Burpdog

Although I am not a "fan" of amputation, some do very well. One of the reasons I did not consider amputation for Ivey and Mahogany: they refused to 3 leg it, Ivey was "portly" and Mahogany screamed if you touched her feet, and they were both 11. I would be more apt to do one on a younger dog, although older ones many times do well. Pablo was 3 legging it however, he was a very big boy, it was a front leg, and would he go down, I/he would have been up a creek Also, there are the chest xrays to consider. Winslow has done well (rear leg) as did Max (front leg) and both are big boys, younger when they were diagnosed. If I ever did amputate, it would be with chemo and follow up supplements like Transfer Factor and artemisinin or I would not bother. Last time I checked, the average is still 14 months. It really is a personal decision based on your ability to handle the post op care, chemo, etc. as well as the dog's disposition. Most greyhounds I have met have an incredible desire to live. That alone, if the physical is managable, will pull them thru an amputation.

Depends. It can be. It can also be a side effect of some drugs (pred, tramadol, etc). In Winslow's case (and with Bodie too), they were plain hot after chemo treatments, kind of having their thermostate reset-- I'm sure you have read about Winslow's beloved "Fanny"?

I have sent off two at home. I remove the other dogs while it is happening and let them in when it is over so they can sniff if they want to. I do not want the remaining dogs to see the act especially if this is their regular vet. They are smarter than we think they are. Two shots, one prep tranquillizer then the actual is what my vet uses and it is very good. I always hold them and talk the them. Tell them what to expect, how good it will feel to be able to run and play and I tell them not to be afraid. I try very hard not to cry until they are gone, but sometimes that works and sometimes not.....I don't want to scare them. I want the passing to be as peaceful as possible. I'll be thinking of you

November 2, 2009 Hi Diane, You asked me how Winslow is doing. Well, I went away for 10 days and when I got home, things were really rough. It's no secret that Winslow is spoiled, but while I was gone, he took "spoiled" to a whole new level. First, the midnight walks. The "Blue Flame", protector of the neighborhood has decided that he needs to patrol twice during the night. No potty, just walk around the neighborhood in the cold. Sometimes at 1 and 5, sometimes at 2 and 4. It's cold at night now, so he loves it. When we get home, he runs in and gets in bed with whoever didn't go out, stretches out so the "walker" has to sleep on the sofa. He has also decided that he should have treats during the night. So, he gets up, goes to the door, whines like he really has to go out. One of us gets up, puts on boots, gathers flashlight and poopbags. Then he dashes into the kitchen and throws himself down on his "food bed". GRRRR! I guess Craig has been giving in to this because it happens every night. So, give him a little banana (he knows where we keep them). Remember this is a dog that eats 4 times a day. He isn't hungry. He wants a snack. Later he will stomp his foot (another new trick. Stomping his HIND foot) and stand by the bananas for more. Now, lets talk about the foot stomping. Since his amputation, we all sleep on a mattress on the dining room floor. He gets up and manages to hop up and come down really loudly on the floor with that hind foot. That goes right through the mattress and there is no way anyone could sleep through it. Not only that, he gets out of bed and stands over our heads, looking down.. like nose to nose. He whines, breathes out that canned dogfood breath, and his nose DRIPS. What a way to wake up. He's taken to head butting me from the rear to get what he wants. Yesterday, I wasn't expecting it and he really rammed me. I nearly fell. Since he's now afraid that he won't get his dinner on time (daylight savings time) he starts stomping, pacing and ramming at 4:pm. Even though the clocks were set back an hour, he still starts the breakfast stomp and drip at 6:30. He's smart. I can't even get angry about it because he is so funny. So, we laugh about it and do what he tells us to do. During the day,while we are working, Winslow is upside down, stretched out amongst his pillows. When you ask him if he wants lunch, he wanders in. Ask if he wants to go outside, he's too tired. Later, he says, you know 2:am. I've attached some photos of him just after he rammed Craig. Then, telling Craig how to fix the meal. Oh yea, he wants to be sure it's just right. When he is sleeping between walks and snacks, he has taken to "spooning" with Craig. Winslow is the "spooner". He throws his front and hind leg over Craig and sleeps like that. I'm going to try to get a photo of that for you. It's very funny. So, looks like Winslow has successfully taught his old dogs some new tricks. You know he's thinking, "I wonder what I can make them do next?" Don't be surprised if I pass an agility test or an obedience test. Geez. He'll be on the phone to Meredith telling her that I won't drive him to Dairy Queen or something. On a more serious note... Winslow's health is good. He's obviously happy (wouldn't you be?) still swimming every week. (I am waiting for him to make me swim while he holds the rope.) He has already made plans for his birthday party and wants me to invite everyone now... It's Feb 13. 7:00 ish, our house. Mark your calendar. (10 + 3). I better go, his Highness is waiting for me to come downstairs and watch tv with him. I watch, he sleeps. Glynis

Sending lots of prayers!

Sending my sympathy. 16 years is a long time and it sounds like those years and a few months are filled with wonderful memories

Morphine will cause a lack of appetite. When Mahogany was in end stage hospice for her osteo, we used morphine and tramdol. Sounds like he needs another pain med on board. Have the xrays read by a radiologist. Sending prayers. Do you have an acupuncture vet that will come to the house?

He had xrays on Friday and I just knew putting him up on the table was going to be bad. It got to the point, even after driving him to the chiropractor on Saturday (which helped, but not long) that his pain could not be managed. Once he was laying down, he was fine--3 legging it at a canter, still eating, etc. The leg was fairly not working -- bent at the wrist and it got to the point he could not lift it at the last moment of laying down which made for much pain and a scream. All dogs can be special, but there are those that go above and beyond special, and he was one of them. A good dog. A benevolent alpha who put up with Grace. Of the Rainbow Land crew, he knows Mahogany & Tootsie so I told him they would find him. Uno Mas Pablo: you were not just one more Pablo to me. You are my Pablo and I will love you forever.

I had no problem. It's a pdf file. I can email it to you. I'll try now.

Great news! Make sure you talk to him about protein restriction. The new way of thinking has nothing to do with protein.

As far as I know, these guidelines have not been updated.

All the universities have gone to every 3 years. Some are of the opinion that no boosters are needed after the first yearly after puppy shots. I'll bump up the vet guidelines thread.

Advantix: I was in a vet's office and saw a sign stating they wouldn't see it to a household that had cats (even though it was for the dog's use only). That has to tell you something....

Some dogs cannot tolerate NSAIDs. My experience is Eliza died. I have not used a NSAID since and managed many a senior without. Is he on bovine chondroitin? Have you tried chiropractic and acupuncture?

This particular link has a ton of Standard poodle info: Standard Poodle and this link within the above link, lists groups for poodles: Poodles Boards/Groups

Try Frontline spray (not the topical)

Is she on any poodle boards? Has she contacted Ohio State? They do other breeds (just not free stuff, but I'm sure consults)

Yes, by the end of a month, his change purse should be emptied.

Sending my sympathy. Sorry it wasn't a fixable thing

How long on antibiotics and was the urine cultured? Which antibiotics has she been on? Do you have well or city water? Filtered?

I don't see any benefit to keeping the testicles. I would call and get exactly the procedure they did from whomever did it.

Tootsie did ok. Vet started her on the drug immediately and she had a rough couple of days but came back 90% and lived another almost 12 months. Sending prayers.

Sending my sympathy

I found when I provided them, more changes were made (and yes, it was a good clinic).

That is a lot of benedryl. Is this what the vet told you to use? Usually it's 1mg per # of body weight twice a day. Sounds like he could have a staph infection. He needs to see a vet.....