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I'm also wondering why they want to wean this dog off pheno. Sounds like he needs to stay on it, or at least be switched to another anti-seizure medication if they're worried about side effects. Both Keppra and zonisamide are safer meds that can be effective alone in some cases. The only cases where I try to wean off seizure meds within a fairly short period of time (couple months) is if there was an obvious cause of the seizures that was resolved, such as toxin exposure. Especially since he started with a cluster, and had another cluster when they tried to drop the dose, it sounds like this is a dog that will need to stay on meds.

I can't believe someone who is your friend, much less a vet, would question or criticize you in a situation like this. I always tell my clients with geriatric dogs that they are the best judge of when it is time to let them go. I can help provide guidance and answer medical questions, but it's ultimately their decision, and I'm there to help support that decision.

I've been feeding Costco's Kirkland Chicken & Rice for the last 5 years to my own dogs as well as all my greyhound fosters with no problems.

As tbhounds noted, most (but not all) hypothyroid dogs have high cholesterol. The most recent case I diagnosed (not a greyhound, but a Jack Russell) had a cholesterol level that was low normal. But she had a very low T4 and fT4, and her cTSH was 4 times higher than the high end of normal.

No detectable thyroid hormone *can be* ok for a greyhound. But the finding of a low T4 value shouldn't be dismissed just because the dog is a greyhound. In a dog showing some symptoms, it should be investigated further with a full panel. If Smitty wasn't showing any symptoms at the time of the low T4 result last year, there was nothing wrong with the decision not to do further testing at that point.

Just wanted to mention that any change in appetite can potentially mean a medical problem. Just because he gobbles down tastier food doesn't necessarily rule out a health issue.

Merial is probably not going to comment on how effective Heartgard is at clearing microfilaria because it's not an FDA-approved label claim. There are some older studies that looked at the effect of monthly preventative doses of ivermectin (Heartgard) and milbemycin (Interceptor) on microfilaria (the term microfilaria actually specifically refers to L1 larva). With both products, most dogs were cleared of microfilaria after 6-8 months, although some took as long as 10-12 months. There were also a smaller number of dogs that still had some circulating microfilaria after being on either preventative, and there is some concern about those being a source of resistant heartworms. This is why "slow kill" with Heartgard alone is no longer recommended as a treatment option. However, when you add doxycycline to the protocol, studies have shown that when the Wolbachia bacteria are eliminated, the microfilaria are no longer infective, so resistance is less of a concern.

Congrats! Sounds like it's official!

Actually, HW positive dogs who receive HW preventative monthly won't contribute to the spread of heartworms. HW preventatives effectively kill the microfilaria so the dog is unlikely to be a source of infection for others. Also, if the dog has been on Heartgard monthly for the past 6 years, there's a good chance he's been negative for the last 3-4 years, although the owner wouldn't know that if he hasn't retested. Treating HW disease with the "slow kill" method of using Heartgard only has fallen out of favor. But if the monthly Heartgard is combined with doxycycline, I think it's a reasonable option, especially for rescue groups or owners who can't afford the injectable Immiticide.

The presence of past recalls doesn't mean a company is bad. In fact, it may mean that they have a good quality control system in place. I also believe that companies do learn from past mistakes, as having a repeat occurrence of a bad recall could mean going out of business. The lack of a recall history also isn't confirmation that the company is good. It could be a small or new company that just hasn't had any issues yet, or doesn't have an internal quality control program to catch problems. Personally, if your dog is doing well on his current food, why change? Lots of us feed dogfood made by Diamond with no problems. I've been using the Kirkland Chicken & Rice sold through Costco (and made by Diamond) for the last 5 years and all my dogs, as well as greyhound fosters, have done well on it. Obviously we all have to do what we're comfortable with. But as a vet, I've seen too many dogs, who were doing just fine on their previous food, develop GI problems when their food was switched just because their owner read online that what they were feeding wasn't good.

Since the pamidronate administration doesn't sound like it's a good choice, it might be worth a try. Talk to your vet about it, and they should be able to do some research and find a dose for her.

Most of the studies have only looked at pamidronate, so there's a lot less information about alendronate. The only published report I could find was about a couple case reports where it did seem to help. I think some oncologists have tried it as an alternative, but absorption seems to be less consistent than with pamidronate, so from a medical standpoint, the IV administration is still considered the better option. Here's the one report I found. You can view the full text even if you don't register. http://www.researchgate.net/publication/12362511_Use_of_the_bisphosphonate_drug_alendronate_for_palliative_management_of_osteosarcoma_in_two_dogs

Sounds like everything is going smoothly, and your cats are adjusting well to Harvey too. The fact that your tortie didn't run when Harvey barked at her is really good, and probably also part of why he didn't chase and lost interest. The cat's reaction is often just as important and will play a large role in determining the dog's response.

