XTRAWLD

I am aware that the formulas between the two sizes are different (heavy investigating for ingredients for my allergic dog), at least they used to be 6 years ago when we were feeding it. From an allergic reaction standpoint, they were nearly identical - and actually different digestion of it as well if I remember correctly. I find that the big breed Iams chunks still aren't big enough to produce any chewing action in order to clean teeth, which was the only reason we tried it.

Definetly wait until you've had some time with your pup before you let them crawl into bed with you. I recommend them to be crated for a few months to get to know routine. Many are just not used to sleeping with anyone else close by and could easily get startled as you turn in your sleep.

I'm using Joint Health - same makers as Fresh Factors. It's a chewable tablet and the boys love eating solo or in their meals. http://www.springtimeinc.com/product/joint-health-chewables

Yup, clicking is the sign that trimming is needed.

Ewh......so ewh. Hope he felt better after that! Well sounds like Aston can only get better from here. Keep it up!

I've noticed Kasey's area is more red than normal overall, but no discharge or licking (as in, not the nice pale pink the whole area should look like). Now what?

I use a quick spray of colloidal silver to keep it clean and create faster healing. File the inside of that nail down so it's as smooth as possible. I also agree with the suggestion of vaseline to prevent further chafing and promote healing.

Oh Tina, I'm so sorry to read this. Sending warm thoughts to you and the family.

Sounds like you are feeding ground if it's in patty format. It might not be that they aren't keen on the texture, it could be that they aren't keen on the meat mix. I've had Kasey turn up his nose on a batch of raw that didn't smell good enough for his palate, but another bag from the same batch was perfectly fine. They often enjoy eating beef more than chicken, etc. Try adding some fish oils to it with a bit of warm water - I find that makes a difference - they might like a more mushy dish. IMO you should keep it raw and not cook it. Many will argue that adding veggies to their diet is pointless, however I'm of the mindset that giving them veggies wouldn't make them worse! I don't give them extras with their meals, but they do get fed scraps from the table, when we are cooking dinner, etc, and that makes up the rest of their food content. Ah, and I forgot to add, you can also try to crack an egg in their dish to encourage them to eat as well. Yes raw egg, and if you want some of the shell.

Ryder regularly did this and the advice of our vet (after trying to full tummy idea) was to break the cycle and give his body a chance to relax. He prescribed Cerenia. His first dose honestly knocked him out for hours, so we cut the amount back, and gave it to him for a few days - more to control nausea if anything else. It worked. Now we stay on top of it with a bedtime cookie every night and trying not to stretch meals times too far apart. Mine get fed 7am or so and 530 or so and they seem to do just fine with this schedule. We use Pepcid on Kasey because of acid reflux, as opposed to him vomiting. I had to film Kasey so the vet would understand what he does, licking lips and trying to swallow - basically the acid getting into his throat. The Pepcid works wonders, and we only need to use it occassionally. Good luck! Edited to add: The puke was always bright yellow liquid for my boys, absent of any food, etc.

While the weight loss is worrisome, in regards to the limping and standing, have you tried any alternate forms of therapy? Ryder has responded incredibly well to chiropractic adjustments for a recurring limp, as well as to supplements that promote strong joints. Our older Kasey has been doing better since being put on the supplements as well. Sending good thoughts your way.

When you are successful, and you will be, please follow-up to post what worked best for you. This sounds so intriguing. Let us know what works and best of luck!

Oh goodness. Good thoughts heading your way.

Sounds like crate inside your bedroom might be part of this answer. He quieted down when he was able to see you. He might be the type of dog that can't stand to be in one and wants nothing to do with one. I understand why he's in there. Eventually graduating to a bed in your room (and elsewhere). I'm not sure where your other grey sleeps, but if he's alone in the crate without someone next to him, that might not be helping. We crated Kasey for a year before I'd be able to trust him. Eventually he graduated to sleeping beside us on a bed. Until I fully trusted him, we kept our bedroom door closed, so he wouldn't be able to wander unsupervised in the middle of the night. If he'd do anything, he'd get into trouble in our room and no where else. You did take him on knowing he was a double bounce, and now you have to work on correcting things for his fur-ever home. I'm sure you'll have more responses, but from the quick read, these are my thoughts.

IMO looks like a plantar as well. I've had them twice in my life, and depending on where they are located can be really difficult to remove. There are meds out there to buy that basically kills the root, and then you shave off the dead skin with a razor until it's all gone, but I'm not sure how to take this approach with a dog paw. If I understand correctly, your vet is just treating the pain problem associated with the limping and not this issue on the pad, since it's been recently discovered. I'd take him back to the vet to show him this.....corns are different looking, but I'm sure more people would pipe up. Also you wouldn't want this getting infected, as it looks rather open. In the meantime keep it clean. I'd recommend soaking it in epsom salts twice a day, keeps chance of infection down and makes it more comfortable if it is painful.

