AndysMom

Arathorn received his OS diagnosis on August 8, 2010, a week after we discovered a lump on his right front leg, just above the "ankle", which doing a home visit for a new adoption. He had turned 7 just a few weeks earlier. Here we are on October 20th and he's still pretty much status quo. The tumor on his leg is somewhat larger but not dramatically so. His pain seems to be still under control with Tramadol 3 times a day and Pepcid 2 or 3 times a day. His appetite is still good and he still enjoys trotting around our tiny backyard, still wants to go upstairs at bedtime, still sleeping in bed with us. He's always been a couch potato 99% of the time and that's true still. I have spoiled him a lot the past couple of months. Now, he refuses to eat unless his bowl contains a small handful of dehydrated liver bits that I make for him every couple of weeks. Every new day with our Arathorn is a blessing and we are grateful for each one of them, fully cognizant that each one of them may be out last with him. Hugs to all the other OS hounds out there and their owners. Lois

KTarantino, Chase's Mom makes an excellent point. That's what I'm watching for . . . when Arathorn can't or won't do 2 out of the top 3 things I know he loves. That's when I'll know he's ready to go. Our boy remains status quo since his OS diagnosis in late July. The tumor on his right front leg is a little larger but not remarkably so. He's still very mobile and favors the leg 90% of the time but gives no outward sign of pain. He's on Tramadol 3x a day with Pepcid once or twice daily. His appetite's still good. He still gets excited when we come home. He still wants to go on car trips, but those are limited to trips to the vet. I worry about him getting bumped or jostled in the van. He still wants to climb the steps to sleep upstairs with me. He still enjoys snuggling at bedtime. He still gives kisses and lounges all day long upside down on the couch with all four feet straight up in the air. For now, every additional day with our special boy is an absolute blessing. I tell him several times a day how much I love him and indulge him with special treats like the beef liver I dehydrate for him. (When he's having a bad day, I can always get him to eat by sprinkling some on his food.) For each of us, the journey is unique. There's no cookie-cutter answer for all situations. But, as Chase's Mom said, when they can't do the things we know they enjoy, we have to decide if we're being selfish in keeping them here with us.

We're on our third bag of the Nature's Domain from Costco. (It's available at the Costco in Louisville, KY.) We'd been feeding another Diamond product for about a year -- the 4Health Large Breed from Tractor Supply -- with good results. Brought in a new dog with dry, flaky skin and lots of scratching. We fostered him for a week or so when he arrived from the track. We didn't notice any scratching during his first week with us. Poor little thing, his placement didn't work out and he came back to us. Mike and I are going to adopt him because we expect to lose 2 of our 3 dogs in the very near future (one has bone cancer, the other is 12 and not thriving). Plus, this dog is a littermate of our Abby. To get back to the Nature's Domain, Mojo came back to us scratching, itching and flaking all over the place. He also came back with three prescriptions intended to address his flaking and itching. I wondered if the problem might be an allergic reaction and decided to try a grain-free food for a while to see if that helped. With four dogs, a 40# bag doesn't last too awfully long around here but he's off all the meds, no scratching and no more flaking! I really think the grains in his former kibble may have been the issue. I'm giving the credit to Nature's Domain. PLUS, they really seem to like the Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Dog Food formula. http://www.naturesdomainpetfood.com/

We're approaching the one-month anniversary of the confirmation of our Arathorn's osteo diagnosis (August 8, 2010). A week prior we discovered the lump on his right front ankle, which was biopsied a day or two later. We've chosen for a variety of reasons to address his cancer only through palliative care. We went to the vet on Thursday, September 2nd, with 7-year-old Arathorn and 12-year-old Tribute, full of dread, fully expecting to come home with "two empty leashes". Arathorn's tumor had increased in size only slightly, but it had changed in appearance. Tribute has Lumbar Stenosis, corns on both front feet and what I firmly believed was a massive gum infection. The vet told us that she felt it was premature to let Arathorn go; he still seems happy (licking the vet's face, wagging his tail, doing a M&G in the waiting room), has a good appetite and getting around quite well (still wants to run and jump and play). She hulled Trib's corns, gave him two injections for his LS and told us that he needs his teeth cleaned but that he doesn't have a gum infection, just "thickening" of the gums. Frankly, we were pleasantly surprised by the news that both dogs are doing better than we'd feared. Every extra day we're given with these boys is a blessing. We know the time is coming soon when we'll have to make the decision to let each of them go, but I'm so grateful that we didn't lose both of them simultaneously. That would just been too much to bear. Thanks for the support from our friends at Greytalk. Lois

I'm with Pam on this one. Our pack's got pretty sturdy stomachs. We switch from one variety to another in the same product line (lamb v. chicken, for example) from time to time without distress. If your dog's tried this food before and it agrees with her, I say go for it!

