a_daerr
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Posts posted by a_daerr
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Already forwarded to Dr. Couto. Can anyone with experience looking at rads help interpret these? The vet who took them suspects cancer (tumor in the abdomen, mets in lungs). Just trying to figure out how bad, and exactly what we're looking at.
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Hahahaha! I forgot about that! He was growling at everyone, so we put a sign up to let people know about his grumpiness.
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I have one, Truman, who is not comfortable being physically restrained. He freaks out and has to be muzzled at the vet's office for routine things (nail trims, blood draws, whatever). Even when I'm petting him, and my hand lingers a little too long in the same spot, he'll jolt up and growl. He's also very leash reactive with other dogs. If I'm doing something he doesn't like, he'll sometimes redirect his aggression to me or our other dog. I have NO idea what causes it. We've had him since 16 weeks old, and if I'm remembering correctly, he's done these things since adolescence. It started at about 6 months old, then got worse between 9-12 months. I can confidently say that my husband and I have tried every positive training technique to desensitize this behavior, but have no had much success. Like you said, it's mostly about managing the triggers so that he doesn't go over-threshold. We call them his "hang-ups." No touching his belly when he's laying down, no resting hands on his belly, no face-to-face dog interactions, no dog parks. He takes 40 mg of Prozac a day too, otherwise, he turns into a real brat (his alter ego, "Trumie Mean Face").
If you find any research-backed information, I'd love to know more about it!
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Yep, this happened to Truman once after a heavy run on a hot day. It was like his legs turned to jelly, and he started walking drunkenly. As soon as we got him cooled down and rehydrated, he was fine.
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Agree with everything that's already been said! Whether or not you decide a dog park is appropriate in the future, it is never a good idea to bring a leashed dog into an area where all the others are off-leash. Doing that has the propensity to create severe anxiety in the dog with the restriction. It also changes the group dynamic, as other dogs pick up on the one with the 'disadvantage' and try to bully him. The leashed dog feels trapped, unable to escape, and 'fight or flight' kicks in. It can escalate quickly, and a normally sweet, passive dog may channel that anxiety into aggression (either toward the other dogs or the thing nearest by- you).
Ideally, in a group situation, leashes/muzzles are all or nothing (meaning, all the dogs have them, or they all don't).
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We also contacted a trainer/behaviorist to do a home consultation and help us learn how to read her better and train her in a way that makes her more comfortable.
Make sure that your trainer has some type of professional certification, preferably through APDT (American Pet Dog Trainers), AABP (Association of Animal Behavior Professionals), or CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers). And make sure they do positive and rewards-based training techniques. There are LOADS of crackpots out there claiming to be "trainers," with little to no professional affiliation to back it up.
If you hear the words "alpha" or "dominance," run the other way.
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First, completely forget anything you've ever heard about "dominance" and "submissiveness" and "alpha dog" and going through doors first and what it may or may not mean when a dog makes eye contact, shows their belly, or turns their back. Just let them go. These training styles are antiquated and completely unsupported by dog behavior science. Cesar Millan type training methods are NOT approved by any type of accredited organization and are very much discouraged by APDT (American Pet Dog Trainers) and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Here's a great article that will help with that.
Second, relax. Your dog is brand new. She's never had the rules and boundaries you're expecting of her. She doesn't speak the same language as you. I'm certain some other people here will chime in with specific techniques, but what your dealing with is a very common/normal resource guarding response of a dog who is not used to sharing sleeping space. What she needs more than anything is time and a reliable "off" command.
Try not to read into it any more than that.
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I experienced the same thing with Henry when he was going through chemo. We used a food topper to enhance the smell and taste of his regular kibble. It's called "bullyflakes" made by Barkworthies. You can get it through Amazon for about $13.
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Truman got Valium the last few times he had injuries that required restricted activity. Had to do it. He's too high strung and crazy, and it was not possible to monitor/crate him while we were at work, up to 16 hours a day. Worked just as it was intended- I have no regrets about giving it to him.
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Going back for new x-rays on Wednesday (Truman has to be sedated this time). But it's been three weeks, and the foot is starting to get more and more swollen. Any ideas what could be going on?
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Just a quick update on Trumie Dooms Day.
He had his surgery with Dr. John Brajkovich on Thursday. Of course, Truman was not very happy about us leaving him at a strange vet. He gave us his ultimate sad, pitiful face when the vet tech took him to the back, and cried cried cried. Good thing for him, I'd predicted he was going to freak out, so they shortly gave him calming meds. We stayed until he went to la-la-land. Later in the day, when Dr. John went in to do the surgery, he said the break looked even worse than what we saw on x-ray. The toe was fully broken, but also had multiple fractures above the joint. Two screws later, and the toe looks a lot better. We left him in two pieces, then picked him back up in one!
