HoundHeavenAZ

Sending lots of white light from me and my Leah. I was such a nervous wreck with my bridge girl that my vet asked me to wait outside so I wouldn't upset the others. Stay calm

I found the easiest and best recipe on the Epi dog site - it isn't pretty, but they love it and our vet even approves it for our seizure boy 1 c pumpkin 3 eggs and shells ground 1 cup meat ( I use browned beef liver cubed up) approx. 2 cups old fashioned oats I use a hand held blender to mix pumpkin and eggs and shells then add most of the liver to blend it in. I reserve a few chunks to add for yummy chunkiness. Pat into 10x12 pan, score before baking and bake at 300 for 25 minutes. I allow it to cool in the oven and finish drying out. Store in fridge. If my boy wasn't on such a restricted diet I might try adding a bit of peanut butter and varying the meat with maybe sardines or chicken livers from time to time. Good luck

I've used a gauze pad and neosporin on the tip, then covered it with that stretchy tubular stuff that they use on peoples for burns, then anchor it to the body with a wrap of coban or ace bandage. You can always undo the tip and change the bandage. Then once I have accomplished that feat I spend the remainder of the day with hydrogen peroxide cleaning walls, floors, furniture, etc. Lima's happy tail Good luck...we went through this waaaaay too often.

I have fostered males and been around a quite a few and have never discerned a greater odor on them, even if they do pee on their own feet. So I'd probably have the vet check for a sheath or anal gland issue too. But I'd have to hold off until I could keep a straight face when I consider "BUTT JUICE"!!!! LMAO!

Chip was placed into a home for over a year and recently bounced. His mom could no longer cope with the emotional and financial burden of his seizures which were increasing in frequency to nearly weekly. He had been a single dog and her daughter had recently moved out so Chip spent his days alone frequently. She walked him regularly and adored the boy and tried to do her best to keep him well. We have had him now 40 days and he has been seizure free. He had only been on two weeks of potassium bromide when we got him and our vet (same that mom used) said it takes about a month to become completely effective, and he was taking phenobarb 2 twice daily, prednisone and fluconizole twice daily. Since we've had him he has continued with the potassium bromide, reduced the phenobarb to 1 twice daily, eliminated the pred and continued with the fluconizole. He has been on a strict diet: Natural Balance Venison, cooked veggies and beef. He's lost 9 pounds and is now at 70.5#, he's alert, active and a happy four year old. He loves human company and is starting to interact more with the hounds he's around. He's been to the dog park several times and seems to thoroughly enjoy romping and running with the other hounds -we stay in an isolated training area without other breeds. He's attended high stimulation meet n greets and regularly meets the public. We started him on Revolution with no ill effect. I've asked about introducing milk thistle but the vet wants 60 days on this restricted diet before we try anything new - she has been wonderfully supportive and concerned about this boy and we are very greytful for her help. Of course we may not be out of the woods but we think that the interaction with the other greys and keeping him engaged and active along with the weight loss and controlled diet have surely helped. We suspect that his previous Mom was treating him with Old Roy biscuits at bed time. I am a co-foster of this fabulous boy and have loved him since the day we rescued him from the Tucson track vet two years ago. Most greys are irresistible to me but this oaf just brings tears to my eyes I lost my 7 year old heart dog, to a stroke while she was in my arms in August - she suffered from optic seizures and erlichia. I have learned so much wonderful info on GT about seizures and hound health and I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their sometimes very painful stories. GT also directed me to the Epi Gaurdian Angel site which is full of very helpful info - including this philosophy: let him live life to the fullest and treasure every single moment! Chip goofing around Best of luck to you all and thanks for supporting each other.

Over the years I've tried many foods to hide pills in and not all have worked so well, but I think I've got a winner at long last - hamburger meatballs! I've tried peanut butter, cream cheese, cheese, hot dogs and every combo in between but a golf ball sized wad of raw high fat hamburger appears to be irresistible. I give them as a treat or mixed into the food sometimes and he is so excited that he simply gulps them down. I've been using this for about 6 weeks now and it hasn't failed yet - what have you discovered to be the best solution for hiding your dog's pills? This novelty may wear off so I want to be prepared just in case

That is the most beautiful, touching story of Kiowa! Thank you for sharing it. Here I am giving my students a test and now I've got tears in my eyes My Lima and I connected the moment we met and she was at home whenever she was with me. Leah finally decided after about 3 months that she was at home one night and started playing with Lima and the toys and doing zoomies. Now our Lima is gone and we miss her every day.

This might be something that we need to give our seizure boy (35 days seizure free!). I understand that his meds can be tough on the liver. Thanks for the info.

My heart is aching for you both. We too became a close family unit and found it very tough when we lost our Lima suddenly in August. She was the outgoing, goofy big sister that started all games, assaulted all toys was always willing to entertain or to be entertained by other hounds, go anywhere, anytime and was always gretyful to be there. She was such an amazing gift to live with for more than 5 years that when she left us, Leah and I were devastated. Leah is my "delicate flower" - timid, shy, less playful and slow to accept changes. For days she moped and withdrew to corners and closets. She tolerated the routine walks but was clearly miserable most of the time, and it broke my heart to watch her suffering so I started bringing in foster hounds as soon as I could. We've now had 3 dogs in here and Leah has not attached to any of them like she did with Lima, but she clearly enjoys the company and that makes me so happy. She has adjusted to the occasional solitude and will toss stuffies in the evenings and sometimes even run zoomies in the house like she and Lima used to do. We also visit other hound houses for play dates just to keep her engaged and active - well for me too actually The big hole in your heart will probably mend in time, but if you focus on keeping your remaining dog active and entertained you may find that you will both be smiling again soon

Thank you for starting this thread - I'm going to reconstruct my kit based on these greyt recommendations! So many things I hadn't thought of!!

