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PrairieProf

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Posts posted by PrairieProf

    Stat Us Hawk

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Oh, I am so terribly sorry, Carrie. Somehow I missed your blog post that he wasn't doing well. I loved reading everything you said about him, and the pictures of his extremely sweet face. You and all of your family, two and four legged, will be in my thoughts.

     

    :gh_runf_yellow:f_white

    Fortiflora

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by PrairieProf

    I've used Fortiflora . . . can't really say how much difference it has made when I did. I tend to give half a packet per day, a whole packet seems to actually cause gas, though this would presumably be a passing thing (heh, no pun intended). I haven't had the yeast issue though, that I know of. I do give digestive enzymes with every meal -- I can't really say if it makes a difference but I've bought the argument that they're good for the dog, and that kibble doesn't contain the natural enzymes raw does. I'm all for anything that will help her get maximum nutrition out of her food.

    Am I An Over-worried Mama?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    If you are going to crate, then work on getting her used to it today -- throw treats in, let her go in and out, put her in for a minute or so with a stuffed Kong to keep her busy then let her out before she's done, gradually build up to leaving her in the crate. Some dogs don't like being in the crate (although all greyhounds are used to it from the track), plenty do. It's definitely not safe to just stick her in the crate tomorrow morning and leave for several hours -- she could really hurt herself if she were to freak out. Anyway, whatever you're going to do, I think you really ought to make a plan and practice it as much as possible today.

     

    Here's some useful information: http://www.goldengreyhounds.com/about/training.htm

     

    I'd really recommend the Greyhounds for Dummies book ... most adoption groups require reading this, or Cynthia Branigan's Adopting the Retired Racing Greyhound, as a condition of adopting.... I also really like Patricia McDonnell's I'll Be Home Soon, about strategies for getting a dog adjusted to being alone.

    Am I An Over-worried Mama?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    "Alone training" is described extensively in Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies , and I know on lots of past threads here. Basically it's working on leaving the dog alone step by step, building up from very short increments to longer periods. Quite a few greys can suffer from separation anxiety, though so far you seem OK. Is GreyCee crated when you go out? Separated from your other dogs in some way? I'm not an expert on this, being a relatively new owner with just one dog who never had SA, but I know that it would be very risky to leave her loose with other dogs and go off to work for eight hours and assume she (and your house!) will be OK when you return. I'm sure others will chime in and explain more.

    Am I An Over-worried Mama?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by PrairieProf

    As long as she's eating etc., she's probably just fine. You can't really judge what's normal for her behaviorally after just a few days -- she's still settling in. Remember that settled-in greyhounds sleep almost all. the. time. at home. And I know if my girl has a good play or running session at some point in the day she'll be in a near coma for hours afterwards; I often need to bribe her off the bed with hotdog bits or yogurt to get her up for the last pee call of the night!

     

    It's sweet that you stayed home with her . . . I would want to too, just to be with my new baby. Have you had a chance to work through the step by step process of much "alone training" yet? Since she's presumably fine, that would be a great thing to focus on today, so she's as ready as possible for extended absences tomorrow and after.

    Poops Too Dry After Switching Foods...

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    The bones in turkey necks (or poultry anything) are really quite soft, there's no way she could hurt a tooth on them. I'd try it. Don't freak out when she swallows a big chunk whole -- well, you will freak out, as I did the first time, but no harm done. Necks big enough that she just has to chew them work best -- also feeding them still partly frozen, so they're harder overall and need more dedicated chewing. Like countless other people I've been very impressed how much they've helped my dog's teeth.

    New Here

    in Introductions & Biography

    Posted

    Welcome to GT! There are plenty of other British folks who are members here . . . sometimes I imagine it can get a little confusing as available products and even some of the customs of life with hounds differ between the US and UK.

    Low T-4 And Weight Loss?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Beth tested 0.5 a couple of months ago, I did the whole super-expensive thyroid panel by equilibrium dialysis as recommended here -- she's perfectly normal. Of the zillion reasons Wizard could be losing weight, I'd say it's highly unlikely to be thyroid related. But if it sets your mind at ease....

     

    Could the weight loss and hunger be simply due to the colder weather?

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