3greytjoys

Okay, I thought she was having trouble sleeping while on Ultram also. Good luck with Ruby.

- Hydrogen peroxide is typically used to induce vomiting of small, soft items only, such as a toxic human food or small, soft poisonous plant. - Emergency vet for anything hard or sharp that might puncture the dog internally if it were to be vomited back out. - Emergency vet for ingested materials that could cause an internal blockage such as socks or bedding material. (Helps to write the date opened on hydrogen peroxide bottle or cap, in case a vet asks later.) Poisonous Foods: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/foods-can-be-poisonous-pets Poisonous Plants: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants?field_toxicity_value%5B%5D=01

Give your new Greyhound her own personal dog bed "safety zone". Let her simply observe the family from afar (e.g., across the room completely away from busy foot traffic areas) without the family invading her personal space. Give her plenty of time to simply watch the family. Your Greyhound will determine how long she needs to feel more comfortable (weeks, months, etc.). She has multiple people to watch to determine if she deems each person trustworthy. I agree with others to let her stand up and walk across the room when and if she wants to be petted. Many new hounds only stand up from their bed when needing a potty outing or at meal time. Many newly retired racers don't ask for petting. A human can sit on a chair some distance away, body turned away and eyes looking away from the dog (direct eye contact is threatening to dogs) and gently toss treats near (not on) the dog as a little game for humans to slowly begin to earn the dog's trust. Review dog language calming signals to understand human actions that appear threatening in canines' language: Let resting dogs lie undisturbed. Again, wait for dog to stand and walk away from dog's bed. Avoid leaning over a dog. Reaching over a dog's head to pet top of head is considered threatening in dog language. Usually better to gently pet from the side of a dog on dog's shoulder, side or thigh while human's body is turned slightly away from dog (vs. head-on facing the dog, which often makes a dog feel trapped). Pet in same direction as growth of fur. Please do not hug or cuddle a dog, it feels very threatening, especially to newly adopted dogs. Do not rub a new dog's belly if she's lying on her back. There are many stress signals of canine discomfort of which to be aware: a dog yawning, turning head or eyes away, mouth frozen in semi-open "C" position, dog's frozen body position (vs. soft, wiggly and happy), etc. Here's one link (of many) with photos on calming signals: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/dog-behavior-and-training/canine-calming-signals-and-stress.html Greyhounds blossom slowly over time and become wonderful pets.

