greysmom

I want expert opinions so - of course! - I come to Greytalk! Plus, I needed to write it all out to see if it made sense to me! Background: Cash came to us at Christmas of 07. We already knew she was a spook and were prepared to deal with her issues whatever that took. We researched remedies, read books, and talked to vets and our greyhound mentors. I hadn't yet discovered GT. Cash was a first-class spook. In her foster home prior to coming to us, she was reported as "scared of everything" and obsessed with certain objects including the ceiling fan and stairs. She didn't bond at all with the couple. She also escaped from this foster and ran around loose for five days before being caught. So she came to us and was a foster for about 5 minutes before w knew she was staying forever! She actually did pretty well with our pack at the time - our Angel Libby, Dude and Copper. She was relaxing and learning everything she should have learned already, and doing really well with her fear issues. Then, after we had had Cash for about a month, in the matter of a week or so, we lost Libby. She was our matriarch and the rock of Cash's world. DH and I were devastated. Cash went to pieces. Everything terrified her - inside, outside, new things, old things, literally everything. We couldn't change the pictures on the wall in the living room without her refusing to go there for a week. She wouldn't come to me or go with the other dogs when it was time to go inside, so she was only outside on-leash. It got so bad that she was spending 99% of her life cowering alone up in our bedroom. We tried everything we could think of before deciding she needed medication. On the advice of our vet, Cash was started on alprazolam. It was a godsend for her and changed her life for the better. She has been on this drug since March/April of 08 and, with the help of behavior modification, obedience training, and adopting another female greyhound, she's come a long ways. Cash is now actually a "normal" dog for 90% of the time. We can move the furniture, change the pictures, vacuum, make loud noises, and do other things Cash would have found extremely scary 1 ½ years ago. She even can go places like our recent vacation without too much stress. But she's at the max dose of alprazolam, and still does have severe issues that can occur daily. The research I've been doing suggests this wasn't and isn't the best drug to have her on. What I think I know: Alprazolam is a fast-acting, benzodiazapine tranquilizer. It works, basically, by reducing the communication between excited brain neurons and therefore has a calming effect on many of the functions of the brain. This is why it's helpful in the case of separation anxiety and thunderstorm phobia - it's fast-acting, metabolizes out of the body quickly, and helps keep the brain in a calm state. Interestingly, it is also sometimes used in conjunction with phenobarbitol to control seizures. What I believe would be more helpful to her is for her to be on a class of drugs called SSRI's - a Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor. This class of drugs inhibits the re-absorption of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with mood elevation and reduced aggression. Increasing serotonin in the brain means less anxiety and a happier attitude. By inhibiting the brain's system for removing used serotonin, SSRIs cause serotonin to linger, lasting longer. The more serotonin we have in our brains, the less anxiety, obsession, and depression we get. There are several drugs of this class now approved for veterinary use: Clomicalm (clomipramine - Anafranil), Reconcile (fluoxetene - Prozac), and Buspar (buspirone hydrochloride). Basically, I think, she doesn't need a drug to tell her brain to not be scared, but a drug to help her brain be happier and calmer. Alprazolam is extremely addictive and I'm concerned about how to manage any switch that involves taking her off this drug. There can also be issues with liver damage, though Cash's blood tests have all been fine since starting the drug. What I need help with: >Do you think this is an accurate assessment of the problem? >What more info would you (as a relatively well-informed greyhound owner) need to make an informed decision? >Are there tests that I should ask about (beyond the normal bloodwork and other routine tests)? >Once I believe I have all the info I can gather, where do I go from here? I really like our vets. The practice has three vets who see patients as they come in and I like all of them and the way they deal with the dogs. But they're really just a dog and cat clinic, not even up to doing surgeries more complicated than a neuter/spay. The vet who prescribed Cash's alprazolam was not familiar with anxiety problems, and, while I think she did do research, she didn't go with the most common drug to begin with - either the Clomicalm or off-label Prozac. >So how do I approach this subject with the vet(s) at our clinic? >What kind of specialist could I ask to be referred to if it comes to that? Neurologist? Internist? >Should I just try and find another vet or is this something I can work with a less-informed vet on without being disrespectful? >In your experience, and beyond the obvious, what questions should I ask about a new drug? >How do I decide between the different SSRI's? Are there advantages and disadvantages to each that I didn't find? >What about managing withdrawal from alprazolam? >What questions or subjects am I forgetting to factor in? Thanks in advance for, first of all, reading all this! And second, for your advice and experience! Gters are WONDERFUL!!!!

