AEB

I agree with neylasmom. Kevin messed his crate nearly any time we left him for months. We needed to reduce the amount he was being fed and stick to two feedings a day. I also needed to take him for a real walk every time before I left to be sure he was empty. And he could not be left in a closed area or a crate. He got very anxious. We worked on alone training. We left dirty clothes for him to nest in. I think your grey is anxious and has a lot of waste pushing through her. Feed twice a day and walk her about half hour to an hour after- a real walk. Try leaving clothes with your scent, giving melatonin, using a DAP diffuser. And be patient. Time is what I think worked for Kevin. That and all the things I listed above. No problems once he was free in the house. If you have a video camera you may want to record her. She might also be anxious because she is alone at night. These dogs have never been alone. You may want to see if she can sleep in your parents' room (you live with them, right?). If the only time she messes is at night this may very well be the problem. Good Luck and remember that time takes care of 95% of these problems.

Hang in there KIm. Find out how treatment will affect his quality of life. Whether you treat or don't it comes down to your knowing him. You will know if it's time. Hugs to Nubers.

Kim and Bruce I am so very sorry.

Claudia, I am so sorry for your loss. I too loved the Ekko stories and was hoping we would get to meet her at a playdate someday. She was obviously one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Kim, I hope he feels better. White light and positive thoughts for Nube.

How's Sara today? Is the Vet going to see her?

If you're getting her chipped and can afford it, get a blood panel done (inc thyroid panel). It's good to have a baseline. Make sure your vet know what values are normal for a grey. And get her stool cultured. Kevin was ravenous when we got him. SInce he was treated for hooks he's relaxed a lot about food. Good luck!

I couldn't read through all the posts but if I had to guess it sound like worms to me. The cyclical nature. Kevin has been battling hooks for close to a year and a half. When we first got him and did not know he had them I was stuffing him because he was not gaining. Then he suddenly dropped 5 lbs. We found the hooks then.They cleared for a bit but now they're back. I noticed the same stool issues, plus gas, and his being more unsettled in general. He wants to go out earlier. Talk to your vet about drontal and then a regular course of worming. See if he improves. Good luck!

What I am thinking about is using it as a daily supplement. Kevin has hooks again. We got rid of them a year ago (maybe- the test said we did) after he came to us with a bad case. He just did 3 days of panacur. He's supposed to repeat 3 weeks after the first treatment. I am considering asking for Drontal instead. I am also thinking about future prevention. It's either a DE program or routine wormings. I don't want to have him on wormer all the time once he's clean if I can avoid it. Thought DE might be an option.

Hi all. I was wondering if any of you have used DE to control worms like hooks? I know it needs to be food grade but I don't know how to administer and how much to give. I know it's not good for me or the dog to breathe. Also, anyone use it multiple times a year as a preventative? Anyone's vet approve this? Any warnings/bad stories? Thanks to all who reply.

You can use a muzzle to make it harder to get off. I wrapped a cotton surgical batting, then a cling, then vet wrap. I wrap inside to out and start at the foot. I put cotton between toes. and then i wrap up and back down. I wrap firmly but not tightly and I stretch the vet wrap before applying it, otherwise it can create a a stranglehold and cut-off the blood supply. Good luck tomorrow!

I would definitely use the crate at the beginning. It helps set the dog up to succeed. As do muzzles (when meeting new dogs or having any handling/grooming done). As does supervision. You don't want to get off on the wrong foot and have to fix a situation on top of regular training. You don't want a dog to think it is ever ok to potty in the house. Your dog knows how to hold it because he is an adult. but he doesn't know the routine or that he shouldn't go inside. it's your job to take a few days to watch him and let him out every couple hours and start to get him into a routine. get him to empty before you go into the house for the first time. then take him in on leash and walk him around and let him explore. be ready to jerk the leash and say "No" firm and loud if he starts to have a potty posture. then take him back out. praise when he goes outside. then bring him in and leave him on leash (clip a couple of leashes together). tie the leash around your waist. this way your hands are free and the pup can wander-off. take him out every couple of hours. see if he tries to tell you he needs out. some will go to the door (and make no noise- you can teach them to ring a bell, but you need to be able to hear the bell). some will bark, some will pace, some will sniff. some will whine. mine does all of the above. when you start to learn the clues you can catch him and get him out. The first few weeks should be about structure and providing the dog with his new routine so he can feel secure. greys have led very structured lives and they know what's expected of them, when they eat and when they potty. they don't know about living in a house. they sometimes feel insecure when their world is turned upside down but they don't know what you want. Start training (potty and obedience) right away. If the dog doesn't have structure he may test his bounds or be more nervous. You will want to fawn all over him, but let him settle-in first and learn where he fits-in. Unless the dog is one that freaks in the crate (then you have to forgo the crate). Also, I use gates because many dogs, especially Kevin, hate being behind a closed, solid door. Feed meals in the crate or give high value treats in there and make it the sancturary. these dogs spend a lot of time in the crate. they are used to it and some enjoy the cozy place to hide. I would start with the crate in the bedroom if you have no other pets. greys are not used to being alone. he may not sleep if he is kept in another room. gate the room off at night and provide a bed outside the crate too. this way the dog will view the bedroom as an extension of his den. and he can get used to being out of the crate. and if you crate during the day the dog should be free at night. you should crate anytime you can't keep an eye on the dog, at first. this way there is less chance of accidents or destruction. gradually give more and more run of the house. when the dog is comfortable being out in the house and you don't feel there will be accidents or damage if you turn your back you can give the run of the house when you are there. when you decide the pup is settled you can move into the being left out by putting him in the kitchen or someplace where an accident is not a big deal. you can also use the gated bedroom. do the alone training the same way you did with the crate (get the pamphlet "I'll be home soon"). leave the room. go back to the room and ignore the pup, then walk out of the house, come back ignore . . . and then walk around the yard, then the block, then keep extending the time gradually. hopefully the pup will settle-in quickly and transition out of the crate. But remember, you might get a dog that wants his crate!

