cleptogrey

in our house that usually calls for a couple of days of tylan powder. i get the rice cooker out as well, nothing like bland rice w/ a boiled handful of ground beef.

a dog walker & harness will be your best friends- as tbhounds said,even if it is just a quickie and rest for both you and greta. that was the one thing that really helped w/ my sanity when DD was born. DH was back at work when she was 2 days old and yes, it's most difficult getting out with a dog and a new born. hopefully the inflamed/herniated disk will shrink back quickly- that's exactly what happens to humans when they herniate a disk. it's time, rest and anti-inflamatories for humans. hopefully your vet will be supportive of your wise decision. best of luck with the new baby- once they hit 11lbs the world changes, their tummies are big enough to hold enough milk/formula for a good couple of hours. that day will come...congats!

your dog will let you know when it's too cold. felix tries to jump into any open car door- then i get the hint...it's too cold! we have a mega warm coat from sueshappytails- no more rides from strangers. musher's secret seems to keep the paws in check.

rally-o is tons of fun and it really reinforces what your dog has learned in basic classes. in agility- a good instructor is focusing first and foremost on you the handler and the dog getting the commands and sequences down. it's pointing and using the correct side of your body- the dog learning to follow and the jumps in the beginning are very low. a sequence of jumps, tunnels, table or a/frames is built up over time. only the orthopedic surgeon will really know that answer. do ask the group if they sponsored the surgery and repair and contact their dr. your vet should also be able to give you an answer if you can't contact the original dr. either dr. just might want a follow up x-ray. i don't really think it's like a person who has healed w/ pins, etc. the greyhound's legs are much finer bone.a couple of dogs i know who had major repairs needed follow up work. has you pup done pt/rehab? that's a good question to ask about, bone mass builds on weight bearing exercise for humans, not sure of the time factor for dogs. rehab can never hurt...best of luck and one step at a time.

sounds like your in good shape, do you have a vet? your adoption group is an excellent resource for questions....and yes there will be questions. slow and steady- enjoy!

as to the question about the flooring i have a remark. one of the schools that i did training at had excellent rubber matting for the floor....but for one reason or another the dogs were getting small static electric shocks. one of the trainers who i personally know informed me. most of the dogs did not react to the static electricity, but some did. i'm wondering if this can be true of your school's environment. i would ask the instructor if you could sit this session out and just observe with you dog next to you. pet him, feed him, calm strokes and calm talking. after the semester is over try to actively participate- just ask for an adjustment in duration of classes. if the trainer is sincere than this should not be a problem. also try spraying a cloth or paper towel w/ static guard(great stuff for winter static) and a small wipe on his back or legs(not paws) and spray your own clothing(shoes?) in case it's static that he is feeling. a structured regime and exercise- both mental stimulation and physical might help. with the urination, go know....my first greyhound who was an absolute doll had the bad habit of peeing when i was gone. that dog was so steady and stable, she just pissed either when she heard me pull up into the drive way or ??? we used a crate w/ no ill effects and no pee in the crate. every dog is different, every dog seems to have some quirks- just like people. good luck, personally i would stay away from prozac as long as i could and maybe look for another school or have the trainer work w/ you one on one. btw- of my 3 greyhounds and total of 8 dogs that i have owned and all enrolled in obedience training one totally shut down and hated classes. that's my current female annie. she would lie down and go to sleep in class, we always do downs and sits on a rug. she just did not have any interest and refused to work. that's her personality- but she trained well at home- go w/ the flow....that's what i did. she's fine...

steroids do increase their thirst/drinking like mad. it seems as if these greyhounds really do react to ALL/MOST meds administered. a simple dip stick test in urine should start to unravel the mystery. hold tight- once meds are discontinued a more accurate picture will be seen.

i hate to mention the "c" word....but when a dog needs strict rest it's an option. either that or a baby gated small area w/ a bed. close off the doggie door.,walk to pee- on lead, that's it. it's even more difficult for us than them. how about raw marrow bones to keep him busy.

the only dog who ever wore his nails down was a saluki i adopted whose front was east-west and he was cow hocked. (blind in one eye as well, but i'm sure the blindness had nothing to do w/ him wearing down his nails). when a dog moves properly their nails don't hit the ground.

an experienced groomer will be your best friend. weekly trims by the groomer and mega treats as soon as the nails are done will start some positive reinforcement and they know what they are doing. other wise try your vet on a weekly schedule. i find that the spookier dogs do not like the sound or feel of the dremel. a large human file will do the same as a pet file.

emily had one as well. it's pretty normal and doesn't seem to have an impact on their life. there used to be a call for greyhounds for a seminar for cardiologist to learn how to use new equipment on, of course i participated with both dogs. emily's case was "classic". the explanation was that thru wear and tear the mitral valve becomes weak over time and there is a slight regurgitation of blood back into the chamber. i was told not to worry- i'm also glad that i didn't spend $$ which could be applied to really necessary care on this.

