djsgreys

I know I should have insisted on more x-rays. When the vet was checking him out he showed no tenderness in the shoulder - it was the lower leg that i was so worried about. I was so sure - from watching the limp - that it was osteo but it seemed that i was the only one that would NOT accept that it wasn't. i'm not usually a drama queen, but I'm sure everyone at the vet's office and the radiologist thought I was with my insistence that it was osteo even though the x-rays were clear. In some respects, I feel like I let him down so badly. But I let him be Sam, right up till the very end - no coddling, no drugs - just Sam as he always was. After we got the all clear, and the limp had disappeared I finally let him run again. This was taken last week a little over a week ago. Sam's last run

Kyle, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. You both fought it so hard and were an inspiiration to all of us. You gave us all hope that one day, osteo will be beaten. Charlie had an amazing spirit and zest for life and will always be remembered for that. Your tribute and all the posts since he was diagnosed with osteo and started treatment are a testament to a life well lived. Godspeed Charlie.

He came into our home as if he owned it, as if he had alwaysbeen there, and somehow I thought he always would be. I was fairly new to the greyhound world, having had Zinny for just four months when Sam came into our lives. We had talked about getting a second grey sometime in the future but when we walked into a meet and greet and met Sam's Attaboy we knew he was the one. It had taken Zinny 4 months to really settle in - it took Sam 4 minutes. He walked into the house, found the couch and that was that. I was a little scared of his size and insisted that we needed to go to obedience classes so that I would be comfortable handling him. What an incredible bond we shared from that moment on and I always forgot just how big he was until I would see a reflection in a store window as we walked. As the fosters came and went, and as our pack grew, Sam took it all in stride. Sam had is own rules, and let any grey that did not follow them know about it. He was an awesome meet and greet dog and a true master at doing home visits. He loved to race in the yard, but he also liked to win and would bump anyone who tried to get in front of him. Sam was my gentle giant - nothing pleased him more than cuddling up on the couch with me - enjoying a show on tv or reading a good book. My heart is shattered - it all happened so quickly. Tonight you left us for a better place, where there is no pain from osteo and you can once again run freely. But oh how I will miss you - I'll never forget you my Sambo, and I will love you forever.

I knew it, I just knew it. Clear x-rays of his lower leg. But I knew he had osteo even though the vet did not believe me. Tonight Sam went out after dinner and his shoulder shattered. There was nothing that could be done and we helped him to the bridge.

fingers crossed that it is just a nasty ear infection !

Welcome from another Albertan. What a handsome boy Emory is. I placed his brother in a home up here a couple of years ago.

I am so sorry. It is never an easy decision, but you let him go with dignity. Godspeed Mikee

I am so sorry Sara had to leave you. What a great tribute to the life she had with you. Godspeed Sara

Keeping fingers crossed for Magic. It does sound like it might be vestibular - which could be from the ear infection not being cleared completely up and affecting his inner ear. Keep us posted and will be watching for updates.

Just seeing this now - I am so sorry that Choo Choo's condition has worsened. :gouphug

Kyle, I am so sorry. Charliie has been such an inspiration to all of us. His brave fight and incredible spirit will never be forgotten.

:clap You just made my morning, my day, my week! :clap This is greyt news and now we all look forward to the next installment of "Charlie - XX months post amp"

Kyle, you and Charlie are the ray of hope to so many of us - your brave fight against the osteo beast is inspiring. I will be watching for updates and crossing everything there is to cross here that Charlie has just a cough. Deb

Poor little one - this new world can be so scary at first and she didn't get the chance to learn just how greyt it could be. Godspeed little one.

What a beautiful girl. I am so sorry for your loss. How I hate osteo . Run free beautiful Bella, no more pain...

Pat, what a wonderful tribute to your special girls. I cannot imagine your pain Bonded souls, together forever. Bell and Bugsy, run free :gh_run2

Any word from the radiologist yet? I have a follow up appointment on Tuesday- they probably have it back already but I can't get out of work to get there sooner. Its year end and a crazy time for me. Will request a copy of the x-rays then and will go over the radiologist report at the appointment. I am still keeping him pretty quiet - just nice strolls with no running. Sam is not at all pleased with my overprotectiveness.

No but I should be able to ask my vet for it. Will see what I can do.

NOOOOOOO! Sherrie, i am so sorry - we all thought he was on the mend and you were all over the worst of it. He will be with us in our hearts forever, and when spring arrives, we will find a special flower and plant it in his memory, close to the ones for Melissa, Maggie and Kendra in our memory garden. Run free Izzy, we will watch for a bright new star in the sky tonight.

Both the limp and the swelling come and go. Last night he was fine, and then he went to get off the couch and yelped and sure enough it was noticably swollen again. Everything seemed fine again this morning. So I don't think it is tendon injury but just do not know what if can be.

Thanks everyone - I still want to get to the cause of the limp and swelling and then I will be completely at ease.

As far as I know there are three very distinctive types of hyperkeratosis. The foster we had was diagnosed with Familial Footpad Hyperkeratosis. There is not cure but the condition is treated with daily foot soaks and frequent filing with a dremel ot the crusty overgrowth on the pads. He is doing well, and with regular treatment, has very few open fissures anymore. When these do occur they are prone to infection so a topical antibiotic cream or oral antibiotics may be needed.

X-rays are clear - but we have asked that they be reviewed by a radiologist as well. The vet did acknowlege the swelling and did see how he pulls back as soon as his paw is touched. Will continue with metacam for the pain for now and wait to hear from the radiologist.

Has the hound been checked for hyperkeratosis? Although rare in greys, we did have a foster with this condition and his pads looked very much like this. In addition, if they were left untreated they would split open, causing open sores similar to what I see here.

In my experience, resource guarding is NOT at all unusual with brand new to home life hounds. Most of them have never had toys, never had bones etc and if they have, it has been while in the secured environment of their crates so they have not learned to share. I don't give stuffies or bones to new fosters until they have really settled into the pack and found their "comfort" place in the house. Usually it does take a week or two. Another note, the muzzle truly is your friend and the best safety tool ever invented. I muzzle everyone when I am not right there to supervise whenever we have a new foster.