Oh definitely not. For the record this is what Kevin has done in terms of marking: 1. The first day we had him DH let him go into the finished basement. This is where Sadie would go to throw-up or pee. We probably couldn't get it out of the carpet completely. Also, her old dog bed was downstairs. It probably smelled like her (she had anal gland issues in her last year or two). I told DH not let him down there because of the smells he could probably smell. Well, guess what? He peed on Sadie's old bed. DH caught him, corrected him and brought him outside to finish. 2. He probably had to go but I didn't realize it. He peed on a pile of newspapers beside the fireplace. I caught him, corrected him, and brought him outside to finish and then I praised him. Lots of praise for going outside always. 3. The first time we went to my parents' (about a year ago) their evil little dogs barked at him from the moment we walked it. He was the most stressed I have ever seen him. He eventually went to the dining table and marked a chair. 4. The vet's office. He marked the corner of the reception desk. He has been many times and only did this once though and I know dogs pee on that spot several times a day. He used to mess in his crate sometimes at first. Probably nerves. Once left out of his crate he was great. Not one problem. And once in Petco he was very excited for a couple of hours during a meet and greet. I saw him start to lift his leg. Nothing came out- I corrected him and got him outside right away (again, a year ago). So aside from the vet it has been over a year with no issues. He also was either stressed or had to go during all of those situations. ANd 4/5 incidents I discussed happened in the first two months we had him. A couple of days of keeping a close eye or using a long leash and frequent potty breaks outside with tons of praise and you'll likely be nearly house trained. Use the crate when you're gone at first. Do alone training immediately. And eventually wean-off the crate. I expect couple of accidents. But I have a house full of antiques and oriental rugs. I am not exactly relaxed about accidents. Particularly because boys can lift their legs. But Kevin hasn't been a problem. He does mark outside though. I have to watch him in the garden. As for your question re: dogs and incontinence- some do have issues when they get older. Like people. Often the quality of life is poor at that point. Our Sadie had very few accidents after she was diagnosed with kidney failure. It depends on the individual. As for boys v. girls I wanted a girl and we had Sadie for 10 years. I wanted a girl out of concern for those things I thought only boys did. Well, girls do them too. Not my girl, but. . . I think the biggest factor is the connection with the dog. In my experience girls tend to be a bit more reserved and serious. Braver even. Boys tend to be goofier and more snuggly. So, it depends on the personality you are seeking. Good luck and enjoy your new hound this Spring!!

Same here. Neither of mine ever did. Thankfully. I worried about that when I got a male. I thought back to my childhood dog, a lab mix. He used to get amorous with pillows and my grandfather's leg. I am much relieved that Kevin keeps "it" in. The two times I have seen "it" I was disturbed. Luckily he listened to me and put it away.

We went through a break recently. During that time I learned that some dislocations are as tough as breaks. So definitely get him checked out. Ask if you should continue the Rimadyl for a couple of weeks. And a soft bandage will help. It's laborious but change it every couple days. Have the vet show you how. And keep it dry. Get an old IV bag from the vet and use an umbrella on your leash walks. Keep the activity level restricted to just walks. It might take two weeks or two months. Here is the thread on Kevin. It may be some help to you. Good luck and I hope he feels better!! http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/277498-update-on-kevins-toe/page__st__60__p__5085419__hl__kevin__fromsearch__1#entry5085419

Yay Nube! Kim, did you get my PM/email?

totally OT but there was a guy that used to post here who told the story of how his hound ate bananas and then pooped the peels out whole. I couldn't resist asking, 'So when your hound peeled out like that, did he leave skid marks?' (think about it for a second) OMG Sheila, you are too much! Sounds like something I would ask. No one else seems to enjoy my disgusting sense of humor!

Thinking of Nube.

Kevin once got into a bunch of bananas. Peeled them though. Isn't it fun when they do things like this?

Kim, did the vet say it's ok to soak it in epsom salt? I have done that with myself, horses, and dogs with good success.

I use the drops and gel, just the humans in the house have used it. No reactions here. It works for us and no negatives yet.

Worrying about Nube- thought he had a vat appointment today. Hope all is well.

Kim, I am so sorry Nube isn't better. I will keep all fingers and paws crossed here that you get some answers (good kind) tomorrow.

Checking-in on Nube.