greysmom

Did your vet discuss your greyhound's diet with you, concerning diet-mediated Dilated CardioMyeopathy and grain free dog food?? It's also perfectly reasonable to get a second opinion in situations with a serious diagnosis like this. You might call around and see if there is a cardiologist in you area who can see your girl sooner rather than later. It may be difficult due to pandemic scheduling, and cardiologists being particularly busy these days, but I would definitely consider it. Also, start researching now for the cost and availability in your area of the meds she needs to be on. Due to so many dogs being diagnosed with DCM there are shortages of the most common RXs and the price has skyrocketed. The Good RX app was a lifesaver for us with getting costs down for meds.

Good luck!!!!

Does anyone remember the "cheese" thread????? On a serious note.... Put him in another room with a peanut butter filled kong, or a puzzle toy - something safe that will take him a while to get through (ie not a chew treat or bone). FWIW, our first greyhound actually bit my husband on the butt thinking she was protecting me.

Usually it's the opposite that happens - they want to eat too much! But loss of appetite for overmedication can happen too. FWIW, my boy's reading was .2 (yes, point 2) and that was normal for him. So when you say low end, it can be *really* low end. He was on thyroid supplementation when he came to us, but he didn't really need it. When he was on supplementation he was underweight and always hungry, very hyper, and couldn't concentrate. Once we stopped it, he gained weight and calmed down almost immediately. Does your dog have any other clinical symptoms of low thyroid?

He's likely giving you signals that you aren't seeing. Sometimes they can be *very* subtle, or they can be very short term - as in, I need to go now (poop)! Make sure you clean the spot where he's going with a good enzymatic cleaner. If possible, block off the access to that spot later on. And take him out if he starts moving around at all after his scheduled last outs. It sounds like you're keeping him on a reasonable schedule. He may just be one of those dogs that need extra outs if that schedule gets disrupted. I would also have a fecal check for hookworm and other parasites, even if he had a negative one before, as they can also cause increased urgency to go.

Yes, I would say a corn, as well. If you're on Facebook, join the group Greyhounds with Corns. Lots of support and treatment ideas. There used to be many ideas of what caused corns - a virus, encapsulated foreign body, gait issues, etc - but current thinking is that they are the surface eruption of an injury to the main toe tendon, which is next to the bone in dog toes. In general, corns are a life-long maintenance issue and are not something that can be "cured" like other medical issues. You'll find all sorts of treatments on the FB page, but nothing beats epsom salt soaking, moisturizing, and home hulling. There has been a recently developed surgery called a Flexor Tenotomy which cuts the injured tendon, releasing the tension on that toe, creating what's commonly called a "sprung toe." It happens naturally during racing and zoomies and shows as a toe that points mostly upwards and flat instead of downwards and properly curved. Anyway, releasing the tension on the injured tendon seems to make the corn disappear. There's also a FB page dedicated to people who have had or want to get this surgery. Your dog's pads look really super dry. I would use a good, heavy duty moisturizer instead of the Mushers after each soaking. Something like Burt's Bees Hand Salve, or any moisturizer for cracked heels or chapped hands. Try and stay away from mainly petroleum based products (vaseline, etc) as they can be drying to pads as well. And his nails need to be shortened considerably to keep his toes in the proper position during locomotion. If his toe has been really damaged from previous treatments you *may* want to consider amputating that toe (though I would at least try the Flexor Tenotomy before going that route). Good luck!

Totally normal. About 3 months or so after adoption, they really start to settle in, relax, and their personality begins to emerge. Some dogs just pop out like a butterfly, and some take it little bits at a time. Keep him on his schedule, keep going with his training, up his exercise (if possible), and remember he really is still a puppy for another year or so!

Annie!!

Greyhounds can definitely do stairs with the proper teaching, the caveat being the open stair risers found at most homes at the beach. That can be an added issue, and you may need to teach them separately on these stairs. It also might be helpful to get some cheap stair runners for when you stay there to add to the traction and to cover the open risers.

The only "safe" way to transport a dog is inside a crash rated kennel outside of the crumple zone of your car. That being said, most of us can't accomodate a dog, a large kennel, other humans, and any space for storage in our usualy family cars, so we do the best we can. Those seat belt attachments really aren't good, as in a crash the dog becomes a tetherball. If you need to use one, definitely use the kind that attach to a harness rather than the collar. Lots of greyhounds ride just fine in the backseat, with or without a hammock. If you want to give him some extra room, fill in the footwells behind the front seats with foam or comforters (I've even seen folks build storage boxes).

I would say that if he's been sleeping on your lap, and you haven't seen any evidence of sleep startle, he's probably not going to have that behavior. It's always possible though, so just be aware in those situations. And maybe limit his sleeping time in close proximity.

You can search the forum here for threads on sleep startle and resource guarding for TONS more info and advice. And be comforted by the fact that if he *had* intended to bite to harm, he really would have. It's a reflex behavior, nothing personal, one he's learned for as long as he's been alive, so don't expect instant modification. It takes consistent work, every day, to move beyond these behaviors to something you both can live with.

It doesn't bother most dogs, and is the drug of choice for urinary incontinence. Another greyhound medical quirk to put in the bucket. You can also use doggy diapers for overnight or when you need to be gone for extended periods.

I can't even decide on an emoji for that!!! Someone not only doesn't know dogs, they don't have a clue about extinct marsupials!!!!

