ramonaghan

Himalayan dog chews. They're not cheap, but they lasted quite a while here—three or four hour-long chewing sessions for my moderate chewer. The pros for me are that it has limited, all-natural ingredients (yak and cow milk, salt, and lime juice), it smells fine (like smoked cheese), and when it gets too small for safety, you can microwave the nub for 15-30 secs and it puffs up into a crunchy treat your dog will love. No gastrointestinal issues or choking issues here (I always supervise with everything other than a stuffed kong).

Muzzle strap.

Sweep was still having problems occasionally on our hardwoods after several months here, and she was starting to show signs of anxiety about it. Someone here suggested putting this on her pads. You can pick it up at any office supply store, and much to my amazement it has really helped. I also sometimes apply Mushers Secret at bedtime to help keep her pads supple for better grip; it's one of the uses indicated on the jar, although it's more typically associated with snow/salt/heat protection.

Thanks, all! She seems okay and is now walking totally normally again. It's been a big day for her between the morning run and the family gathering (with my 6 yo niece and 9 yo nephew), so I imagine she'll sleep very soundly tonight. Will continue monitoring her closely tomorrow, but I am feeling pretty confident that it was just a cramp or spasm. We walk her on lead a bit before and after letting her run (and will start implementing JohnF's suggestion to jog her beforehand instead), but I'd never thought to do this. Thanks for the tip!

We don't have a fenced yard (live in a townhouse) so on weekends we try to get Sweep to a fenced ball field as often as the weather permits, which until a few weeks ago was 2-4 times a month. However, it being the South in summer, we had not had a cool enough day for about five weeks until this morning. She did one full-out circuit and seemed fine, and I was willing to leave it at that since it had been a while, but DH got her stirred up again and she did another couple of minutes of zoomies. When she leaned down to get some water afterward, she yelped a few times in succession and then was limping (front leg) on the walk back to the car, even stumbling once. There is no sign of injury or swelling, so I am assuming a charley horse or pulled muscle, but is there anything specific I should be watching for? I massaged her legs and back and she let me inspect all her feet without protest. We've been home about 30 minutes and she seems much better, though still moving a little slower than normal. I was planning to take her to my parents' house for my dad's birthday today; is there something OTC I should/could give her for soreness beforehand? (She'll just be occupying her bed in their living room; no more exercise today.) Thanks! Paranoid newbie

Yikes, you have my sympathy. And as a fellow Southerner, I know the muggy summer weather can't be helping either of your situations. You might be right that the meds are contributing, but for what it's worth our vet (Dr. Macherey at Grassmere—very grey-savvy) told us it's basically luck of the draw on whether a grey sheds a lot or not. She said one of hers always gets compliments on his bunny-soft coat and in the back of her head she's thinking "if only you knew how much of this lovely fur ends up on my floor." We give Sweep baths more often than is typical for greys (every six weeks or so) with Earthbath's Aloe & Oatmeal shampoo and their conditioner, and that *really* helps with the shedding for a while without causing dry skin or irritation. Still, my Roomba is a godsend. Hopefully others will chime in with some better ideas. Best of luck to you!

Do you give them fish oil and/or coconut oil?

Welcome! Adorable pic.

Neither is raw. The lamb ears are slow roasted and dry to the touch (i.e., not greasy feeling at all). The trachea, aka moo tube, is dehydrated—it's very crunchy, but again, even though it's not raw it's still somewhat greasy and stinky, so you probably want to put down a towel or give it outside. The added benefit with tracheas is that they're a great source of chondroitin so good for joints too. I buy both products locally at a Nashville-only store (I am sure I look like a crazy person digging through baskets of lamb ears for the biggest ones!), but you can get both from Best Bully Sticks or other online sources. I have noticed that the Merrick lamb ears are gone in 30 seconds—they are very puffy so may go through a slightly different process than the Red Barn ones I buy (which, admittedly, still only last a few minutes at best). Have you tried Himalayan dog chews? Nothing icky there, and they last forever (so they're worth the $$ if your dog likes them). Sweep lost interest before she finished them (same with antlers), but she's not exactly a power chewer.

I give them 2–3 times a week. I buy the braided ones at Trader Joe's and break them in half (they're $4.99 and about 10", I think, so it's a good deal). Sometimes they last half an hour or more, sometimes 5 minutes...some are tougher than others, I guess. (I don't want to ponder that too long .) Just posted on another thread that my vet, who owns 6 or 7 greys herself, recommends lamb ears and beef trachea for teeth. The ears don't last very long, but they do scrape the teeth well, don't stink, and seem easy on greyhound tummies. We have to give the beef trachea in moderation because it does tend to cause soft poos, probably because they're a bit greasy (I wipe them with a paper towel before giving them). But with both, the squick factor is not as bad as with hooves, snouts, feet, etc., IMO!

