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RedHead

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    Greys W/ Pancreatitis

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by RedHead

    Not a greyhound, but my old dog had pancreatitis. I think she was eating Nutro at the time (moderate to low protein and fat). No supplements. She had flare-ups until we eventually switched her to a homemade diet which ironically had a much higher meat content (high protein, "lowish" fat, low carb).

     

    She was 2 years old, very lean, and did around 6-10 miles of running each day. No idea why she got it, but I don't believe there was a correlation with high fat or protein.

    Spock Not Showing Interest In His Food

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted · Edited by RedHead

    One of my past dogs actually had eating anxiety. It was obvious her old owners would hover over her and try to get her to eat because she would just get timid and cower and shake next to a food dish...the more food you added or talked the worse she got. Obviously your pup isn't this extreme, but you may want to try just scattering food around the floor (no bowl at all) and leaving him to see what he does. They can sometimes develop a fear and associate something (like the dog bowl) with the anxiety.

     

    Teague recently stopped eating as well, and I finally figured out that he was afraid of the noise his metal bowl made when it rattled (ever so slightly) on the raised feeder stand. I put the bowl down on the floor and he gobbled everything up. :rolleyes: He has been using that feeder for over a year with the noise, not sure how or why the phobia came. Someone else mentioned about dog tags as well...sometimes they rattle against the bowl and startle them.

    Anyone Else Have A Fitbark?

    in Everything else Greyhound

    Posted

    I have wanted one too (maybe more to motivate ME than the dog. lol). Teague is not overly active, especially in winter (2 walks per day and then mostly sleeps), so I don't know if I want to shell out $100 for it. It would be interesting and fun to track things though...especially in nice weather when we do more hiking. I was thinking it might motivate me to do a "little extra" during our walks. Do you know where you can get the best deal on one??

    A Few Technical Questions On Raw Feeding

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    I never use bleach to clean anything... I don't have a dishwasher so I just wash the dog and cat bowls with hot soapy water. Never had a problem in 15 years. I generally feed bigger bones outside to make things easier, but I also throw down a table cloth on the floor sometimes as well. Ground or chopped raw goes straight into the food bowls.

     

    Chopping the chicken should be okay if they aren't swallowing and choking on small pieces. Generally speaking, the lower the fat the better...so if you don't mind removing the skin from the chicken, then I would continue with that. I am often too lazy to do that though, and things are still fine. :)

     

    I have always found that raw works almost instantly to help tummy issues. If a dog's digestive system is completely out of whack though, sometimes introducing raw and "live" foods can really through things off more. If your dogs are having occasional issues, probably not a big deal, but if you aren't seeing good results after 2 weeks I would try switching proteins.

    Hello, Excited Future Adopter!

    in Introductions & Biography

    Posted

    Hi from another Ontarian!! Your grey should be just fine in the winter, provided you have a warm coat for the outdoors on cold days. Mine actually finds the summer heat a lot worse than the cold. I second the Chillydog coats, they are great.

     

    We only missed 2 days of walks last winter and that was because it was below -40. Otherwise we walk twice a day, every day, no matter the weather.

     

    Good luck in your search! Are you in T.O.?

    For Other First Time Owners.

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I used to go to greyhound playgroups and I remember one owner who had adopted an extremely shy dog. She was timid and scared of everything, and then they brought her to the run. She immediately started running and playing and it was like a lightbulb turned on (like this brand new world had something familiar in it). When they brought her home she was like a new dog. :) If only all cases of shyness were so easy, but it just goes to show you the power of a pack of greyhounds!

    What To Feed? My Brain Hurts..

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    I thought someone here posted awhile back about TOTW causing issues. They wrote them a letter and the company said that the probiotics had been replaced (which is why the ingredient lists look the exactly the same).

     

    Just found the link:

     

    http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/307962-is-anyone-else-out-there-having-issues-with-taste-of-the-wild/

     

    In terms of kibble, my pup does well on Acana and I like the company.

     

    The same ingredient can sometimes cause different reactions depending on how it is processed (I know dogs who are "allergic" to chicken kibble, but can eat plain baked or raw chicken just fine). Food issues are never easy to solve!

    Grey Won't Wear Boots.

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    Greyhound foot pads are pretty much like any other dog....they shouldn't need boots for warmth unless there is extreme cold. They will likely need boots if you are walking in areas with salt though. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother if your pup hates them that much. I carry boots in a bag on really cold days just in case my guy starts limping and holding up his paws. That is the only time I put them on (and he HATES them, but it basically gets us home!).

     

    The musher's secret is a good thing to put on which adds some protection.

    Low Fat Food For Pancreatitis

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted · Edited by RedHead

    My old dog had a severe attack of pancreatitis. I managed her on a homemade diet with veggies, rice and low fat meats/eggs/additives and she did great on it (better in fact than the prescription food which we originally got from the vet). We also added some kind of digestive enzyme in the beginning as well. I have some old recipes...I can pm you if you are interested.

     

    Unless it is chronic, most dogs with pancreatitis can go back to a regular diet eventually...obviously not too high in fat, but moderate levels. I would never permanently keep a dog on an extremely low fat diet, unless I had to for a chronic problem. There can be health consequences from that as well, so it is a bit of a balance act.

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