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LakeshoreGreys

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Posts posted by LakeshoreGreys

    Splenectomy Today For Booker

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Two of ours had their spleens out - both were 12.

     

    The first was Bruiser. His healing went okay, but he passed away just two months later of osteo. We were not aware of any cancer when we did the spleenectomy.

     

    The second was Cooney. His recovery was super quick, and you could tell he felt better. His was also very large, and the vet said that after they removed it he breathed a big sigh - like he could finally breathe again. He went on for another nine months before we had to put him to sleep due to multiple other old age issues.

     

    Here's hoping that Booker has a speedy and uneventful recovery, and is around for many more years!

    Need Prayers For My Boy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Sending good thoughts for Buddy and his parents.

     

    Would bringing his "safe bed" upstairs help him at all--the smell and what not?

     

    It's not really the bed itself - it's the noise (dehumidifiers) that blocks out the noise, and it's darker, and quiet. If we leave the shower door open down there, he'll lay in it! For a while, DH had one of his beds in the shower (it's rarely used).

     

    Need Prayers For My Boy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MommyOf3

    What a difference a week makes! Had Buddy at a m&g last week - he was bright-eyed, happy, and feeling good! We all celebrated how good he was doing, and how great he looked.

     

    Today (and last night too) he has trouble walking, can't stand for more than a few minutes before his back legs start to give out, won't eat unless it's human goodies, and can't get up on the bed. DH was snuggling with him last night and rested his chin on Buddy's shoulder, and Buddy almost ripped his face off. Something there must hurt him as well (same side that he was limping on just over a month ago). Can't find a lump or anything, but he is unhappy with any pressure in that area. He tried to go in the basement and pretty much fell all of the way down due to the lack of control over his back legs. The day bed in the basement is his "safe place" during storms and such. Today hunters were out shooting, so he wanted to go down...couldn't let him do it.

     

    He goes in to the vet on Monday. I printed out Dr. Stack's test for LS and want him to check for that. The shoulder we'll have xrayed. I have the name and number of a chiro/acupuncture vet near us that I will call after we go to the vet. In the mean time, we're keeping the other hounds away from him as much as we can, and sending him outside separately so he doesn't get bumped.

     

    We are in tears here and it's hard for us to discuss what's going on with each other. This is our baby - we've had him since he was 9 weeks old, and the last of our "original" four hounds. His 13th birthday will be Feb. 9.

     

    Would appreciate any white light you can send our way!

     

    ETA He joined our other angels at the bridge today. Godspeed, Buddy!

    Female Bellybands?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Two of our three girls have incontinence issues and are on Proin. Personally, I would not use "bad girl" panties on either one of them. They are meant to discourage marking. My girls aren't peeing on purpose - they can't help it. So, why punish them by making them walk around in their urine for something they can't control? I'd rather take the medical route to help resolve the problem.

     

    Sometimes the medical solutions don't work. Every dog/situation is different.

    Concerned About My Boy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Hello

     

    Thanks for asking about him. I had him in last week to weigh him, and he's maintaining his weight. Limping is gone, and he's back into his routine - tagging along when I drive DD to school in the morning. He's been eating really good for about two weeks, and even ate all of his weekend meals (usually the change in routine throws him off).

     

    We are enjoying having our boy back to himself, and hope this is a long term thing.

     

    Thanks for everyone's support and continued prayers!

     

     

    Concerned About My Boy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    The vet was very nice and helpful. He is used to greyhounds since he worked in an area near a track and saw quite a few of them in his practice.

     

    Buddy has a UTI and, he thinks, a ligament or soft tissue injury in his wrist. Xrays were clear of any tumors or suspicious items - didn't even notice arthritis at all. Bloodwork was normal for him, tho' his BUN was a little high but the vet said that could be because of the UTI. He recommended glucosamine and I told him we had already started a joint supplement (tho' we'll be changing the brand as soon as it arrives in the mail).

     

    He was back up to 58#, so we'll continue with the diet and keep feeding him as much as he'll eat. I don't think he's in any danger of becoming overweight any time soon!

     

    Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers! :)

    Concerned About My Boy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Hi All,

     

    I'm going to print this out and bring it to the vet for ideas. We're scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) at 4p. I've let them know there'd be xrays and bloodwork.

     

    Looks like we should be feeding him more. We had been giving him 2 cups of the mixture 3x a day, but last night I gave him 4 cups and he gobbled all of it up. So we're going to load his bowl and give extra treats and such. He *loves* bread, so we'll give him some of that too. I may sneak in an extra meal too, around mid-afternoon.