We have a couple of scheduled, depending on if the DH is home or working. He works a weird schedule, so when he's home, he's up in the middle of the night for norma people! No DH 7:30am - everybody up and outside for pees and poops 7:50am - breakfast and back outside for any leftover potties 10:30am-12:pm - anytime in this window outside for sniffs, maybe play, maybe potties 2:30pm - outside for afternoon playtime, usually potties, lots of running, playing and digging 4:45pm - dinner, and outside right after for leftover potties 6pm-7pm - chew bone in this window of time, outside for whatever right after 10pm-11pm - last potties, and go to bed Dad home 5:30am-7am - breakfast in this window, outside right after same schedule rest of day additional outside for potties around 1:30AM-2:00AM with everyone spending some night time time with Dad If we have shopping or errands we usually run them midday which widens the break between morning and afternoon outdoor time. They can go 6-8 hours if necessary but we don't usually leave them longer than 4.

Definitely get a second opinion from a different vet, including a complete physical. make sure they do a *complete* thyroid panel and not just the customary one (which won't tell you much you need to know for a greyhound). Yo can also go to the Training and Behavior section and search out threads on anxiety, separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, for other suggestions. In the meantime, keep a log of your dogs day to try and pin down what, where, or who might be triggering his attacks.

Dogs can get chemical imbalances the same as people, that require medication to even out. Why would you want your dog to be deressed and anxious when you can easily help her??? Don't expect miracles, even if you do give her the medicine. It can take 2-3 weeks for it to develop a constant theraputic level in her system. And, also like with people, some drugs work for some dogs and some drugs won't. Prozac is the easiest place to start since it already has a canine counterpart - clomicalm. All other anti-anxiety drugs are off-label uses of human medicine. You may also need to adjust the dosage level once it's begun to take effect. She will likely be lethargic and have some decreased appetite until her body gets used to the dosage.

Voting for the Pepcid to. When my girl was beginning kidney failure the vet put her on this due to the acids building up in their systems - it upsets their tummy's and makes them not want to eat. One regular, generic famotidine an hour before eating. She also didn't want to eat in the early morning, but would almost always eat around noon.

Kid's sunscreen is totally non-toxic - as they may ingest itas well - something you can't find in adult varieties. But I imagine if you put it on and wipe it off right away when you come back inside you can use it. Baby stuff you wouldn't have to wipe off every time. I think most baby sunscreen is waterproof, though I don't know that for sure. Spray is just easier to put on if you have to do it a lot, and less messy for the applicator. I've used both and don't find an appreciable difference in coverage. I use it for Dude in the summer since he has no hair undeneath his belly and his back legs at all. It really helps him.

Welcome! And early congratulations!

I've done it both ways - vet and stitches, and letting it heal on its own - with no significant difference either way. The important thing is to keep it clean and dry, though I also second the epsom salts soaks twice a day if possible. Let it air dry *completely,* then wrap up with some padding between the toes to help the air circulate. Baby socks are great for in the house, and a heavy duty ziplock for outside (cut a couple slits through the top, thread some gauze through for a tie, and use it to tie around the leg) to help keep it dry. A lot of this depends on how comfortable you are treating wounds, and how comfortable your grey is letting you fuss with his feet. If there's any question, take him in to the vet.

My ten year old could have dentals every 6-8 months - it's just the way he is. My other three can go more than a year in between full dentals. They all eat the same, get the same chews, etc., so it must be an individual thing. Do you do any dental care at home like brushing? Does he get anything to help remove the tartar - dental chews, hard kibble, dental toys? Both these can help increase the time in between. You can talk to your vet about the new dental vaccine too (do a search here for threads about it).

Poor Aladdin! It's hard not knowing how he got hurt since you can't fix it and will always wonder if one of the others could get hurt the same way. Hope he feels better soon!

Give him time. Remember literally EVERYTHING is new for him and he just neds to get used to it. He doesn't hate you - dogs don't think that way - though he may still be a bit wary. Be calm, be consistent, don't hover (if he won't take a treat he's not likely to take anything off the counters or get into stuff - that'll come later!). If his crate is not in the room where you are, go in there and just sit with him. Near but not too ear and on the floor at his level. Read a book, the newspaper, watch TV - but ignore him. Maybe throw him a really super dooper yummy smelly treat, but don't talk to him necessarily. You can't teach him anything until he is in a space where he can learn - relaxed, focused and trusting you. He's not there yet. Time and patience. Patience and time. The greyhound you have today won't be the one you have in 3 months. He will calm down and relax. Give him the ability to go at his own pace. Congrats and good luck!

