DaisyDoodle

If you're using a sweetened syrup, please be careful that it doesn't contain any sweeteners that are harmful to dogs.

I just realized that Bill passed on what would have been the 100th birthday of my favorite aunt. Bill, darling, will you please look for my Aunty Dot for me and give her a big kiss? Thanks. I bet she'll have some cookies for you.

I'd want to know about diabetes, Cushings, and kidney disease.

I'm so sorry.

A fourth was lost and, happily, found. I have been dwelling on these four cases for days. What can we do about this? I know a broken fence was involved in one of the cases. Crates? Benadryl/sedatives? Can folks who have successfully made it through large storms like a hurricane please list ways you've kept your dogs safe and calm?

Please send the bill to the landlord. She can work it out with the tenant. Additionally, take the dog back to the vet for the additional tests that were needed and send that bill to the landlord as well. Your dog should not suffer, and you shouldn't be stuck with the bill. You shouldn't have to go after the tenant or the "friend". It's the home owner's responsibility. Ask her to pay the bill. If she refuses, ask for the name of her home owner's insurance. Her insurance will pay.

Did I read it here a few years back, that someone tried to burn off a tick and it turned out to be the dog's nipple? OuCh.

Yes, I've seen jaundice firsthand in Daisy a couple of years ago. Since Daisy is white, her "armpits" looked like the fatty bits on an uncooked chicken. Her ears and eyes were also yellow. She had an acute liver issue, but we never found the cause. Her blood wasn't clotting right either, so they didn't do a liver biopsy because they worried about bruising. Some of her blood values were off-the-charts bad. She spent four days in ICU at the e-vets. It cost $2,200. We had an abdominal ultrasound done recently, and she has some residual scarring on her liver from the event. She also has early stage kidney disease, which I think might be related to that event, but I'm not certain if the vet said that or if I made that up in my own head.

Wonderful news!

There are some meds that will make dogs whine. After eight weeks, I would consider discontinuing the meds for a few days to see if that helps. When does the whining occur? If when getting up and down, then I'd assume discomfort. Otherwise, I'd suspect it's a side effect of the medication. What pain meds are you using? I have used acupuncture for my dogs and it works. I've never been asked to leave the room for acupuncture. Who is going to hold the dog still for 15-30 minutes so the needles stay in? Daisy does let out the GSOD when she gets acupuncture, which freaks out the poor vet, but she (Daisy) gets over it after a minute. I get acupuncture too. It works for lots of different things. It's just amazing; I love it.

If someone hasn't mentioned it, a good way to get rid of the "toxic pee" is just to run the hose or pour water on the spot where he pees. It will dilute the drug residue and/or drive it into the ground. BTW, 25 mgs is a small dose. IIRC, Cosmo was getting 50 mgs when she was being treated for lymphoma.

Before assuming this is SA, I'd rule out all other medical/physical reasons. I would check for worms & other "yukkies" that can cause problems. I would do allergy tests to rule out allergies that cause stool/incontinence problems. I'd also do a neuro work-up to insure that this isn't a problem (such as degenerative myelopathy or lumbosacral stenosis) which can affect nerve functioning, particularly in the hind end. Then, I'd try to find solutions based on the results. I'd start with acupuncture (which can help hind end weakness, anxiety, and probably food allergies as well), and a food for dogs with allergies. If your pup has hind end weakness, it might be a problem to be left on an uncarpeted floor. I know I have had dogs where stools fell out when they struggled to get up. Several piles in a row suggest to me a weak dog that can't stand/squat very well. The camera might help you observe this.

Dr. Bazar doesn't have a fancy office & it's not a greyt neighborhood, but on the upside (big upsides)--he doesn't require appointments--it's all walk-in, there are evening and Sunday hours, meds and dog food are at least 20% less than every other vet AND they give an additional greyhound discount (remind them though because otherwise they usually forget to give it) as Dr. B's mom was the adoption director at Lincoln. Can't say I love the other vet. Met her yesterday. She basically said to come back when Dr. B was around because Daisy is one of his patients. Barely looked at Daisy, gave us meds, that was it.

