IndyandHollyluv

Hi there. I would just follow up with your vet and be diligent about blood work. My female was dx'd with anaplasmosis (a tick-borne disease; we have deer in the area - I live in Metro Detroit). I have a fenced yard and NEVER found a tick on her -- but there must have been some contact as she tested positive when she was six. (I adopted her when she was five; she is now 11). So just a head's up and best wishes for Petey.

I'm sorry to read about Marla - wishing the best for her. My current hounds are 10+ and almost 11. I'm no expert but have learned much over the years. Every dog is different. I always feed my two hounds WARM meals (breakfast and supper). They have a base kibble, which you can forego, but I serve w/canned food, add a little water and heat in the microwave -- so it's like a stew. Periodically, I mince a hard-boiled egg white and also heat that up (split between the two hounds). Once in awhile, I divide a poached egg between them - but the yolk may be too rich/fatty for some dogs. My hounds also like cooked (frozen - no salt added) vegetables but if Marla isn't feeling well - vegetables probably wouldn't be very appealing I adopted a senior female a number of years ago -- she was a very picky eater. Canned chicken and salmon were the ticket at the end. She was 14-1/2+. Again, no salt added is best; otherwise I just rinsed and drained like crazy. Hugs for you and your girl.

Hi there. I'm sorry about Meredith. I live in the upper Midwest and I ALWAYS cover my hounds at night w/lightweight blankies/throws from fall through spring. Sometimes they get hot and rearrange in their dog beds but I believe older dogs appreciate the added warmth. Also I adopted a senior hound a number of years ago, but sadly after his two senior houndmates passed away, he was EXTREMELY distressed and I realized didn't hear all that well. Then there were a few consecutive weekends where he was up ALL NIGHT until dawn. Crying, panting, pacing (probably sundowning) -- it was heartbreaking. He was 13. So I finally had to say goodbye. He was so distraught. I would start with a blankie or coat and go from there. Good luck!

FYI - I finally ordered and received my first shipment of Olewo carrots yesterday -- 1 lb bag @ $15.95 through Chewy. I believe it's the same price as through Amazon. Chewy also stocks the beets. My now 10 y/o female (adopted at age 5) has ALWAYS had kinda soft-serve poo. I've tried all sorts of food, etc., but finally concluded she probably has nerve damage to some degree from her racing career. No worms, fecal clear. Post-adoption, she has continued to run like a maniac in the back yard; probably the most athletic of all the hounds that I have adopted. House zoomies. While I generally add vegetables to my hounds' supper (i.e., frozen - no salt added; French green beans, a little kale, organic carrots, occasional teeny bit of broccoli), I'm going to give the Olewo Carrots a try. Anyway, you can order the carrots through Chewy.

Liz - my heart goes out to you. I lost my sweet Holly to PLN in 2011. It's been awhile and I have learned much since then but I also tried everything and she would have none of it. Dry kibble was a definite NO! She also had an duodenal ulcer but refused all meds. As I recall, she was diagnosed in July and I had to say goodbye in December as there was little more I could do. She was 12+. I was heartbroken. Every meal I feed my current hounds is always warm. Kibble plus canned food warmed in the microwave mixed with a little water -- whatever works at this point. Minced hard-boiled egg whites warmed in the microwave. Warm cooked (frozen) vegetables. I have found macaroni/pasta to be a better choice than rice for my seniors (small size -- like little sea shells). I adopted a senior girl years ago but toward the end she only would eat canned meat (i.e., salmon, chicken). I don't know what the answer is but sometimes it is whatever will work. This past year I have purchased: (1) Stella and Chewy's Grain Free Stella's Stew -- comes in an 11 oz. carton; there are a few varieties. Hounds like them - and I typically add a little warm water and mix in with their kibble plus cooked vegetables. Also (2) "The Honest Kitchen" sells 5.5 oz "Pour Overs - Slow Cooked Stews;" again several varieties in a little carton. A "meal enhancer/topper." I heat with or without a little water and pour over kibble -- or can be served alone. I wish these products had been available when Holly was ill. When you have a sick pup or picky eater -- you just do the best you can. Wishing the very best for your Morrie.

