a_daerr

Yes, absolutely. T-shirts, tanks, sweatshirts. New designs. We'll actually have two full vendor spaces this year.

Quick update on Truman. The internal medicine specialist called back today with some preliminary bloodwork results. The total T4 came back at 0.9, so increasing a little, but still low. Another interesting find was that the protein in his urine was high. The doctor is sending it over for a protein to creatinine ratio test. He didn't want to get into possibilities for that (yet) until the MSU panel and other urine test come back. But I'm a little curious as to what this could mean. Thoughts?

Used Iams for years, and it started seeming like there were quality control issues. We'd get one bag, and it'd be fine. The next bag, neither dog would touch it. The company always offered to have the bags replaced free of charge, but it started to be a huge pain. Eventually switched to Fromm's in the purple bag. It's the cheapest, most basic formula they make. Has beet pulp and chicken-based. That was almost 2 years ago, and *knock on wood* no issues.

Here's my boy being long at the vet. He was very good. Peed for his urine test and acted good for bloodwork. They gave him a giraffe printed bandage.

We have a decent amount of beer- and wine-themed collars for anyone wishing to pre-purchase with their desired width, size, and hardware choices. The deadline to order is 7/20. Some of these will be available at the event, but quantities are very, very limited.

Trumie is going to see the internal medicine specialist at University Vets today (the same clinic where Dr. Couto practices oncology). I anticipate he'll have some bloodwork, which I can request be reviewed by Dr. Couto. I appreciate everyone's feedback. I think we definitely need the MSU panel for a more specific look at the thyroid. I'm hoping they can advise on a regimen for pain or different anxiety meds if the thyroid isn't the answer.

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've been on GT. I'm hoping you all might be able to help with a Truman question. We recently had Truman to the vet for his annual check-up. She decided to run some bloodwork, as Truman has seemed a little more (what I lovingly describe as) "grumpy" within the past year. He's always been high-strung, hyper, and snarky, especially when it comes to other dogs. At home, he's typically very low-key. But we've noticed more instances of snapping both at Sterling and I, as well as our cats and other greyhound, Wolfgang. This wasn't totally uncharacteristic before, but in the past year, his threshold seems a lot lower. I chalked most of that up to getting older and turning 7 (gasp!) next month. [Those of you long time GT'ers will remember 14-week-old Truman puppy pictures.] Another thing to mention, Truman also had a fairly extensive neck surgery a little over a year ago to correct a herniated disc. Following that surgery, he had experienced some weakness and neurological deficits. But after a long course of physical therapy, I'd say he is about 90% better in terms of his range of motion, stamina, walking/running normally, normal weight, and reversing the muscle atrophy. So... getting back to this annual appointment. The vet decided to run a thyroid panel, thinking we could rule out an endocrine issue. Then, his Total T4 came back at 0.7, which my vet described as "rock bottom." He doesn't really exude any other symptoms of being hypothyroid (normal weight, coat isn't an issue). But based on his short-fuse, agitation, and what feels like more episodes of aggression with other dogs, the vet decided to try Soloxine (0.8mg, twice daily) for a month to see if we noticed any positive improvements. Well, it's been a month, and it actually seems like the behavior has gotten worse! He seems more touchy than ever with space, food, whoever looks at him the wrong way. Last week, Sterling tried to walk the dogs on the walking trail, and Truman got so worked up (snarling, barking, lunging, snapping) at a dog running with its owner, and minutes later still would not calm down. Sterling finally just cut the walk short and took him home. An average "incident"with him is a few bows and deep barks/growls if the other dog passes too closely. This time seemed much different, as he was total Cujo, and would not recover, even 10 minutes later, when the threat of the other dog was fully removed. I guess I have a few questions, broken down by parts. First is the thyroid. I can find nowhere in his file (140 pages) that Truman ever had thyroid testing before. So while 0.7 seems low, maybe that's his baseline that he was doing (reasonably) well at. Could this new aggression be stemming from the Soloxine? If so, can I take him off immediately? And if not, should I follow through with an internal medicine doctor? It just so happens that Guillermo Couto is working Pittsburgh now, so if needed, I could do a consult with him, then send out for a more specific thyroid panel through MSU. Go through Hemopet? In order to run that panel, do I need to keep him on the Soloxine or discontinue? Part two concerns the possibility that his "old man grumpiness is still some residual pain or discomfort from his neck surgery. While he isn't showing any obvious limping, yelping, trouble being touched or handled, maybe there are other things to consider? Like he's becoming more aggressive because something is making him feel physically that he's not 100%. Should we consider another round of PT? Adequan injections, supplements, NSAIDs. If he's grumpy because he doesn't feel well physically, where do I start with that? Lastly, the behavioral health. Truman has been on 40mg Prozac for years. I believe it's helping in some capacity, because anytime we've tried to discontinue, he becomes much for anxious and compulsively licks himself. Should we consider a consult with a veterinary behaviorist to discuss changing/tweaking with his Prozac? I'm not as well versed on psychosomatic pharmacology as I once was. Any new developments that I'm missing med-wise with owner- and dog-on-dog-aggression? In two weeks, we'll be traveling to vend collars at Grapehounds NY. For the first time in six years, I'm considering not bringing Truman. Whatever is the basis for his agitation, aggression, grumpiness, whatever, I don't want to exacerbate it with a hundred dogs in one place. After years of obedience training, one thing we can say is that he listens well... we've always been able to manage his "hang-ups" in these situations. I just feel conflicted the behavior has started to get more concerning, I don't want to put Truman or any other dog at risk. Any advice on where to begin? Sorry this turned into a novel. I'm looking forward on your stories. Thanks in advance!

