moofie

I adopted pair of littermate boys together, they'd not always been kennelled together so although had lovely brotherly bond didn't struggle if parted. Had no issues bonding with us & we made sure to try do some things alone with each. They came straight from racing kennels so needed some work to settle in but we managed ok as first time dog owners. Often bonded pairs end up being spilt as its difficult to find people to adopt 2. It doesn't always solve SA if they're really wanting human company, but i think i'll always have multiple dogs as seem happier with a friend even if it appears on surface couldn't give a stuff about each other. Using a camera to watch/listen while you leave is very useful so can judge how they're coping but should start off with very brief exits to build up and not leave for longer than able to cope with to avoid distress & SA setting in.

I only heard of these recently but did think the reported uses/battery life seemed rather limited given frequency we use our PMFT unit (westville biomag). Seems rather wasteful, shame they don't offer a battery refurbishment service.

So sorry you lost Raffle in such a traumatic way. Its normal with grief to wonder what you possibly could've done differently, but you really did the kindest thing in letting her pass as she was already showing signs of age related deterioration which sadly can't be reversed. There was a big dog in at the vets after spinal surgery that had some movement in his legs but couldn't stand, just prop himself upright while laying on one side only. It really is a full time job to care for such a disabled dog as they need lifting and turning frequently, maybe catheterizing, assistance with drinking, toileting, loads of cleaning and physio to stem the rapid muscle wastage from lack of use. Big dog was a happy soul despite lack of mobility, discomfort (was on pain relief) and usual mental stimulation of getting outside but they can easily get depressed and its also hard emotionally on the carers. If they don't show signs of recovery then will need PTS as its not a good quality of life longer term, as happened with big dog after several months .

Its positive, rather than negative which is universal. My greyhound Hattie is also positive blood type but the UK pet blood bank collects both so she was a donor for many years till she retired at 9. http://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/faqs/#q-1444

Not seen any side effects either. My vet put Pru on gabapentin (400mg twice daily) as she's had a course of cartrophen injections for arthritis & maker advise not to use NSAIDs alongside it as reduces effectiveness. She's doing OK on it so would this be better long term than metacam? This Vet prefers metacam as can give lower dose & not keen on tramadol though throp had no problems on it although not sure if it made any difference to him but perhaps didn't need it.

Throp's operatation was delayed due to low platelets, i think his results were 120 which appears in normal range (was 180 few months earlier) but they only saw 2 platelets on microscope and smear used was thin. They sent bloods off to lab for coagulation tests, D-Dimer i think its called as i've had test on myself and that came back ok. He did have high blood pressure post op bet whether that was related i dunno. Think we've less problems with TBD in UK though did see a rescue hound with post dental bleeding issues that turned out to have lungworm (relatively new issue).

Although we had Throp euthanised on 23rd i wanted to give the thread a conclusion Throps trigeminal nerve tumour must've been putting more pressure on the brain stem effecting the left side coordination & balance causing him to fall over and veer off course, we noticed his left ear also fairly set in one position and could see the whiskers twitching on that side as if in spasm in last few days. He'd gone from a little wobbly to struggling to balance & tired in a short period, it was heartbreaking to see so knew it was time . Anyway i was pleased with how good his eye socket looked, we took some great photo's on his final day which could've easily been that awful mess up thread. With the muscle loss did look funny like you could just pop in an artificial eye ball in and we did have a good giggle thinking of the lady at the crematorium getting a shock as we'd laid him normal side up and had forgotten to mention it. Vet2 came out to the meadow to do the euthanasia, he couldn't get a vein in front leg after 2 goes (throp also pulled his leg away) and tried again with hind as veins kept collapsing, could tell by vets expression he was worried in case that didn't work too, but we had faith in him so it didn't stress us out. His practice doesn't officially do out of hours work so he was very kind to come out and probably wouldn't have got home till 10pm after being at work all day. Need to get some sort of thank you gift. I've regretted the eye op, thinking something altered that day and instead i could've enjoyed Throp being usual self and active in past few weeks instead. Although i know that there was no way of knowing the outcome and at the time we made the decision it was based on how well/active he was, that he could've had months ahead and it wasn't fair to leave him with an ulcer that wouldn't heal or choose to PTS when otherwise he was still happy. DP's mother has continually bleeted on about whether its "fair to put Throp through it" even before he'd had diagnosis of brain tumour so its a shame he couldn't have proved her wrong by going well past his best before date

