Neal

Please add Ned, speed ticket. Run free with all these lovelies. Missing you more and more. Was blessed to have you in my love. love you always

so very sorry. Deeply saddened. He looks beautiful in the picture you posted. Hugs and wishing you recovery from the shock of his loss.

SO sorry for the loss of you beloved Schnookie. 14.7 years loved forever. Sending hugs and wishing you healing from the painful loss.

Glad your Wendy recovered and thank you for the information. Trying to understand fully whats happening, as much as possible that is .. Here's to a good week ahead .

LaFlaca, you mentioned your Wendy had a near fatal gastric bleed previously. Was it from once off/ occasional or regular NSAIDS ?

Thanks for the kind wishes. Its truly appreciated. Such a shock when what appears as minor symptoms become something so life threatening. The arthritis drug was Meloxicom. Was so focussed on the kidney and liver issues, that the great blood test results in May had given a false security. Over the years there may be intermittent gagging, coughing. However in the weeks leading up, there was a more gagging, and sometimes a coughing like a dog pulling on a lead/collar and catching itself in the process. However in retrospect it was the increased interest in grass that along with the gagging that should have set off the alarms. It was so intermittent and his form was so good and playful. Perhaps a benefit of the painkiller, he was on a low maintenance dose. A bout of diarrhoea, quickly became black tar and quickly downhill. Will look into galliprant suggestion above thank your, if we get to that time. For now its stabilisation. Its been a nightmare indeed. I hope Trackers symptoms do not develop into anything serious and has many healthy times ahead. So much knowledgable input here always a benefit. Truly its when something goes wrong, that you realise how perfect it was all along.

Hi , I hope your Tracker is doing well and that you get to the bottom of it. Is he on any medication already ? After intermittent coughing, gagging but over all good health bar arthritis. And excellent regular blood tests. My darling Ned just 11, was at the emergancy vet last weekend. The very long story short is that he had serious gastric /bleeding ulcer likely from the arthritis drugs used since February. In the weeks leading up, he had a bigger interest in grass, gagging a bit, nothing frequent. His overall excellent mood and energy gave me the impression that all was well. It wasn't.. I really hope its something simple and easily resolved. Just sharing the possibilty that the gagging/ coughing can be reflux and related to stomach matters. Taking it day by day here at the moment ..

Congratulation on your giving Pachy a loving home. Take your time. All will be well

This has been a really helpful post, the various inputs bring a lot to the topic. Unfortunately no legal cannabis option on this very rainy emerald island. Lord knows it could help in a lot of ways i suspect My Ned is nearly 11. Since February the recurring, limping got so severe that it was hard to see any improvement ever coming. Understanding how stoic these beauties, and animals in general are and evolved not to show pain. It was heart breaking to understand how much suffering a dog can endure and show very little outward signs sometimes. Rebalancing on the less effected legs as a way of "keeping going". Having availed of glucosamine, condrontin, fish oils, turmeric and all sorts for years. And no doubt they have helped and played a part in wellness. Now i have accepted that its pain management for the rest of time we have together. In the past sometimes, i thought after a few weeks, "he looks much better",laid off the medications, various X-rays along the way attributed largely arthritis as the culprit, without truly accepting, did, arthritis never really gets better in any major way. A busy racing life, and many injuries along the way. Was superglad/relieved to have good results from a full blood test this week, keeping a low maintenance dose I pray will bring more benefits than disadvantages. When every day is a blessing there's a quality over quantity in our situation. So many wonderful people on this forum have lost their dearly loved greyhounds so suddenly, and after such hard long&short fought battles with illnesses. With the benefit of all your experiences. Truly every day is a blessing and the modifications along the way, a part the journey.

This is such a great post. Such a reminder. The early days. At first Ned moved around like a strange black deer. Keeping in the distance and looking quite large in a house. Just looking grateful that he was't being physically hurt... After a while. it all changed. Now in the mornings especially or else when you least expect it. Like "a jack in the box" hope this is internationally understood as a toy that jumps out of a box. The sheer joy each morning out of that hound , the willingness, encouragement to play .. a dear friend got in touch after several years absence. She had adopted a young greyhound and was concerned after 15 years of living with a loved collie.. Her greyhound didn't play, just looked slept. I smiled inside and out. said wait and see ... surely not all hounds love to play. But for sure, many many do they play and love like every day is their last it must be their big hearts... Welcome to you Riverclyde and luna, I am new too.. I think this is a great place, forum and people. And people who cherish greyhounds are doubly blessed.

Repeating a bit what Zoomdoggie said above. I am amazed and grateful for the meat based dry foods that are on the market. And that I am currently in a position to buy it for my insanely loved nearly 11 year greyhound. It was a real eye opener for me recently when learning what went into a lot of foods both cat&dogs. People buying expensive kibbles from vets for example(a transaction of trust it appears) and no idea that the first ingredient was corn or some other non suitable substance. For a while I bought a kibble that I was aware wasn't "the best" but it was only an add on to chicken, red meat, fish veg, rice,pasta, the list goes on.... But during a really bad flare up of arthiritis recently and the horrifying fear that something more sinister ( osteo) may be on the horizon i looked deeply into the food. So for now it Orijen. Yes i know it won't reverse any existing condition By nature i am very sceptical but was shocked to see on so many similarly expensive brands, printed there. A list of shame. Who would willingly feed their cat "maize, corn" as a main ingredient. I better stop there before i really get going. Sometimes we are all restricted in choices by budget/what available,but getting swizzed and paying top dollar for some of those "vet recommended" food. yes.. it was an eye opener.