Anyone still active on this thread? Still trying to find Wolf's Brother, Cancun Heat. Track-info states his last race was April 2016 in Mobile.

Thanks for posting this. I just tried this recipe, and it's working pretty well. Truman has achieved expert level in taking out the pills. I will usually give him the one with the pill first, and quickly show/feed him the next one, to get his interest and not give any more time to think about or pick apart the first one. The one he will not go near is Tramadol. It must taste very bitter- he gags on it. Anyone ever have luck crushing pills up and putting them in plain, empty gelatin tablets?

Switched to Fromm's purple bag at Rachel's suggestion. Cold turkey, which I didn't want to do, but they were both outright refusing the green bag. Fingers crossed, absolutely no issues, and they've been eating it with vigor.

Fromm purple bag it is. If this does work, we'll give Pro Plan a try. Thanks, all!

Both of my guys have been refusing Iams green bag on and off for probably a year. I usually purchase in the 40 pound bag at Sam's Club. I've called Iams a few times. Thrown out bags and got vouchers for new. Getting a new bag generally works, but then a few weeks/months later, the same problem crops up again. Thinking of trying a different food, but really not wanting to go through the trial and error of many foods. Anyone have luck switching from green bag to something similar? Pro Plan? Fromms? Help me!

So heartbroken. :(

Did you say in the last post that she's been on a steroid? If so, there's a washout period before you can start the NSAIDs, so be aware of that. My vet is really big on alternative medicine (there's a vet chiropractor in the practice). However, he told us absolutely, 100% no chiro with suspected disc issues. The wrong adjustment can lead to nerve damage and/or paralysis. We currently have Truman on Gabapentin, Prednisone (tapering down), and Tramadol as needed, when he's particularly yelp-y or uncomfortable. We've already done the MRI and pinpointed the specific disc. Tuesday, we'll do a re-eval with the neurologist and probably schedule him for ventral slot surgery. It's my understanding that acupuncture and cold laser can help stimulate growth in the nerve when done regularly over time. Surgery is the only immediate, curative option (although there are plenty of risks and drawbacks there too). Interested to know how you guys move forward. Seems like we're in the exact same boat.

Going through the same thing with Truman. He got his IVDD dx last week following an MRI. She looks really hunched in that video.

The vet thinks it has everything to do with his lineage. He was bred to be super tall, lanky, thin, dinosaur spine. For all his prettiness, his anatomy is pretty unnatural. He's almost 6 now.

