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LBass

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  1. I think that Buzzy hit the nail on the head. Piper has a couple of scars he came with and I had wondered about them and worried a bit too. I wonder and worry far less now that I've got two more young, active greys in the house. Some one of the 3 usually has some sort of minor scrape because that delicate thin skin tears so very easily. In the past 2 months, both MoMo and Spirit have gotten scars from little "nothing" events in the yard or house. Mo now has two small hairless strips on one side where Piper's teeth grazed her skin when she barged into him and he told her to cut it out. I really mean grazed to--there was no bite, just a couple of scrapes. Once the scabs fell off, the hair has not shown any signs ob growing back. I didn't see what happened to Spirit in the living room but it left him with a boo boo that is scabbed over now and is sure to leave a scar. Congratulations on your new greyhound! Welcome to GreyTalk, too! --Lucy
  2. I'm so glad that you two had a nice seizure-free home coming!
  3. As I post this, you'll be picking up you hounds! I will just mention on other possibility with regard to stress and seizures. Sometimes the very presence of stress will hold seizures at bay until the dog can relax. Then the seizure comes. For example, I had a house full of company--unusual for me-- and I worried that Piper would seize while the guests were there but he did not. He had his seizure a few hours after they left, just about the time we had both relaxed after the flurry of guests. Sending best wishes to you and your hounds. --Lucy
  4. Sending warm thoughts to you and Booker. --Lucy
  5. Welcome to GT and to the wonderful world of greyhounds. Sorry to also be welcoming you to the "wonderful" world of seizures. Still, as you can see, most of the time canine seizures can be a reasonably well-managed part of a normal life. Judy listed the wonderful www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com web site. That sight got me through the first frightening weeks of Piper's seizures and I still visit it often. Another great sight is http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/ . This excellent and informative sight also sponsors an email list for owners of dogs with seizures. It can be a great source of information and advice. Yet another site I found helpful is http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/ . --Lucy
  6. I do think that it is possible for some dogs to get to the point of being seizure free. After all, Judy and her Saint are a perfect example. However, it has been my observation, from several years of membership on a canine epilepsy email group, that becoming seizure free is not in the cards for all dogs who have seizures. Still, the approach for the caretaker is the same--work hard with your vet to get the best control that you possibly can for your dog. Let me share the 3 web sites that were immeasurably helpful to me when Piper's seizures started: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/ http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/ http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/ This site has an email support group you can join if you wish. These web sites can provide you with the latest information about treating and managing canine epilepsy or other forms of seizures. The first site is fortunate in having a veterinary neurologist from Tennessee who chimes in to answer questions as well as a compounding pharmacist who offers information as well. There are so very many things that can help with seizure control but none of them seem to be effective for all dogs. Part of the job you'll have with your vet is to figure out what to try and how to determine whether it helps with your specific dog's seizures. It can take quite a while spent in trial and error to find the right combo of things to help your dog. You just keep plugging away. Don't loose heart. I will say that what appears to be wonderful control of seizures can depend on what your dog's seizures have been like in the past. I am thrilled with one or two seizures every 6-10 weeks because Piper was originally having clusters of multiple seizures at least one night every week. For others, that 6-10 week "schedule" might not be an improvement at all. At this point, Piper is over 3 months seizure free and I'm thrilled! As Judy said, levels of both Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide can be tested and doses tweaked as needed. I also test for Piper's liver function twice a year. The reason for that is that Phenobarbital can sometimes compromise liver function. If you catch that early by testing for liver issues, you and you vet can deal with it by changing meds and supporting the liver. Don't fret too much about that--most dogs do just fine on Pb and never have liver issues. It is just good practice to check regularly. All of this is not meant to be discouraging at all. Lots and lots of dogs get complete seizure control. Some don't. Most of those at least get good improvement in terms of less severe seizures and/or a longer span of time between seizures. It takes trial and error to figure out what will work for your dog. Having a vet who is willing to work with you is vital. Good luck to you with getting great control for oyu beautiful hound. --Lucy
  7. Now that is one handsome boy! What gorgeous eyes he has. Congratulations!
  8. Oh dear! Poor sweetheart. Keeping her and you in my thoughts and prayers. --Lucy
  9. Tracey I'm so glad that Cosmo is enjoying this time and making the most of it. I don't know that I can put this into words very well, but I'll try. I worked for a hospice many years ago. It is brutally hard to know that the end of the story is going to be a sad one. However, I came to recognize that there is a holiness that surrounds those who walk the path toward death with someone else, especially those who walk it with someone they love. There is joy and humor and tears and blessing and strength and grace for you along that path. There is a freedom in knowing that you've fought the good fight and that the ultimate end is now completely out of your control. Living fully in the time available is the task at hand now. While you would wish for a different ending with every fiber of your being, there is a sense of satisfaction and almost pride waiting for those who can walk that path to the end with the one they love. --Lucy
