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a_daerr

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Everything posted by a_daerr

  1. Wishing the outlook was better. My advice is to move forward with the oncologist consult before making any major decisions. Not trying to sway you in any particular direction, however, it does seem to be a common theme that many general practice vets have a reluctant attitude about trying amp/chemo. An experienced veterinary oncologist can glean more information from a FNA (fine needle aspirate) and more detailed x-rays.
  2. I know many people are against amp/chemo because they think of it as just "buying time." That's not necessarily the case... many of us on GT went that route with our cancer dogs. Although it's definitely a difficult and expensive road (and it's not the right choice for everyone), I would 1000% do it again. My boy, Henry, got another 1 year, 10 months, and 2 days that I would not have traded for the world. He ran, played, enjoyed dinner every night, went on vacations. He did not suffer in pain and sickness. Dr. Couto can advise you further, but for 8-years-old and having clear chest x-rays, she could very well be a great candidate for amp. Whatever decision you make, know that are NOT giving up on her. You are choosing what is best based on kindness, compassion, and unconditional love.
  3. I thought that too... a much more likely scenario!
  4. An AKC greyhound would NOT be in a pet store. The breeders in the US are a very tight, closed off community. They typically don't even have websites or advertise themselves publicly. When I purchased my AKC greyhound puppy, I had to give my information directly to a representative at AKC, and they followed up with me. If this puppy is actually a greyhound (I'm highly skeptical it is), it almost certainly is coming from a backyard breeder.
  5. So sorry you're dealing with this. The osteo thread has a wealth of information from GT'ers who, unfortunately, have been there. Hugs to Tilly.
  6. Just read your post, and I'm hoping that things are still going well! Try not to live in fear of getting growled or snapped at. It's natural to dive into dog ownership and feel like you want to do everything right. But trust me, you will make a TON of mistakes, and so will your dog. Move past it, and don't take her behavior too personally. One of my boys is very expressive and growls at me every single day! That's just his language and the way he communicates. He's still a really sweet boy, who leaps into my arms when I come through the door and sleeps with his head on my face. He has never bit me or (to my knowledge) plotted to attack and kill me in my sleep. Most aren't "problem dogs" like mine, but even the ones who are are still totally worth it.
  7. I do the Olewo carrots at dinnertime for my boy, Wolfie, because no matter what, he always acts like he's starving! Lots of fiber, but easy on calories.
  8. What a sad day. Thank you for your beautiful tribute for Diana. It is clear how very much she was loved.
  9. Just my personal experience... Henry took 200mg Zonisamide for many years. His seizures were extremely well controlled, and we never had to experiment with dosages or adding other meds in. If it makes you feel better, the meds didn't make Henry a zombie or change his personality in any way. He was fun and silly and energetic until the day he died (from cancer- completely unrelated to the epilepsy).
  10. Wolf has a bit of a stinky 'dog' smell, and the only change I can think of is that I started adding some fish oil into his Olewo Carrots. It's a brand that my vet's office sells, so I have no idea what kind of fish they use. It just says 'Omega 3V Fish Oil.' Has anyone ever noticed that fish oil made their dog stinky?
  11. This is a good place to start: http://avsabonline.org/resources/find-consult
  12. I think what you've described would constitute an emergency situation, given that your pup has the potential to hurt herself while you're away. What meds, specifically, have you tried? Many anti-anxiety meds don't work overnight and take time to build up in the system to get the "full effect." The best combination is usually something like an SSRI or tricyclic anti-anxiety medication (Prozac, Zoloft, Clomicalm) for gradual, long-term results PLUS a benzodiazepine that will provide immediate relief (Xanax, Valium). Don't take this the wrong way, but if you've only had this pup for only a month, and you've switched medications multiple times, your vet may not be equipped to adequately provide behavioral modification meds that fully address your dog's needs. I would consult with a veterinary behaviorist ASAP, while continuing to work on a strict rewards-based "alone training" regimen.
  13. Ooh, these are very cool! Nice job!
  14. I used them for Henry, and he was much more steady on the hardwood floors. I still kept his nails trimmed quite short, but these definitely provided more support. The first ones I tried were a little too big, so we got the smaller size (green, I think?)
  15. Sending good vibes and prayers that our Twiggy stays indestructible and bulletproof.
  16. I doubt there is, but it's a PITA to take an unneutered dog anywhere that neutered dogs are mingling around. We go to a lot of greyhound events and meet-ups. In the past, we did dog parks and obedience classes. Every once in awhile, there's a male who isn't fixed (could be a perfectly nice and well-behaved dog), but something puts off bad vibes to the others. Almost always results in snarkiness. And the people! Until Truman was a year, I dodged so many people asking, 'Why don't you get your dog neutered for X, Y, and Z reason?' It was very annoying.
  17. Oh he's adorable! He must be an AKC puppy with those light eyes. I had my Truman neutered at exactly one-year-old, and I don't have any regrets about it. A lot of AKC people will tell you 18 months or later, but at the time, we were doing lots of advanced training. For us, I wanted him neutered ASAP for behavioral reasons. IMHO, there is some truth in that, but after a year, it comes down to your personal preference. FYI, greyhound puppies take a long time to fully grow and fill out. They don't start looking like "real dogs" until 2 or so.
  18. Oh okay, you do it the night before. I've been doing it right before they eat.
  19. Wolf isn't having poop issues, but even with four cups of kibble a day, he always seems insatiably hungry. He's just a little guy- 59 pounds! I figured I'd try some Olewo carrots to add something to his meals to help fill him up. Truman is more picky with food, but I wanted to offer him some too. I'm curious, how do you guys prep your Olewo carrots? For two dogs, I did 2 tbsp + 1 cup of water, nuked it for 30 seconds, and let it sit for 7-8 minutes. I skipped the oil this time. The consistency fine, but may have gotten dry if I let them continue to sit any longer. I was going to do two cups of water, but I was so skeptical that those tiny pellets could soak up that much!
  20. This is a very strange behavioral anomaly, but I'm familiar with it because my Truman does the EXACT same thing. Moving hand = perfectly okay. Still hand = yelp and growl. I've tried counter conditioning him to accept being touched with a still hand (rest hand gently for five seconds whilst rewarding with treats), but have only made minimal improvements. There's something about it that makes him very uncomfortable- I think it may have to do with not wanting to be restrained. He hates vet procedures, nail trims, stuff like that. He is absolutely fine with having his face/head touched, but his body is a different story. A lingering hand on his feet and/or belly make him the most anxious. We share the bed sometimes, but don't really "cuddle."
  21. Sad day today... Happy birthday to my sweet Henry at the bridge. You would've been 8 today. We got our first snow of the year the other night, you'd have loved it.
  22. I know!! It's very hard to decide! I have cats, so he'd have to be moved through a group.
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