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deboosh

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Everything posted by deboosh

  1. I'm so sorry you're going through this; my heart breaks for you. When we adopted our greyhound, she was the first dog that both my husband and I had ever had. We were looking forward to being active greyhound community members; taking her to M&G’s, grey sitting for friends, and fostering for our group. But we can do none of those things now, because our girl has bitten other greyhounds in each of these situations. As a result, our girl is an ‘only’ dog. Our cat is pretty savvy, and gives Bonnie her space. But when at an event with other dogs, we keep our girl muzzled. However, muzzles are only as good as the handler who's watching that they remain on. Muzzles will give one a false sense of security, as a determined pup is able to pry it off. They help in the short term, but because of their fallibility, and discomfort for the dog, they’re not a realistic permanent solution for keeping your dogs safe. Dogs are smart cookies, and will use a chain link fence, or a tree trunk, etc., to get it off. I can't tell you, how many muzzles I've seen come off at a greyhound run. You need only turn your back for a few seconds, and there it is, on the ground. I don’t know what else to say, other than I know how gut wrenching this problem is. I’m hoping someone can offer some hopeful behavioural advice. Sending you hugs.
  2. Awww. Thanks for posting the pics; Charlie sure is one handsome guy!
  3. :pepper :pepperWhat GREYT news! So happy for you and Charlie! :pepper For the peppers, click on the smiley face, and the emoticons will scroll down at the bottom of your reply. Then click on the right hand arrow to scroll through the different choices and pick your peck of peppers.
  4. What a happy ending! Would love to see a pic of the patient, when he's feeling up to it?
  5. Hooray! Such GREYT news, and am thrilled to know that Charlie's going to be okay! Happy days are here again. Cheers!
  6. Don't forget your "pocket pack"! We're all pulling for you and Charlie.
  7. We'll all be thinking and praying for you and Charlie. He'll come through it with flying colours, and your boy will be right as rain! Btw, to any techies out there ~~ why is it, that the cursor jumps back to the beginning of a sentence, when you're looking for the right emoticon to insert in a sentence??? Drives me
  8. I'd say that Charlie is in very capable hands indeed, after reading that. We'll all be sending good thoughts for both you and Charlie!
  9. Maybe the vet could give Charlie a sedative, just for the car ride?
  10. You're not crazy; every pet owner should feel as you do. We're all sending prayers and positive thoughts; and will continue right on through Charlie's recovery. I heard this little phrase on GT. It really helped and meant a lot when I posted about something worrisome, and someone said it to me. So "put us in your pocket", and when you can use a little support, think of us all in there with you.
  11. Will continue to send prayers and good thoughts that Charlie will soon be back to his old self again. Hugs, xo
  12. Many thanks for posting about your experience silverfish. I was hoping to hear negative as well as positive outcomes from the surgery. I'm sorry your pup has had a difficult time of adjusting without his toe, but it sounds as though you had no choice but to have the amputation done.
  13. It's the 'characters' that really get under our skin and become our very best of friends. I am so very sorry for your loss.
  14. Thank you so much for letting me know your perspectives. I hesitate to do the surgery because of the serious infection that developed following the repair, and don't want to put her through that hell again. I'm going to hold off for the next little while and see how it goes, and then make a decision if re-injury is more common than not. Again, thank you so much!
  15. I’d be interested in hearing from anyone whose greyhound has experienced a toe dislocation/break. Our Bonnie dislocated the outermost toe of her right paw back in Aug/14. She had surgery to correct it but developed a serious infection under her bandages that lead to thrice weekly bandage changes for the next 13 weeks. When she finally healed, and the bandages came off permanently, I noticed the toe beginning to migrate back to it’s dislocated position within days of the bandages coming off. It now sticks out at a 45 degree angle. About a month ago, she began to join in with the other greys at our weekly play group. At first, I noticed she was conscious of how hard she’d get involved; but these past 2 Saturdays, she has joined in more heartily, and has re-injured her toe each week. Not seriously mind you; she was still able to walk, and carry on as usual, but I don’t want her to go through this every week. I won’t restrict her play for the rest of her life. She enjoys her weekly meet up way too much, so I’m wondering if we should consider amputation. Of course, this isn’t a decision to be made impulsively or lightly, and I’m planning to get a couple of medical opinions, but I’d just like to hear whether anyone has had experience with this. Should we be giving her more time to rebuild the strength in that foot, or should we consider amputation?
