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How many rounds: He went through two rounds of Panacur and then retested and came back all clear. Did NOT know that about returning open bags; thank you! Unfortunately, hook is *quite* persistent. He may very well have another batch that is newly hatched...retesting would not be out of order. Two rounds is really not a lot when it comes to hook... If all is well and you truly suspect a food sensitivity, you could indeed try something without chicken. I fed Max Holistic Blend Chicken and Rice for a year or so and could never get him really firm. Switched to their lamb and rice formula and his stool became perfect...so, might be worth a try....

I'm so sorry Frank has had to leave you so unexpectedly- they ask so little and give so much...he and you had a special relationship, we know. My condolences...

Thank you all so much for sharing your kind words...they have truly helped these past two days. I feel like my grieving is now on hold, as I won't be home until late Friday night; I know it will really hit me then. Being so far away right away, in an environment that does not hold any essence of Max- it is rather surreal. I can almost pretend...well, you know... These words have been running through my head, since my boy had to go. They are from Collin Raye's song, Love Me: If you get there before I do, don't give up on me. I'll meet you when my chores are through; I don't know how long I'll be. But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see. And between now and then, till I see you again, I'll be loving you. Love, me. I don't know how long I'll be, my darling boy - but I'm not going to let you down...

Oh the stories you told through the eyes of your beautiful girl! Absolutely amongst my all-time favourites on GT. She just had such a spark, such life that crackled through your pictures. Only 10 I am sorry she had to leave so soon; what a great life she had and one that you captured so eloquently in your art...

Clicking the "Start new topic" button here is the hardest thing I've ever done. The most perfect boy who ever was, is no more. How can a dog so full of life, so full of zest, so full of himself, be gone?? And he left without me...I am away at school in BC and he collapsed this morning; was gone before DH could catch him and lower him to the floor. Poor DH is going through this alone, in our home that is so full of Max... He was 13 so it's not like this was unexpected but so fast, so fast. He had been out of sorts on the weekend, extra pant-y, shakier than normal, so DH made appt with chiropractor for adjustment today. That's where it happened, he just went down...and our little family is left with a giant hole. May I share some memories of my boy? For he was a momma's boy through and through - I sang "me and my shadow" to him all the time, he was always at my hip. I don't think I know how to walk around my house without accommodating for a greyhound shaped appendage... And oh how he loved to tease me! Outside he would stand just around the corner of the house while I would call him to come in, so I'd have to go out and around to find him. There he'd be standing waiting for me, play bowing - what a fun game! Or, he wasn't allowed in the kitchen when food was being made - so he'd stand in the doorway with two feet juuuust inside the door, looking at me, one ear up one ear down - I could just hear him "technically, I'm not *in* the kitchen, mom!" He always had crazy ears; I always told him I knew exactly what he was thinking by the way he held his ears!! I cannot believe he is gone,and suspect it won't seem quite real until I get home this weekend. He was a very composed greyhound but enjoyed all that life brought his way and accepted everything with aplomb. His personality filled our home. I cannot imagine him holding court from his bed in the centre of our living room, the centre of our home... Playing with stuffies: Holding down our (his) bed was a job he took seriously: or holding down the yard, for that matter! He was breathtakingly regal and dignified: but could be oh-so-silly He wasn't afraid to give his opinion; here is telling us off because we were playing "monkey inthe middle" with him - and he had had ENUFF! Oh how he loved to run and play with stuffies... Whatever I have in my hand, he wants me to throw it again! I can't believe I am never going to look down and see this again: Until we meet again, my boy, my love, my heart and my soul, sleep well, play hard, eat all the snow you want, beat the stuffings out of all the stuffies, eat all the cookies you want. I'll be with you again and remember - momma loves you more than peanut butter...

I hope Frank continues to feel better today. I know what you mean; Max has had a couple of slips; we now how rubber backed rugs everywhere...at 13, I worry about him so much. Hugs to Frank; they forget quicker than we do...

