rascalsmom

Jack used to be on rimadyl, but it started giving him stomach issues, so we discontinued it.

Not to mention, there is always the chance that, after amputation, a NEW corn will appear on one of the remaining toes. Jack has corns, too, and they are truly evil.

I used Wart Ade on Jack, but it didn't really make a difference. I put it on him whenever he was resting. However, later on, it seemed that EVERY TIME I put it on, he'd immediately get up. So I quit. No sense putting it on if it's rubbed off on the bed or carpet right away.

Keeping Iker in my prayers for a safe dental, and a sparkling clean mouth!

We've had four dogs--only one remains. All three of the ones who passed were taken to the vet.

Sounds like Jack. Perhaps talk to your vet about trying some "low residue" prescription food. That's what we did with Jack, and it helped things a lot. He is still on it, and may be on it from now on. Sure, it's expensive, at over $70 for 30 pounds, but usually--not always--there is relatively solid poop to pick up. He will probably never be one of those "bouncy poop" type of dogs, but he likes this food, and does pretty well on it. The vet explained it to me that the prescription food sometimes helps to 'calm things down' in the gut. So you may be able to transition your dog to a non-rx food after getting things 'calmed down'. The ingredients on the prescription food look horrible, but it's working, and he eats it.

I used to change food frequently for Rascal--she got bored with it, it seemed. My picky princess, always wanting me to up the ante when it came to her dinner. It used to drive me bananas, but now I wish she were still here making me crazy. Jack is on prescription food (low residue) and wolfs it down with only a little water on it. I guess I 'earned' my enthusiastic eater.

At our previous house we had a combination of 5' and 6' cedar shadowbox privacy fencing, and 4' chain link. Here we have split rail with wire on the outside. All have worked to contain the hounds, but none of ours have ever shown any inclination to jump. My DH always says we could probably take the fence down altogether, now that we only have Jack, and he wouldn't even notice. Jack is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and does not spend much time outside; he prefers to be inside. Out and right back in, that's his philosophy.

I am sorry for your loss, Susan.

I was told many years ago that cocoa butter is good for reducing the redness of scars. Not sure if it works. My personal experience--I had thyroid surgery many, many years ago (right after high school), and it left a largish scar--just the way my skin heals. I used cocoa butter on it, but now, many, many years later (think MORE than 30!! ) it is still visible. HOWEVER, early on, it was much redder and believe it or not it got VERY red when I would drink alcohol!! So keep Iker away from the booze, too. My scar, while still visible, isn't as bad as it once was. So perhaps with time Iker's will be less noticeable. I agree though--keep sunscreen on it. Or a bandana would cover it, too, that's a good idea, since you don't want him licking sunscreen.

I am so sorry. Something very similar happened to friends of ours...they went to a movie and came home to find their greyhound, Ginger, dead. You are right, cherish every day, even every moment.

Ditto this. Gentle hugs to your girl....

Glad to hear she stopped crying. When Rascal had surgery, I, too, was amazed at how large her incision was. I hope Sophie rallies today.

My girl, Rascal, had hemangiopericytoma....it was diagnosed in May 2009, when she was just over 10 years old. Hers was in the 'armpit' area of her front leg--partly on the upper part of her leg. She had surgery, and the vet told me then that it was likely to come back, as this was something that was 'like tendrils' and therefore very hard to get all of it. She also told me that usually, a second surgery is NOT indicated. Rascal did really well. About 1.5 years later, I noticed the lump coming back. The second time the lump was really more of a lump--the first time it was manifested by a big fluid filled thing--the vet drained it, then felt nodules....and that led to the surgery. We basically just kept an eye on it, since Rascal was still feeling good, playful, etc....as playful as an 11+ year old greyhound is, anyway . By late November of 2011, the lump was huge, and had started ulcerating....Rascal was licking at it a lot, as though she just *couldn't* leave it alone. She went to the Bridge on December 1, 2011. The vet did tell me that it was unusual for a dog to get 2+ years after the surgery, with that type of cancer.

I have used Oxyfresh for awhile, and ran out a couple of months ago. I have noticed Jack's breath getting worse, but that could also be because he's not had a dental since 12/09. At his check up last fall, the vet said his teeth were okay, that he didn't need a dental yet. I agree with Susan--always best to start with a dental.

I am so sorry to hear this.

VERY good tip. Even if you have a screen door (like on a sliding glass door), BE SURE to put something on it so they know it's there! I speak from experience, you do not want to go through what we (and sweet Ruby) went through.

Yes, I heard of someone else giving bee propolis orally, and it helped. Definitely worth a try. That's what I am going to try next with Jack if the "Wart Ade" doesn't work.

I never heard of 'denerving'....interesting concept, since there seems to be NOTHING to make these horrible things go away forever.

No advice, but that poor, poor dog. Jack has a corn on each of three feet, but fortunately he is tolerant of me hulling them/putting various things on them. I am not at all an expert on corns, but I have read (GT and the Yahoo corndog group) where a few dogs responded to antibiotics--azirthromycin and clindamycin were two that were mentioned. I would be tempted to try one or both of those with a dog who is so protective of his feet. Lots of hugs for that poor corndog.

columbus--here you go. Wart Ade

Our vet suggested removing Jack's worst corn--and she is VERY grey-savvy, even went to OSU. She told us 'about 50%' of them come back. No way will I do that....I have heard too many stories of people having that done, and the corn is back before the pad is even healed....or having a toe amputated, and a new corn pops up on the adjacent toe. I will try every other possible treatment, but I will NOT go down the surgery road. Have you joined the yahoo cornhound group?

I have been using it on Jack faithfully--at least twice daily, sometimes three or four times. So far, no difference, but it's early yet--only a week or two. Seems like every time I put it on him, he promptly stands up and rearranges his bed, thereby wiping it off. It works better if I sit there and pet him for a few hours....

Congratulations! He is gorgeous, and I guess his mom is OK with him being home! I think Colleen Pace was my Jack's owner, too!