Time yes. In addition to this, how about play and fun? Sounds like he has a very structured household with feedings and walkings......but where is the grooming, the petting, the playfulness? I'll tell you - Ryder plays with hubby likes nobody's business. I can play with him, but he doesn't get nearly as riled up and excited as when he plays with hubby. He LOVES hubby, and to be honest, hubby really didn't like him all that much at first. I find that most of the time, if you let them come to you on their terms, it really does work out. But I would recommend some play time and interaction with fun. If you want him to love up on you, be the good cop for a while. Get down on his level and roll a ball around, grab a stuffy....do some fun stuff and interact with him in a different manner. Do this on your own, and let him watch you if he doesn't want in on it right away. I find that if you are genuinely having a fun time, he'll feed off that and feel that you are happy and not a threat.

That pic of Maverick is adorable! I have to imagine that it means something, but it's hard for us to figure out. I'd say in the very least that Dakota was likely way more comfortable with those two that with any others. Maybe he was trying to tell YOU something....like bring 'em home mamma!

I'm not sure how new she is to you, so she is still getting used to everything as well. They LOVE routine. To gradually change the schedule in the am, agree to take her out at 515, instead of 5. Do this for about 4-5 days, and then agree to take her out at 530. I find that changing the schedule gradually by 15 minutes really did make a difference to Ryder's psyche. Just wait when you have to adjust for DST!!! The other thing is you are also bowing to her command by taking her out when she whines. She may be completely in the right to do so because she might have to go, but your job is to ensure her bladder is as empty as possible before she goes to bed, and with hold water from her for an hour before bed. Don't forget to give her a bedtime cookie so her tummy isn't completely empty in the AM. I know it might be difficult to take her out for breaks in between 7&5 because you are likely working and not home? That happened with us too. So I ensure Ryder would get a nice long walk JUST before I had to leave (it was the very last thing I did before I got in my car to leave) and he'd get a long walk when I got home. He'd get a pee break after dinner like 730ish and 9ish and then in for bed around 10ish. I would drag him out to have a later pee if I had a feeling the next morning might be a little rushed with my schedule. Even an hour helps greatly. He'd also sometime make that decision by drinking. I'd make sure he'd have enough time to have a drink of water with breakfast, but would withhold it an hour before he'd have to be crated, then he hopefully wouldn't be desperate to pee while I wasn't home. Even still, he really had to go at 530 when I got home. It'll get better, but you just have to hang with it. It's worth it. We're here to help you.

I ensure that it is the last thing I spoon into their dish and it immediately gets put down for consuming. Don't inhale during this 30 second period and the kitchen patio door stays open. It really is good for them, but I elect to feed just regular tripe these days instead.

A big bedtime snack might be in order actually. I found that to stop Ryder from doing this regularly, I had to give him a whole piece of bread, and then wean him down from there to just a cookie or two before bed. You should start seeing results soon. Even a cookie the second you get up before breakfast in addition to the bedtime cookie, would be helpful I'm sure!

Thanks very much MandysMom. We actually currently take Ryder to a chiropractor monthly, so I'm no stranger to additional therapy. We have considered taking Kasey in as well. We did take him for an adjustment once when we went with Ryder. Although the person performing it said he was a little outta whack, IMO he didn't really benefit greatly for it. I would not hesitate however to take him with Ryder if I see him degrading any further. In fact, he really is improving. I haven't seen him struggle as much, get as shakey when getting up after lying down, nor does he hesitate to get up the stairs any more. There is no doubt these supplements are doing something for him. I'm actually considering booking a course to learn how to do massage on my dogs. I remember seeing something about it a long time ago, but never really pursued it further. With Ryder needing it, I might have to just learn how to do it myself, and do it to Kasey as well. In addition, our vet did get back to us with info for potential meds if we wanted to put Kasey on anything. Diagnosis - Arthritis Meds would run $2-$3 a day Deracoxib 100mg chewable tabs, 1/2 tab daily or Meloxicam 100ml bottle (would last 1.5 months) Another suggestion from her was to feed him a kibble diet formulated for joints and prevent inflammation, etc. Fat chance of that happening. They will be fed raw until the day they die. I just wish I'd be able to give them some sort of anti-inflammatory if I can tell they are in a bit of pain. We take advil for headaches, but can't give anything to the boys.

I break them up and put them in their food, but lately I give it to them whole as a treat. Picky Kasey eats it much to my surprise.....Ryder...I swear he swallows them whole. They have to work for them though. So far so good. Kasey's attitude has been better - I'm not sure if I can thank these supplements for that, but who knows.... He's even getting a hairy belly to match his hairy bum. The hair growth really is incredible.

I remember how drugged up Ryder was after his dental...poor thing couldn't see or barely walk straight, but i'm sure he appreciated being pain free, as I'm sure your baby is! Gentle scritches.

A bed is not a true bed unless a part of a greyhound is hanging off it. There are very few times every appendage is on or in the bed all at the same time.

Oh goodness. Did he stop bleeding when he was at the vet?