K, so sorry to hear that you are going through this too. Our Arathorn (who turned 7 on July 21, 2010) was confirmed today to have bone cancer. It's been a horrific shock for everyone who knows him. We've decided to provide him with pallative care with no amputation or chemo. This was not an easy decision but one we've been wrestling with since his biopsy procedure this past Monday. I've lost two prior Greyhounds to cancer (one at 11 with a brain tumor and one at 12 with osteo in his shoulder) in addition to losing a 14-year-old broodie to old age. It never gets easy but we have to love him and spoil him for whatever time we have left together and then love him enough to let him go to the Bridge to run free. You'll find some excellent resources, advice and comfort on Greytalk. Lois

Mine is an American Harvest Snackmaster Elite with 4 trays. I think I paid about $50 for it but that was years ago. There's a whole bunch of them listed on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=american+harvest+snackmaster&x=0&y=0&sprefix=American+Harvest&ih=14_1_0_0_0_0_0_1_0_1.123_258&fsc=-1 Lois

I've had really good results dehydrating beef liver for our dogs. I've got an excellent dehydrator that has a fan in it so it finishes off the food much, much faster than the ones with a small heating element only. Here's the recipe I use: Dried Beef Liver 1 pound sliced beef or calves liver Garlic powder (1 to 3 tbsp.) 1 large pot of boiling water Rinse the beef liver well in cool water. Place the liver in a large pot of boiling water. Add garlic powder (1-3 Tbsp.) to water. Allow enough room in the pot to prevent boiling over, and allow to boil for at least 1/2 to 3/4 hr or until cooked well. Let cool, cut into 1/2-inch square cubes. Spread on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake in a 250 degree oven for at least 2 hours (longer is OK) or until dry to the touch. Liver will be shrunk to about 1/4 inch cubes when done. This liver is very dry when done, and can be stored in the freezer in a plastic bag or airtight container. The dried liver will last all day in your pocket, and won't stain your clothing, it is also much cheaper than freeze-dried liver. You can keep it in small film canisters in your pocket so your dog won't smell it.

I've never used the "new" product -- "PLAQUE ATTACK". I have to assume the manufacturer was being legit with me when he told me it's the exact same product, just different name, packaging and marketing technique. Look at the two different websites and you'll see the significant similarities, testimonial pictures, etc. Lois

Several years ago, when we owned GreyhoundMagnets.com, we sold PetzLife spray and gel for cleaning dogs' teeth. Recently, I heard about "PLAQUE ATTACK", one of those "as sold on TV" products. I checked into it and wrote to the owners of PetzLife. They confirmed my suspicions . . . Plaque Attack is the exact same product, just renamed, repackaged and marketed on TV. You may find these products less expensive ($19.95 for a 3-month supply) than the PetzLife products at Petsmart, etc. http://www.getPlaqueAttack.com

Several years ago, when we owned GreyhoundMagnets.com, we sold PetzLife spray and gel for cleaning dogs' teeth. Recently, I heard about "PLAQUE ATTACK", one of those "as sold on TV" products. I checked into it and wrote to the owners of PetzLife. They confirmed my suspicions . . . Plaque Attack is the exact same product, just renamed, repackaged and marketed on TV. You may find these products less expensive ($19.95 for a 3-month supply) than the PetzLife products at Petsmart, etc. http://www.asseenontvvideo.com/512137/Plaque-Attack-Pet-Dental-Spray.html also http://www.getPlaqueAttack.com

Several years ago, when we owned GreyhoundMagnets.com, we sold PetzLife spray and gel for cleaning dogs' teeth. Recently, I heard about "PLAQUE ATTACK", one of those "as sold on TV" products. I checked into it and wrote to the owners of PetzLife. They confirmed my suspicions . . . Plaque Attack is the exact same product, just renamed, repackaged and marketed on TV. You may find these products less expensive ($19.95 for a 3-month supply) than the PetzLife products at Petsmart, etc. http://www.asseenontvvideo.com/512137/Plaque-Attack-Pet-Dental-Spray.html also http://www.getPlaqueAttack.com

In our experience, hulling provides immediate relief. It's quick, simple and painless. However, our "Corn Dog" is assured of having the corns return a few weeks later. My understanding that surgery for removal of the corn is pretty invasive. I worry about keeping a deep toe surgery site clean and infection free for several weeks while it heals. And then, I'm told, there's about a 50 percent chance that that the corn will reappear. Amputation of the affected toe is not always effective as the corns tend to show up on different toes. For us, hulling the corn and putting Therapaws on him when he has to do a lot of standing works best. Look for Bag Balm in the skin care aisle at your local drug store or pharmacy. They also carry it at farm supply stores as it was originally manufactured to treat the udders of milk cows. Good luck. Lois

I've seen EMT gel at Bass Pro Shops in the past, but it's not on their website now. Tractor Supply, however, has EMT gel, apparently in the Horse section. http://www.tractorsupply.com/equine/horse-health/horse-wound-care/gordons-emt-gel-for-horses-2170063 $14.99 for a 1-oz. tube (a little goes a LONG way).