  10. I'm so sorry. That diagnosis is one we all dread. I hope that you and Tarmac have a long and happy time left ahead of you full of loving and spoiling and enjoying each other. --Lucy
  11. Your Monday update has brought smiles to so many faces here. Wonderful news! --Lucy
  12. What completely delightful news! Cosmo's renewed energy and zest has to be a joy for you and Jason to see. --Lucy
  13. Welcome to GT and to the wonderful world of having a greyhound! Congratulations on your new pupper, too. It sounds as if you are all ready. In terms of treats--mine like dog biscuits (I get the ones for little dogs and dole them out 2-3 at a time rather than one bigger one), raw veggies (both the ones I give them and the ones they steal harvest from my garden), fruit (bananas, apple, melon, etc). Beds, blankets, toys, food bowls, enzyme cleaner for those inevitable accidents in the house, a basket muzzle, old or cheap towels to dry off feet and dogs and clean up messes, collar and leash, tags with your contact info, grooming tools (brush, nail clippers or grinder), tooth brush and paste. Best wishes and enjoy your new baby! --Lucy
  14. Well, I'm still her biggest fan but her racing career is officially over. I am sorry that it was not longer since I really enjoyed watching her races and sharing the fun with her wonderful GT fan club. Suffering racing withdrawals, I picked another B&J Racing dog to follow and root for, new boy Hanks Marsbar-IU. Chris posted a couple of pictures of him and something about him reminded me of Piper so I decided to be his cheering section. Then I looked up his Greyhound Data page and, low and behold, he is related to Piper! Piper is a Gable Dodge son and Mars is a Gable Dodge grandson. So, if you want to continue the fun of following a dog's racing career take a look at Chris' threads in EEG with pictures from turnouts at the racing kennel, fall in love with someone (or someones ) and let the fun continue! If you need links to the Orange Park website and info on how to find when a specific dog will race, just let me know and I'll get that info to you. --Lucy ETA: MoMo is doing beautifully. She is getting along well with her "brothers", loves her big yard, has discovered the joys of pilfered tomatoes from her bro Spirit, and has taught Spirit that couches are for dogs. She is such a loving, charming girl and I feel so lucky to have her with me.
  15. No need for guilt. Now we all get share in your delight that there is to be a bit more time for you to love and enjoy Cosmo. What a joy! I hope that her increased energy and activity will continue and that the prednisone will help. --Lucy
  16. Tracey, this is not the outcome that anyone wanted for you and your girl. Keeping you and Jason and Cosmo in my thoughts and prayers. --Lucy
  17. I wish I had gotten a picture of her up on the dining room table. Or at least a picture of the aftermath--what a mess. I hab been using the table for staging some filing for that I was getting ready to do for my Mother. All my careful piles of papers were off in the floor. I was honestly too shocked seeing her up there to do anything but stare and then get her off. So far, there has not been a repeat performance. However, she is a real collector and has to be watched like a hawk.
  18. It all started with Cathie's pictures here on GT of the 2 litters of pups from Toby (FTH Redmoonrisin) 2 years ago this past spring. We all laughed together at funny Petey but the pup who spoke to my heart was the fawn female called MoMo Meany Pants. Here she is earning her nickname chomping on her mama's leg. Pickie Thang was such a good patient mom. This is the face that did it form me. In spite of a small booboo foot that netted her a vet trip and some in-the-house time with her sweet sister Hope... she grew... and she grew... and she got faster and stronger... until she was racing for B&J Racing. Running for Bill and Cathie and Chris--the people who had loved her and cared for her while she was still a gleam in the eyes of her mom, Pickie Thang. I will always treasure the thrill of watching her first schooling race on the internet! She got off to a slow start and was trailing along as she got into the back stretch. I was thinking that I'd be seeing her sooner rather than later...and then she began to pass dog after dog after dog and she was ahead and pulling farther and farther ahead! She won that race by a huge margin and I was so proud of her! Unfortunately, fast as she could be, she also hurt one of her hips and so I received one of Cathie's prized "Are you sitting down?" emails telling me that they had decided to retire MoMo. Bittersweet news, since I had hoped she would have a successful career , yet I couldn't be more delighted to welcome her home! I drove down to Jacksonville last weekend and drove back with my girl. Here she is in the back of the car. Her big "brother" Piper came along to welcome her home and keep her company. She has had a really hard time making herself at home... Still, I hope this gorgeous girl will settle in and love me as much as I already love her... So, join me and Piper, Spirit, Winston, and Miles in welcoming home my first girlie girl greyhound, FTH Chyna Moon, aka MoMo NotaMeanyPantsAnymore, aka MoMo Pretty Pants. --Lucy
  19. Checking in for news and sending many many good thoughts your way. --Lucy
  20. Sending prayers for Cosmo and her worried humans.
  21. Janet, I'm curious to know how your vet diagnosed the bacterial infection. Was there some sort of blood test or smear she could do? Bless Jake's heart and yours too. It is so worrisome to see clearly that something is going on but not to be able to figure out what it is. --Lucy
  22. I hope that adorable girl is going ot feel better very soon.
  23. LBass

    Foxy

    Janet, what a marvelous loving tribute to Foxy. Thank you for sharing memories of your special girl with us. --Lucy
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