Get her off the Proin. It's usually contraindicated for greyhounds anyway as it can dangerously raise their blood pressure to the point of causing a stroke/death. The high blood pressure can also cause kidney damage. There are better drugs to use for the leaking. We use a drug called D.E.S (because it's too hard to pronounce! ). Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic estrogen that can be used in some female dogs to treat urinary incontinence (leaking). Some dogs really like renal diets and some won't eat them at all, you'll just need to give it a try. You might check around the internet for a home made renal diet that was published once upon a time. You can use it as a topper or add in to the commercial diet if necessary.

Thanks for the great Petunia update!!! {{{HUGS}}} and healing for you and your FIL, too!!!

HAPPY EVERYTHING DAYS TO AIDEN 1-4!!!!!!

We've used Flor squares off and on for many years, and have generally been happy with them. They clean/wash very easily and, at least the low pile ones, stay looking really good through multiple washings. They aren't cheap though, and can be a real investment if you want any of their really nice looking options. I do like all the colors though!! And the fact you can send them back to the company for recycling when you're done with them. We currently have sisal rugs in the kitchen, which gets the most wear and most use as that's where we come inside all the time. They have held up surpisingly well, though most of the dirt falls through to the floor. It's pretty easy to just pick/roll up the rug and sweep/vacuum/mop underneath.

{{{HUGS}}} for you and your wife Don. What a completely scary situation!!! Poor Petunia!!! Lots of love coming your way!

Like most people, you want to do the right thing for both Murphy and yourselves, and that's wonderful, but don't overthink things too much! Greyhounds are used to living communally with lots of other greyhounds, so there is usually no issues with bringing in another to their living situation. As far as settling in together, that totally depends on the individual you add, so it's difficult to determine beforehand. It's a learning curve every time. As far as Murphy's SA goes, another greyhound may or may not help, and you won't know until you get one. The best thing to do is be very honest with your adoption group and discuss everything you want and need from a second dog so they can find/match you with the right personality for your situation. Male or female shouldn't make any difference, but an older dog or a bounce may be good for your more anxious boy. Two dogs is just like one dog with another dog added!!! Some things are easier, some things require more management. If you can afford a second dog - food, vet care, etc - and have enough room and time for a second dog, then we will usually enable you right into getting another!!!! The car thing is something only you can decide. IMO, a sedan or small hatchback *may* not be big enough for two larger dogs, but people do it successfully all over. The other issue to consider is that greyhounds are now *extremely* difficult to find and adopt. If you want another one at any time in the future you may want to contact your group and see what their situation for getting dogs into their program is, and get on their waiting list, as it can take months and months to find an appropriate addition depending on what you need/want. Your geographic location will be key. Good luck! ETA - Just seeing that you're in Ireland, so disregard the info on adopting. As far as I know, there are plenty of retired racers around your country!

There is definitely a difference between UK and US vets. We see it here all the time. Not only with attitudes, but with trying new techniques or sticking with old training. The biggest one, I think, is about the use of anti anxiety meds. Most UK vets won't even discuss using them - still, in this day and age - and believe it's all a behavioral issue. Sedation for xrays is another. It's mostly for the vet's ease of doing the test, not because a dog actually needs sedation for xrays. I'm sure there are dogs out there that do need them, but almost none of them are greyhounds! My vet knows I prefer to do whatever is necessary with as little sedation as possible, so she always tries is without first. Sometimes, it takes just a very light dose of propofol and a local. The only time we really use the whole protocol is for full dentals or major surgery. Good luck to you on Thursday!

I think this poster means "lipoma" (which is a benign fatty lump), not Lymphoma (which is cancer). This could be so many, many things that to jump right to any form of cancer is a little premature. How big is the lump? Is it hard or squishy? Can you move it around - that is, is it mainly in the top layers of skin or is it attached to the underneath muscle? Can you get your fingers all the way around it? Is it visible on top of the skin when you part his fur? What my vet does when we find a new lump is to extract some cells (fine needle aspiration) and just take a look at them right there in the office to see what they look like. A vet should be able to tell the difference between healthy cells and non-healthy cells. If it's just a fatty lump, then there's no issues - just watch it and keep track of any changes, no need for removal. If the cells look odd then they can be sent in to a lab to be identified. Even if it does turn out to be cancer, a discreet lump can usually be removed fairly easily. If it seems to be growing quickly, shave/cut off some of the hair and draw a line around the lump with a permanent marker so you can keep track of it, as *that* is not a good sign. But one of mine has lipomas all over her - they pop up rather quickly, but then just sit there. Our vet keeps a body map of all Lilly's lumps and bumps so she can check them at her annual exams.

Are french fries a gateway potato??? Sadie Rose

Yes, it's certainly possible, and raising a child with a dog (any dog, not just greyhounds), can be done very successfully. But it takes firm rules about supervision and boundaries, and knowledge of both dog behavior and body language. Many tragedies could have been averted just by observing the interactions and reacting appropriately. There are many people here on GT that have managed to raise kids and dogs together.

If you are on Facebook check out the group called The Pro Greyhound Movement. There are a lot of trainers and owners on there who could give you good advice. And many of the professional racing kennels and breeders maintain FB pages and social media presence. But, in general, which country you live in matters, as there are licensing issues for trainers/owners that vary greatly, costs, rules. etc. Just the differences between the US and UK are pretty big. As far as I know (which isn't very far), there's no legal barriers to owning and training your own dog, but no breeder or owner I currently know does it. You should also contact the NGA (National Greyhound Association) in Kansas for information of rules and regulations. That is the body that governs greyhound racing. If you just want to compete with your greyhound, and have a fun activity together, there are many AKC approved opportunities including oval track racing (NOTRA), straight line sprinting (LGRA), lure coursing, and FASTcat trials. Not money making endeavors, but really fun, and you can meet some really great dog people.