LBass

I think it is easy to forget that when we research a dog breed we are learning about general breed traits. When we bring our very own hound home we begin to deal with a specific individual's traits and preferences rather than the general traits of the breed. I've got 3 hounds and each one is different in they way they interact with me. My MoMo is just what you're looking for--a cuddler, lover, and snuggler. She came to me that way because of the wonderful loving way she was reared. There is nothing subtle about that girl at all. She wiggles and wags and leaps up in the bed with me and tries to crawl into my lap in when I'm in my recliner. Piper, my older boy, loves for me to come to him and sit beside him and pet and stroke him but I'd never call him a cuddler. Spirit also loves attention but he never wags or kisses or greets me enthusiastically--ever. I've learned to recognize the subtle signs he gives of his loving devotion. He is almost always right there--beside me, within reach, pressing close, demanding attention. This is early in your relationship with your hound and you are both getting to know each other. Also your hound is getting to know home life. There is lots of change and growth ahead for her and indeed, as you said, she likely won't be the same dog a year from now. You already love her so things will be just fine. Batmom has great advice about some practical activities you can do with her to nurture the loving affectionate relationship between you and your girl. Try not to be too discouraged. There is a lot of opportunity for growth ahead for both of you! Relationships are never static. Think of this one as an opportunity to work with your girl to build the kind of relationship that you want in ways that respects who you are and who she is. --Lucy

Piper, my first greyhound, didn't play much until he'd been with me for over a year. Even now, he is not a dedicated player. He destroys stuffies in minutes and loves to chew on toys. MoMo, who was played with her entire life, came to me loving to play! Her favorites are Cuz squeaker toys and chew bones. Spirit is not much of a player even after a bit over a year here, but every now and then he'll play bow and grab a toy for a few minutes. Of course, I love seeing him begin to enjoy playing. --Lucy

FWIW, Piper's creatinine is about that high and has been consistently for the 6 years I've had him. He gets a really thorough lab work up looking for kidney and liver issues and anything else we can think of about every six months. Higher than usual creatinine seems to be Piper's "normal". For the rest of it--try not to panic until the tests results are in. I hope that the vet can do all this soon so that you don't have to worry and fret with uncertainty for very long. --Lucy

Often they'll draw Piper's blood from his legs but sometimes when they need a lot (when I'm sending blood for several tests to Hemopet, for instance) they'll draw from his neck. A little bruising sometimes happens for him too. My vet's techs do most of those things in the exam room with me present--at least with me and my dogs. I really like being there with them. The only time they go into the back without me is for things like x-rays and surgery. I did take Piper to the vet school at UGA in the early stages of dealing with his epilepsy and they were going to tak him back for an exam and leave me in the waiting room. I asked to be allowed to go with him and they let me. I didn't ask to stay some months later when Piper went to the local specialty vet practice. They clearly like to get all their patients in in the morning and then do their exams as it suits them through the day and have owners pick up late in the day and discuss results. I decided to be agreeable and left Piper--who had fasted in preparation for a blood draw--at their office with his breakfast kibble in a tub for them to feed him after the blood draw. When I picked him up after 4PM they handed back the kibble, so apparently they didn't bother to feed him. They also told me that he had not accepted their handling him very well. Now my Piper is a natural born sweetheart who never in 6 years with me has given anyone any trouble at all, even when they are doing things at the vet's that are clearly uncomfortable for him. I think being there all day with strangers, without his breakfast, and without his Mama was stressful for him. I've not needed to take him back there again, but if I do, I will not be leaving him alone again--or the others for that matter. --Lucy

Your Lucy is a really gorgeous girl--I love her ears and her long long nose. Also, for some odd reason, her name really appeals to me. --Lucy

The symptoms you describe don't just scream "seizure" to me, but your vet is very correct in saying that seizures can take all sorts of different forms. Some types of seizure are very subtle and not at all like the tonic clonic seizures most of us think of. Is is possible that the heat is bothering Sterling? Piper really tires easily in the heat and humidity of summer and will just creep along toward the end of our walks--so much so that I generally don't take him on walks in really hot weather. Sending both you and Sterling good thoughts. --Lucy

She is such a cutie pie!