     

    DH and I finally discussed this issue last night. We're not ones to let something go unsaid, but for some reason neither of us wanted to bring up the subject. He's been preparing himself for the worst possible outcome, and quite honestly, I've been ignoring it hoping that it was just a muscle stinger and it would go away. Now that we've faced facts, part of me feels better but most of me is in shambles. I cried myself to sleep last night, thinking about life without my Budward.

     

    Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! If you have more ideas, keep 'em coming. I'll be sure to update after our appointment tomorrow.

    Anyone Have Any Experience With Using Diapers?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I've used dog diapers too Fosters & Smith Female Pet Bloomers Lined them with human male incontinence pads, as mcsheltie said, use the maximum absorbancy. No leakage that I can remember.

     

    When our girlie pooped in them it was not a big deal - she had nice, firm stool so it'd wouldn't be messy at all. We'd give her a wipe with a baby wipe after we took her diaper off, to make sure no urine or anything was on her skin. She wore them for over 2 years and it worked out fine.

    Concerned About My Boy

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MommyOf3

    My baby boy, Buddy, turned 12 back in February. We've had him since he was 9 weeks old - he was part of an unwanted litter. Lately things have been changing with him, and I'm scared.

     

    About a month ago, he didn't want to eat. Not interested. We give him Natural Balance with some water - a cup at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He'd sniff it and walk away. So we added some NB canned, but that was hit or miss. If I put the kibble in his Buster Cube, he'd eat it that way no problem. Out of desperation, we've starting cooking for him - though it's heartbreaking every time I make a batch because at our house it means their time is running out when we're cooking bland diet. So now he's getting rice, ground beef, and yogurt. He LOVES it - cleans his bowl every time. Of course, his poops have changed - they're formed but very dark (almost black) on the outside, and very soft and rust colored inside. No accidents in the house or anything like that. He does want to go outside more often too - and takes a long time sniffing and just standing there.

     

    His weight has been stable throughout his life - he's always been 63-65 pounds. I weighed him in January, he was 58#. Weighed him again in August, when the not eating this was going on, and he was down to 52#. Three weeks ago he was back up to 55#, but he's looking thinner again. I've noticed at our house it seems they lose about 10 pounds after they have their 12th birthday. Buddy, however, didn't really have 10 pounds to spare. In fact, when we had him in back in January, the vet said he doesnt' get to say it often, but our dog could use some groceries.

     

    I have noticed him panting lately - not after any exercise or overheating by tucking himself under his bed (he likes to be buried!). I have also noticed, during the past week or so, him shaking/shivering more often. And he does more "peeping" now too - it's his little whine when he wants something - but most times I can't decipher what he wants (we go though what he usually wants when he peeps) ... eventually he just goes and lays down. His eyes look more sunken too.

     

    Last week he started favoring his front "drivers side" leg intermittently. DH palpitated everything and cannot find where it's bothering him. It doesn't seem quite as bad this week, but I always get nervous when a GH starts to limp.

     

    I'm thinking a trip to the vet is in order, though our favorite vet that has helped us with age-related issues with our four bridge pups is no longer there. The replacement is okay, but not a big help when it comes to stuff like that. His last blood panel was in January and was fine, but perhaps it's time to run another? What else can we do?

     

    Suggestions welcome. My heart is breaking. I told him he had to live as long as his momma (she was over 15), and I don't want him to renege!

     

    ETA photo Buddy93009.jpg

    Buddy

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Sorry for your loss, Praveen. Thank you for having the patience and perseverance to help this fellow. There is a special spot in heaven for folks like you. :)

     

    Godspeed, Buddy.

    Need Your Help Quickly! Please!

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    From what you've told us, I agree that it might be time. Especially if she is panting and crying. A wise person on here once said that it's better to make that decision a bit earlier rather than a bit later. That way the dog isn't suffering needlessly. And in my experience, if the vet is gently suggesting that it's time, that's also a good indicator.

     

    Perhaps a contributing factor to her illness is heartache and confusion over her sudden change in circumstance. I believe that animals can grieve.

     

    Bless you for taking her in and being kind to her during her last few months. I hope you can be strong enough to stay with her and hold her until the end.

     

    Godspeed to little lady, and hugs to you. You're both in my thoughts and prayers.

     

    Hugs to robinw and Loca as well.

     

    Please keep us posted.

     

     

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