[High liver numbers and no appetite]

Hi All,

Lucy, who will be 10 in June, just had some blood work done and her liver numbers are high. My husband took her to the vet so I don't have the actual numbers, but he said they were in the 700's?? I'm waiting for the vet to open today so I can call and get a print out of her actual results. She is on Amoxi/Clavu 500mg/125mg, 1/2 tab twice a day. After two weeks her numbers only dropped into the 600's. So now we are at 1 tab twice a day. My immediate concern is her appetite. She's a small girl anyway, usually at 60 lbs, but she had dropped to 52 leading up to the first vet visit. She gained two pounds over the last two weeks, but her appetite is just not there. We feed her Purina Pro Plan Sensitive skin & stomach. We have tried to give her wet food and she will only occasionally be interested in it. Does anyone have suggestions on food I can make her that would be healthy for her but also high in calories so I can hopefully get some weight put back on her. She's looking so frail.  

[Stress induced colitis]

8 minutes ago, KF_in_Georgia said:

Lucy's kibble has all the moisture removed, so it looks like a lot less than it really is. The meat/rice mixture still has all the moisture.

 

Thank you! 

[Stress induced colitis]

Hi All,

I posted last month about how we lost our Al. Lucy has been lonely and was skipping meals, had diarrhea, etc. After seeing our vet yesterday he diagnosed her with stress induced colitis. She's on Metronidazole and he wants me to keep her on a bland diet for a couple of days. We usually feed her two cups of kibble at each meal and he said we could double that with the rice/meat mixture. Does that seem right? Don't get me wrong, Lucy is eating the heck out of it, but it just seems like SO MUCH.  Thanks!

Deanna 

[New dog after loss]

1 minute ago, MP_the4pack said:

And that's a bad thing because...?

Oh no, I never said it's a bad thing. Just makes more sense to skip the middle man and go straight for adoption. 

[New dog after loss]

37 minutes ago, cleptogrey said:

FOSTER!!!! greyhound rescue and rehab is getting quite a few dogs in from west virginia this weekend! they are in dire need of foster homes. https://www.greyhoundrescuerehab.org  they also have a FB page, closed so you need to join. do call soon since the powers that be will be on the road all weekend. some of the dogs are going to a boarding kennel in CT. (wilton area).

GOOD LUCK- i felt the same way after felix died. then i lost my young whippet a couple of months later. it was hell. i couldn't figure out what direction to go, but i finally did.

I'm talking to my husband about this option. We do not have a fenced yard, is that an issue for fostering? 

[New dog after loss]

17 minutes ago, FiveRoooooers said:

Nope, that wasn’t it  

[New dog after loss]

4 minutes ago, MP_the4pack said:

How about fostering? 

It helps you decide if you're ready for another and still gives companionship to Lucy. 

I could foster. But I know me, it will be a foster fail. 

[New dog after loss]

10 minutes ago, greysmom said:

My general advice is that if you want another dog, get another dog!  But we're not enablers around here at all!!!!   

You may or may not need another greyhound, unfortunately only Lucy can tell you that (There's a thread in T&B from Stellasdad about getting a greyhound after a loss  ).   If you have freinds with other breeds you might take her to meet them to see if she's OK with other breeds.  Some greyhounds are definitely NOT, some are "meh!", and some are fine with them.  In general, a breed of about the same size-to-a little bigger is the safest bet, but they *can* get along with all sizes if they want.  She may have been tested with small dogs before she came to you.  If not, you'll want to be careful introducing her to small and/or very young dogs in case she's not.   A lot of people have dachsunds and greys, which totally makes sense if you consider they're both hounds at the core.

My sister has border collies and she just loves them. But playing with them and living with them may be different. I don't know. But now I've gone and scoped out a local grey up for adoption. I think I have to meet him. 

And that's one of the reasons I love this group. Your enabling qualities. 