The seminar excerpt below might be helpful in understanding a newly retired racing Greyhound's previous life. Their background is very different from other pet dog breeds, and often takes longer for humans to earn the Greyhound's trust in a new home environment. Thoughts of a Greyhound By the late Kathleen Gilley "This breed has never been asked to do anything for itself, make any decisions or answer any questions. It has been waited on, paw and tail. The only prohibition in a racing Greyhound's life is not to get into a fight--or eat certain stuff in the turn out pen. Let us review a little. From weaning until you go away for schooling, at probably a year and a half, you eat, grow and run around with your siblings. When you go away to begin your racing career, you get your own "apartment," in a large housing development. No one is allowed in your bed but you, and when you are in there, no one can touch you, without plenty of warning. Someone hears a vehicle drive up, or the kennel door being unlocked. The light switches are flipped on. The loud mouths in residence, and there always are some, begin to bark or howl. You are wide awake by the time the human opens your door to turn you out. A Greyhound has never been touched while he was asleep. You eat when you are fed, usually on a strict schedule. No one asks if you are hungry or what you want to eat. You are never told not to eat any food within your reach. No one ever touches your bowl while you are eating. You are not to be disturbed because it is important you clean your plate. You are not asked if you have to "go outside." You are placed in a turn out pen and it isn't long before you get the idea of what you are supposed to do while you are out there. Unless you really get out of hand, you may chase, rough house and put your feet on everyone and every thing else. The only humans you know are the "waiters" who feed you, and the "restroom attendants" who turn you out to go to the bathroom. Respect people? Surely you jest. No one comes into or goes out of your kennel without your knowledge. You are all seeing; all knowing. There are no surprises, day in and day out. The only thing it is ever hoped you will do is win, place or show, and that you don't have much control over. It is in your blood, it is in your heart, it is in your fate--or it is not. And when it is not, then suddenly you are expected to be a civilized person in a fur coat. But people don't realize you may not even speak English. Some of you don't even know your names, because you didn't need to. You were not asked or told to do anything as an individual; you were always part of the "condo association"; the sorority or fraternity and everyone did everything together, as a group or pack. The only time you did anything as an individual is when you schooled or raced, and even then, You Were Not Alone. Suddenly, he is expected to behave himself in places he's never been taught how to act. He is expected to take responsibility for saying when he needs to go outside, to come when he is called, not to get on some or all of the furniture, and to not eat food off counters and tables. He is dropped in a world that is not his, and totally without warning, at that. Almost everything he does is wrong. Suddenly he is a minority. Now he is just a pet. He is unemployed, in a place where people expect him to know the rules and the schedule, even when there aren't any. (How many times have you heard someone say, "He won't tell me when he has to go out." What kind of schedule is that?) Have you heard the joke about the dog who says, "My name is No-No Bad Dog. What's yours?" To me that is not even funny. All the protective barriers are gone. There is no more warning before something happens. There is no more strength in numbers. He wakes up with a monster human face two inches from his. (With some people's breath, this could scare Godzilla.) Why should he not, believe that this "someone," who has crept up on him, isn't going to eat him for lunch? (I really do have to ask you ladies to consider how you would react if someone you barely knew crawled up on you while you were asleep?) No, I will not ask for any male input. Now he is left alone, for the first time in his life, in a strange place, with no idea of what will happen or how long it will be before someone comes to him again. If he is not crated, he may go though walls, windows or over fences, desperately seeking something familiar, something with which to reconnect his life. If he does get free, he will find the familiarity, within himself: the adrenaline high, the wind in his ears, the blood pulsing and racing though his heart once again--until he crashes into a car. Often, the first contact with his new family is punishment, something he's never had before, something he doesn't understand now, especially in the middle of the rest of the chaos. And worst of all, what are the most common human reactions to misbehavior? We live in a violent society, where the answer to any irritation is a slap, punch, kick, whip, or rub your nose in it. Under these circumstances, sometimes I think any successful adoption is a miracle. He is, in effect, expected to have all the manners of at least a six-year old child. But, how many of you would leave an unfamiliar six-year old human alone and loose in your home for hours at a time and not expect to find who knows what when you got back? Consider that if you did, you could be brought up on charges of child abuse, neglect and endangerment. Yet, people do this to Greyhounds and this is often the reason for so many returns. How many dogs have been returned because they did not know how to tell the adoptor when they had to go out? How many for jumping on people, getting on furniture, counter surfing, separation anxiety, or defensive actions due to being startled or hurt (aka growling or biting)? So, let's understand: Sometimes it is the dog's "fault" he cannot fit in. He is not equipped with the social skills of a six-year old human. But you can help him." End quote. Source: http://www.northerng...ghtsOfAGrey.php

Ditto above. A newly adopted Greyhound (even if initially tested as cat-workable) should not be left unsupervised with an adult cat, and certainly not with a crazed flying kitten, so a cat wouldn't help in your circumstances. (Good to remember that even for cat-friendly hounds, outside cats are "game on".) Retired racing Greyhounds are sighthounds used to seeing other Greyhounds inside their racing kennels. You could try securely placing a mirror on floor level (out of any direct sun) as a Greyhound reflection for your hound. He will figure out that it doesn't smell like another dog, but simply seeing their reflection helps some solo hounds. In your case, the mirror may be more helpful after your hound is more relaxed when he begins a temporary anti-anxiety medication. Your timing should be fine now for prescription medication, assuming your vet knows what your hound has been taking thus far that might require a washout period. (Every hound is different, but vet prescribed Trazadone might work well if you simply need a short-acting medication quickly.) Hopefully, you and your wife are sharing care duties (feeding, walking, etc.) to reduce hyper-attachment to one person. He likely needs extra potty outings before your departures (e.g., 3 separate pre-departure outings). Some people temporarily foster another hound simply to help the permanent hound transition into home life. Good luck.