Arathorn's a consistent kisser. I have to warn people at M&Gs. Not everybody likes doggy smooches. I should get him a bandana that says something like this:

Welcome to Greytalk! My dogs get a little whiney if I stay up too late but if I don't give it right away they trot off to the bedroom on their own. MAN, I wish my kid had done that when he was little. Lois

We use a pair of Therapaws on Tribute, who has significant corns on both his front feet. They've made an enormous difference for him! He's never had a minute of trouble adjusting to the boots; in fact, he lifts his paws so I can put them on him. Now, he only wears these when he's going to be out of the house walking a lot on hard surfaces or doing a M&G or when we had our Greyhound Magnets business and he'd be standing a lot in our booth, etc. We've had the same pair for at least 6 years and they're in excellent condition still. Are you in Tennessee? If you're in or near Nashville, you're in luck because Dr. Carol Machery is one of the two vets who've popularized the technique of HULLING corns from the dogs' feet. It's quick, painless, blood-less and takes less than 5 minutes. She's hulled Tribute's corns a couple of times, when we visit Murfreesboro for GPA/Nashville's Winter Gathering (February 21, 2010 is the next one). The rest of the time, our local vet in Louisville takes care of this for him. In fact, he'll have his corns hulled tomorrow. We might have to have it done one more time before we see Dr. Machery again in February. Hulling is not a permanent answer, but it does help keep them at bay for our dog. Dremeling can help too. We've used Dr. Sholl's corn remover drops, but I'm never consistent enough about applying the drops the way I should. Hulling is quick and gives him immediate relief. Lois

Dear Patti: I was so sorry to see that you'd lost Lee. Bless his little heart! I remember how nervous and excited you were about adopting him, getting him transported to Louisville and helping him adjust to living in your home. You were remarkably patient and loving . . . exactly what he needed! Thank you for being there for Lee. You made a tremendous difference in his life and I know he's done the same for you. The seniors are so appreciative for the little things in life -- a soft bed, a hug and lots of love. I've brought a couple of seniors into my home and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Love, Lois

We went through this years ago with a 14-year-old toy fox terrier (at least 8 years ago). Our vet put her on antibiotics and steroids after spending the night in the hospital with IV fluids, etc. She recovered after a week or so but we had to keep her quiet. The vet recommended keeping her in a dimmly li ght room for a couple of days and urged us NOT to carry her anywhere because she had lost her equilibrium and lifting her made her even more dizzy since she couldn't tell up from down. For several days, we fed her by hand and had to hold her up while she peed and did her business. The head tilt and nystagmus (rhythmic eye movements) went away in about a week. She lived another year or two after that episode. Good luck! Lois

Excellent suggestions above. My two cents worth: Have you checked his feet for corns?

Ecstasy lost 22 teeth when she retired from the breeding farm at 9.5. It never slowed her down a bit, though she did have to use her paws to manuever a bullystick, etc. to a spot where upper and lower teeth would meet. BTW, she had annual dentals thereafter and didn't loose any additional teeth. Lois

I'm getting some good news from the adopter but it's second hand info (filtered through DH). Don't have specifics, but it appears the dog is doing much better today. She's still "in patient" at Broad Ripple, but the vet says that it's not the end of the line for her. He says she has kidney disease, but not "failure" and that her condition can be handled through medication and diet. The family is just ecstatic! Thanks for your help!! Lois

Just got word from the adopter up in the Indianapolis area. They took the dog immediately to Dr. Neumann (thanks, Burpdog), who says she has kidney failure! I don't know the level of failure she's experiencing or the prognosis, but at least you helped them find a vet who could figure out what is wrong with her. Thanks! Lois

Thanks, Diane. We've already passed this info on to the adopter. I don't have any background on the dog's past testing, etc., but we'll post an update if they get back to us with more info. Lois P.S.: Thanks for the reminder. I'd forgotten about the pinned Vet List.

One of our members has moved to the Indianapolis, IN area (Greenwood, actually). His Greyhound (I think she's 6 or 7 years old) is very sick. He's taken her to a vet up there twice and he/she doesn't have a clue what's wrong with her. She's lost about 15 pounds and now she won't eat at all. Mike called the GPA/Indianapolis number and left a message. Do any of you have any recommendations? Lois