We'll be keeping you in our thoughts today ...

We had a seizure dog relinquished to our group about a month ago. He was having one almost weekly and the vet had been working with the mom to stabilize environmental contaminants, diet and meds for about a year. We consulted with the vet (she is also our vet) when we recieved him and she suggested that we introduce lots of veggies and stick to beef and Natural Balance venison and sweet potato to isolate his intake. Since it is so much less complicated to feed everyone the same, we started preparing the same mix for all our dogs. We have one of those massive pressure cookers and spent most of one day last week cooking for the 6 dogs so we can freeze ahead. All get the same food but the seizure boy gets more of the veggie mix - about 1 1/2 cup of both kibble and veggies along with 3 or 4 nice raw 70/30 burger meat balls with his meds hidden inside twice daily. We're sitting at 31 days seizure free, he has lost 11 pounds and is now at 70 pounds and is doing fantastic. If the goal is to lose weight you'll want to eliminated the high fat burger or substitute with some lower fat meat, or maybe even eliminate it. Perhaps you'll want to adjust the kibble to veggie ratio too. Here is the mix of produce that we had available last week. We do shop for specials and were happy to find pumpkins on sale last week, but they sure do wear you out peeling, chopping and all. 1/2 fresh pumpkin chopped ( the previous week we used butternut squash) 8 - 10 carrots chopped 4-5 sweet potatoes chopped (mixed varieties) 2 russet potatoes chopped 6 cored and chopped apples 1 bag of cranberries 2 clumps of broccoli chopped 3 or so chopped zucchini 5 pounds high fat burger I cook the harder veggies first with water to cover, then add the rest and let them simmer till soft then add the burger. As we transfer it to freezer containers we take a potato masher to it to break it all down into a mush. So far no seizures, good weight loss on 3 round hounds and MIRACULOUS firm poop and not one cow patty in the yard! None of the dogs had a difficult adjustment period to this diet and all seem to love it. Canned veggies will work too but the fresh stuff probably has more nutrients and plus it makes the house smell so good as it cooks Here's a shot of our beautiful seizure boy. Good luck!

The easier question would be "what snacks DON'T they like"! I recently found a great recipe on the Epi dog site and have modified it to suit our needs. Every dog and cat that have tried them so far have loved them! And I feel good that they are getting a healthy snack. 1 cup pumpkin 3 eggs and crushed shells 1 cup meat ( I use chopped fried beef liver) 2 + cups old fashioned oats Press into a pan and bake at 325 for about 15 minutes. They cut easier if you score them before baking. They freeze well too

The same thing happened to us. Leah was retired due to a broken toe (back right interior toe) , but after 8 months with me her nail fell off one day. Her toe had always been very tender and she did NOT want it touched. When this happened I rushed to the vet and she recommended the toe should be immediately removed. No xrays were taken - she said that once the nail bed is that compromised the toe is likely to have significant problems as well. Ends up she had a tumor for at least 14 months and the toe had never been broken. Thankfully the lab results of the tumor were benign and her recovery went just fine. Today you'd never know she has a digit missing, she ran 33mph last weekend at our picnic. I sure do hope things work out well for you and your Jolly and that you have a greyhound savvy vet to rely on.

During the warm months the dogs get hosed down prior to our evening walks - it keeps the dander down, keeps the feet cooler, dust to a minimum, sloughs off the old hair and keeps them wiggling and shaking for the first block of our walk! About twice a year I might bring out the shampoo because I like the fresh smell even tho they probably don't. We keep a doggie pool in the yard so they can take a dip or drive-thru to cool themselves off too. Most of them love laying in it - some even sleep in it

I think it is just a matter of convenience sometimes - if they need a napkin, use Mom. If they want to scratch an itch, use Mom. If they need a hug, shove your head in Moms crotch! I think of it as a vote of confidence

I made a sling out of a bath towel with straps on the ends to slip over my shoulder to help my girl after a stroke. Trying to help a 50+ pound dog walk when they are unable, WILL put a hurting on your back! Will be hoping for a quick recovery for you all.

When I adopted Leah I had been told that her retirement was due to a broken toe and that it had healed sort of leaned over to one side. It was always very sensitive and she did NOT want it touched, but she ran and played without issue. One day after 8 months with me, her toe nail on that previously "broken toe" suddenly fell right off of her toe. No blood or any suspicious appearance even. So we rushed to the vet and without much hesitation she said that the toe should come right off since the nail bed had become compromised. Ends up that there was a benign tumor in the toe and no evidence of a break as the kennel had told us. I designed a boot for her to keep her from licking it and she healed up fine. The vet now refers to it as the "Leah boot" when another dog needs a doggie boot. She has been in great condition since then and has become less touchy about her foot (except for nail trimming time!) , but it was a very scary time for us. It has been nearly two years now and I know that having a greyhound savvy vet was a great advantage for us. I hope that Roo has a happy outcome with his toe too. We'll be thinking of you.

My heart breaks with you.

Airpark Animal Hospital Celeste Flannery, DVM has returned to the Verde Valley and opened her own practice, featuring the latest in digital technology. Featuring a computerized "chartless" office, Airpark also uses the digital X-ray, ultrasound, and blood laboratory equipment. This provides you with fast, accurate diagnostics performed in-house. Dr. Flannery was voted "Best Veterinarian in the Verde Valley" in 2008 and again in 2009! 515 Airpark Rd., Suite 103, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Website: Airpark Animal Hospital Email Airpark Animal Hospital Telephone: 928 649-8387 Fax: 928 649-3464 Dr. Flannery is highly skilled, compassionate and very familiar with greyhounds. She has cared for all of my dogs since returning to the Verde Valley and will do home visits as needed. She is the primary vet used by Greyhounds of the Verde Valley.