GreytNut

Things seem to be going south for Tiny. He suddenly has a lump on his shoulder. He's limping really badly. I'm slipping him way more meds than the vet recommended and it's still not helping. The bright, happy look has gone out of his eyes. He just looks sad and in pain. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. If he continues like this it might be time to say goodbye soon.

I am very sorry to hear about Wonder. Tiny is suddenly not doing so well. I've maxed out his pain meds and he's still holding his leg up off the ground so he won't accidentally put any weight on it. Every once in a while he yips. He's still eating and wagging his tail, so it's not time for him to go yet but I am concerned. Riley is young and full of energy and can be a bit of a bull in a china shop. He sometimes bumps or pushes Tiny in his enthusiasm, and I worry that he'll hurt him. Tiny seems to think the same thing, and I notice he's keeping his distance from him. Vet says he's maxed out at 100 mg Tramadol 2x daily, 50 mg Gabapentin 2x daily, and 1 1/4 tablet of 100 mg Rimadyl daily. I'm cheating and giving him 1 full 100 mg Rimadyl tablet 2x daily. Does that sound right? Vet says Tiny's down to around 73 lbs. and he shouldn't get anymore.

Tiny's doing surprisingly well. He's hanging in there. I haven't had to increase his pain meds again. I hope it lasts. We have a new hound in training to stand in for him as Raven's companion. Riley is going to have very big shoes to fill, so to speak. I'm glad we did it now and not later when I would be an emotional basketcase and possibly not make a very good decision. The new guy has some real issues, but Tiny is being very patient. He is unflappable. Tiny is so perfect. Whenever I start to get frustrated with the new dog and tell myself, "Tiny would never do this!" I have to stop and remember that Tiny did not start out perfect. He had issues too... some of the very same ones, in fact. It took time and patience to help him become what he is today. And the new guy will learn, too. I don't want Tiny to go.

That's probably exactly it. Our first greyhound Argus was in the habit of yelping if we stepped too close to his paws. It was as if he was either anticipating being stepped on or telling us that he was afraid we were going to hurt him.

Can't say for certain, because I give it at the same time as Tramadol. So it's not possible for me to tell which one works faster. I do notice a marked difference within 30 minutes, but it could be either/both medications kicking in.

These are capsules. The pharmacist said there wasn't any xylitol in the capsule form.

Tiny now has Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin on board. It seems to be helping a lot. He's now working on a CET chew with great gusto. There is noticeable swelling in his leg. I think those zoomie photos I posted in Cute and Funny (Linky) will be his last. Not sure I want to allow him to run, even if he feels up to it. If he breaks his leg or breaks his shoulder he's done.

I'm glad that Charlie, Lucy and Callie are doing well and things seem to be looking up for Dude. Tiny had his first bad day. Holy cow. Yesterday he was bouncing around like he didn't have a care in the world. Today he's not putting any weight on his leg. He's hobbling around and panting. I'm going to ask the vet for more pain meds. He started Tiny off with just Rimadyl, which was working fine until today. He said that when Tiny needs it he'll also prescribe Tramadol and Gabapentin to keep the pain down. He certainly needs it. So I'll be knocking on the door for those prescriptions as soon as they open.

Tiny had another good day. He played in the yard. Just once, while he was sleeping on the couch this evening, he suddenly started crying. Scared the bejeebers out of me... didn't know what to do. It passed and he went back to sleep. We're having to start the search for a stand-in for Tiny. I hate it. Don't want to look for another dog... Tiny is perfect. But Raven can't live as an only dog even for a very short time, and if we want someone cat-safe and confident we have to get the ball rolling now. Right now the group has an unusually large number of cat-safe dogs, and if we wait that might not be the case. We had to go through this with Argus, too. There was that frantic search for an appropriate companion for Raven, right at the same time we were dealing with his illness. It ended well--we got Tiny--but it felt almost like treason to be looking for another dog while he was still with us. I was afraid the adoption group would think we were heartless, but they understood and helped us find the right dog to fill Argus's "shoes" so that Raven would never be alone. Sucks that we have to do it again, though. Poor Raven. She will have outlived two of her cherished companions.

I have a medicated mouthwash for Raven that turned out to have some saccharin in it. Is that OK? She doesn't get much of it, just some swabbed over her gums with gauze.

I'm so sorry to hear about Sparks. It's good that you didn't have to go through that alone.

Best wishes to Lucy. Sounds like she's in for a few rough days, then things should be looking up for her. Hugs to Sparks. I am sorry he is doing poorly. Callie's wound does look somewhat infected. If so, a round of anti-bees should clear it up. Haven't tried artemisinin. Is it supposed to slow cancer growth? Where do you get it? I have a DSLR with video capability, but haven't tried the video feature. Usually I do still photography. I'll give it a whirl and see if I can get decent footage.

