GeorgeofNE

There are two types of kidneys stones. Only one shows up on conventional x-ray. You'll save money doing plain old x-rays if you get lucky and that's the kind of stones she has, but if not, you'll end up paying for both tests, and I'd be inclined to go straight to ultrasound.

Water outside is probably not cold. I thought everyone in Australia had air conditioning? Rather than leave her outside because of piddling, have you worked on housebreaking, and/or had her urine checked at the vet?

Exactly what I was thinking--George has a dropped muscle too, also raced for three years, but at nine years old is still in better shape than your average pet dog! And I bet he'd hit the track again in a heartbeat, if he had a chance!

I'm so sorry. I know exactly what you're going through. An unexplained premature death is horribly hard to handle. But now that you've gotten the necropsy, you can stop thinking that he might not have died if you had been home, because it was inevitable. Which doesn't make it less painful, I know. Rest in peace young Riddick.

Silly question--but did your vet do x-rays? I've never heard of "swelling and bruising" from arthritis.

My guess is she's a clever girl and you've actually accidentally trained her not to go! It's a mistake to take a dog inside immediately after they poop. A dog who enjoys walking learns that as soon as he goes, the walk is over, and where's the fun in that? I read this in a training book, so I'm not just making it up--but it totally makes sense if you think about it! What I've done since reading this is go to the designated poo spot, say, "let's go potty" (or whatever) and if they don't go, back inside and try again (you've got that part right). But when she DOES go, what needs to follow is a treat, and a lovely walk! She needs to relearn that producing a poop results in a nice adventure, and not a trip back into the house. Disclaimer: I could be totally off base with YOUR dog, but this does happen.

Is that timing anywhere near the Tramadol dose? I notice George gets a little grumpy on Tramadol nights. As a regular taker of it myself (also for arthritis--waiting for a hip replacement) it does not make me feel grumpy, but it does something to George.

I'm with Nancy. The steroids part of those drops are probably what she REALLY needs. A couple days without the antibiotics shouldn't do any harm.

Please don't assume your dog was "abused and neglected" because he's the nervous type. There are plenty of dogs of all breeds that are just born that way. My last dog was terrified of the ironing board, the ROTC, and Hassidic Jews. Now, I know for a fact none of these things/people ever hurt him or so much as raised a voice at him. He was, however, thrown from the window of a moving car--and yet he loved riding in the car. My point is that assuming past issues based on present behavior when you have a "second hand dog" can lead you to conclusions that have no basis in fact. Clearly you love your boy and want to help him, and that's terrific. Sounds like he's come a long way. As to the shaking--it's really hard to tell, but based on your post, I'd say he's really uptight. My last dog used to fly with me on 12 seater planes back and forth to Nantucket. He shook like a leaf. I assume he was afraid. It was the fastest way to get there though, and he gamely accompanied me for many years. As soon as the ride was over, he was just fine. When he was EXCITED (as in 'let's go for a ride!") he whined and whined and whined and whined. That's how I determined excitment vs. fear. Panting is also a sign of stress.

Every dog is different-- Is your vet aware that there are normal differences in Greyhound chemistry vs. "regular" dogs? I personally don't think a Greyhound's diet needs to be any different than any other dog, but just because your old dog did well on one food, doesn't mean this dog will. If her poops are good, her eyes are bright, her skin is good, I would not worry much about a one-time "high" Ph level. If the UTI symptoms are gone, and she is normal, I probably would not do anything different.

It's not appropriate to leave a dog without water. What if something were to happen to you and no one could get to them for, say, 24 hours? Unlikely, but I would NEVER leave any animal without water.

I have to point out the article posted is from 2008. I've been getting the vaccine for years. Not only does my family live in a tick-borne disease hot spot (Nantucket), but there has been an outbreak in the town I live in. Two family members have had Lyme disease, and my brother had Babesia. The only topical that REPELS ticks is Advantix, which I cannot use because of my cat (who is all over the dog all day and night).

There is nothing mysterious about what Greyhounds can and cannot eat. They're dogs. Some Greyhounds have sensitive stomachs, many do not (like mine). My mongrel was WAY more sensitive to dietary change/medications than my Greyhound. So anything that is safe for a "regular" dog to eat, your Greyhound can eat.

I've never heard of such a short food allergy trial. My vet made me do 8 weeks on Z/D.

The floors may be shinier, more slippery, or even have more "bounce" to them when she steps on them. I've had my dog for over 4 years, and he's still terrified of wood floors. Throw rugs are your friend!

Greyhounds are not taught prey drive. It is part of their nature. In the US, all Greyhounds are muzzled in the turnout pens to prevent injury to each other; not because they're vicious, or to teach them anything, but because they have very thin skin, and even normal play biting can cause it to tear. Once adopted, people with multiple dogs often choose to continue to muzzle when their dogs are outside together for the same reason--to prevent accidental injury. Rather than even THINKING about giving up your dog, it's much simpler to understand that you should not put the dogs outside together with something like a bone! Either gives bones in separate locations (one dog in the kitchen, one dog outside, etc.) or stop giving them all together.

This is the tried and true "tuck and fold," and how we've taught every dog my family has ever had how to sit. If George can learn it, I am pretty sure ANY dog can. Oh sure, it's not pretty. His butt doesn't really touch the ground, but he assumes the position. I find if you kind of stand so their rear end is in a corner, it makes it easier too. Do not buy into the "Greyhounds can't sit" hoo haa. They might not sit on their own very often, but they CAN do it.

If the radiologist at Tufts doesn't see cancer, than it's probably not there. But if it were my pup, I'd pick up the phone and just inquire about the x-rays. When I consulted them about something, they responded very quickly. Crazy question--have they check his paw pads? Perhaps the limp isn't improving because he has TWO things going on?

No reason to believe it's a FOOD allergy if it is an allergy. Dogs can be allergic to anything, just like people. I know several folks with nearly naked dogs--it's widely believed to be just a quirk of Greyhounds (genetic?) and probably has nothing to do with medications or anything else. None of my friends' naked dogs have itching problems-- How you could get a good idea if he does have an allergy is to try him on Benedryl for a few days. If the itching stops, he's probably itching 'cause he's allergic to something. If it doesn't, then he isn't.

I happen to have plantars warts--got them as a child. Nothing worked. I think they were killed (stopped growing) when I was a kid, but they're still on my foot-- I would not recommend it, but my pediatrician had me soak my heal in formaldahyde twice a day!!!

:rotfl

I want to make clear that I am not suggesting the shots don't work for some dogs--just explaining the logic of why my vet won't do them, and what she told me!

Are you sure they're not corns?

I don't give kennel cough (I did this year, only because I anticipate my father dying soon and maybe needing to kennel George) but I've never had any issues getting shots done at the same time-- I suppose I might have just been lucky-- One of my cats is absolutely terrified of leaving the house, so he really needs everything done at once, as infrequently as possible. He's nine now, so he's only getting rabies as he has never been outside and has only been boarded one night in his life. Seems silly to load him with vaccines.

They're more like an old fashioned diaper cover. I assume you put a diaper or incontinence pad in them. For your carpet, you might try www.planeturine.com and buy their mega kit. I thought my carpet was DESTROYED and using their product I got the urine out so throughly that when I sold my condo, my realtor said, "No, I don't think you need to clean the carpets, they look great!" George had peed a LAKE of dark, nasty orange pee. I mean a LAKE. The stench was overwhelming. Liquids just spread it around, but the powder sucked it right out of the carpet!!