Hi, Interesting to read the above. Especially Kick return also. The recommended amount seems so low. I did have Ned weighed at the vets a week in. So we'll see after a month. However he is looking great, albeit more hungry . With the reduced exercise due to the recent arthirtis flare up, I am more than anxious than ever for him to be his usual healthy weight. Whilst trying to comprehend how calorie dense the food is, and avoid overfeeding. I will monitor the limping although thankfully after what feels like forever. There a bright light in the sky (recent sunshine) and hopefully sunnier times afoot likewise will stick to this food in the hope that its even half as good as the reviews

So sorry for your loss..

Hi irbb Hope you and your retired racer have many happy years ahead. This is such a great place to learn about, well everything to do with these very special dogs. Your question interested me a lot, as I am currently in the middle of transitioning my boy Ned to Orijen seniors . He is with me many years, and we are currently one week down, and heading in to 50/50 ration of old food to new food. The first few days with only small bits there was a bit of runny tummy, but over all its been fine. However, imho opinion i would consider sobesmom, as being particularly wise in the advise above.. There so much going on already in the settling in process. Food means so much dogs, and it probably is a great comfort to them while going thru all the new home changes. From my transition to Orijen, I & Ned, are trying to get our heads around the reduced amount of food on offer. Its a big difference on our transition. You mention he's on four cups of his current food. When he's on acana ,will it be the same or less in amount. Same as above, good luck, have fun and wishing you and your greyhound many many happy healthy years ahead.

Hi Just wondering about this Orijen food also. I have just ordered a bag of Orijen senior for my 10.5 year old wonderful greyhound. He is severely effected by arthritis especially at the moment. The last two weeks have been especially bad. He has had X-rays and they have hopefully ruled out cancer. Although the first vet read a few areas of "irregularity". He went there last week as an emergency when he came to a halt in our favourite off lead woods where he loves to run and roam. When I went back to my regular vet he seemed confident that it was arthritis in the wrists especially . Ned has gone from walking around 2hours a day ( over 3 walks) to just a few walks under 10 mins each. I can see he is struggling and am insanely worried. He is resting lot, on medication. Just think that origin senior , being grain free and such a quality food help him. Any thoughts on this ?

Truly sorry to read of this sudden loss.

lots of well wishes and healing thoughts for Violet and you.

This is a great forum P.J as the loads of thoughtful advise on this topic also shows. I believe 3greytjoys input is valuable on the topic. Perhaps the adoption agency can also help with a five star boarding/kennels option in your area also. While your greyhound will need to blend with your existing life, there is a distinct possibility that boat life may not suit this most gentle, sensitive and essentially different type of dog. It may and that would be great truly, but if it doesn't then as a family member there should be a suitable alternative . In the best interest of you and them. Greyhounds do require a lot of rest time, on comfortable bedding. They are far more vulnerable to overheating in ways that are not always easy to appreciate at the outset. So perhaps planning for a long and successful life with your new addition, some back up plans are needed. I am loathe to leave my hounds anywhere but certain human activities are not best for them truly. I sail here in Ireland but beyond ferry trips, the hounds stay home. They are also i believe the most amazing and fabulous of dogs, and the most wonderful additional to life. They are joy, the best for the best Wishing you every success with the adoption, always a joy to know another greyhound has found its forever home.

My Ned just can't take the heat at all. Prevention where possible being the better cure, its important to remember that cooling down slowly, cool not cold water is best. The shock to a dogs system if ice, or cold water used can cause a major shock to their system and some awful outcomes. They have a lot of physical issues to contend with with the lack of sweat glands, higher body temperature and in the magnificent greyhounds case, more muscle less fat naturally ( some more than others of course

So sorry that your boy passed on. You must be very shocked, and sad about it truly.

Hi, First i hope it really goes well in all the years ahead with your wonderful greyhound. It is early days and already so many changes for this ex racer. With their thin skin, lack of cushioning and long limbs lying down is not usually a greyhounds first preference just anywhere. Certainly mine will settle nearly anywhere now , lie down once a suitable surface i.e. something soft is provided. When visiting friends or asking him to settle outside especially, i certainly provide something comfortable and they are generally happy anywhere they can lie down and stretch out. In my humble opinion especially with ex racers we can never be sure just what injuries may exist under their skin and this is something non grey owners also don't have to consider but may be a consideration in difficulties with certain movements. Dearly hope you both enjoy getting to know each other and have many many happy times ahead. Greyhounds are so very special in very unique ways.

Sorry for your sad loss. Condolences and warm wishes that your sadness be much much less than all the happy memories. Glad to hear of another blessed greyhound who found such a wonderful long life with love all around. Run free fleet footed, and rest deeply Molly.

Any update on how Kit is getting along. Been hoping and wishing for some good news here ..

I agree with SPD Doggie, and others. Time. Love. It takes love to give that time without expectations of a fix, especially a quick fix. When my boy came to me in the first few months, there was a very nasty incident with my Mums cat.(we were visiting at the time, and he was on a lead) The cat was on the chair unseen by human eyes behind a table cloth, but being a "sight hound" with that age old instinct. Well it was terrible, not fatal, but horrendous.. Are you sure that you're not harboring any nervousness that may be contributing? I was shocked deeply by what happened and it took time to get over it in any way. The medical check and making sure there are no underlining health issues of course. But give her time. I do hope it works out for you both. There's been huge changes for your greyhound and you. Over two years later my boy is such a different dog, so loving, fun and filled with character. SO different from those early days. Life is so different for each of us, the unconditional love I believe is not just what our hounds give to us. But what we give to them, reserves of love we sometime don't know are there. Cat safe he's not, and despite the great sucess that some have in this area, not all greyhound are. Dearly hope you both have many happy years ahead. As rascalsmon put it so wonderfully. Patience is your friend…….