If he was on a lot of meds at the time, are you sure it was the NSAIDs that caused him to lose his appetite? Might have been the antibiotics as well. If a loss of appetite was the only issue, and possibly not even due to the NSAIDs, I wouldn't rule out their use for the current problem. Regarding splinting the leg, that's not typically done, but could be considered if the dog tolerates it well and you're careful to watch for pressure sores. A removable brace would probably be more convenient than a standard splint. Something along these lines might work, but it would have to go high enough to support the affected area. Incorrect fitting could actually make things worse by putting pressure on the weak area. https://www.orthovet.com/product/orthovet-carpal-splint/

Good looking boy! Regarding the brown on his muzzle, those are saliva stains. Not really 'dirty' and not much you can do to clean it off. More obvious on white dogs. I have 2 white boys, and one has those stains and one doesn't. Not really sure why, but I don't worry about it. Here are instructions on how to post a photo in your thread. http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/121707-how-to-post-a-picture/

Your comment that "the wrist joint is pretty well destroyed" makes me wonder about the diagnosis. There are other types of cancer or tumors that can affect joints, but osteosarcoma typically does not cross joints. It's usually confined to the bone itself. Can you get a digital copy of the x-ray to post here? I'm glad you're consulting with Dr. Couto. He should be able to start the consult with just the x-ray that you have now, and any other medical history you can provide. Does your vet have a lot of experience with greyhounds? Most greyhounds do quite well with amputation. Is there a physical reason your vet things Bodhi will not? Any other problems, like obesity, severe arthritis in any of his other legs, or any other spinal or orthopedic issue? If not, and chest x-rays are clear, I don't see why amputation wouldn't be an option. Regardless of what the Valley Fever test comes back as, I'd consider getting a 2nd opinion locally in addition to Dr. Couto. If you have a referral center within a reasonable distance, it would be best to consult with a internal medicine or oncology specialist.

Sounds good! Now we just need some pics!

Sounds like you're doing a good job! And yes, the fact that he seems pretty easily distractable and doesn't show much interest at all when they walk past his crate are good signs.

I understand completely. I feel the same way about my difficult dog, an IG I got when I was in high school. He's been gone 6 years now but will always have a special place in my heart. I posted a thread for him in Remembrance a couple years ago: http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/286868-casey-birthday-at-the-bridge/

I agree with the responses that have suggested giving him time to settle, and wanted to expand on that a bit. Chronic stress causes physiologic changes in the body that increase reactivity and aggression, and multiple stressful events over a period of time has cumulative effects. This is the same concept as stress causing people to have shorter tempers, be less tolerant of things they are usually ok with, and more likely to lash out at people they usually get along well with. Stressful events aren't always just bad experiences - dogs frequently get stressed just from change and transition. Sean sounds like he's been through quite a lot of stressful events in the past 8 months of his life - retirement from the track and going to a group, getting adopted and going to a new home, being attacked at the dog park, going back to the group, transitioning to your home - and those are just the major events. Even minor stressors, like witnessing your 'words' with your neighbor will have an impact on an already stressed and sensitive dog. With a dog who has been under chronic stress for a period of time, sometimes the best thing you can start with is a period of downtime where you keep interactions and training to a minimum to allow the dog to relax and and just 'be'. Obviously basic needs have to be met, and you don't want to ignore the dog if he actively solicits love or attention, but always let him be the one to initiate. Otherwise, just do your own thing around the house, and leave him alone. Try to keep walks quiet and peaceful, and avoid anything that gets him upset or excited. People have a tendency to want to 'do something' and jump right into lots of training exercises, but with a dog who is stressed, these interactions and expectations can lead to more stress. IMO, the first step is to allow the dog to 'de-stress', and wait until after he's more relaxed and settled before starting to address problem areas. When the dog's stress level is lower, some of the problems may be a lot less severe, and some may even resolve. I've found that some behaviorists recognize this concept of the effects of stress on behavior, while others may not. One thing I'm wondering - you mentioned moving the dog bed out of your bedroom. What was the reason for that, and where does he sleep at night? Being aware of your dog's subtle signals and body language can be very helpful in gauging his stress level. If you're not already familiar with calming signals, this is a good article: http://www.greenacreskennel.com/dog-behavior-and-training/canine-calming-signals-and-stress