I'd give Dr. Radcliffe a call in Wheeling. He's an orthopedic surgeon, Wheeling track vet, pain management specialist and greyhound owner. He will almost certainly help you via phone to get a handle on palliative pain management. I'd ask all the vets about fentanyl patches. It's a synthetic opioid. Especially, try Mylan's generic. Drug is mixed with adhesive so drug reservoir can't break and give an overdose. Also, being generic, it's cheaper than Duragesic (brand name fentanyl.) Gentle hugs to your pup.

Judy, I'm so sorry Jilly isn't feeling well. Regarding pilling her--tramadol tastes awful from what I understand and really needs to be completely encapsulated in something that tastes good. If there's a gap, I can't convince my pup (and formerly Lucky too) to take it. As far as peanut butter is concerned, if you were using conventional peanut butter, it likely contains corn syrup, which may not agree with her system. If you haven't already, I'd try organic peanut butter that is just peanuts. Have the vets looked up Jilly's nose with a scope? Is there any possibility that there's a foreign body up there? I guess I'm grasping at straws, I just feel bad for the little peanut. Please give her a kiss for me.

Have the vets check for a UTI. Also have the specific gravity of the urine checked which can indicate kidney problems and other issues. Incontinence combined with excessive intake can also indicate diabetes or Cushing's Disease (possibly also Addison's, which is the opposite of Cushings, but not sure if incontinence is a Sx of Addison's). Don't assume spay incontinence until you've had everything else ruled out.

Claudia, I am so very sorry for your loss. We were honored to have the opportunity to meet Ekko and your pack when you first came to RI. Ekko was so good, and quiet, that day, I think she was trying to make you look like a fibber. "Me, eat TP? Why no, never...." (Of course Daisy had to install herself under your hand to be petted nonstop....)

If you are in western PA, please consider going to Dr. Radcliffe's in Wheeling. While he's an orthopedic surgeon, he's also a greyhound owner and has incredibly reasonable rates. If you are in his area give his office a call and see if they can help you. If you can't reach him, let me know. They lost phone service with the wicked weather we had Friday night. I can reach his office on FB or with other phone numbers I have. If you need a ride, let me know. I'm in the area this week.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I would get another opinion also. If you feel you can't afford her care, please consider returning her to your group or ask if they can assist you. That seems better than eurhanizing her. At the very least, I'd let the group know about the problem spay in case they are still using the vet who did it. I personally feel like its that vet's responsibility to cover these expenses. Contact OSU and ask their advice. Good luck.

Size of an almond to a grapefruit; feels kind of like a hard-boiled egg or a bit softer. Not as soft as a lypoma (fatty tumor, not cancerous). They are in specific places: under jaw, in front of chest, in "arm pits" behind from legs, back of knees on back legs, and in groin, way up in tuck area. There are probably many more, but these are the major ones, IIRC. If in jaw alone, especially only one lump may be a blocked salivary gland rather than lymph node. There can be other reasons for nodes to be enlarged, especially local causes such as infection.

DaisyDoodle--I understand what you are saying- the pred use prior to chemo is actually a recommended protocol (CHOP-actually pred use is considered a chemo drug here) --what I was referring to -the pred may alter the path results. There are immunoassay's that pred may alter. Bottom line -yes, treatment needs to be within your comfort range but, an oncologist needs to be consulted with so you cn decide how to proceed. Keep us posted ok? It didn't occur to me that diagnostic tests would be affected. Or, that the tests were done after pred was started. FWIW, the pred could be causing the panting, if panting started only after pred. It will cause panting, increase water consumption and urination; and, if used long-term, muscle wasting. Be sure to only use pred every other day for long-term use; otherwise it will cause iatrogenic (medically-induced) Cushings. Also, please see posts on Circle of Grey for more info on lymphoma.

At one time it was thought that prednisone shouldn't be started first, but Dr. Couto has conducted a study that has shown otherwise. To the OP--I would talk with your vet about pursuing chemotherapy if that's something you want to pursue, then talk to an oncologist and/or Dr. Couto. Some GP vets will perform chemo, while others won't. Some forms of chemo are pills and fairly easy to administer. IV meds are more complicated and more expensive. In the end, do what's right for you and your dog.

I'm so sorry to hear about the lymphoma diagnosis. My Cosmo had lymphoma and had two different chemotherapy protocols. She lived 28 months after I first found her nodes enlarged, and passed at 14 1/2 but not due to cancer. There are several different treatment regimens for lymphoma. Has your vet discussed them with you?

I'm so sorry.