[Need A Solution For Icy Steps In Winter]

I'm looking into buying some of those holey rubber mats like they have in the produce sections at grocery stores. I figure the holes will let the water drain through and prevent icey slicks. Not sure if it will work, but that's the plan for my back step!

 

I tried this and it didn't work, those little holes filled up so fast and the temps were cold enough to freeze too quickly to allow the water/snow to drain.

I recently had a new ramp built in another spot off the deck, our first winter here was a nightmare. We went through 275lbs of the salt Batmom mentioned, it was much better than the pet safe stuff. Went through a lot of it but it kept the dogs safe.

I had a couple of guys come out and brain storm with me for a better solution for next winter should we stick it out.

Best bet is to have the area, stairs or ramp covered with a roof, next best solution was the heated outdoor carpets, for my ramp which extends 14ft, it would be just under 1800.00. I would imagine it's much cheaper for stairs, and after talking to someone who uses them, they really work well unless you're talking a lot of snow and continued freezing temps.

 

Good luck!

[Licking]

I have a licker, and getting to the route of it is the best bet to help solve it. If it's allergies, food, seasonal or contact, there's an fairly easy fix. If it's behavioral, it's a little more difficult.

 

But I would start with trying to find out why

[Dental For 12 Year Old Who Has Had A Stroke?]

Ekko just turned 13 a few days ago, but at 12, and after having a stroke, went in for a dental. She had some problems after but that was only due to the vet's inexperience.

I didn't want her going under, but she needed that dental badly so I felt it had to be done.

[Have You Heard Of Hyperthyroidism In Greys]

Cushing's is related to hyperactive adrenal functioning, rather than thyroid. Will thyroid values be off with Cushing's?

 

Yes Donna, not always but in many cases yes

[“Cash” Jnb Out Lawcash 4-8-1999 / 7-11-2011]

What a legacy she leaves, I am so very sorry,

 

God speed baby girl

[Slick Heart 2/14/2001 - 7/12/2011]

[I Hate To Ask Again So Soon]

My God Judy, I had no idea! Many many prayers for your special baby girl

[Terrified Of Fireworks, Barking At Thunder]

One of my boys is very noise phobic, and runs out to bark at thunder and fireworks, and then my other boy is thunder phobic and hides and shakes when it thunders.

 

This has been our first experience with both and when I blocked the dog door, Wayne tried to jump out the window and luckily I got between him and the window soon enough to stop him.

 

It's just no fun for them!

[What Anxiety Med To Try Next ?]

Sometimes, the drugs just don't work. Lenny has severe thunder phobia and after trying the different drugs, my vet feels that the drugs, no matter what the dose, are not going to help him. I also have tried the thunder coat.

 

He has his 'safe place' in the bathroom which is in the middle of the house with no outside walls and no windows.

[Jilly Bean Spending The Night At The E-Vet]

[Easy Dog 3/13/2002 - 6/28/2011]

Wayne's FB buddy, he will be so missed

[Itchy Feet]

Maybe it's something that got mowed-up? Stinging nettle? Who knows what he's running over through the field.

 

How much Benadryl would he get? He weighs about 83lbs.

 

From here:

 

As of today, there are no set guidelines; however, most veterinarians will recommend giving 1mg of Benadryl per 1 pound of body weight every 8 hrs, as the standard dosage of Benadryl for dogs.

 

I am so glad you posted this because so many times, people under dose Benadryl and then say it doesn't help.And that dose can be given 3x a day

[Oh Deer Deer]

This is my first experience with ticks so I tried the Frontline Plus but was still seeing ticks so I added the Adams spray. Saw less of them but still a few. All deer ticks here.

I read about a product called Triple Sure put out by Natural Wonder out of Arizona. It's an all natural product so I was skeptical but decided to try it. It also doesn't smell like I'm putting weed killer on my dogs.

 

It's been 5 weeks now and not one tick on any of the dogs, so it really does work.

[Grey Losing Weight, Can't Figue It Out]

Wishing you luck and will look forward to hearing the outcome. Just a note on Cushings, my little girl lost weight with Cushings as did a friend of mine's boy. Weight and muscle mass

[Grey Losing Weight, Can't Figue It Out]

In June 2011 he started losing weight, energy level dropping fast. Continued losing significant weight (80 down to 72.4 lbs), but appetite was good, ate as much as usual, no vomiting or diarrhea. Thirst increased, urination seemed down. Began poop eating (never done this before). Energy levels continue to drop.

This right here screams Cushings to me

ETA: Cushings also messes with the thyroid

[Sprinkles Is Afraid Of Fireworks]

Sprinkles, buddy!! Ekko is sending her very best

 

The thunder coat would probably not help for fireworks.We go through this with Wayne and have found that not much helps him. I just put the tv up louder than I usually do and try to drown out the noise.Even the drugs do not help him.

 

Good luck buddy, hopefully it doesn't last long!

[Good Thoughts For Tessa Please!]

Many good thoughts!

[Good Thoughts For Maddie, Please]

Many good thoughts from us

[Rickie Is Limping]

I have very little experience with corns Mary, but could it be related despite that they are hulled regularly? As for Arthritis, it doesn't always show in an X-ray, although the meds you mentioned should cause a show of improvement..

 

Not much help I guess, but we will keep Ekko's special friend in our prayers for something simple and easily fixed

[Jack - 8/12/04 - 6/12/10]

Robin

[Diamond, A.k.a., "wazzu Rose"]

Bethany, I am so very sorry she needed to leave. You're in my thoughts!

 

God speed to you baby girl

[Grey's And Ace Promezine]

Ace is part of acceptable greyhound anesthesia protocol along with ketamine/propofol and iso/servoflurane. Ace should be dosed at 50% or less then other breeds.

 

I was just reading Suzanne Stack's notes on Ace as part of the anesthesia protocol, and she stated she would not give a GH more than 1mg

[Thunder Shirts, Do They Work For Fireworks?]

When I moved here to the East coast, I experienced thunder phobia for the first time with Lenny, it's really bad. And Wayne has always been noise phobic.

I have learned the big difference.

 

Tried the coats for both and didn't work for either. It didn't make sense that it would work for noise phobia(fireworks) but hoped it would help for the thunder.

 

But as already stated, works for some and not for others, but it's worth a try

[Anyone Have Experience With Trazodone?]

I also vote no to Ace! My vet tried and I said "no thanks"...Claudia, is the vet you are trying to think of Dr. Feeman?? He's a wealth of information. I have researched a lot on meds for anxiety on dogs, and the Xanax didn't work for Daisy either. You really have to dose them high with the Xanax. What milligram were you giving?? My next med to talk to the vet about is Klonopin. It's in the same family as Xanax, but lasts a little longer. It's in the benzodiazopine family...

 

Not Bill, this is a fairly new member and I don't think it's common knowledge they are a vet, it will come to me, but God only knows when

[Anyone Have Experience With Trazodone?]

I've used it for several clients but never on a dog which doesn't help you. But I did want to say I really respect the fact that you stuck to your guns about not using Ace.

 

Thanks, I've had too many people warn me against it. I like my vet just fine, but he is not a "greyhound vet." Fortunately, he does ask my opinion and only does what I'm comfortable with.

 

I won't use it, nor will my vets, and I wish I remembered the name of the vet who is on here whose description of just how that drug works was so right on. It's a tranq and I know there are some people here who have no problem using it, but it's not the drug for anxiety issues and issues of that nature.