[New dog after loss]

13 minutes ago, palmettobug said:

I was in the same boat as you--I got Gino in March to be a buddy for my boy Johnny. Gino is a beta boy, and him and Johnny got along well. Unfortunately, Johnny passed away quite unexpectedly in June. I gave myself and Gino three months to mourn and bond ourselves a little more, to hopefully get him out of his shell. We adopted Fuzzy in September, she is a sweet little girl and just the right companion for Gino. They've had a couple of squabbles, but Gino cannot live without her. She's even bringing him out a little more, he plays with stuffies when she gets to playing, too. He takes comfort in her, laying his head on her back.

I would say to look at galgos, too. There are a lot of greyhound people who have both.

[New dog after loss]

10 minutes ago, FiveRoooooers said:

Sorry Lucy!! (from where did I get Stella  ) Yes, opposite side of the state from you. Off the top of my head I don't know of specific events, but check out the FB pages and websites of the groups you've found because they will post their upcoming events there. There is usually a Holiday walk or three coming up that will be fun!

If I ever get another girl, I'm naming her Stella. lol I'm definitely looking at the Southbury walk on November 24. I'll look for others as well. Thank you!

[New dog after loss]

6 minutes ago, FiveRoooooers said:

I'm so sorry for your loss.   You are doing everything right to try to help Stella cope with her loss as she grieves for her friend. Sometimes they do simply need the companionship of another dog, be it greyhound or another breed. I've always had multiple greyhounds, some of whom mourned more strongly than others when we suffered a loss, so there has always been the steady company of another greyhound. If you search the C&F forum here, you'll find posts about my newest senior, Cletus, who is KLTO (KNOT Like The Others) - he is a LabX who has taken on (or arrived with, not sure!) greyhound traits. My campers welcomed him and at times it does feel as tho there are *all* greyhound campers here. It has worked fine here either way, so I would simply say to be open to another dog who calls your name,  whether that be a greyhound, another breed, or a mixed breed.

When you meet the new dog, if you can bring Stella with you for her opinion and that of the potential new family member, all the better. Good luck, and be kind to yourselves.

Thank you so much. Her name is Lucy, but I'm kinda digging Stella. ;-) You are in CT too?? Any info on some upcoming adoption events I should be aware of?

[New dog after loss]

Good morning all,

I lost my heart grey, Al, just over two weeks ago. My heart is broken, but Miss Lucy is going through some pretty sad depression. She was a racing school drop out, fostered with Al at the age of 2 and came to us together. She's never been alone. The other day she went over to his urn, sniffed around at his collar and started to whine. We are showering her with loads of attention and love but I can tell she's missing him something fierce. We've discussed getting another dog to be her companion. We're in CT and I've checked the local grey rescue groups and there are maybe 3 greys available up here. We've looked online at some local rescues and have seen some really cute pups. So my question is, would it be best to try to find another grey for her, or has anyone had success with introducing other breeds of dogs? It sounds funny when I ask it, but I've always just thought of greys being with greys. And to be honest, I almost think it would be easier on me to get another breed for the time being. It's going to be really difficult to not compare any new greyhounds with my Al. But she's my primary concern...

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

6 hours ago, lukasmom said:

You should not feel any guilt. You did right by him. You ended his pain and opened the door to your pain. You put him first.

I think we all know the sorrow you feel. It is a horrible pain in your heart. Just remember, it doesnt get better, it gets different and you learn to live with it.

Run free sweet boy and know you are loved.

Thank you. ❤️
 

Thank you everyone. 

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

On 10/17/2019 at 8:28 AM, racindog said:

My heart is breaking for you. Perhaps he will send you a sign to reassure you.  Your love was so strong he could never leave you. He may teach you from the other side. Love is energy and therefore it cannot be destroyed by death or anything else.  Your Algy is spirit. Only his body died. But the Algy you loved is completing his journey on the other side and while he can't be with you in body any longer he will be with you in spirit.  Be open minded and look for the signs he may send you. And don't doubt them-they ARE real. He will teach and guide you.