I am so sorry and very, very sad for you. I lost my beloved first grey, Indy, to nasal cancer in 2010 (you may be able to search and find some of my old posts on GT). Unlike with Lizzie, Indy's tumor/cancer was not visible - meaning it was further up the nasal cavity. It started with a little blood dripping from one nostril. I asked the vet to scope him during a dental - there were no foreign objects in his nasal cavity and the biopsy came back inconclusive. If I recall he was almost 11 when the dripping started. He did pretty well for approx. one year+. And during that entire time he never missed a meaI! But I said farewell when he was a little over 12. So he hung tough for approx. 1-1/3 yrs? Eventually, I did take him in to see a specialist for a CT scan (very expensive; I probably wouldn't recommend it if the prognosis is knowingly poor). The mass was evident and eventually could have pressed onto his eye(s) or brain. Indy was very stoic; he never cried or whined (of course). In time, he started to appear uncomfortable (as in he preferred to hold his head in a vertical position). I moved up his euthanasia date at least three times. As many say here, better a day too soon than a day too late. The oncologist, of course, offered palliative care -- but that would have been for my benefit alone. I loved Indy too much to allow him to suffer. Broke my heart. I assume the upside is that you could see Lizzie's tumor. I am hopeful her quality of life is good for a while. By the way, I also decided against any chemo/radiation - it wouldn't have been fair to Indy. But technology has probably evolved over the past nine years (laser, etc.) ... perhaps the veterinary community has more to offer now than they did nine years ago. Thinking of you and your sweet Lizzie. Enjoy each and every day with her as they are so precious and fleeting.

Hi there. I feel your pain - and mess. I'm on my seventh grey. I adopted my current girl four years ago (she just turned nine). She is a serial pooper/marker on a walk. I have never experienced this before. She squeezes poo out like a Play-Doh Fun Factory. She is healthy, not overweight and her male roommate rarely poops when we walk. I think it's just her -- she does because she can. I have to take at least ten poop bags when we walk as her final poos are nothing but Hershey squirts and almost impossible to clean up. BTW, my girl has NEVER pottied in the house since I adopted her -- but outside? All bets are off! I have a fenced yard so it's not that she doesn't have ample opportunity to poop outside. Good luck to you!!!

Yes. I lost my heart dog Indy to nasal cancer in 2010 (he was 12-1/4). I know I posted about this but it's been awhile. Started out with a little blood dripping from his right nostril. During his next dental, the vet scoped and biopsied the nasal cavity and tissue but all came back inconclusive. Indy was doing okay for quite a while -- about 1 yr -- then not so much. Any time he sneezed, shook his head - there was blood. I assumed it was cancer - and it was. Took him for a CT scan which revealed the mass in his right nostril. When Indy started to sleep with his head vertical - I knew it was time. Vet offered palliative care but there was no point in allowing him to languish and suffer. I did not want to wait until the mass reached his eye or brain (which would be awful) -- so I bid him a sorrowful and sweet goodnight. Happy to answer any questions you may have. Hugs.

I would really appreciate some advice from those of you with extensive greyhound experience. Adopted a 5 y/o female in January. She is a wonderful hound and has done extremely well as an only dog but was clearly a bit bored and lonely. Two weeks ago, I adopted a 5 y/o male (looked at a number of dogs; thought this boy might be a good "fit" for her). Impeccable house manners, transitioned easily, friendly, cheerful, but highly excitable and exuberant. His stimulation threshold is VERY low. He also jumps and gets very "mouthy" and "bitey" when excited (which I am trying to ignore and discourage). My girl weighs approx. 69-70 lbs; boy was listed at 75 lbs but is probably closer to 80+. Both are solid and muscular. She raced 99 times; he raced 140. My concern is the level of rock'em, sock'em, rough play in the yard. (And, yes, I know that greyhounds can play nasty.) Dogs are muzzled. Both are VERY competitive. Lots of kangaroo boxing, jumping on each other, body slamming, spinning and twirling, a few mid-air collisions, muzzle-butting, play bowing, growling, crazy running and chasing. I usually have to "break it up" unless they tire first. Every time they go out together it turns into "game on," so I often let them out separately (before/after meals; to potty; alone time; time with me). This morning the male body-checked my girl at 6:30 am (I mean, really?!!). Then while brushing my teeth just about ready to leave for work I heard them thundering through the house. One minute they were snoozing, the next minute it was "game on." My question is: in light of the fact that it has only been two+ weeks will this behavior subside to some degree? My concern is that perhaps they are too much alike. The male is usually the instigator and my girl will NOT back down. Clash of the Titans. I'm not sure if I have the time and energy to be the fun police and micro-manage this relationship and play. I am also extremely concerned about one or both getting hurt (I've already spent more than enough $$$ at the ER). None of my other hounds (six to date; these are numbers seven and eight) engaged in WWE wrestling so I'm not sure I know how to manage this behavior - and do I want to?? It's rather exhausting and stressful. (I did take the male for a nail trim and dremeling as his nails were quite long. Short nails a must.) Any thoughts, advice sure would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

