Missilesmom

Will do. Thanks much, all.

Hoping for the same result!

Blessings to all of you.

Vet just called and we are starting Doxy right away tomorrow. Bandit (6y/o) shows no signs of feeling ill but his tick panel number is off the charts. Vet was suprised that he was not sick and said he would most likely get sick. We are now ordering a kidney panel as well. Anyone have experience with this? I've just read a few things because I can't sleep. I see the following; dog can show no symptoms, get sick or die. Sick means any of these from what I can tell; lame, vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy, frequent urination, kidney trouble or neurological issues. Not too heartwarming. Looking for recommended reading and experiences to share. Thanks.

Prayers coming from our house to yours!

Thanks everyone for your support. Missile hardly seemed to sleep on the first night. I had a small light on so I could keep an eye out for him. By day two he was much better, and now, day three, he is pretty much back to normal. Off of pain meds and he seems to be just fine. Soft foods for two weeks is the only other thing we are doing. Happy new year!!!

OK, we're home and all seems to be well. 5 teeth removed and he's on the Tramadol as expected, plus a few other things. He's got that stare at you and not blink junkie look, which is fine by me if he is not in pain and we've got the problem taken care of. Ken and I got him out of the car (2 person deadlift) and put him down gently and his back legs just caved slowly. So we both leaned in and let him rest laying on the ground. Then he easily got up and peed one of the longest pees in history. I'll be sleeping with him & Bandit downstairs tonight. Just in case we need to "go out" in the middle of the night. I have to say how impressed I am with the Dental Vet that I went to. They were recommended by a friend whose niece is a vet surgeon in VA. I learned so much more about dental care and technique from them in the assessment and post op discussions than I had in 2 years of regular vet visists. They spent about 20 minutes with us debriefing after the surgery today before we got to see Missile. I have in my possession color pictures of his teeth for before and after and 2 contact sheets of xrays. They were really fantastic. http://www.veterinarydental.com/ In case anyone locally in Boston is interested.

Wow. Now THAT gives me hope and perspective!

OK, it's looking like 5 extractions total. We pick him up in about 90 minutes. He is doing well under anesthesia, they probably stopped it by now and he is coming out. Can't wait to see him and let him lean on me. I am going to get to see before and after pictures. Based on someone else's post, I said, "please don't give me his teeth." If anyone has post extraction recommendations, I'd welcome then. Maria, thanks for your email. ;-)

Thanks for the good wishes. It's hard to focus while I wait. I think I'll go try to brush Bandit's teeth now. He's next for a dental exam after we are all through with Missile. Prayers for my sweet, sweet boy.

Vet just called. So far 4 teeth need to be removed. I am not suprised. A few are dead and some have severe bone loss. My poor boy, must have been in pain. They are going to finish the right side and then get to the left side of his mouth. Anyone know about how long the recovery might take? Ken is home but I am thinking I want to be home too.

We've had Missile for two years and he came with the usual bad teeth. He had a low cost (about $300) dental cleaning (with anesthesia) by a greyhound specialist vet the first year we had him. He came thru like a champ, but I have to say that I thought his teeth would have been "cleaner". He still had the smoker's teeth look and after a while the bad breath came back. Brushing has been extremely difficult. He basically doesn't let me get to his teeth. The best I can do is let him chew the brush with toothpaste on it. A few weeks ago I took him to a dental vet specialist in the area for an assessment, and to his regular vet (not the vet that did his first dental) because we thought he wasn't feeling well and couldn't figure out what was wrong. He just seemed tired, a little withdrawn and not having fun. The dental doc could not do a thorough exam because she said Missile was "painful", meaning his mouth hurt so much, he resisted the exam. No wonder he wouldn't let me brush. His regular vet identified a heart murmur. Level 2 on the 1 (low)to 6 (high)scale. Then we had an ultrasound to make sure nothting else was going on. He was cleared for his dental today. We are expecting extractions. He went under on propofol (injectable anesthesia) and will be given sevoflurine for the gas anesthetic. So far the vet bills add up to about $800 and we expect the dental to range from $2K to $2.8K. But you know, to me it will be worth it if my boy is better. I wish I had not gone the cheap way the first time around. He might have been feeling better sooner.

Me too. Just totally stymied. How do you comprehend something like this. Tragic. Sending love for coping and blessed rememberances.

OK Jake, lose the temperature and start jostling with your sistah and kisses for mommy too. C'mon Jake....

Such precious memories.

Blessings to you Jennifer and Quiet Man - with loving hearts from Ann Marie, Ken, Missile and Bandit. I'll never forget when Ken first men Quiet Man. When Ken came back for his second walk with Greyhound Adventures, he saw you and QM approaching and said, "So how is Barking Man?" You laughed and with a big smile said, "It seems like his name should really be Barking Man, but it's Quiet Man." I feel your loss and find it hard to hold back my own tears, so I won't. What a sweet, sweet boy who chose exactly the right person for his mumma. May the incredible love and companionship that you shared endure all the pain from your loss. Run free, sweet Quiet man. Run free.

Sending prayers and love...

I am so, so, so sorry you had this incident. I do hope doggie is doing better and that the owner of the pit has ramifications. That situation was totally preventable and she was totally irresponsible. Heart love to you and your pack.

Wow, this is great, thanks. I looked up and saw this too as a result of your information: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2&aid=2252

Hi, Someone I know just adopted a new GH and took him to the vet for first check up. The dog had red spots on his belly/groin area and was scrathing a lot. The vet suggested dog either had allergies or was bitten by bugs. So vet recommended a product called Veirbac for itching relief. It is supposed to repel flies and mosquitos. Dog is already on flea/tick application monthly. Owner agrees that dog may be having reaction to bugs since he was laying in yard for a while before vet visit. I will do a google search on the product but am just wondering if anyone has had specific experience with or knowledge of this product. Any information appreciated. Thanks much.

I quadruple the motion on hand check. My guys love it too. Before we get into the house when back from a walk I do a head to toes tick check and talk to them while I do it. I check in that crevise by the first joint after their paws especially. I have found ticks nestled inside that spot. My short haired brindle gets less ticks than my longer/fluffier haired cow patch dog. The ticks like his body warmth and longer hair better but they are easier to see actually. I lift up the tail and run my hand down the tail and spread their paws apart and look in there too. We walk the trails daily and Massachusetts is really tickachusetts. Good luck.

Crying here too Barbara. Our sweet angels depend on us to care for them and to make this ultimate decision out of the greatest love that we have. Remember, tiny little hands, holding your heart, helping to lift the pain, from our house to yours. Kisses to Rock Star too and for you. Praying you can get through your days and that peace comes to you... Ann Marie

Prayers, prayers, prayers and more.....

How brave everyone is in your household. Keep up the good healing work, sweetie. Prayers coming at ya.

Just thougt I'd post my vet update and close out the conversation. I really appreciated eveyone's feedback. So there was a puncture that could not be seen from the swelling and the hanging hair covering a potion of the wound. RX: is warm compresses a couple times a day, antibiotics for 10 days and neosporin. Missile is sporting a freshly shaved below the ear cut and vet had to clip off dead skin with hair in a few spots around the edges to keep it out of the open wound. It is actually starting to heal though in just 48 hours. I think we are going to be A-OK. Missile has been bouncing back quite nicely and thoroughly enjoys the cream cheese surrounded antiB pills!