Just wanted to pop in and give an update on my big boy. For the past two weeks, we've been resting Truman and giving copious pain meds. He's no worse, but also no better. He's still yelping intermittently, struggling to lie down and get comfortable... looks noticeably hunched in the back end. He's just not himself at all. We decided to move forward with the specialty clinic's neuro department and have an MRI done today. No doubt about it, IVDD. No indication of malignancy (fortunately) but the disc between C5-C6 is noticeably deteriorated. The one between C6-C7 is herniated and pinching his spinal cord. Neuro specialist wants us to try steroids for ten days, then taper off to see if the pain returns. He thinks Truman could be a good candidate for ventral slot surgery, although I do worry about the risks and the potential for "domino effect." Chiro treatments are out. Laser treatments would help stimulate the nerves healing, but he's very nervous and spooky at the vet. It took two people to lay him down, and even then, he acted like a bucking bronco. I think he'd be miserable if he had to go to the vet multiple times per week over a long period of time (and I'd also worry about him re-injuring himself during a freak out). Not exactly sure where we go from here, but I'm definitely worried. Poor Trumie.

She showed me (granted, this is an emergency vet, not a radiologist), there is no clean pocket of space between C5 and C6. They looked like they were touching. All of his other ones in his back and neck had nice, dark spaces. But only the MRI will say for sure. Has that been your experience, Tracy?

Okay, x-rays are back. Definitely his neck. Looks like there's compression in the one disc. They're going to get him a good combination of meds (Rimadyl, Tramadol, Gabapentin), then we monitor for five days. If no improvement, they'll refer to neurology and MRI. Talked about IVDD and some other less likely possibilities. She said I could have him admitted and do the MRI tomorrow morning, but he's pretty exhausted and worked up. I'm going to take him home for now.

At e-vet now. Just noticing that he's avoiding shaking off. He'll only try to do it very gingerly. Definitely thinking neck or back.

It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I'm coming for help for my boy, Truman. Last week, he became what I can only describe as painful and yelpy. He yelps out, sometimes when getting up or lying down, and other times when walking or standing. I can't nail down a definite pattern. There is also no discernable point of injury- I've checked legs, paw pads, toes, nails. Manipulated them all, no swelling or limping. Something seems a little 'off' to me with his gait, but it's not very noticeable to the naked eye. I was immediately concerned about TBD, since we've been hiking and the tick situation is horrible this year. I was traveling for work all week, so Sterling took him to the vet. No evidence of TBD, but she did agree that something is making him painful. He would not allow the x-rays, so we ran pre-sedation bloodwork and agreed to schedule for a week out. She wanted to try him on Rimadyl for a week to see if that made a difference. Well... I got home today (after being gone since Sunday), and he seemed worse. He was shaking a bit when I touched him, then peed on the floor. Probably going to take him to the e-vet tonight, just because I don't want him to be in pain the whole weekend. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience, and if so, what should I be looking for? Thanks in advance from me and Trumie.

Mark... I haven't been on Greytalk in awhile. I was so saddened to log-in today and see this. You did EVERYTHING possible for your sweet boy. I hope you can find some peace in knowing that you gave him the best life imaginable. Taylor reminded me so much of my Henry. First greyhound, diagnosed so young, embracing the tripod life and beating the odds. I'm sure Hen welcomed him across the bridge, and that they're running like lunatics, doing laps around all the four-legged greys. Hugs to you and Face.

Ah! Sorry guys! She gave us an antibiotic. That seemed to do the trick. Within 24 hours, I was able to take the bandage off and leave it open. It's looking a lot better now and had formed some new growth.

Well to answer Jen's question, YES, it is the exposed quick. Here's a pic of what it looked like when it first happened. The quick is just hanging out. I called and requested an appointment at the vet. Earliest I can get in is Saturday, unless there's a cancellation.

Hahahahaha, Andrea! That's 100% the truth. Hmm, I actually feared I wasn't changing his dressings enough. I've rewrapped it three times in two weeks and soaked it twice. I've tried without the bandages, but it starts bleeding again within an hour. Still looks very wet and raw. He's in so much pain from it, he actually GSOD'd and tried to bite me last night. I'll probably just take him back and ask to have it removed. Tracy, can they do that with a local?