, one in the AM and one in the afternoon. Just pick times that work consistently for you and space them roughly 12 hours apart. You might also consider a walk in the evening--doesn't have to be a long walk, but walking usually gets things in motion, so to speak, and in my experience MOST dogs will poop on a regular schedule if you keep their walks and meals regular also.

I wanted to briefly comment on this: your attitude about all things will be obvious to a sensitive dog. If you act like it's torture to go outside, that will rub off on him, and it will make things progressively more difficult. A dog who gets little to no exercise any time it's cold, whose routine is not consistent, is going to be a bit harder to manage than one who is kept on a schedule and also gets a bit tired out. I know it can be rather unpleasant--but you need to get proper cold weather gear and do what you have to do. I promise you: greyhounds at the kennels are NOT allowed to lounge about their crates when it's raining or cold or hot. Life goes on. He's not a flower, and although I don't know you, I am just guessing you are not either! It's been about 5-9 degrees the past four mornings here, and George and I just carry on. My LL Bean Baxter State parka, my Mad Bomber hat, ski pants, sub zero socks, and my storm chaser boots for me, his jammies and a coat for him. 30 minutes in the dark. Do I enjoy this? Not especially. Do I feel content when I check on George via my smart phone spy camera app and see him sound asleep on his bed with his empty Kong next to him? Yes I do! George had a pretty serious case of SA when I adopted him, and some of the things I've learned is that ANY variation in our daily routine really throws him--even five years later! As they say, a tired dog is a happy dog! Obviously exercise doesn't solve all, but it surely will help!

Gabapentin is not a general pain reliever. It relieves NERVE pain. So, for example, it would not be given for basical arthritis, or a pulled muscle, or normal post surgical pain (unless the surgery involved disruption of nerves). George takes it for his lumbar stenosis (compressed nerves in spinal column). To the OP: you'll need blood work done before the vet can decide how to proceed, but I would imagine an NSAID like Rimadyl, or if the pain is beyond that, some Tramadol (not an NSAID, to be clear) which is well tolerated. My guy takes Rimadyl in the AM and Gabapentin in the PM, and this seems to keep him comfortable.

365 days of the year, going on 17 years now, I walk! No boots. George's feet do suffer if there is ice-crusted snow, but he doesn't actually seem to mind. When it's this cold (it was 3 degrees this morning) he wears his jammies under his coat. Although he's one tough S.O.B. and that's probably more to make ME feel better than him! I have never seen him act cold. Now that's he'd 10 he's not too fond of cold rain, but we still go out. I will not leave a dog all day while I work without exercise. I don't think it's right. A toot around the back yard, even if I had one, is NOT enough.

Vet visit.

There is no reason to continue. Most dogs do just fine without ever getting them. You really do need a probiotic when your dog is on antibiotics, but a normal healthy dog should not require them on a daily basis.

My dog has been "starving" for five years now. Or so he says. That's one things dogs DO lie about!

I agree. I'm sure even the best chef at a gourmet restaurant screws up from time to time.

As counter intuitive as it might sound, a dog with hind end weakness can benefit from gentle exercise. She needs to retain whatever muscle mass she still has. NSAIDs if it's general arthritis, and gabapentin if it's a nerve issue, or both (as in George's case) can help too!

Just one flea can drive a dog to distraction. I don't think dogs just scratch themselves for no reason! Something itches.

I'm glad the vet spoke up because my vet said prostate problems are pretty unusual in neutered dogs.

I had a similar situation with my old dog. Angell Memorial intern wanted to admit him and put him on an IV, etc. Minimum cost, $500 a night. She suggested 2 days. I insisted on Flagyl and took him home. It never happened again. Insert shrugging emoti here--I am too tired to look for it!

The simple way to make sure other folks don't inadvertently get in on the "fun" is to have them not handle his toys. Work on the training. May I suggest that "take it nicely" is too many words. Try "gentle" instead.

You're assuming that the diarrhea is a result of the protein source. Which may or may not be true. And there is no right answer to this question. What works for my dog might not work for yours, and vice versa. I don't think any one source is any "easier to digest" than another. Have you tried a round of Panacur?

Adult greyhounds have not lived like your typical adult dog who might be rehomed. They are usually born in one place, moved and trained in another, then moved to race somewhere else, sometimes multiple times. They have a lifetime of experience with change! I wouldn't worry about it. I might worry about a group who believes strongly that fostering is a problem--since there is really zero evidence all over the country to support that argument.

I am confused how she reached the conclusion of Lepto based solely on an elevated white cell count. I imagine there are many, many other things that could cause that. One clean urine culture does not necessarily mean he doesn't have a UTI either. Since he is intact, I wonder if she looked at his prostate?

Having a dog with no yard is a huge committment, it really is! Specially when you live alone and there is no one else to share the load.

First step needs to be a vet check. Dark urine like that isn't always normal. Second step--you need to go through the steps of housebreaking him as if he's a puppy. Doesn't sound like you've done that.

Bundle up and carry on. I have no yard, and thus no alternative 365 days of the year, come rains, snow, wind, etc. George's bladder doesn't know or care if the weather is cold. If he doesn't stay on schedule, he has accidents.

Whatever she was eating before you got her! There is no right answer. I will say that the ONLY food that gave my dog terrible diarrhea was Blue Buffalo.

Stick 'em in the freezer now. It'll kill 'em. I store anything grain-based in the freezer because they're very common. Harmless, but common.

Mumurs are rather subjective from what I understand. I was told at Angell Memorial by one vet that my old dog had a mumur. Three days later at another appointment, a different doctor laughed and said that the first vet had probably never heard such a strong, powerful heartbeat and been confused cause he said there was NO trace of a murmur. Angell is a teaching hospital; the first vet was an intern, the second vet was not. No other doctor ever said there was a thing wrong with his heart, so if you haven't had a specialist listen to your hound's heart, you probably should consider it.

If you have an older dog with joint pain, there are plenty of excellent solutions to help that! Just throwing that out there! My guy is 10 and has pain issues, and his life has been vastly improved with daily medications. I'd listen closely to JillysFullHouse. As you can see, she has a LOT of experience! June gives you some great advice too. I'm a proponent of letting them work things out on their own if at all possible.