We use this water additive: http://amzn.com/B0054WTPBY. I think it's helped tremendously with the "breath of death" Sweep had when she first arrived. We also give frozen marrow bones once a week or so, and other teeth-scraping treats like beef trachea and lamb ears—both recommended by our vet, who has 6 or 7 greys of her own and does not give them dentals. She says Sweep's teeth are great.

So very sorry for your loss.

:yay

Sending good thoughts to you and Sam!

Thanks, all, for the replies! I keep a couple of pots of wheatgrass out for my cats too, and oddly enough, Sweep has never expressed much interest in those (except as a toy—like your dog, she has occasionally pulled a plant out whole; she tosses it like a stuffie but doesn't eat it!). Apparently she has very specific ideas about which grass/greens will do. That said, this: and this: are good enough reasons for me to try the powder with her—regardless of whether it resolves the outdoor grazing and its unfortunate "second tail" side effect.

Does anyone feed this to their hounds as a supplement? I drink it in orange juice daily, and I'm thinking of trying some with Sweep in hopes it will discourage her grass eating. She never throws up, but after a couple of unpleasant incidents with long blades of grass resurfacing at the back end, I am looking for a solution. I could use a muzzle with a stool guard, but I am wondering if she's actually craving greens? (Is that a crazy theory? ) She will not touch frozen green beans, and since I already have the wheatgrass powder on hand, I thought it might be worth a shot. Here's the specific product: http://amzn.com/B0038B3AGO. The company website says it's safe for pets.

Don't have anything to add to what the others have said re: loose stool, but for the gassiness a spoonful of plain, unsweetened low-fat yogurt (Greek or regular) at breakfast has worked wonders for our female. She could clear a room when we first got her, but she almost never has gas now.

And I have a 60 lb female who poops 3-4 times a day (on about 2.5 cups total of Blue Buffalo Life Protection...plus treats, of course). So, I agree that it seems to have more to do with the individual dog than any specific food. I totally understand your concern if he's not able to hold it and has accidents inside, but keep in mind that at three weeks he's also still adjusting to a new home and routine. It may work itself out in time...no pun intended.

Good luck! If it works out and you need to buy a crate, I got a good deal on Amazon (of course, eBay and Craigslist are probably good options too). Petsmart and other brick-and-mortar stores are usually much more expensive in my experience. If it helps for reference, Sweep's about 60 lbs and does just fine (i.e., can stand, turn around, and roach) in this 42" Midwest crate: http://amzn.com/B000QFT1RC. Let us know how it goes!

Another crate fan here. I have two cats who have always slept in the bed with my husband and me, and I didn't want our getting a dog to change that (not to mention, they'd scratch/meow/find ways to torture us all night if we tried to shut them out of the bedroom). With our current setup, Sweep can see us from her crate, the cats get their much-needed dog-free time, and my husband and I sleep easy knowing everyone's safe and sound. Every night after her final potty break, Sweep comes inside and immediately runs up the stairs straight to her crate, where she knows her bedtime treat awaits. We have had her six months now and she has slept through every single night; she rarely even cries to be let out in the morning. (I will admit she's a little more resistant to the crate when she suspects we are leaving home without her, but nothing major; it helps that I work from home.) The more positive a place you can make it, the better—so, as others have said, treats, comfy bedding, and perhaps a sheet or blanket over it to make it more den-like will probably all help. I understand that it's not a workable solution for all dogs, but it's definitely worth a shot in your case!

Sounds like he is adjusting beautifully. Welcome home, handsome boy! So excited for all of you!

Welcome, and congrats! He is a very handsome guy. I have a Cobblepot kid too and actually see some resemblance to my girl in Dante's eyes. I'd echo what others have said about the names—wait a bit and see what fits and/or what he responds best to. I had a list picked out for mine as well, and the poor thing remained nameless for far too long because nothing we liked seemed to fit her as well as the name she came with (racing name Sweep Thru; kennel name Sweep). Though it's not a name I would have chosen originally, she responds to it, it's certainly unique, and I've grown to like it. That said, I like Brego and Hugo!

I get it at Trader Joe's for $5.99 and the jar lasts at least a month. Costco is another good, cheap option.

Sweep (60 lbs) gets a heaping tablespoon with dinner. I didn't know I was supposed to work up to that, so I guess I am lucky she never got big D from it! I generally just dump the spoon's contents on her kibble, and then wipe the excess from the spoon with my finger, rub it between my palms, and smooth it over her fur. It's not enough to make her greasy—just makes her smell good and conditions her skin/coat a bit. People often comment on how soft she is. Gonna have to try it as toothpaste next…

Sweep does this too, right after she's groomed her, uh, nether regions. Given that, it seems olfactory related vs. excitement or aggression, and as you describe it is definitely distinct from the faster, vibration-like chattering she does when excited. This is almost like she's chewing the air.