The ruffwear webmaster only having the girth clip one side drives me nuts as its difficult with the greyhounds long legs to take it off. I was just wondering which size would best fit a greyhound, but he' snoozing so can't measure. Did you order the U or normal band on hip harness for Zuri? It appears to be sold all as one rather than separate front/rear bits in UK

No food after 10pm and no water after 7am day of GA Drop off at 8.30-9am but don't think they tend to do go into surgery till nearer lunch time as usually have to ring at 1-2pm and at times its ring back later if some emergencys cropped up. Usually blood test pre-op so fasting anyway. I think with some stitching they can use a local anesthetic as i had that option with Pru but she was due a dental.

Been to see vet2 for a check up today, he was very pleased with how its healed up and removed the stitches. It looked infection free but to be on the safe side Throp has another 5 days on AB's. His mobility has changed so much since having the op, something i hadn't really considered . His hind legs muscles were changing & getting little less coordinated as expected with tumour but he was still easily doing the 1+ miles walk to the park daily. I get his eyesight/depth perception will be different for him , but its like his balance is off and he veers sideways when walking at times bit like a drunkard and if he shakes he'll nearly falls over. He's still determined to go where he wants and leaps on his sofa mind

Day 13 post op and wounds looking really good, hibiscrub wash & sudocrem doing a fine job. That sounds like a version of his inflatable comfy collar, i think it must be more to stop chewing the body as he could still scratch head with front leg or rear paw wearing it if he really wanted, however it is doing a great job of keeping the cone on his head and providing a buffer cushion.

Yes much less stressed and although not there yet can see he is improving now and may get back to a more normal life for him.

It wasn't what i was expecting even though i know Throps left side isn't quite normal. I presume due to bleeding they thought better to leave scabs to keep clotted but i dread to think how it would've been if left like that till our next appointment on thursday going by the way healthier area was when fur has peeled off with blood. I Oh no Froppychops is far too special for me to just give up on & but last week he just looked so awful, he was struggling with walking, falling over, miserable and the wound just seemed to be getting worse with little reassurance from vets. With his brain tumour we've no way of knowing what the effects of having the OP maybe and seemed like he was just going downhill so PTS decision may need to be made far sooner than i was expecting. Very relieved this week that he seems more himself so likely down to the infection, mobility has improved a bit and even his coat is returning to a more normal feel as it was dry, yet greasy. I've split his meals to feed 3-4x a day to be bit easier on his system and as its soaked (dry kibble falls out his mouth) it should keep his hydration levels up. Tonight before we gave it a clean up, probably should've done pic after as got nearly all the scabby fur bits off his cheek now, but its already looking so much better. He wasn't very happy with me but some bread made it bearable. Seen this doggy Optivizor online which looks like it would be a better option for Throp than stupid cone but i don't have the funds spare at the moment so wondering what i could sell quickly or if i could DIY a version with an old muzzle. I did meet a little bedlington x at a show last month wearing their UV mesh visor as had photo sensitivity issues but at time i didn't realise we may need one to ask more about it.

Feel free to scroll past these Saturday pre-vets Today, just given it another clean, still some more dried bloody bits to come off mainly below eye socket but its sore so only manage a bit at a time. Its like tar & the bits that came off today took fur with it leaving pinky skin. I'm trying not to get hopes up, but this weekend i think i see some improvement in his walking

I wish i was one of those people that didn't care/worry about what others may think, so all reasoning is good for me Nah not bad its just fact that Throp's on limited time & while were going to the vets far too often for my liking generally its lower value stuff, the practice's owner has already made ££££s from on his dodgy leg insurance claims