Piper had it for a while as a tertiary drug for his seizures. The best price I found was at Costco's pharmacy. I used their web pharmacy service since at that time we did not have a local Costco. The web pharmacy does NOT require a Costco membership and has free shipping. No noticeable side effects.

Piper is a dedicated gardener. I am always careful about what I plant in the back yard because I know he is going to sample the blooms.

Piper had an episode of what I think is called "bromism" several years ago. He became even more ataxic than usual and he began to leak and dribble pee. His bromide level was not higher than it had been when tested in the past, but after much reading and discussion with the vet, we decided to lower the dose of KBr somewhat. That decrease resolved the problems without compromising his seizure control. --Lucy

I'm so sorry that Maggie couldn't have more time with her loving family. Still, it brings a smile to my heart to think of Maggie learning to play, learning to get along with Kendra, learning to relax, learning to love and to be loved. These are great gifts you've given her to take with her to the Bridge. --Lucy

I've had the same experience. Position pill in "V" and then snap the lid down quickly and firmly. Also, I find it helps to keep the pill cutter and blade clean. Replace as needed. --Lucy

Some special hounds touch people who never even meet them, and your Quilty was one of those special hounds for me. Her story, her spirit--brought to life so vividly in your descriptions of her and in many great pictures--touched me and left permanent paw prints in my heart. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm also so glad that this special girl completed her life in your family and surrounded by your love. --Lucy

I like Batmom's outdoor bathing idea for the summer and I may just give that a try this year. The easy cleanup alone would be wonderful! Piper is not a happy bather. I have to hoist him into the tub and then the moment any water touches him--no matter how cool it is--his legs appear to turn to rubber and he settles gently into an inert blob on the tub mat. I generally manage to soap him up and rinse him off by just sticking my hand under him and lifting just a bit at each "portion" until the job is done. When I turn the water off he manages to get to his feet so I can help him out of the tub. He is actually easier to manage than Spirit, who spends his bath time vigorously trying to get out of the tub. -Lucy

I'm so sorry. --Lucy

Pat, I am so sorry your wonderful boy had to say goodbye. --Lucy

As others have said, head to the vet ASAP. Her seizures may have reached a point where she will need medication OR there may indeed be something else, like vestibular disorder, going on. We'll be anxious right with you for news from your vet visit. Lucy with Piper, 2 1/2 days seizure free

I've had great luck with the Wiggles Wags and Whiskers harness from 2Hounds. http://www.2houndsdesign.com/Harnesses-Tag-Collars-c-13.html I am now using the harnesses for all 3, though originally I only had one for then-spooky Spirit. --Lucy

That sounds like a good plan. I hope you'll like the neurologist and that she'll be able to help get more time between those seizures. --Lucy

What a great dog and a charming character. I'm so sorry that his family and you, his beloved friend, face the grief of saying goodbye to Tucker. --Lucy

I know just what you mean. When Piper's seizures first started, every odd noise (and lots of perfectly normal ones ) brought me to high alert, busy checking to see if Piper was going to have another seizure. Even now, it is amazing how quickly I can go from sleep to purposeful action when he does seize. FWIW, the panic and fear have gotten much better. Having a practical routine that kicks in during seizures helps me stay calm. Best wishes to you and Ez. --Lucy ETA: I will also add that at one point during a long cluster episode, I took Piper to the emergency vet. When I went back the next morning, the e-vet was horrified at the awful seizure Piper had while he was there. I waited in rising panic for what she would say. As she described the seizure, I found myself relaxing--it was just his normal type of seizure. It is amazing what we can learn to handle for our hounds when we have to.

Oh I'm sorry for poor Ez and for you. Have you tried giving a small meal after the seizure? It may not help Ez but that seems to help my Piper settle down after he has a seizure. Also, on the rare occasion that that I can't stay with Piper to watch for a cluster, my vet will keep him for the day. There is a small charge but such an arrangement might help since you've got a medical appointment yourself. --Lucy

Treating a hypothyroid dog who has seizures may help control the seizures...if they the low thyroid contributed to them. Piper takes Soloxin and seems to genuinely need it but it does not seem to have made any difference at all in his seizures. So very glad to read that Hero's histocytoma is benign! --Lucy