I am very sorry to hear about Trip and Ward. It's so hard to have to let go. Kari, when Argus stopped eating he perked up again when we offered Ballpark all-beef hot dogs. He just loved those things. They were good for sneaking pills into as well. Those hot dogs were the last thing he turned his nose up at. Tiny had a good day. The Rimadyl seems to really be helping and so far we haven't added the other 2 medications. Sometimes he forgets his leg hurts. The vet said not to restrict his exercise yet because the bone hasn't deteriorated much, so when the weather's good and he's feeling well I let him tear it up in the yard. He limps afterward, but he enjoys it. Lots of pictures are being taken now, while he still looks healthy and happy. I hope we have more days like this:

Thank you for the well wishes. Tiny has truly blossomed since he came home. He's gone from a morbidly obese dog who stood up on his hind legs to seize food from my plate and whose excited play biting frightened people and other dogs to a fit, happy boy who lies down to wait for his meals and politely greets strangers (human and canine) without a thought of biting. At first Raven was afraid of him because he would come up snapping if she ventured within several feet of him while he was lying down. Now they cuddle together on the couch and are best friends. He has accomplished so much. Mr. Mellow Silly half upside-down smile (he was cheating, using the back of the couch to support a roach)

Tiny has been limping off and on for a few days. I had a bad feeling about it. It was the same leg that Argus had osteo in, and although he could easily have slipped on ice or banged it on something, I just had that sinking feeling that something was really wrong. And there it was. That nasty black shadow on the x-ray, and little jagged calcifications protruding from the bone. Aside from a minor limp and a bit of swelling, he really doesn't seem to be in much discomfort. He's still playing, eating everything that he can get in his mouth and roaching on the couch. So we're starting off with Rimadyl for the swelling, and when that doesn't do the trick we'll add in the heavier stuff, probably Tramadol and Gabapentin. The vet felt that amputation/chemo wouldn't buy him much if any time and recommended managing his pain and spoiling him absolutely rotten. So that's what we'll do.

Just got back from the vet. Tiny has osteo in his shoulder. Crap. Crap. Crap. We are going the palliative care route. The vet suggested a combo of Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin. He isn't showing much pain right now, just some minor swelling, so we're starting with Rimadyl. As things progress we'll add the other two meds in and increase the dosages as needed.

Tiny (94 lbs.) gets 2 rounded cups a day--so call it 3 cups--and Raven (65 lbs.) gets 2 level cups a day, divided into morning and evening feedings. They're both seniors and don't do much running around, or it would be more. If one starts to look skinny I up the amount slightly, and vice versa if they start to look chubby. I throw a salmon oil capsule into the evening meal, and they get a chewie of some sort daily.

Oh, no! Not Gustopher P. Jones! I am very sorry to hear this. Your love for him shows in your tribute, and I'm sure he knew how much you adored him.

Are CET chews considered rawhides? I've given them to the hounds on nearly a daily basis for years without a problem. They break down very quickly and the hounds don't gulp them. We actually get them from the vet.

I had the X Large PetSafe door, but actually found it to be too big. The Large size works great and it lets less cold air (and other things) in. Most dogs will grab stuff that's left out on the counters if they can reach it, and I've never been able to reliably train them not to do it. It's just too tempting. I can get them to leave stuff alone while I'm around, but once I leave the house the rule of law doesn't exist anymore. The best (and easiest) cure for counter surfing is to never, ever leave stuff out on the counters.

It may have been the sudden grab for his collar that triggered the reaction. It sounds like he was tuning you out, and when you actually came over and grabbed him it surprised the heck out of him. That could easily trigger a violent response. The only time Tiny ever seriously bit me was when I suddenly reached out for his chest to push him away while he was crowding me (I was trimming Raven's nails and he wanted in on the action). I suspect that he thought I was going for his throat. As for his fascination with the hole, your guess is as good as mine. It sounds like maybe it's just good digging and good eating. Mine are both obsessed with eating potting soil. No houseplant is safe. Mmmmmm, dirt.

The strawberries were tiny and the plants weren't very prolific, so I don't think it had a chance to do much for them. However, I have a big sack of frozen strawberries doing time in the freezer. I foresee happy hounds, whether or not the berries have the intended effect.

Mine are bonkers for strawberries. Never guessed it would be good for their teeth. I will have to pick up a carton for them and see how it goes. Do thawed frozen berries work too, or is it only fresh? Tiny the strawberry thief, gently plucking a berry from Mom's plant just as it reaches the point of perfect ripeness. He would check the berries on this plant daily, patiently waiting until they were ready for me him to harvest. He taught Raven to do it, too.

Gable = son/grandson of the very prolific sire Gable Dodge or Dodgem by Design. Those dogs have a distinctive look, with long noses and great big Cleopatra eyes. I peeked at Memory's pedigree - he's not from that line, but he's got a bit of the look.

from frosty South Dakota. The elderly Prairie Dogs (Tiny and Raven) agree that there is indeed something special about those seniors. Your crew are gorgeous! Memory looks like a Gable pup.