Please remember to consider current medications' effects whenever you see behavior changes in Greyhounds. Greyhounds can be more sensitive to certain medications, and may need a lower dosage than other breeds. Ultram causes anxiety in many dogs. It's one of Ultram's many side effects. Since Ruby takes Ultram at night, it makes sense that it could be keeping her (and you) wide awake during the night. That same medication could be making her more groggy by morning as the dose intensity lessens in Ruby's system (e.g., her lack of excitedly jumping when seeing her leash in the morning). Consider asking your vet for a different medication to replace the Ultram. That action alone may resolve Ruby's sleeping issue, so she won't need an additional medication to sleep. Another option is changing the time of day Ultram is administered, and possibly reducing the dosage, if approved by your vet. One of our hounds stands up pacing and panting for hours on Ultram/Tramadol, so her vet put an alert on her chart to avoid that medication in the future. There are other medications that can be substituted. The same hound is now in her mid teens.

Epi-Pet sunscreen is FDA compliant for pets: http://www.epi-pet.com/sunscreen.aspx

Doxepin is the only medication I've read that sometimes helps dogs in early stages of LP. Both of our hounds were in more advanced stages so it wouldn't have helped them. Both hounds were on medical orders to stop running as soon as they were diagnosed with LP. Prevention is key. The hound that suffered the breathing crisis was not at home when it occurred. After he was on oxygen, we moved him to a familiar comfortable environment where he was able to lie down on thick bedding, offer water from his bowl, etc. By the way, dry foods/treats are not recommended for LP dogs. Dry kibble should be moistened with water shortly before feeding. Any leftover wet kibble must be refrigerated or discarded within 30 minutes to help prevent bacteria growth. Neither hound died of an LP breathing crisis, but one hound choked on dog food and his body became paralyzed while choking. He survived the choking but never regained control of his body. Become familiar with your hound's natural healthy (likely pink) gum color so you can check it if he starts having trouble breathing. If gums are deep red, purple, blue or grayish, take him to an emergency vet ASAP. LP dogs can go into hyperthermia (overheating) if panting very, very heavily and excessively. Heavy panting swells the throat which further restricts remaining airway space. Perhaps a portable metal ex-pen could be set up in full shade with a bowl of water while you're all outside in the garden together. If so, watch Eddie closely to ensure the sun doesn't rotate into the ex-pen. A brief water rinse starting with legs helps cool them if their temperature rises too much while outside in summer.

Congratulations on your potential new family member! I'd recommend she sleep on a warm, thickly padded dog bed (away from drafts) inside your bedroom. Some adoption groups encourage adopters to wait at least 6 months before sharing human furniture (bed or sofa) with newly adopted dogs. This is helpful for many reasons since dogs blossom and change as they settle into a new home. It also helps avoid unintentionally reinforcing hyper-attachment to their new sleeping human. Since dogs are social pack animals, sleeping in a different room is too far away for many dogs, especially if their humans are gone during the day.

