greysmom

So sweet!

Pancreatitis. Go to the vet. FWIW, pork products always affect my dogs the worst.

Unfortunately, corn removal surgery is very rarely curative. The pad takes a long time to heal, and the corn will come back. Any highly moisturizing cream will help his pads. Soak his foot in an Epsom salt solution (or soak a wash cloth and wrap around his foot, followed by a plastic bag), then moisturize, then put a baby or toddler sock on overnight. He should also be wearing a protective boot when out for walks on hard ground. If you are on Facebook there's a very good group called "Greyhounds With Corns" that has a ton of information and support, including on a newly created surgical treatment that is having good results eliminating corns from their source. There is a link in the last corn thread on this page.

I'm confused at this point which vet is handling her treatment? Not always, but usually, there will be different symptoms with a heart issue - dizziness, coughing and/or wheezing, overall weakness and lethargy, vomiting, nausea. Limping isn't one of them. You girl *could* have had some sort of TIA event, or spinal stroke. Dogs can and do recover from them all the time, but you need a good diagnosis to work off of first.

It is going to be more difficult to find dogs with specific traits - actually, any dogs at all for some areas of the country - so you may need to wait an extended time if you need certain things. You also may need to compromise some things - since you *definitely* need good alone, you may need to get an older dog, or a bounce that already has a history in a home, rather than a young fresh-from-the-track training failure. Or a male instead of a female. It's good you now have a group who knows you and what you will need, so keep in touch with them! Consider volunteering with them for events, or in other non dog owning related ways. Being familiar to the "deciders" in a group can give you a leg up when new dogs come in.

You have great adventures with your pack!

Please don't be so hard on yourselves. Sometimes it just doesn't work, and that's sad, but it's not a huge tragedy, especially for Ruby. Consider that you have been her long term foster home, and prepared her for the next adventure in her life. Now her adoption group knows what she needs to have a successful placement in her forever home. And you also have much more information about the future dog you need. Also consider that SA is notoriously difficult, just as your trainer said (she's a keeper, btw, compassionate and understanding), and its it's definitely NOT a failure on your part to have to return her. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and the fact that you recognized yours and still did what is best for Ruby is a good thing! It's also quite possible that there is nothing you could have done for her, no matter how long you tried or how hard you wanted it to work. There are just some dogs that cannot live by themselves, and Ruby may be one of them. She will still find a perfect Forever Home, and you will find your perfect Heart Healer! So, dry your tears and be happy for her! Look forward to seeing Ruby with her new family at events because I guarantee she will remember you fondly! And maybe by then you will have a new dog to introduce to her too!

There's a reason they're called "landsharks!"

It depends on a lot of factors whether I take a dog or not. Most importantly is if a dog will be safe: >Is the outdoor temperature reasonable for either walking on pavement or staying in the car for a (very very) short time? >Will the dog be (legally) welcome where I'm going? >Will he enjoy the outing or would he rather snooze at home right then? If I'm just running to pick up food or another errand where I don't leave the car I try and take a dog. It gets them used to going for rides and helps them be calm when we do. It's a nice way to break up a day and tire them out a little without much work on my part! I also try and take one if I run to the vet for a non-appointment reason so every time we go isn't something bad -the receptionists and techs love getting visits, I can weigh them, and, again, an outing that's fun! Going to an outdoor shopping area or garden store at off times for walking and exercise is good too - they can get used to meeting people and being in a more controlled environment. With four dogs this means I'm trying to take one somewhere at least once a week, but I don't take them anywhere and everywhere with me. If I'm under a time crunch or schedule dogs are a no go - greyhounds get attention everywhere you go, so you need to build in time for attention and talking with people. It also just takes longer to do anything with a dog in tow! I don't leave my dogs in the car either - they come with me or they stay home. My more anxious dogs also don't leave the house very often, so assess his temperament too. But don't feel guilty if you leave him for a couple hours! He will likely just sleep - just like he would do if you were home! If you feel he can be trustworthy left alone in the house, give him a short trial out of his crate (or left with the door open). Take him if you want and have the time (and energy!). It's good for everyone! But he doesn't have to go every time or even most times. It should be fun!

We have not, but Kirkland seems to be generally well tolerated and liked by most greyhounds. Worst case you can maybe donate the open bag to your adoption group (or local shelter) if she doesn't do well on it.

Not yet. I imagine it will be a while since he just started doing it about 6 mos ago. Though there are a lot of vets here in the States talking with him about it - many, many people on the FB page are asking their own docs to talk with him. HeyRunDog, I'm sure displacment is an issue they are exploring. I mean, this basically just creates a "sprung toe" - something that happens quite frequently on it's own, so I wonder if owners are seeing corns on their "naturally" spung toe dogs??

Have him tested and treated for hookworm. 5 cups sounds like a lot of food. Read through the hookworm thread in the Health and Medical section.

:confetti

Definitely get her in to see her own vet, as soon as you can, if possible, but definitely keep the Thursday appt. It could be so many things - related and unrelated, serious or not - that could be sorted out by a vet more familiar with greyhound issues (or even more familiar with your individual dog). FWIW, if it's a soft tissue injury, or something involving muscles/nerves, the meds she was given should help. Try giving her small portions of a bland diet until she's feeling better (low fat protein like rinsed ground chicken/turkey), and a easily digestible carb source (overcooked rice or pasta, sweet potatoes).

I would keep her in her crate until you are able to leave for 10 minutes or more, or for the run of that AT session. Remember, the entire trick of alone training is to return *before* she becomes anxious. You basically want to make her bored with all the coming and going, and what goes on beforehand, so she doesn't start ramping up her level of anxiety. So alone training in our house started with me (and my husband) just carrying around our car keys, making them jingle, setting them down and picking them up - until they don't react to it anymore. Then add the next thing - my purse and DHs jacket - until no reaction. And so on, until you can walk through the door - shut it and come right back in - until bored. Then start extending the time. If you can set up a camera or Skype session so you can watch her after you elave it can help you with timing a lot.

I wanted to add the following caveat - there are parasites that they can ingest from eating grass. A friend's dog was diagnosed with lung worms from eating grass that had small snails on it, and my own dog has a mite/nematode that comes from ingesting earthworms. So there are issues with grass eating.

When we still had grass, I often felt like I had a herd of sheep in the spring! They even found a way to graze with muzzles and stool guards on! So it's probably ok - unless! - it's accompanied by loud stomach gurgles, vomiting, soft stools, not wanting to eat, or other signs of nausea. Then it's time for a vet visit as it could be a sign of something that needs figuring out and treating like parasites or digestive issues.

:wub:

Larry - talk to your vet to see if there is a fast acting anti anxiety med he can have at home (trazodone, xanax, etc) before he goes in for his surgery that won't interfere with the anesthesia. Make sure you try it out first to make sure he tolerates it well. There is also some indication that potassium levels during and post surgery are very important to a successful recovery. Zeke - he can definitely start the Amicar three to four days pre-dental to control any bleeding. Start looking for it now though as it has been difficult to locate recently. Tranexamic acid is the preferred substitute if you can't find it.

Aiden 1-4

Happy Birthday Ruby!!!!!!

That hat would not last a single second on any head in this house!!! But Sid is adorable!

I think that's a little broodie stink eye in that first picture!