fionasmom

There is actually a third option you can discuss with your vet. Alternate prednisone with lukeran (sp?). The lukeran is chemo drug administered orally; it will slow down the progression of the lymphoma but will not result in remission. I used this option with my grey Fiona. She was diagnosed in April and I lost her in October. Honestly, I do not know that I would do it again though, she had a gradual decline and was not the feisty alpha she had been before the diagnosis. On the other hand I had a pointer I fostered who was diagnosed with lymphoma. We opted for just prednisone. The improvement was immediate and he was himself for a few months. When the prednisone stopped working it was immediately apparent and I knew it was time to let go. There is no right answer. You know what your dog will tolerate. Fiona just was not a dog that liked her schedule changed or for strangers to touch her. Chemo treatments were not the right option for her.

Is he crated at all? When Fiona first came home she crated most of the time. When she came out of the crate she went directly outside. She came inside only after she took care of business. Free time after coming in, then back in the crate. Gradually the time in the crate is lessened and free time is extended. Don't expect that he only needs to go out when you decide to walk him. He is probably giving signals he needs to go out but they are too subtle for you to notice.

Agree X2 with pumpkin and yogurt.

I have taken in several pointer fosters that come straight from shelters and have been very under weight. Definitely add a meal with extra protein such as chicken and some rice mixed with the kibble. Do his poops look normal? New fosters usually have soft yellow poop which seem a combination of poor quality food and stress.

My15 year old toy eskimo has no molars or canines and she still eats kibble for dinner. I feed the Iams green bag and get the mini chunks so there really isn't any chewing required. For treats I give soft treats like snausages.

I use a carabiner to hold the tags to collar. Tractor Supply Store has heavy duty ones that screw shut rather than spring close.

Jumping is a hard behavior to break. My pointer was an awful jumper when she was young. We were in obedience classes and tried several techniques (such as turning my back) with no success. I found that Nessa jumped up because she wanted attention. Bending down to give attention negated the need to jump and taught her that she can receive attention with "4 on the floor". Also I used the command OFF (different from the down command).

He looks like my bridge boy Andy. He was a big rangy guy about 85 lb. He ate 5 cups a day and no matter what,his backbone was always quite visible.

Definitely rule out a UTI. Fiona developed one a few months after I adopted her. She was housebroken but began peeing in her crate even after a long walk.

He needs a lot of different choices available at all times. Nyla bones are good. Maybe a puppy kong or a hollow bone filled with good stuff and put in the freezer. The cold will help soothe the teething. When you catch him chewing something inappropriate, give verbal correction and offer another option.

You might ask your vet about alternating prednisone with Lukeran. It will not cause a remission but will slow the advance of the lymphoma.

You might talk to your vet about alternating prednisone with Lukeran. Lukeran will slow the advance of the Lymphoma and is given in pill form. Feel free to pm me.

Oh My!!! She is stunning.

When I first adopted Fiona she had a raging case of hook worms that took forever to get rid of. Even after they were gone she continued to have very soft stool so the vet put her on Rx kibble. I don't recall the brand but it was made of peanut shells. After a month or two her stool firmed up and I transitioned her to regular kibble.

I have used both. Nessa gets her breakfast in the wobbler; it keeps her occupied while I have my coffee. I use the regular kong for settling her in her crate.

When Nessa was a puppy I fed her meals using three different treat toys. She would get frustrated with one and go work on another for a while. It would take her a half hour to eat her dinner and at the end of it she was ready for a nap. She is 3 now and will still bring me a toy to fill for her.

Ah yes. I raised an english pointer puppy (what was I thinking). I heartily recommned this one: http://www.amazon.com/Ourpets-DT-10504-Smarter-Toys-Inches/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1355411433&sr=8-5&keywords=dog+toys You can adjust the size of the opening to make it more difficult. We also love the Tug-a-jug. Very difficult. http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Premier-Buddy-Tug-A-Jug-Medium/dp/B000KV7ZGQ/ref=sr_1_65?ie=UTF8&qid=1355411642&sr=8-65&keywords=dog+toys You can fill the kong then plug the hole with peanut butter or cream cheese and throw it in the freezer. It will take them a while to work down to the kibble. Also, PetCo sells hollow bones about 3 or 4 inches long. They are cheaper than kongs and can be used the same way. Stuff with treats or kibble and plug the ends with peanut butter then stick in the freezer.

If the diagnosis is lymphoma talk to your vet about combining prednisone with lukeran. Fiona was diagnosed with lymphoma in April and was on the pred lukeran combination. I lost her in mid-September.

I second the suggestion of taking a sample for a test. My mutt's urine was clear when her kidney disease was diagnosed.

Fiona had the crystals. She was on the Hill's diet for about a month then went back to regular dog food with no future problems.

This was one of my first thoughts as well. Maya is an air snapper, and does sometimes do this when you stop petting her and she wants more. However, it's never accompanied by a growl, and I believe the OP mentioned that there was growling as well. I just wonder if it was really a growl or just some vocalizing due to excitement. The third incident really sound like an air snap so I wonder if the first two incidents should be reconsidered in that light.

Are you sure it wasn't just an "air snap"? Fiona did those when she was excited. In a dog you are not familiar with it can seem like aggression. The third incident you cited in particular sounds more like an air snap then an aggressive snap.

My pointer does well on the Iams green bag. I tried to switch her to something more holistic but she didn't do well; it seemed to be too rich. I have had several non-grey fosters and they all have done well on the Iams. Both BJs and Walmart price it about $1 per pound. Don't buy the 5 lb bag at the grocery store; it will cost about $3 per lb.

I'm so sorry you and your b.oy have to go through this. Unfortunately I have had 3 dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. Ask your vet about adding lukeran to the prednesone; lukeran and pred are given on alternate days. The lukeran is a chemo med give in pill form and slows the growth rate of the lymphoma. I don't recall the dosage needed. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

So very sad.