A vet likely would not have noticed laryngeal paralysis when doing a dental unless specifically examining for LP. LP can be diagnosed when a dog is under light anesthesia. Eddie's very involved dental with many extractions would have required deeper sedation, so the vet would have needed to view his breathing movements of the laryngeal cartilage folds very early in the anesthesia process. Both of our LP hounds reacted similarly on walks as aging and LP progressed. LP has been linked to hind end weakness by progressing through the vegas nerve, but even our non-LP hounds have naturally shown weaker hind ends into their teens. Our LP hounds could not tolerate any walks in full sun. Their walks were limited to early morning or at/after dusk. Walking under mature shade trees in cool weather was an option. None of our Greyhounds (of any ages) have ever tolerated exercising comfortably in temperatures above 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius). Our senior hounds' walk durations shorten dramatically as they age. If they can only pass 3 or 4 houses and return without damaging their paws/knuckles, etc., that's what we do. I carry along a canine hind end assist wrap during senior dog walks in case of an unexpected hind collapse. (Links below.) Lumbosacral stenosis is seen in Greyhounds, but your description of Eddie's symptoms seem similar to LP, unless his cough is completely unrelated. http://www.greythealth.com/lumbosacral.html If Eddie eats one main meal per day, perhaps consider dividing it into a morning meal and evening meal. I assume biscuits are more like dog treats vs. a fully balanced meal. (Our hounds usually eat 3 balanced meals per day.) Water should remain available 24/7, unless a vet prescribes otherwise. Our second hound's LP was geriatric onset. His symptoms were different enough from the other hound (who arrived into adoption with early-mid age LP) that I wondered if he had lung disease (deeply inhaled roughly when arising from rest, etc.) but X-rays were clear. Later, he had a breathing crisis in which LP was confirmed. He survived and was well managed for many years thereafter. A video of Eddie coughing/gagging might help your vet determine a possible cause. If needed, below are helpful physical assistance options. Hind end assistance harness is for male dogs: https://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/collections/senior-dogs/products/airlift-one-back-harness We have this hind end assistance harness for elder females: https://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/collections/senior-dogs/products/the-original-walkabout-back-end-harness (Greyhound breed requires a custom order size.) "Walk A Bout" also makes a soft neoprene belly wrap, which can help lift an elder dog into/out of a car if you don't have a dog ramp. This source is located in USA. You may find similar soft medical assistance products in the UK. Therapaws makes a veterinary medical product to help prevent hind leg knuckling (requires vet order): A photo can be seen here: http://scoutshouse.com/product/thera-paw-dorsi-flex-assist/ Glad you're remaining alert to Eddie's changing needs. These wonderful Greyhounds deserve royal treatment as they age.

Dogs bark as one of their few means of communication. This communication becomes even more important to try to understand and respond to their needs as they age. A few normal geriatric possibilities: He might be losing some of his ability to control urine and/or bowel eliminations, but knows he should try not to mess in the house, so is trying to alert you verbally, the only way he can from downstairs. If not already, provide a very last minute potty outing at your bedtime. Perhaps he's hungry from stretching too many hours without food. A small bedtime snack (e.g., 1/3 cup kibble from his daily caloric intake) might help keep him from awakening early feeling too hungry or nauseous. His body temperature might be dropping to an uncomfortable level during that coldest part of the night/morning. Greyhound jammies or a blanket may help. Cloudy vision and/or lack of physical ease (e.g. struggling on hard surface floors) could be affecting his comfortable ability to access his bed/food/water bowls easily. Carpeted rooms or secure runner rugs are extremely important for Greyhounds, especially aging seniors. His cough could be a number of different things that could be very important to mention to a vet, diagnosed easily, and potentially save his life. You didn't happen to mention what time of day Eddie is coughing or if related to eating, drinking or exercising. Just a few examples (of many): Worm infestation (Depending on worm type, could be easily treated with cheap medication. Worst case scenario could become fatal if left untreated.) Kennel cough Laryngeal paralysis (Some symptoms include occasional coughing; change in sound of bark over time; raspy breathing -- especially in warm weather and/or during exercise, when happily excited, stressed (e.g. in vet's office), and/or may cough more while trying to eat dry foods, etc.) Two of our Greyhounds had progressive laryngeal paralysis. LP is not uncommon in many breeds, but often goes undiagnosed and could become a life-threatening breathing crisis if guardians are unaware how to easily manage the dog's environment; meals; switching from collars to a harness; exercising during coolest times of day, etc. Our 15 year old hound's bark was very high pitched when she needed help. Years earlier, laryngeal paralysis made her bark much rougher, deeper and activated coughs, so she began using her higher pitched bark when she needed help. Our hounds have always slept in an upstairs bedroom with us, but as each of the last four have aged into their teens (eldest 15.5 years old), a human has temporarily moved downstairs to help tend to their needs. They were taught at a young age to ring a bell on the door knob when they need to eliminate outside, but even that is not loud enough to awaken a soundly sleeping human upstairs. (Personally through decades, luckily none of my many dogs reaching into their teens have ever had dementia.)

