RileysLegacy

So Legs barely has any hair. His whole underside & butt are completely hairless. The rest of his coat is soft and shiny, but it's not very dense. He has been having lots of issues b/c any little thing will cause a cut or irritation. Then he bites at it and causes a hot spot. I think now it has gotten to the point where he's a little OCD about licking/biting. I constantly wake up in the middle of the night to him biting/licking/scratching & it's driving me nuts! I don't think he has allergies or anything medically wrong, I think it's just b/c he's naked! I have tried fish oil, coconut oil, melatonin, etc but he has not grown a single hair in the 1.5 yrs I've had him. I don't really know what I'm asking... just wondering if anyone else with bald greyhounds had any suggestions. Thanks. on another note, it's pretty ridiculous how many people have asked if I cut his hair like this. Yes, I purposely shave his ass :lol

Yes they did both & also antibiotic sensitivities. I sent the results to a specialist this morning & am waiting back to hear if we are on the right course.

Clavamox is not helping... it started bleeding yesterday Vet has added Ciprofloxacin & I'm consulted with some other vets. SOooooooooo frustrated!!!

I have 2 IGs & a greyhound. They don't play together, but if they did, I would monitor very closely. What you are describing sounds like play, but with the size difference being so great, accidental injuries can happen quickly. My greyhound would never intentionally hurt either of my IGs but when he gets excited just the sheer size of him makes him a danger to them. The IGs quickly learned to steer clear when I get home or I am leashing them up for a walk. I'm not sure about using a muzzle in this case... as all dogs should be muzzled if any are. I think the best way to handle this is to supervise their play & separate them when you aren't able to do so.

I don't know who owns the dogs :( they roam my neighborhood all the time but I've seem them in many different yards. I asked a few people & nobody knew (which I'm sure is BS). It's not the best neighborhood, almost everyone has outside guard dogs that are chained up. It sucks

Ok, finally got the culture back. I didn't get a chance to speak with my vet but asked for a copy of the results. He has non methicilin resistant staph bacteria & is now on 6 weeks of Clavamox. The area is oozing & scabby again, I guess from when she took the samples. This tiny dog bite has now cost me $1100! I just hope this course of abx does the trick!!!!! Thanks so much everyone for sticking with us through all of it. You all kept me (somewhat) sane!!

She mentioned something about it being anaerobic bacteria which wouldn't have shown up in the last culture. I'm hoping since he hasn't been on any antibiotics that this culture will show something. I also wonder if his stress level is playing a role. If he were a greyhound he'd be classified as a major spook. He seems happy & relaxed at home but any time he needs to go outside for a walk or potty break he freaks out b/c we might see or hear people. Of course getting attacked on a walk did not help things. When I first got him, he literally was making himself sick with worry & was skeletal. I put him anxiety meds for a few months & was able to get him to calm down enough that now he's able to live a somewhat normal life. Sorry just rambling.... I hate that he's not better yet, & I wish I could get him to understand that he's safe

The vet is doing a culture & having a specialist look at some samples this afternoon. In the meantime she gave me some noni juice stuff to put on his leg that I guess is supposed to work like the manuka honey. She said it has helped a lot of horses she's treated & definitely won't hurt. It's been over 3 months since he was bitten.

Very unhappy to report that Puzz is going back to the vet tomorrow. A couple of tiny holes opened up. The area still looks relatively good but this really should not still be going on. I hope my vet has some ideas. Keep your fingers crossed for my sweet boy

Here's a picture from today. A lot of his skin is flaking off, and his leg still feels a bit lumpy... but I'm hoping this is just the healing process?? Definitely a huge improvement in the last couple of weeks.

Melissa, I am so heartbroken for you. You've been through more than anyone should ever have to. I remember meeting your girls & Buddy at Dewey. Thinking of you...