We only had to cut the honeymoon short by one day. He slept in the car mostly the entire way home. Saturday, I brought him back into our local vet for a re-check and bandage change. They said everything looked perfect- no discharge, no infection. We go in on Thursday for the last bandage change and suture removal. In the meantime, Truman is getting special peanut butter for his pills and also wet food (he started dropping weight fast just from the pain and trauma of the toe), so we're trying to fatten him up. He's been in really good spirits since we got home, mostly wanting to play with his Jollyball in the yard... as gently as possibly.
...As everyone said, it definitely made for an interesting trip, but it was by no means ruined. We had the great fortune of knowing GT'ers who pointed us in the exact right direction. Overall, just a fabulous experience with Dr. John and Caledon Mountain Veterinary. They were great, not just with Truman's care, but the staff and receptionist. Even Dr. John's young daughter gave us a bag of delicious sweet potato treats, with a handmade bag and card that said "Happy Honeymoon, sorry about your two greyhounds." It was so adorable! Here's the patient this evening. I don't think he's any worse for wear:
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Literally, we just went through this! Truman broke his toe last week and had to get two screws put in it. FWIW, the orthopedic vet we used (Dr. John Brajkovich, who frequently works with greyhounds and even guest-lectures with Dr. Couto) said not to bother with splits. He thinks they're more trouble than they're worth. The bandages can get too tight if the area still has swelling, which causes circulation/healing problems. There's also the likelihood of the wrapping getting dirty or wet and creating pressure sores, as Tracy mentioned. I think the best thing you can do is really restrict activity for 6-8 weeks. Give it time to heal, then you can do some PT type exercises later down the line to help with flexibility and mobility. Just my two cents!
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Wow, what a whirlwind! I'll post more later, but Truman is fine. Toe is fixed, and we made it back home to Pennsylvania.
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Dr. John saw Truman (who to my absolute surprise, behaved like a gentleman). He was able to get an x-ray and blood work without sedation. The bad news is that the toe is broken with multiple fractures. Dr. John recommended surgery to fix it. If we wait until we get back to Pittsburgh on Monday, we'd have to wait and get an appointment for a surgical consult at the orthopedic specialist, and meanwhile, the break could callus and get harder to fix. So... we just decided to have Dr. John do the surgery Thursday while we're still in Canada. He is skilled with greyhounds and works with Dr. Couto, so I trust him to patch Truman up. I emailed Healthy Paws, and they will cover it even though we're out of the country.
Not really what I wanted to do on my honeymoon, but so it goes!
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Vet in a few hours. Bruising has improved, but the toe still looks pretty wonky. Still limping.
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Thanks, Trace. I'll fast him tomorrow morning. He's going to Caledon tomorrow at 5PM.
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Pretty bruised and limp-y today. Headed to a grey-savvy vet tomorrow at Johanne's suggestion. Poor puppy.
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Nope.
I went to touch it, and he tried to bite me. -
Unfortunately, everything Nancy said about vets not being open on weekends was correct. We did find one that was open until 1PM today, but they were short staffed and kindly asked us to go to the emergency clinic. That was going to be super expensive- given that my Healthy Paws policy doesn't cover exam visits, I was reluctant to take him there. He doesn't seem very uncomfortable (no panting, restlessness, yelping), but I gave him Rinadyl and Tramadol anyway.
I tried doing a makeshift splint with a small roll of gauze and wrapping it with vet wrap. Only left it on for a few hours, though, as he absolutely hated that and kept tripping around like and walking like a spaceman. We're headed to the Hamilton area tomorrow, so I'm going to see if he can hold off until Monday. If he's really uncomfortable tomorrow, I'll take him to the e-vet. He happily ate dinner tonight and allowed me to give him pills.
The paw itself doesn't seem very swollen, but is very bruised. I'm hoping it's easily fixable. Fingers crossed.
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This was the result of Truman running around like a loon. He's holding it up and limping on it, but behavior is okay. I have a first aid kit with vet wrap and Rimadyl + Tramadol, so I could manage him somewhat. Just wondering what to do... We're out of town (out of the country actually) on our honeymoon and won't be back home until next weekend. Should we find a vet ASAP? If so, anyone know of a good vet in Prince Edward County, Ontario?
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They are ADORABLE! So glad they found a new home with you. -
Just want to give a quick update- Wolfie is doing the door with the actual flap on now!!!
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Keep the weight in check, chiro appointments, and definitely start a joint support supplement like Cosequin.
I went to touch it, and he tried to bite me.
They are ADORABLE! So glad they found a new home with you.
Help For A Friend- Interpret These Rads
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
Thanks... That's pretty much what they told her. An ultrasound was suggested, but is cost prohibitive and probably won't change treatment. They feel he's in late stages (coughing, throwing up what little food he manages to eat), so it's most likely going to be pain management and palliative care.