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PatricksMom

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Posts posted by PatricksMom

  1. We use Valium with Leo, it's not perfect, but it does take the edge off, it should in theory last longer than Xanax. I'm not sure if this is a Leo think or a greyhound thing, but he burns through it very rapidly (10 mg = 1 hour of relief), he's already on prozac for long-term anxiety issues and our vet's not comfortable with Trazadone (I actually think it's a good choice for long-term issues, I've never heard of it for short-term, but she's never used it before so....)

  2. It's their instinct, not all of them, but many. I get what you're feeling, I was horrified when Leo got a baby squirrel, but he's not a bad dog, it's just in his nature. If she didn't eat it, I wouldn't worry. If she did, I'd worry (but probably for no good reason) and check with my vet. She's not a killer, she's a dog. I don't personally have bird feeders, because Leo is very high prey drive, it doesn't make him dangerous or bad, it just means his instincts out doors, with wild prey, are a bit stronger than some dogs.

  3. I tried them over the weekend on some dog food samples I had from Gettysburg which they ate without hesitation. But the Iams they're ​still reluctant with. Then at Costco last night I picked up a bag of their food on a whim and the boys gobbled it down. So I'm going to assume something changed with Iams (or my boys don't like it anymore) and swap to something else. Since I have the Costco food I'll see how they do on it, otherwise the great dog food search will begin anew.

    For what it's worth, mine have done well on Costco's Lamb and Rice, even with Henry's finicky stomach. Leo does hunger strike now and then (like right now), but I've stopped worrying about it since he always goes back to eating okay eventually.

  4. I'm so sorry, my boy had been very ill, but he had recovered, and then I had a similar experience--sudden, unexplained crisis and a rush to the vet. I'm so sorry, I know it's very hard, try to be gentle with yourself and find some special stuff to do with Scooter, it may help you both.

     

    When you're ready, we have a remembrance section here, and we would love to hear more about your beloved friend.

  5. All good advice, but I'll add, what my first (and beloved) vet always said, old age is not a disease. Sure, our seniors can develop complications that make a dental unwise, but so can a younger dog. If her blood values / urine tests / physical exam are all fine, try not to worry. If they're not, and your vet is advising against anesthesia, than look at some of her other options.

  6. I had a dog that needed this done a few times a year, best money I ever spent; I think it cost me ~$10 to have it done.. Also, it's my understanding that groomers (usually) don't do it properly and that can cause problems, so make sure you're learning the best technique if you do it yourself or have a vet's office take care of it.

  7. He weighs 87 pounds, and we had him on an 80 lb dose for the first several weeks, but have calibrated down to a 70 lb dose, which is just as effective for himThe stuff is pretty expensive here in the US - hopefully it is less expensive in Canada for you.

    This is very controversial here, warning, but if your dog is in the ballpark of 75 pounds, one option is to use 7.5mg generic human metacam and half the pill, and then it's very affordable. I've done it with two dogs with no problems. Regardless of the source, with any NSAID you should do bloodwork before starting and then routinely if using daily.

  8. Great input thank you. I'm well armed for the vet tomorrow.

     

    Do any of you find that your dog is restless when on it or more anxious? Is it a "calming" med so to speak that mellows them out at all?

    It shouldn't have any impact on mental health at all, it's an anti-inflamatory. That said, sometimes pain can cause the dog to be unsettled, they have trouble getting comfortable, etc. so you may see a reduction in pacing, getting up and down constantly, etc. if it works.

  9. Patrick took metacam (well, human meloxicam) periodically for years and then daily for about three, when the Tramadol alone stopped working it made a huge difference in his quality of life (arthritis). Never had a single issue, not symptom wise or in terms of bloodwork. Not terribly relevant, but I had a rabbit on Metacam for about five years, never had a single issue either. Rimadyl is banned in our house due to a bad experience.

  10. We brought our hound home in June, went through the process of choosing and dialing in his food, and have been content for about 6 weeks. Recently, though, he's been getting antsy after his 2-cup dinner, to the point of whining and pacing. He gets breakfast and lunch, spread out because the wife and I work, but it's gotten to the point where he won't settle for the night without a snack. He had lost some weight at first, what with adaptation being a thing, but he's been in good shape since July. I figured this would be a good post to ask on. Any enlightening thoughts??

    Are you letting him outside / walking him after dinner. Around here, that's a sign they need to poop, which eating seems to trigger.

  11. Some dogs (Henry) do seem always hungry, others not--Leo is currently back on a semi-starvation strike. Cooked frozen green beans have worked well here when Henry needed to be on a diet, I just cook 3 days or so at once and put them in the fridge, assuming medical issues have been ruled out and the amount of calories offered is appropriate, she might try that.

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