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duncan41

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Posts posted by duncan41

    Legs Has Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I would discuss in depth what you might learn from an MRI and more importantly if you don't plan to choose surgery how it might affect your treatment plan. I personally don't think I'd pay for one at this stage unless I were pretty sure the results would affect treatment, but I also don't have all of the info on Legs. But 100 mg daily is a very low dose. That won't even stay in his system a full 24 hrs. I would start by working him up to 100 3x/day and see if that had an effect.

     

    :nod

    So Frustrated! Lots Of Testing, No Answers

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Do not give Proin without making sure that Max does not have high blood pressure, AND, do not, under any circumstances, give Max the dose based on the standard recommendation. Greyhounds have been known to have grave reactions to Proin. I know. I have one who did.

     

    I would explore the recommendation by 4My2Greys and Susan before doing anything else. If that proves unsuccessful, I would explore I-therm treatments next. It cured my girl's incontinence.

    Indigo Huckabee

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    I feel your pain and anger, but please know that Huckabee felt your presence and your love in his last moments. Thank you for making sure that the person responsible will never be able to endanger another life. I am so sorry. This is one of the saddest tales ever.

    Satchel Seems To Have Had A Stroke

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    What was the wording on the ultrasound report to describe the kidney(s) and spleen. Were both kidneys viewed or only the one on the left side? I wouldn't expect a 10 year old kidney to be "normal" since they age along with everything else. Blood test is a good first step. (Make sure to convert the appropriate results to "Greyhound Values".) Was a urinalysis done? UPC?

     

    Sending prayers for Satchel! The quick partial recovery is a very good sign! Hoping that it's just transient and that Satchel will continue to improve!

    Des / Proin

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Proin/PPA, when used in humans, was a diet drug. Daisy has been on it and is 7 lbs under her racing weight. At least three other dogs I personally know who have been on it also had problems maintaining their weight.

     

    Proin ss not meant for dogs with blood pressure or kidney problems.

     

    Don't have any experience with DES, but vet told me it works better with younger females who were more recently spayed, FWIW. IIRC, DES shouldn't be used in dogs with mammary tumors.

     

    ETA--if you use Proin, use the lowest dose possible. The "regular" dose (for a greyhound-sized dog) is one 50mg tab, twice a day. Daisy has been completely dry on 25mg x2 for months. We are now down to 12.5 mg once a day, and no accidents yet. Vet said she has some dogs that only have to take it a couple of times per week.

     

    Most Vets have no clue about the reduced dosage for Greyhounds. One of mine developed rhabdomyolysis/acute renal as a result of an "overdose". She's only 8-1/2 and may not see 2013.

    Best Dog Food

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    Really the best dog food is the one "your" dog does good on and that fits "your" budget. I'll tell you what is working for mine and that is California Natural Grain-free Venison and Potato. It is admittedly higher priced than grocery store brands, but is actually pretty decently priced when compared to big box pet store foods. I was surprised to find that it was cheaper than the Nutro Grain-free Venison and Potato. Not only is it less expensive it has more calories per cup so you feed less and right now Natura foods, i.e. California Natural are buy 10 bags get 1 free. And as for output I'm so impressed I'd swear I was feeding raw if I didn't know better. That's my experience, others will have other foods that work for their dogs.

     

    I am a food nut...........I am always looking at what's new, what's different, but with the health issues that we have in our house, I ended up home cooking. Not a big deal and nothing fancy, just common sense after reading a ton of information about dog nutrition. Whether it's economical will be decided in the long run. Health comes first which translates to $$$ spent at the Vet's office. If the food costs more but results in healthier dogs and less visits to the Vet, it's break even and I'm good with that.

    Beyond The Power, Pow-Pow - My Power Man!

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Power, I saw your star overhead this morning. The sky was totally cloud covered, but there was this one, lone, bright star........................it had to be you. Send your Momma a sign......................nudge her at night so she will know she will never be alone as long as she holds your memory tucked gently in her heart. You were truly a very handsome gentleman. Run like the wind.

     

    :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug Lorinda :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

    Need Advice - Incontinence

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    No experience here, but many others have expressed your frustration and very frequently, the problem cleared up after an extremely long course of antibiotics, without any dietary changes. Since there was "considerable improvement" after the "normal course" of antibiotics, that would be my first choice. After the antibiotics, it would be wise to "wait and see" if the condition returns before making any more changes.

     

    I hope that solves the problem.

    Mimi

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl. How lucky you were to have found each other! You and she had the joy of watching and participating in a transformation! Lucky Mimi to have found you! I know she's smiling down at you and saying "Thanks, Mom!"

     

    :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

    Legs Has Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Those sores look very familiar - could be my girl. Muzzle with a stool cup is mandatory when you aren't in a position to be within ear shot of Legs to hear him licking, or if he's a stealth licker, you will have to be where you can see him all the time. If not, muzzle. I have had some success with Zymox spray- it has anti-bacterial properties and 1% hydrocortisone to encourage healing. I only use it every couple of days, but find that my girl's sores do better if they are "dry" - not treated with lotions or salves. On days that I don't use Zymox, I soak the sores with wet, white washcloths. There's something about the dried Zymox that must create a pulling or itching sensation while encouraging the healing process that triggers the urge to lick. No need to go overboard with treatment. In fact, since his sores are so raw, less is more at this point. Just keep them clean - irrigating with plain water is good.

     

    I sure hope Legs feel better soon.

    Pill Pockets

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    There are a lot of dogs with other health issues that prevent a lot of the recommended "doggie crack"from being used to disguise pills. I found this recipe that works well for those restrictions:

     

    1 can plain pumpkin

    1/2 cup powdered milk

    1/2 cup organic flax seed meal

    1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce

    1 cup organic oat flour

     

    Preheat oven to 300 degrees if your oven is accurate or 325 degrees if it's a cold oven like mine. Mix all ingredients (an electric mixer is best but by hand works, too) until well combined. Drop as closely as possible on a lightly greased or non-stick cookie sheet in pill pocket size. (I use about 3/4 of a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop.) The treats won't spread because there is no fat added.

    Bake for 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When dispensing pills, take a treat and punch a hold in the center with your thumb, insert the pill(s) and form the remainder around the pill(s).

     

    Hints: For those tough cases, (read: super slueth pill hater hounds) use tweezers to handle the pills - finger contact will transfer the odor of the pill which is what dogs find objectionable. The odor can be disguised even more by smearing the "pill pocket" with a bit of organic peanut butter.

     

    This recipe is very forgiving and can be doubled or tripled. If you choose to use organic pumpkin, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more organic oat flour per can. Organic pumpkin contains much more moisture.

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