Definitely a veterinary fecal test. Your vet will need to determine the root cause of blood droplets. If parasites are ignored, they can become much harder to eradicate later, and your hound's health could be at risk. The fecal sample should be very fresh. If longer than 30 minutes from hound's stool output to vet's office, refrigerate poop until you're ready to drive to the vet's office. Keep poop chilled during transport also. ETA: I assume she's already been spayed and not in heat.

Welcome to GreyTalk. Aside from Arlen's painful injuries, it's possible his medications might appear to magnify certain symptoms. It's helpful to read and watch for side effects for all pet medications. Example: Gabapentin doses can vary significantly. Even low doses of strong drugs can cause dogs to feel dizzy, wobbly, spacey, more sleepy, appear depressed, affect appetite, etc. FWIW, our area vets seem to be having good success with Entyce. If you have yet to experience prednisone, please read about it thoroughly before starting the drug. (Some Greyhounds are more sensitive to steriods than others; watching for side effects is important. Prednisone must be tapered off very gradually.) If you don't already have floor coverings, it's important to provide Greyhounds with runner rugs and area rugs (with rubber gripper mats placed underneath each rug) in a home's walkways and rooms that Greyhounds frequent most. Slips/falls on hard surface floors can be very dangerous for our long-legged Greyhounds, more so as they age. Also, thick, dense dog beds are helpful (vs. folded blankets/quilt). Wishing Arlen relief and recovery soon!

I agree with all of the above comments. Also, what is the name and dosage of her anti-depressant medication, and when did she start that medication? Some medications' side effects could contribute to the symptoms you described, particularly until the body adjusts.

Thanks for asking, Kristen. The best news: her stool formation improved significantly last month after finishing a variety of antibiotics; stabilizing her on one GI food that agrees with her system; and gradually reducing prednisone. We're working to taper her off prednisone before reevaluating/testing. (We held off on the oxygen chamber for the time being after seeing some improvements from her original symptoms.) Her most challenging symptoms during the past month appear to be caused from prednisone withdrawal. Her condition is still fragile. She has not been able to gain enough weight yet (now 21 pounds underweight). She just started mirtazapine; I'm hoping her appetite can be stimulated enough to carry her through the prednisone withdrawals. (I'm periodically spoon begging feeding when she's disinterested in eating on her own.) Her official prognosis is poor, but I'm more hopeful after seeing her significant hints of improvement. Any experiences with mirtazapine treatments (including tapering off) are welcome, as are tapering off prednisone and the recovery period. Our hound's most challenging prednisone withdrawal symptoms have been tapering below 10 mg. She's needed to extend the duration of each tapering period, along with more gradual dosage reductions (e.g., doses reduced by 2.5 mg).

Any culture results? Any other symptoms? Glad it appears to be shrinking, so far. Hopefully, it's an easily treatable bacterial infection, ringworm fungal infection, etc. It wouldn't hurt to have renal values tested in an off chance of it being Alabama Rot (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy). I assume the dog's body and inside of mouth has been examined carefully for any additional lesions.

Please contact your emergency hospital ASAP re: your hound's symptoms and be sure to inform them of your hound's activities that day. I assume it might be warm or hot weather in Sydney which could contribute to possible rhabdomyolysis. Here's the first link I copied but there are others too: https://pets.thenest.com/rhabdomyolysis-greyhounds-6571.html

Thanks for this good reminder about the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, etc. Kristen. I considered that previously but hadn't discussed it yet with our vets. We only have a non-pressurized oxygen chamber in our area but I'll contact a teaching hospital a couple hours away. I'm eager to determine our hound's true current condition after she's fully tapered off prednisone, etc. Prednisone has been worsening her diarrhea and other symptoms. Her prognosis is poor but I'm extremely hopeful for her recovery. As we can keep her caloric intake, fluids and injections up, she still has the will to survive. Thanks for all the good wishes!

I wondered the same thing and asked about that for antibiotic treatments to date. The treatment duration was extended but doses seemed typical for this medication sensitive hound. Her system is so compromised now. Vets are preparing me for the worst. I'm still hoping for a miracle! Thank you. Appears she was infected by oral ingestion. (She didn't have any open wounds.) ------- I'm still interested in learning from anyone's personal experience with this C.P. alpha toxin, even if your dog didn't survive this (or one of the other three most lethal strains).