Two things to remember: 1) It may take a week or two to see the full effect of the drug. Make sure you give it enough time to work before evaluating its effectiveness. 2) Not every anxiety drug works for every dog. Prozac may or may not be the drug for your boy. If there's no significant improvement after 3-4 weeks, you should discuss a drug that works on different hormones and/or part of the brain. I hope this helps for you. For your second dog, you might consider using the xanax along with the prozac on an as-needed basis for severe sudden attacks.

We're thinking of you and Zeuz and all your pups today. Run free and far sweet boy!

I agree. That's why I was wondering if these articles were too out-dated to refer to when necessary. They use the term "alpha" but the advice seems OK to me. Am I missing something?

OK. I've been coming to GT for a while, but never have explored the "Greyt Information" section until now. There are a couple of pinned topics that are pertinent to many behavior and training questions that come up. I hate the term "alpha." Both these topics on "alpha" training are years old, and somewhat out-of-date to my mind, but what do you think? Are they helpful? Useful? Do-able novice greyhound owners? Are they *too* out-of-date? The Importance of Being Alpha Alpha Boot Camp There is also a petty good thread with some great SA suggestions. Would it be worth asking the mods to pin them in this section instead of the other never-visited one? Would it be worthwile to make our own compilation of info for common questions like SA/thunderstorm/anxiety, growling/snapping, kids and greys, other topics??? Discuss!

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Great News! Get better fast, sweet boy!

I'm thinking it might be excessive licking, as well. If she's licking and the spot is under her tail, it would seem that she's licking her butt. This would lead me to two things: 1) she needs her anal glands expressed; and/or 2) she might have picked up worms from somewhere which causes itching in the anal area. Or she could have some sort of infection. All need a vet visit but are relatively easy to treat.

My two boys - big strong handsome hunks of hounds that they are! - act like the rain is made of acid and wll melt them if even one drop touches their precious hides! They will run out to the driest spot under the trees, do their business in the fastest time possible and run back to the back door. Where they proceed to press themselves under the eves so hard they will likely have wood grain on their pretty fur by summer! My girls, on the other hand, don't seem to mind one way or another. Toni loves to "boosh transe" when the bushes are soaking wet. Cash likes to be outside in any weather as long as it's not: windy, thunderstorms, fireworks, lawnmowers, hammers pounding, leaf blowers, or any other sounds/sight/whatever that she picks to be scared of at that time. Her best time of day appears to be after 10pm when it's pouring rain. Of course! This is when she likes to roam the yard sniffing bushes and random bits of dirt, and making Momma go from one end of the yard to the other to pick a spot to do her business! Oh yes! They all LOVE getting dried off with a big terry towel afterwards though!

I tink you have to be a "contributor" to edit titles and stuff. I hear you about the ever-changing part. My spook Cash has been here two years plus a bit and she still is relaxing and becoming a different dog. Toni has been here a year and, though she's always been loving, she's now burying her head and loving full-contact snuggling, where before she was only comforable having a paw or her head on you in bed. I don't think having a cuddler is a bad thing! As long as you like it, why not???

We use generic Pepcid - famotidine - 10 mg dose (1 pill). Make sure the pills you're giving him have NO other ingredients. Some of the "extra strength" acid reducers use other drugs/chemicals and can sometimes contain sorbitol or another artificial sweetener (which are dangerous for dogs). Good thoughts for Tuffy!!

Yup. Bag Balm. Good for rough pads, scrapes and general soothing balm stuff. Mine don't lick it but I suppose they might. There's also a cream that mushers use (Musher's Friend maybe??????), and a product for toughening up dog pads (google or hopefully someone will post it). You could also try a search here on the Board as there have been threads about this topic.

She's been through so much that it really could be anything. Wait until she sees the vet before you start panicking!

Deb, I would be worried and scared too with that amount of blood. Though thorough check of everyone showing nothing is good. Just watch them all carefully I suppose is the only thing to do. If it's any consolation, it's always the smallest cuts that bleed the most, it seems. Good thoughts coming your way.

Get a Zoom Groom for the kennel coat. Use baby moisturizer (non-toxic and cheaper) on his sin. You can also add a fish oil supplement to his food, but go easy, as dropping a big load of oil all of a sudden might give him diarrhea. Welcome and congrats!