  16. No, JJNG, there were no bandage changes between surgery and discovery of the infection. The vet called a couple of times during that week to ask how she was doing. She didn't try licking, or seem to be in any discomfort, and we thought she was doing well until day 8 which was the first day she lost her appetite.
  17. For the past 3 months, I've been writing "Bonnie updates" on Facebook. They documented her progress following the surgical repair for a toe dislocation that occurred while chasing her good friend, Willy. I also wrote about this on our Canadian greyhound forum, but because her injury is not uncommon, and because she so easily developed complications, I felt it was important to post about it here. My apologies to those who have seen this previously, however it may be helpful to another pupper/owner who may face a similar injury one day. The surgery was successful; however 8 days following the repair, Bonnie suddenly stopped eating. She became lethargic, and had no interest in walkies. Lethargy can be interpreted as laziness, and its not unusual for her to skip a meal or two, but no walkies? Something was definitely wrong! Dr. Bala removed her bandages. Ugh, you wouldn't have believed our shock. My poor little girlie developed a very serious infection from inflammation. It caused the bandages to essentially strangle her foot. Dr. Bala felt that one more day without intervention, and she would have gone into septic shock. She could have lost her foot; she could have lost her life! She spent the next 3 days in hospital, and lost 9 lbs. There she was hand-fed, and received IV fluids and antibiotics. Once she was out of the woods, she came home. She went back 3 x/wk for bandage changes that continued for the next 13 weeks. On Dec. 1st, the bandages came off for the very last time! Bonnie is still limping; but it's not because of pain ~~ she just doesn't realize she can walk on it yet. I must remember baby steps and patience; it'll happen all at her own pace. I wrote Bonnie's final FB update a few days ago, and thought I'd share it with you, here: "The LAST Bonnie Update! It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for this day to arrive, and FINALLY, we can officially say that Bonnie is now healed! Her initial injury was Sept. 6th. It's been a long haul, and three long months later, the bandages have been removed. Bonnie couldn’t have had a more capable veterinarian than Dr. Bala, of Cloverdale Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Bala has a calming presence; and is very capable and conscientious. He followed Bonnie very closely; she was in GREYT hands! Bonnie will definitely miss her thrice weekly bandage changes for no other reason than to get kisses and pats from Dr. Bala’s team. She never used to be a fan of her vet visits, but her fears have since been replaced with unbridled enthusiasm and helicopter tail; all due to the kindness of Gen, Nicole and Joanne. A genuine and heartfelt THANK YOU to Dr. Bala, Gen, Nicole and Joanne for taking such excellent care of our Bonnie girl!" . . . and what story is complete without a pictorial, boys and girls: Sept. 6th: At home moments after surgery. Still dopey and not a happy camper. The latest in cone of shame couture: Her muzzle with makeshift poop guard was much more effective and comfortable: The infection, 8 days following surgery; my apologies for the graphic pic. The celebratory THANK YOU! Bonnie lost her vet fears! The happy ending:
  18. Yay! So greyt to know Doodles is doing so well!
  19. So happy to know Doodles has rallied. Continuing prayers for recovery.
  20. More prayers and good thoughts for Doodles, coming your way. Hope things look better this morning.
  21. When Bonnie lost 9 lbs. following the discovery of a post surgical infection, the vet gave her one of the Hills canned prescription v arieties, called A/D. Sorry I can't be of more help, but after 3 days of anorexia, this stuff really helped get my girlie's appetite back on track. Will be thinking of your boy and am saying a little prayer for him.
  22. We are heading down the same road, AH710. We've had Bonnie for nearly 2 years, and adopted our cat Ozzie this past summer. At first, Ozzie was leery of Bonnie, but once he realized she wasn't a threat, he started giving her unprovoked swats. At first I thought the cat was trying to engage Bonnie in play; until I saw that Ozzie's claws were extended. He hasn't drawn blood, and Bonnie has always ignored him, but I'm worried that one day Bonnie will be tired of turning the other cheek. I'll be trying the squirt bottle too; thanks Chad.
  23. This was a beautiful tribute to Maya; thank you for sharing it with us. I'm very sorry for your loss.
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