Newly adopted dogs often need more potty outings until they adjust to a new environment. Offer a brief, escorted "business only" outing when Lady barks/cries. (She might be communicating that she's about to lose her urine or bowel control.) If you're hoping to leave the crate downstairs, try sleeping downstairs with her for several days/week. (It's much more difficult on any dog to be left alone during day and overnight too.) If no crate is in your bedroom during overnight hours: dog-proof your bedroom, add a baby gate (if bedroom door remains open) and section off a draft-free corner next to your bed for her to sleep on a comfy, thick real dog bed (not just a folded quilt). Otherwise, if crate is in your upstairs bedroom and she begins to panic inside locked crate, consider leaving crate door open while you're sleeping IF your bedroom is dog-proofed and baby-gated. If she's a chewer, she could wear her Greyhound basket muzzle while you're asleep. Ensure she's not too cold. She may need Greyhound jammies during cool months, plus a light blanket or two (one to place over her, and one that she can scrunch into a headrest). Offer her a light snack (e.g. 1/4 to 1/3 cup kibble, reduced from her dinner portion) before bedtime to help prevent her from awakening too early from hunger. We don't know where you're located, but many hounds have a time zone adjustment depending on their previous racing kennel time zone. Ensure she's getting enough daily exercise; and not placed in her crate for too many hours. Remember that this is her first time in life ever being away from other hounds. It's a scary and completely foreign adjustment for them but they do adjust in time. Congratulations on your new family member! Greyhounds are the best ever!

Thank you all for your helpful replies! This wicked C.P. alpha toxin appears to be resistant to all the antibiotics we've tried to date: metronidazole, amoxicillin, and tylosin. Prednisone was added recently to combat some symptoms but is causing severe muscle wasting, additional weight loss, etc. Weight loss is nearly 25 pounds so far (down from her ideal 63 pound healthy weight in Oct.). Gastrointestional: sudden onset with ongoing watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, etc. (Vomiting and appetite have improved periodically with other medications.) Thanks, I'll look into clindamycin. I truly hope some dogs are able to survive this. This increasingly resistant Type A - alpha toxin seems to be one of the more dangerous strains. We've been fighting this super resistant bacteria with our veterinarians for many weeks. Our girl is also receiving fluid treatments, injections, prebiotics/probiotics, fiber, prescription gastrointestional foods, etc. Thank you, John. I had not found that excellent antimicrobe page previously. I'm relieved to see more antibiotics that might be additional trial options.

Does anyone have (or know of) a dog that survived and fully recovered from this potentially lethal bacterial strain? If so, which antibiotic or combination of medications were successful? What was the treatment and recovery duration? This C.P. alpha toxin bacteria is a food poison found in raw or under cooked meats, rotting vegetation, improperly processed/transported/stored foods, etc. It's anaerobic, zoonotic, and regenerates very rapidly inside the body.

Our vet usually starts our 65-74 pound Greyhounds on 100 mg. per dose, then builds up, but your hound's weight and pain level may require a higher starting dose. We've never needed to dose above 300 mg. It causes blurred vision, dizziness/ataxia and sedation. You might have already seen this link but may be helpful: https://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learning-center/professional-monographs/gabapentin-for-veterinary-use.html

Ugh, bummer about Skye's diarrhea. Our hounds need more frequent meals to prevent an empty and upset stomach too. (Our ill hound is still struggling terribly and she's barely been eating tablespoons of food multiple times per day.) Seems you have discovered multiple strong possibilities. Glad you're monitoring his outings. Yikes re: the dead rat. There may be more around the property, especially if there is a food or water source. Also, it's surprising how many plants, mushrooms, etc. are toxic to pets. BTW, Lantana is toxic. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lantana (I believe Bougainvillea sap is mildly toxic.) Generally, healthy dogs eating an agreeable, quality dog food usually don't have horrible gas. Parasites, bad bacteria, etc. can be a source of unusually bad gas/stool odor.

https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/fda-warning-store-bought-bone-treats-could-kill-your-dog/