What a precious gift you were given! No matter what happens today or tomorrow, you will have that memory to treasure...I hope you have many more. We can at least attempt to fix so many things that may go wrong with our babies, but we are defenseless against the relentless marching of time and age. Peace to both of you...

I'm so sorry for your loss of Andy. Run free, and healthy, loved boy!

We haven't had a scope to diagnose Max, but the vet "strongly suspects" LP. He is 13 and has been quite raspy and panty since last summer. We started him on Apo-Theo once summer started this year, and it seems to help. He pants all the time, even with the air set to 71 degrees and fans blowing on him all the time! But he seems comfortable and happy. Walks are limited to only early morning and later evenings, and we too switched to a harness. He still likes to do his morning yoga and his post dinner-dancing in the evenings. When he is out in the yard, he still playbows and does little spinnies, just for fun. He has been taking metacam for his hips but we are weaning him up since we started him on cartrophen and will add prednisone to the mix, if he gets worse...we have chosen to not pursue surgery in part because he has always had trouble choking on food, which be a problem with aspiration pneumonia. He also has hind-end weakness, which is actually our bigger concern these days (I seem to recall a thread here on GT, that there is a correlation between LP and hind-end weakness - if anyone else recalls this, I would love to hear about it!) Good luck with your pup; it's a bit of a tough thing for your dog to live with but manageable I think with precautions and common sense.

Awwww - the posting I did not want to see! I had so hoped that Heart would pull through. We all know that if your love and devotion could have pulled her through, she would have been here forever...Hugs and healing to you and your pack...

Healing thoughts being sent. So scary for all of you...

Happy birthday, Iberia - I hope you enjoy the fireworks for you today!

I give Max 3mg twice a day during thunder storm season. Then the rest of the time, I'll often give him one before bed; he gets restless at night (probably due to old age; he is 13) and if there is going to be anything going on that might cause him anxiety. Really helps with his thunderphobia...

I used to give Max Rescue Remedy but have found the melatonin to be more effective. I give him a 3 mg tablet every 12 to 8 hours - 12 hours is sort of a regular maintenance dose, and I will up to every 8 hours during storm season. I'd say it can't hurt so give it a try! I just the regular human stuff from Walmart

I am THE most parinoid person in the world! If she's panting too much after a walk, I check her tummy for bloat, if she's too warm I start soaking her in cool water/ getting the fan on her, if bf and her go for a walk and they are taking too long I start walking up and down the road looking for them, and the list goes on I honestly think it's kinda like being a parent to a first child, you just worry SO much. Thanks everyone for the "It could be this, could be that". Our appointment is on Wednesday morning...on her birthday of all days. Maggie, there is a good chiro in town- she has a human and dog pratice; human door on the left, dog door on the right! These guys are retired athletes and those muscles and joints have quite a bit of wear and tear, Wouldn't hurt to take her to see Dr. Jennifer Heick (sp); Waterloo North Chiro (I think). Maggie could just a need a little adjustment; I'm sure it's nothing!

I am so sorry that Don Juan had to leave- he did not have enough time with you! They were his best months, I am sure...Rest easy, handsome...

Truly, truly the most precious Phener-weiner beaner that ever was. Robin, I am so so sorry he did not get to spend many more pain-free days with you - I was so hoping. I hope you don't mind if I share a few pics; he (and you!) are so much a part of my life with Max: Max & Phene at a meet & greet in Stratford; Phene was an indiscrimate snuggler! In all his regal, Phoenix glory, last April! His favourite thing to do at playgroup - lean on someone and get pets! You were so loved, you gorgeous golden-eyed boy! I'll miss you so much... Robin, hugs to you - whatever you need, please don't hesitate to call me...