agreed....it's a matter of luck and your vet. some vets go for testing every and anything, some are excellent diagnosticians and can call it. i know a dog, non-greyhound, who just ate a toy- injured it's intestines- $1900 later..he's fine. heart worm meds, flea and tic preventative, kibble, obedience classes, a coat or two are the basics. i put the insurance $$ away and save it for a rainy day...A.K.A. accident(staples their skin rips easily)

take everything out of the crate, including the pan and check it over thoroughly. to me it looks like a broken bar or a sharp edge.also check the clips and the door, it may not be aligning properly. if he rubs up against the top and there is a rough edge he could have snagged it on that. my dog loves his crate and bumps to top with his back. also check the pan if it's metal as well. make sure the clips that hold the front and back are secure and in place. if you don't find anything physical then he ripped his skin on something else- maybe the something in the yard? triple antibiotic ointment- just a couple of times and air and time- around 6 weeks for healing. do watch it, i don't think it looks like an area that needs to be stapled, but if it can be it will heal in 2-3 weeks top. your vet will know and 2 -4 staples will make a dart and fast healing. beautiful pup- enjoy!

listen to her at night. if she's crying and can't get comfortable, she's in terrible pain. emily who had osteo ate until the very end. nothing could stop that gal from eating, but i could not let her be in constant pain and discomfort. it's terribly hard to let go, but think of the pain. so, sorry...

he's got the "make you feel guilty look" down pat. sounds like it's just about mended....

have you been debreeing his split paw w/ hydrogen peroxide? my vet had me rinse annie's 2xs a day so that scar tissue formed. it was healed in a week. what protocol are you following? just curious. i know everyone screams NO PEROXIDE...but if will form scar tissue. she was good to go in a little more than a week. also the air needs to dry it out.

once the air hits the toes they heal very quickly. annie is an obsessive licker who tore her webbing. keeping it bandaged for a week was a feat- she chewed off every bandage. i just gave up, but you can try a muzzle w/ a muzzle guard. another greyhound with the vulcan salute!

sun or shade? humid or dry? they all go into what a dog especially a dog w/o insulation (greyhound) can take. try early early walkies or night time(10pm) walks and maybe split the distance up.walk like a vampire- stay out of the sun! mine can tolerate the distance and they are both 7, i have always schlepped them on long walks, but during the hot humid months i go for the cooler times of the day. i cool mine down w/ a hose starting under the chest and groin area and then the back,neck and head. but that's when they decide that it's imperative to run on hot days.

looks normal to me. dogs pads go thru molting- sometimes they are thick and hard- dark in color. occasionally i'll notice lighter colored and textured pads. look like nothing to worry about. walking on black top or cement or beach/sand can do this. just make sure he's not going crazy licking- allergy season- mold in the ground or he can have something in-between the pads- give a look.

look at my name.....emily had a thing for all of the above and $$ handbags and lingerie. we used to find pillows from the couch in her crate.

the cocktails for pain management are always changing. do talk to your vet and see what else can be done. emily started on metacam and an antiviral that boosted metacam's effects. some tramadol and that held her until the pain was too intense.i didn't want to start in w/ a patch. we managed the pain for almost 6 weeks. but having 20/20 hindsight i now realize that she showed some signs of pain during the late summer- she stopped using her front leg(shoulder was affected) oct. 29th(my bday)- it was her last run. she passed jan 2nd. i am really sad that i let her suffer at all- but that's me.

start looking into obedience clubs and training facilities. avoid petco and sites like that, you want a place that is apdt or A.K.C. certified. the fall semesters have just started, so you may have to wait until the next round, the timing should be good. observe, talk to trainers and an experienced trainer using positive reinforcement should do the trick, it doesn't have to be a "greyhound person". http://www.apps.akc.org/apps/events/obedience/training_clubs/index.cfm?action=search_state&state=MA https://apdt.com

mmm... back-backs up in reverse take-takes an object when i point to it, be it a ball under a bush, stick or just something i point to slow fast- both when walking ready- looks me in the eye and is allert blanket- waits for blanket on couch or is felix thinking blanket when he goes near the couch, he never goes up w/o it being covered off down sit wait stay come finish- comes to my side and turns around turn-turns himself around through- through a hoop/tire, ect over- over a jump or log, etc under- kennel car- runs into or up to the car from the open gait or when we are at the beach etc. house- into the house from the car knock it off- lays his head back down when trimming nails in a down position touch- noses a target kong treat cookie? to bed(runs to the extra bedroom) leave it back seat- moves from the driver's seat to the rear car seat ball wubba walk debbie collagio bubby marisa c.j. joe(he goes ballistic over people he knows and loves) and i'm sure there's more and yes, annie too comes to me when it's "time for your medicine"- eye meds too feisty. also, why should annie learn any of these, she just follows.....

if you have a blue seal dealer near your their lamb and rice kibble worked wonders for felix. annie can eat ground tires and nothing bothers her stomach. felix...the prince of sensitive and no chicken for him. have you gone thru a regime of flagyl? it really clears up their gut. do ask your vet and bring a sample in.is it stinky? stinky to high heaven? if so, time to clean it up, but only your vet will know w/ what. felix did well on duck and oatmeal/holistic select and prairie venison but both became very costly- hence the blue seal. reasonably priced, 22/24%protien, around 14% fat. the dogs really don't need more than 24%protein- that's rocket fuel.

all of my dogs should be dead. my vet doesn't, hasn't and when i had emily x-rayed there was no time nor $$ for blood work.my scottie was neutered at a very good hospital that was a participant in a spay/neuter clinic, nothing done then....felix was 9 months old- no blood work up either.... i guess i'm just lucky