Batmom

Good job. So glad you checked things out, and glad he's feeling better.

I wouldn't panic but I'd get x-rays.

They don't need to be weaned off if the medication doesn't appear to be needed or appears to be harmful, as in this case. You can just stop. See for example https://animalhealth.msu.edu/sections/endocrinology/Monitoring.php#06 .

Take her to the university (UW Madison). You or vet could chat with them about which service to see (Cardiology, Internal Medicine, etc.) before making the appointment.

Was a thyroid *panel* run the first time, or only a T4? It sounds like only a T4. If the possible symptoms haven't improved, I'd discontinue the soloxine and run a panel including TSH in 6 weeks. Use MSU. BTW, 0.7 isn't rock bottom or anything like it. Greyhounds with normal thyroid function can and do test 0.0 on a T4. You have to run a panel including TSH, not just the T4, even on non-greyhounds let alone greyhounds.

Haven't tried it yet. We have good results with Xanax (alprazolam). I think someone here has used Sileo; hope he/she will weigh in.

I'm so sorry. Godspeed, special girl.

For colitis, try Tylan powder (tylocine). Regarding meds: The point isn't to take the place of alone training. It's to make an anxious dog more receptive to alone training. If your vet doesn't understand that, time for a new vet. Regarding training: I think you've broken down your leaving behaviors into little slices / individual actions already. One of the things you can do to help your dog is to work on those actions one at a time, without going through the whole sequence. For example, if the first thing you do is pick up your keys, then whenever you can you want to spend 20 minutes to an hour picking up your keys, putting them down, waiting 3-4 minutes, picking up your keys, putting them down …. You get the idea. Next step is opening the front door? Great! Spend a different 20 minutes opening the front door, stepping out, stepping back in, closing the door, wait 3-4 minutes, do it again. When you get to the point where you either pick up keys or open the door and the dog doesn't bat an eyelash, then you're ready to put the two together in a sequence. Pick up keys, open door, step out, step back in, close door, wait 3-4 minutes, do it all again several times in a row. The idea is to do this stuff until the dog is completely bored with it. "She keeps picking up her keys but doesn't go anywhere. Huh. Meaningless. Think I'll have a nap." This is where meds can really help, with an anxious dog. They can help take the edge off that anxiety so the dog can learn. You don't have to totally ignore the dog during the 3-4 minutes in between actions or before/after you perform an action. You don't want to fawn over her, but it's fine to talk to her, give her a quick pat, etc.; just keep it relaxed and low key. Working on these things doesn't mean you can never leave before the dog is trained. People have to go out sometimes. Do as much training as you can when you are home to do it. Most dogs will get the idea anyways. Hugs and best luck.

FWIW, our last kidney dog really enjoyed Honey Nut Shredded Wheat. Also poached boneless skinless chicken breast. Both of those should be safe for pancreatitis. The chicken would be more protein than you'd want but you might have to pick your battles in the short term (address the pancreatitis and get back on a better kidney diet when that's gone?). Our last kidney dog didn't show symptoms until BUN/creatinine were way beyond yours. We saw lethargy, inappetence, nausea, ammonia breath, mouth sores. Hugs and hopes you don't get to that point any time soon.

If it looks like it's dislocated, sooner is better (as in right away) -- the longer it's out of position, the harder it'll be to correct it. Of course, if it looks like it's broken, you also want it seen asap.

"They all be tired but I am not!" Great one, Dick.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose such a special friend. Godspeed, Samlur.

I'm sorry she had to leave you so soon. And yet, I'm glad she had you to love and appreciate her. Godspeed, sweetie. I won't be able to look at a squirrel ever again without thinking of you .

I'm sorry. Hugs to you. You did everything a person could, you know?

He was such a beautiful boy. I'm sorry he couldn't stay longer. Rest well, Nixon.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Godspeed, beautiful Sky.

Thinking of you this evening.

We let our girl go a day or two after the diagnosis was confirmed. If I had to do it again, I'd let the dog go the same day. We couldn't control her pain. I'm sorry you're facing this.

Hugs to you and godspeed to your lovely girl.

You made the right choice. No doubt at all. I'm just sorry that you had to make it. (One of mine had a similar, life ending incident -- not a stroke but a tumor pressing on her spinal column, that suddenly caused one side to be paralyzed.) Godspeed, good girl.

Unforgettable. Godspeed, special boy.

After our disaster (getting to that) two years ago, I figured out that I'd still come out ahead with a do-it-yourself "oh spit" fund, but it was a near thing. Disaster = almost 8yo previously healthy dog with sudden onset life threatening ventricular tachycardia. Initial incident through first 3 months of additional testing and rechecks was @ $5-$6K. We go back every @ 6 months for rechecks, @ $700. In between there's 1-2 runs to the local vet for an electrocardiogram, $40-$150 depending on whether it's sent to the cardiologist for eval. Shortly after the initial incident she fractured a tooth; because of the cardiac issue we had to have that taken care of at the specialty hospital, @ $800 (would've been @ $200 at the regular vet). I guess I've let the university do some tests etc. along the way that I could have declined but what can I say, in for a penny, in for a pound .... Everything else, including some cancer cases, we've been much better off funding things ourselves.

I'm sorry for your loss. Godspeed, sweetheart.

Assuming you've x-rayed/ultrasounded to ensure no bladder stones or other abnormalities? Also worth checking bloodwork to ensure no kidney issues, and checking blood pressure. What has helped several of our dogs is switching to a low sodium, homeprepped diet.

The spooks and anxious ones are trainable, and they do learn to play. At least, all I've known are/do. My current anxious/shy/spook girl -- we started training by taking a nosework class. 100% positive, very low key, no required behaviors, no sudden people moves, just reward the dog for being a dog. I haven't done a lot of classic obedience with her (have with others), but she has learned "Come!" and a couple simple tricks. She does play and has invented some games of her own involving my shoes and her grammy's socks . The anxious/wary/shy/spookish dogs -- it can take some time for them to settle with you, and some time for you to work out what motivates them, what calms them, so that training can proceed. That is one reason I like nosework -- it can be a great discovery and bonding experience for dog and owner. PS Katie is awesome, as is the 101 Things To Do With A Box.