Until we meet again..
You say that all you have left are memories but this is not so.
You see, when I took leave of my earthly body I left a little something behind for you.
You can't touch it, hold it or examine it, for what I left behind is far too uninhibited for confinement.
I left in your tender care a piece of my soul.
I placed it right next to your own which is quite fitting as we were always side by side in our earthly life together.
I love you too much to have left you with nothing but memories that tend to fade and grow cloudy as the years go by.
I love you too much to have vanished without a trace. How selfish it would be of me to remove love and light from your life.
I understand your tears, each one you shed is testament to your love for me and I am honored and humbled.
But don't forget the good things we shared - remember and smile. This is an honor for me as well.
When you need me I will be here.
Close your eyes, relax, take slow, deep breaths and picture me in your mind.
Shut off the world and your notions of what you think death is and give me a chance.
Look for the subtle signs I send you.
Don't stop being proud of me, I am a friend to be proud of, I am still your friend and soul mate.
Don't memorialize the death of my body but instead honor and celebrate my never-ending life for it is eternal
and forever as is my love for you.
Until we meet again...
(Only part of a very long heart felt poem by Terri Oronato)

 

The Way

 

In the darkness I turned to go; my last day's

 

done; I'll miss you so. No time even to say

 

goodbye or to lock the tears spilling from

 

your eyes.

 

That's when I heard you call my name;

 

I knew right then I must turn back to help ease your pain.

 

Since I've no voice with which to speak,

 

its whispers in your dreams I'll make.

 

Ease your heart and rest your mind, my

 

time with you was the best of kind. I couldn't

 

have asked for a better friend, we've shared

 

our journey to the very end.

 

There's one final thing you need to know, I'll

 

whisper in your ear before I go....."I'm leaving

 

first to find the way...so I can lead you back here with me on your last day."  -(SLong)

 

 

 

Thank you so much for this. ❤️

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

Thank you everyone. 

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

3 minutes ago, RaineysMom said:

I am so very, very sorry your sweet boy had to leave you.  I know he will send you a sign that he is ok.  Sending hugs  

I’m praying that he does. The guilt is killing me. And his absence is deafening. 😓

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

6 minutes ago, FiveRoooooers said:

True. It's their one fault, really, the dogs we love ... that they can't stay with us forever.

Beautiful Algy. Which group did he come through?

I am so very sorry for your loss. 

We got him from Greyhound Pets of AZ. He was the best best dog. My cuddle buddy. 💔

[Bridge Angels in October 2019]

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

A picture of my angel. ❤️

[CBD Oil??]

Thank you all for your replies. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I had to let my boy go yesterday. He had a large tumor on his hip and it was just too painful for him to walk. 😢 We held him close in front of the fireplace when the vet came and helped him cross the bridge. My heart is broken. 

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

30 minutes ago, macoduck said:

I have added Algy to the list of Bridge Angels here on GT. I am so sorry that he had to leave you.

Thank you. ❤️

1 hour ago, smt said:

Yes, the pain is excruciating.  It's part of the price we pay for loving our pets.  I'll continue to pay it, though, because the joy and fulfillment they bring is greater than words can express. Sending lots of good thoughts through the ether to you, Ramona.

❤️

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

This is my first greyhound loss. I wasn’t prepared for the pain. 💔 

 

Thank you all for the kind words. 

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

2 minutes ago, AmberGusDad said:

Godspeed, wonderful boy, Algy....

Let your family know you are okay!

❤️

[Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019]

I used to post more, years ago, but just recently came back. We had to put our wonderful boy down today. He’d been having issues with his hind legs for awhile. His limp was getting so bad and he couldn’t go outside to potty without falling up the two steps to get back in. Our vet found a large tumor on his hip on Saturday. We started him on pain management. Last night he had a terrible night, a lot of panting, restlessness and whimpering. This morning he could barely get out of bed and when he did he almost fell over. He wouldn’t put any weight on his right leg (and that’s after pain medication in the middle of the night). We called our vet who came out to the house and we said goodbye to our sweet gentle boy. My heart is shattered. He’s no longer in pain and running free, and I’m thankful for that. But I’m in so much pain and I just want my Algy back. 
Curious Algy 07/03/2007-10/15/2019 💔

[CBD Oil??]

Thank you everyone. We do have an assistance harness for him because he stopped being able to navigate stairs a couple of months ago. He has to literally be carried up and down by my husband.  

We’re going to the vet this morning. Hoping to get some answers.