Oh no, I'm so sad to hear about Mr. Murphy. I remember so clearly the day you brought him home, and then meeting you guys in Dewey the first time I went. It's so sad that all of our original dogs are now gone. Thinking of you guys and sending my love.

Legs will get an upset tummy if I let him eat too much at a time. I usually take it away after about 30 mins (I freeze them so they last longer), and don't give them to him more than once a week or so. PLEASE be careful, though. A friend of mine lost her iggy a few months back b/c he swallowed too big of a piece of bully stick and it made a hole in his esophagus. He had emergency surgery but he did not make it. This is not some crazy old wives tale, this was a dog my boys played with often. I still give bully sticks to Legs b/c it is one of the only chews he likes, but I watch him like a hawk and take it away when it gets short enough to swallow.

Hi everyone, thanks for asking! I think it's looking good, but I'm not breathing a sigh of relief quite yet. There's one tiny spot that is still oozing and he skin doesn't quite feel normal, like there may be some more puss under there. But overall it looks to be healing. I think he may have a really funky looking leg for life because it seems to be all scar tissue. But of course that is not important, as long as it heals. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks again!!!

Jey, thanks for the explanation, that makes sense. Do you have any suggestions for the next step?

Thanks so much everyone for your support & suggestions! He was on Clavamox first, then Baytril. He was on Baytril when they did the culture. Do you think that impacted the results? I think b/c the culture didnt grow anything my vet is pretty much dismissing it as nothing serious. What would you suggest the next step should be if he doesn't get better in the next week or so?

I feel like she said the culture did not show anything? Is that possible? If he's not better in another week or so, I will take him for a second opinion. The problem is that I keep thinking he's better and then another hole opens up.

Yes Convenia. Do you guys think I should get a second opinion? I REALLY love my vet but will definitely do so if needed...

Thanks Xan. He's not immune compromised as far as I know. He's always been really healthy, though he does stress out so much that he makes himself sick from time to time. He would be considered a major spook if he were a greyhound. Anyway, he got his shot and the tech told me to come back for another one in 2 weeks. My vet did not see him but nobody seemed too concerned. I just can't believe this is still going on. I found this picture I took the day he was bitten, I can't believe that this small wound has turned into such a nighmare and has cost me almost $800!

Thank you! It looks a little worse today :( I hope this new antibiotic shot will do the trick. The last one did seem to help quite a bit.

No more oral antibiotics, the vet had me stop them when he got the last shot. They sent out a culture at that time, and It didn't grow anything nasty We have been trying to avoid a drain, but maybe it is time...

ugh soo frustrated! Puzz finally seemed to be healing, then today a hole opened up, it's oozing again & looking a bit red I'm taking him to get another antibiotic shot tomorrow. the new hole is by my finger. his whole sad looking leg

My greyhound can't tolerate heat at all. You may want to look back at some of my old topics about Legs, there is some good info there. He's only 6 but can't be walked during the day when it gets to be around 80* +. His whole back end gets weak, he pants like crazy, and needs to stop & rest after just a short distance. On cooler days he can easily walk quite a few miles. I've had a bazillion expensive tests done on him and basically all came back ok so my vet & I feel he is just extra sensitive to heat. We also live right on the beach so it is unfortunate but now that I know his limitations we make do just fine. Now that's it's a bit cooler he is way happier. Good luck, I hope nothing else is going on with your pup

No nasty results from the culture So he should heal in time. It's definitely looking better - healing and not draining much - but i can still feel some pockets in his thigh. I am keeping a close eye on it and will take him back to the vet if needed, but hopefully I won't have to. Thanks again for all the comments

i have Healthy Paws for Legs. i've been very happy with them. i have a $250 deductible per year, and after that they pay 90% of every illness/injury, no questions asked. i simply send them the form signed by my vet, and they send me a check within a couple of days. their customer service is really great too. they do not cover office visits or routine stuff, but i don't think any pet insurance does unless you pay extra. his premium did go up slightly this year, now is it about $40/month.