I read back through all the previous responses, and I don't see anyone saying this? Keep in mind that most people who participate in this forum are familiar with retired racing greyhounds, so the opinions you're getting about puppies is in direct comparison to how 'easy' it is to adopt an adult ex-racer. If you've been researching retired racers, raising a greyhound puppy *is* like having a different dog altogether. Many of the traits that are almost taken for granted that make ex-racing greyhounds good pets are a result of how they are raised and trained, and the structure and routine they experience at the track. So while a greyhound raised from puppyhood may still have the basic temperament and instincts of the breed, they are much more subject to being molded by the training and experience you will be providing. Many people get puppies as their first dog, and as others have said, greyhound puppies aren't any worse than high energy puppies of other breeds. As long as you're prepared and willing to put in the time and effort, you should be fine.

Does he have the more classic sign of harsh, raspy panting? If not, I'd be a little concerned about him getting out of breath just walking across the room. It does sound like early LP is a strong possibility, but most of the dogs I see don't show signs of exercise intolerance until it's a little more advanced. Would definitely need to confirm with a scope or sedated exam, and I'd also consider doing chest x-rays to assess his heart/lungs. Here's a good article about LP: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2331

Agree with all the previous responses except for one small detail. I doubt Cleo perceives your boyfriend as less important than her in the household. More likely she is scared and uncertain of him, as kudzu suggested. You've only had Cleo for about a week, not nearly enough time for her to learn to fully trust and bond with each family member, much less someone who doesn't live there full time. My female greyhound Willow has some shy tendencies and doesn't trust men she doesn't know. She's nipped at my dad several times in situations similar to what you describe with Cleo and your boyfriend. This behavior stopped after she got to know my dad better, and he's also careful not to startle her, approach too quickly when she's lying down, or lean over her - all things that can scare an insecure dog. If your BF understands that she's acting the way she does because she's scared and unsure of him, hopefully that will change how he feels about her. Also, just wanted to comment that there's nothing wrong with using her muzzle. Greyhounds are very accustomed to wearing their muzzles, and it's a good safety precaution. If your BF is nervous around her because she bit him (understandable, especially since you mention he got attacked by a dog as a child), the muzzle may help him be more comfortable and confident around her. You can still give her treats through the muzzle, and use it until the both get more trusting of each other.

First, is the only sign she has the panting in the evenings? Any other behavior changes or changes in how she's interacting with you? If the panting is the only sign, I'm not convinced that she has cognitive dysfunction. Have you considered the possibility that she has some low-grade, chronic pain/discomfort that may be causing these episodes? There are lots of things that cause panting in older dogs; CCD usually presents with other signs. To rule out pain/discomfort, it's fairly easy to do a trial course of pain meds (usually an NSAID), or even a joint supplement like Dasuquin which provides some relief of pain and inflammation. To give an example, I recently saw a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was waking the owner up at night panting at around 3-4 am every night. Acting completely normal otherwise, going on walks as usual, no obvious signs of pain on physical exam other than a slight stiffness around his hips. Bloodwork and chest x-rays were normal, and we did a trial course of Dasuquin. He stopped panting within days of starting the supplement. That said, the classes of drugs that can't be used with Anipryl, and require a washout period when switching, are the antidepressants that increase serotonin levels - SSRIs like Prozac or Paxil, and TCAs like Clomicalm. The risk is causing a side effect called serotonin syndrome. Trazodone does increase serotonin levels, but has fairly mild effects compared to drugs like Prozac. It can be used with Anipryl if done cautiously. Benzodiazepines like Valium or Xanax are safe to use with Anipryl, but there is some concern that sedatives like these have the potential to increase confusion and make CCD worse. Have you asked your vet about the combination of drugs? Also, while nervousness is listed as a potential side effect of Anipryl, it only happens in a small percentage of dogs.

Amazing update that brings tears to my eyes. All of the points you made about how you've accomplished what you have with Joe are so important, but I think the most crucial is the one quoted below. Most people, understandably, have certain expectations when they get a dog. But dogs are sentient individuals who may not always meet those expectations. Joe is so fortunate to have found a family willing to let go of those expectations and truly accept and love him for who he is. And sometimes, once that point is reached, the unconditional acceptance paves the way for even more progress.