LBass

What wonderful news to read this morning!

Sending good thoughts and prayers for Iceman.

I'm so glad he's home!

Aw, poor William and poor worried you! Sending prayers and warm healing thoughts that William will be fine and mended and tucked up in his bed at home this very evening. --Lucy

Good news that Merlin looks to be on the mend!

Cavalier, Winston, has a similar issue with vaccinations that began when her was about 10. We now split them over a couple of weeks and he gets Benedryl a bit before the vaccination injections. Before taking these steps, he usually had swelling at the injection site and generally seemed to feel punk--lethargic and grumpy. Kisses to Merlin. --Lucy

Tracey, I am so very sorry that Cosmo is gone. --Lucy

I can imagine how worried you are about Merlin. I hope that talking witht he vet will relieve your mind and that poor Merlin will be feeling better very very soon.

I think that it is a very individual choice based on how your dog reacts to vaccinations, medications, etc. Piper has never demonstrated increased seizure activity around dosing with monthly heartworm pills or around vaccinations. Based on that, I carry on with those things as usual. My vet is good about using the 3 year rabies vaccine and I like that, since it protects Piper while minimizing the amount of vaccine he gets. --Lucy

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

I'm so glad that you two had a nice seizure-free home coming!

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

Ouch! Poor Peanut. Heal well, little one.

Sending warm thoughts to you and Booker. --Lucy

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

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

Now that is one handsome boy! What gorgeous eyes he has. Congratulations!

Oh dear! Poor sweetheart. Keeping her and you in my thoughts and prayers. --Lucy

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

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

Your Monday update has brought smiles to so many faces here. Wonderful news! --Lucy

What completely delightful news! Cosmo's renewed energy and zest has to be a joy for you and Jason to see. --Lucy

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

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.

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