Hmmm, this is interesting. I would not have said that Max has allergies, but he does lick his feet a lot. I always thought it was sort of a self-soothing thing. The vet did mention a prednisone might help but he is on metacam for arthritis and can't take it appreantly. We are weaning him off, since he is now on cartrophen shots, that seems to be helping. Wonder if something like Vanectyl would be a possibility? FWIW,Max has been on reactine for 4 nights now, and I don't know if it's helping. He is more cough-y than usual tonight (actually hacked up phlegm which is not normal!) Thanks for the info!

Max has been experiencing excessive panting and raspy breathing for a while; I noticed it last summer, but it seemed to get better over the winter. But it has started up again this spring; as soon as it got over about 5 degrees celcius, he seemed to become bothered again. So, to the vet. It might be allergies or "old dog lung" (scar tissue, apparently) or larangyal paralysis. He is now taking antihistamines (reactine); we`ve been trying that for a few days, haven`t really noticed a difference. So we might try a bronchial puffer - did you know they made aerosol chambers for dogs? I did not; they are about $75 from manuafacturer. Anyone know of a cheaper source? I want to give the puffers a try, but seems like a lot if the drug does not work. Any place to get these sorts of things used? The vet is kinda leaning towards LP but wants to rule out other possibilities before considering surgery. At Max`s age (13), surgery is not an easy decision; his breathing is not bad- I keep him in air conditioning, we don`t exercise or go out during the day. As I said, we are trying an antihistamine, and will add an oral bronchialator (apo-theo-LA). And then if that doesn`t work, aerosol bronchial meds. And then, if that doesn`t work -a referral to the ontario vet college for consult, and possible LP surgery. Vet also mentioned an x-ray to check lungs for scar tissue but they sound perfectly clear; don't know if I am convinced of the need. Max is otherwise a very healthy 13 year old. Has anyone had this done on a 13 year old? Any feedback or stories appreciated. I have seen lots of good reports on the surgery - anyone wish they hadnèt done it or had a bad experience? Aside from age, what are the reasons not to do it? Thanks in advance!

Just checking in on the handsome Man-Queen! Hope Phener is feeling better and you've heard good news on the x-rays!

Hi Robin! Max has had (and continues to have) Cartrophen shots. After discussing the options between that and Adequan, we went with Cartrophen. Same concept; injectable glucosamine-type product. Max has done very well on them; he has gone through the 4 weekly shots that get it started and is now doing monthly(ish) maintenance shots. They have helped him quite a bit; he is much more confident about his hind end. Max has had those slips on the hardwood; very scary! He regulates himself on hardwood now, walks carefully. Could Phene have pulled something when he slipped, too, that is aggrevating an already sore (due to arthritis!) joint? Max gets picky about the powdered supplement I put in his food sometimes, too - but if I mix it in with a little canned food, magically - it is edible! Hope you hear from OSU much sooner than the projected (although maybe today is the day?) Keep us posted - fingers and paws crossed and positive thoughts being sent!

Good thoughts continue to come for you and Charlie - glad it may only be some hind end weakness and that it passes quickly .

I'm very interested in reading these responses as I suspect my 13 year old had been developing this over the past couple of years. He is very panty in the heat - really any heat, over about 10 degrees celcius and he is panting. And it is getting to be quite raspy. He was never a barker or a roo-er so I can't tell if that has changed. He does not choke or cough much; some though. They are calling for a hotter than normal summer this year; I'm worried already and starting to think about the tie-back...otherwise he is very healthy (for 13, of course! ) Oh, he has some hind end weakness, but suspect that may be tied to the LP (I think I read on here somewhere that these can be releated). Anyone experienced a LP tie-back surgery in Ontario -not sure how to find a surgeon; maybe through the OVC? Good luck to your Bandit - thank god for air conditioning!

What a happy smile he had! Clearly a hound who loved and knew he was loved. I'm so sorry he had to leave so soon. I remember meeting him at Grapehounds...he was a doll. Keep an eye on your skin sister, Stuey... :f_red

And a year for Riley? Seems like it just happened! Hugs to you as well...