Jump to content

vjgrey

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,427

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by vjgrey

    My Grey Won't Eat Kibble

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    Every meal was a struggle with my five year-old Lucy until we started cooking whole chickens in the crockpot. You cook it on low over 24 hours, and it all turns to mush - even the bones can be smashed with a fork. I freeze huge batches, and before meals, I heat it with a little water. It makes a chunky "gravy" that she LOVES, and it coats the kibble, so she can't just pick out the chicken. We started making it regularly over a year ago, and since then, she hasn't once refused to eat.

    Osteo Thread V

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    We're home from our appointment...her albumin came up to 1.7, so I guess that's good...

     

    Bad news is, she has HO :( It's very early stage, but, it's there. We're going to do what we can to keep her happy until it's time.

     

    I'm so sorry, Kristin. I know you'll (continue to) spoil your brave girl rotten.

    Gallop Heart Rhythm

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Greyhounds are commonly misdiagnosed with heart murmurs because of the way their hearts are built, although if she's hearing something she's never heard before, that may be something outside of "greyhound normal."

     

    Lucy was diagnosed with a low-level heart murmur earlier this year, when she was four. We went back for a second appointment with our regular vet JUST to see if she heard it again (she did) and then had it confirmed through an EKG by a cardiologist with greyhound experience. Fortunately, right now, it doesn't really affect her life at all. It's not severe enough to need meds, so we just give her fish oil and go for checkups every six months.

     

    You might see if your vet wants to see Bentley again in a few weeks to see if it's just a fluke (sometimes nerves/shaking can cause odd sounds) or something she hears again - in which case it probably needs to be checked out by a specialist.

    Limping Question

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Get an x-ray. Don't wait.

     

    This.

     

    If nothing else, it'll give you some peace of mind.

     

    Our first indication of Gabe's osteo was an awkward gait in his back legs. Not a full limp, and not constant, but just an "off" walk. X-rays found primary tumors in one front leg and one back leg, although Dr. Couto said it's very unusual to see them in both.

     

    I'm sure it's just a little arthritis or strained muscles, but I always, always think it's best not to wait to X-ray limps.

    What To Expect When Adopting A Retired Racer

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    :yay I am so excited!! I just has a wonderful converation with my adoption group rep. She lives only 6 miles from my house! We are having our home visit next weekend....to give hubby a bit longer to finish the books. We agreed a big boy would be a good fit in our home. So it's just going to be waiting to see what is available after next weekend. I discussed my main concerns. She said *if* there is any sign of resource guarding or food aggression when she gets a foster, it's gone before they leave. And we went over the sleep startle too. She has 3 greys. One of the three has some minor issues with it but she's 11 years old and it didn't start until after she started losing her hearing, which is completely understandable. It just seems we clicked on everything. I'm so relieved and excited!!

     

    Does anyone do blood donations with their greys? She was telling there's a program near us....about 20 min.....and it sounds like a great thing. And I hope to get involved in the meet and greets too....ohhhhhh I have new purpose :flip

     

    Sorry, just excited.

     

    It's super exciting! Adopting my first (and second, and third, and fourth) was life-changing for me, in the very best way.

     

    And the big boys are my favorites.

    How High Energy Can I Expect A 2 Year Old To Be?

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I think it has a lot more to do with personality than with age.

     

    I adopted Lucy when she was a year and a half old, and she's never been super high energy. She tended to follow the cues of my other two hounds. If they played, she'd play harder and longer, but if they napped most of the day, she was okay with that, too. She's mellowed out even more since she's gotten older (just turned five), and now my nine year-old is more high energy than she is.

     

    My four year-old, however, is the energizer bunny. He's still not convinced he's a greyhound.

    What To Expect When Adopting A Retired Racer

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by vjgrey

    I guess it seems sad to me because they are so isolated. Both from humans and other dogs. It just seems like a lonely life. Since dogs are pack animals they need social interaction. I realized their physical needs get met, but at what cost? I know it's not the worst way to grow up, but it just seems like a lonely life.

     

     

    I think it's exactly the opposite - greyhounds grow up being handled multiple times a day by trainers, leadouts and kennel staff, and they're constantly surrounded by dozens of other greyhounds. They stay with their littermates until they're more than a year old - and it's not uncommon for littermates to go to the same track. Once they get to the track, they're separated by crates (which a lot of them see as their safe space), but they certainly aren't crated all day. Greyhounds are actually EXTREMELY social and well-socialized, which is why some of them have separation anxiety when they come home. They aren't used to ever being alone, or even with just a few dogs. It's also why you can take most greyhounds to events with 50 other hounds, and you won't have a single snark or fight.

     

    Edited to add - While there are certainly some "shady" tracks, most trainers and kennel workers absolutely love and know their dogs. They're definitely NOT isolated from people. My latest adoptee grew up playing with his trainer's kids and having birthday parties.

    Fedx

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    My Gabe was diagnosed a year ago next month. Although we only had four months with him, FedX was, and is, such a symbol of hope for us.

     

    I'm so sorry he had to leave you.

×
×
  • Create New...