What a beautiful boy. Might I suggest adding canned food to his diet? I warm it in the microwave and mix with the kibble and a little water. Makes a yummy satisfying stew, If you will. I also include a tiny spoonful of French-style green beans or sometimes a few peas. I also want to try the Olewo carrots. On my to-do list. My new girl (also black; adopted in January) had absolutely abysmal pancake-batter poo for months. Now on a third kibble (switched to grain-free) - Earthborn Holistic Large Breed, plus grain-free canned - her poop FINALLY looks like poop is supposed to look! I can't bounce it off the wall, but it's considerably better than having to clean an oil slick off the lawn. Her poo was such a hopeless, shapeless mess that I had to take the watering can out to hose down the poo spots to keep the flies from congregating. Her treats are also grain-free. What a huge improvement! And I finally got her weight just about right. A nutrient-dense, low residue food may be the way to go. Try grain-free? (I know raw is best but I haven't taken that class yet). Good luck!

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Beth. Hoping you will find a new four-legged buddy to accompany you in the next chapter of your life. Good luck!

Hey there. How old is Lovie? I moved from a condo to a house when (angel) Indy was almost seven. The first 4th of July in my new neighborhood was an absolute nightmare. Sounded like the Battle of Gettysburg was in my backyard. It was just awful. The windows were rattling. Poor Indy was a distraught mess. Spent three hours hiding in my shower stall. Although he had never pottied in the new house before, that night he peed in the corner of the living room - and that became "the place." Definitely behavioral. After constantly cleaning the carpet, I finally wised up and spread out an old flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth in Indy's potty "corner." Placed pee pads (from medical supply or pet store) on top of the tablecloth. Works great when a pet potties in a particular area only. However, subsequently I adopted two male dogs who peed on furniture, electrical wall outlets, the fireplace, carpet, and then some -- so tough to deal with random peeing. If Lovie insists on peeing in the basement, I would set up a "rest area" for her! Worth a try. Good luck!

Okay, I'm home now. A few more things for you to consider: My Indy was 3-1/2 when adopted. Was 4-5 y/o when everything started to go haywire with him (hair loss, etc.). All three of my thyroid dogs displayed differently - different hair loss patterns, behavior, etc. Definitely not cookie cutter symptoms and manifestation of low thyroid. I adopted a 5 y/o black female in January 2015. Took her for blood work in March. Routine IDEXX chem panel indicated T4 at 0.6. TSH not part of the panel. My girl has some back issues so while she was under for a dental in May, I asked the vet to take spinal radiographs (which were fine); however, vet noted her heart appeared enlarged - which is not uncommon with greyhounds. Oh, and my girl raced in Alabama. Hot. Anyway, he suggested an IDEXX Cardiopet proBNP test. Not sure how accurate it is for greyhounds?? but her results came back as elevated, above the norm. And NeylasMom is right - I also requested a full thyroid panel (MSU) since there can be a correlation between cardiac function and low thyroid. It will probably be another week or so before the results are in. Now, on the flip side, being a black dog, my girl is absolutely miserable in the heat (I live in the Midwest). She seems depressed and lethargic, pants heavily (no coughing) - but is she bored? Lonely? (she is an only dog right now - but looking to find her a roommate). Is it the heat? Is she not well? So attempting to put the puzzle pieces together which takes a little detective work. I have had two other black hounds - and they were seniors - but NO WAY as heat-intolerant as her. BTW, my new girl LOVES the cold weather and snow. So do with this what you will! Just my experience to date but I would hate to see any owner go through what Indy and I went through.

Hi there. At work right now, so I can't give you a detailed reply but my (angel) Indy (great name, BTW) - suffered serious hair loss, allergy issues and VERY expensive allergy treatment with a specialist (antibiotics, allergy shots, staph infections, etc.), as well as behavioral and bathroom issues for 1-2 yrs. I posted about his struggles in the past. Anyway, after two thyroid panels which came back "normal," I finally asked for a third. Whatever the normal range was he was at the bottom number. So if the range was 0 - 10; he was at 0. I asked his regular vet if we could start Indy on thyroid meds and she was fine with that as no other treatment was helping him. Anyway, six weeks later - he was like a new dog. All of his "issues" eventually resolved and we never returned to the specialist (who poo-poo'd the notion that Indy's derm problems were thyroid related). Again, I'm not sure about the range you mentioned but I can tell you I don't think my Indy would have lived to 12+ if left untreated for low thyroid function. I know this is always a controversial topic but I've had three hounds on thyroid meds and it made all the difference in the world. Hope your Indy feels better soon.

Oh, poor soul. Another option is "Animal Scents Ointment" made by Young Living. https://www.youngliving.com/en_US Essential oils salve. Similar in color, texture to Bag Balm. Just an option. Smells yummy. I've used it on many a hound boo-boo. For Ikers