Sighthounds4me

Regarding TBDs: racing Greyhounds move around a lot. It's possible that, even if your dog raced in New Hampshire, he was whelped in a different state, and trained in yet another. There may also have been some races in yet a different state, that may not show up on Greyhound-Data. Therefore, testing for a multitude of TBDs, even ones that you'd never expect, is a wise idea.

I don't feel you need to defend yourself. We've been there, too. And unless the pain was cause by a fall or something like that, restricting his activity is not a bad course of action if you are financially constrained. Obviously, if you had access to some sort of pain reliever, that would be better, but what you are doing sounds perfectly understandable to me. You'll know whether he needs more than observation/activity restriction. You know your dog. I agree, this does not sound like an emergency, and I would not be able to justify the money it takes to get a dog into an E-vet, either. As long as you get him in early in the week, there's nothing to worry about, in the sense of making it worse. As far as the bumpy ribs, like everyone else said, it's probably normal. My old guy, Gunnar, had this too. He was 9 when we adopted him, and we assumed it was ribs that had been broken in some way. We mentioned it to the vet when we took him in the first time, and the vet said it was just the way he was constructed. Well, that's good, at least!

We had Gunnar on Deramaxx for a few months before his cancer diagnosis. He had arthritis, and Deramaxx helped tremendously for that. I can't recall the dosage, but, per the vet's suggestion, after a couple weeks of the full dosage, we were able to work him down to half the dose, daily. the biggest issue we had with him was stomach upset. When we encountered that, we stopped giving the Deramaxx for about a week, and he was fine. For his bone cancer, though, we gave Piroxicam. I was amazed at how well it controlled his pain.

Wow, my story pales in comparison to the OP, but here it is: Almost two years ago, in March, Manero cut his foot outside. I can't be sure what it was, but it was either ice, or a nail sticking up out of the deck. I heard a yelp, and went outside to check. I assumed it was Cooper, as he is always hurting himself, but Manero came to me with blood all over his foot. I rinsed his foot with saline, wrapped it tightly with gauze and vet wrap, and let him rest for an hour, hoping the bleeding would stop. When I unwrapped the foot later, it spurted - obviously an arterial injury. So, off to the nearest vet office (our usual vet is a 45 minute drive). Vet took a look at him, and informed me that he'd need surgery, for the damaged artery. She told me that she is not a surgeon, but called the surgeon to come in early. He has appointments starting at 3:00 (it is now a little after 2, and the injury occured about 1 pm). Fine. They stuck Manero in a cage, where he began to panic - I could see him if I chose, since he was in a room with windows to the public area. He was panting like a feight train, and his eyes were as wide as dinner plates. I called DH, to let him know, then called Manero's breeder, a former vet tech, whose hubby is a vet. She told me what I already knew - this is unacceptable. Take him home, and tell them to call when they are ready for him. I went back in, and asked about the surgeon's status at the desk - got the same story - he's on his way. It's now almost 3 pm. Fine, said I, give me my dog back, so I can take him somewhere that cares! They balked, but I did not back down. I wanted my dog to be cared for! So, they gave him back, and I got him into my truck. As I pulled out of the parking spot, a friend (and vet tech at this clinic) pulled into the lot. She stopped me, and asked what was up. I told her, then added that I was on my way to a different vet clinic - that a mutual friend owns. SHe told me she'd ca;; ahead. When I got to the second vet, our friend was waiting for me at the front desk. He ushered me right into an exam room, and got a different vet to take a look (it was actually his day off, God bless him!). She confimed Manero needed surgery, and referred us to the e-vet near our usual vet. ARGH! So, off I went. Got him there, and got a question about why he is unneutered. Then that was follwed up by "We should do a clotting test, if he's never had a surgery" I said no - he's got a severed artery, it's not going to stop bleeding easily. He has two neutered litter-brothers, a spayed litter-sister, and his mother was delivered c-section. If he has a clotting disorder, it would have likely shown up in someone else. So, I had to leave him. I told them, he panics when left without someone he knows in an unfamiliar place. I don't care if it's midnight, call me when he's ready to come home, and I will be on my way. We got a call about 6pm. He was out of surgery, but there was an issue. He thrashed as he was coming out of anesthesia, and threw himself off the table! I couldn't say anything - such negligence! I was shocked! Why do you let a large dog wake up on the table, rather than the floor?! And if you do, why don't you have enough people there to keep him on the table, should he wake up roughly?! Anyway, about 10 pm, we got the call that he was ready to come home. We went to get him, and he had had diarrhea in his run. There was blood in it. The vet wanted to do the clotting test again. I said no - he does this when he gets nervous. It's who he is! I got a dirty look, but she said nothing (good move, lady). Then I noticed that they had hacked the HECK out of his front leg for the IV. The feathering on the back was gone in about a 2" strip! I was PISSED, because I had told them not to cut more than they needed to. I guess I am just a paranoid dog show person who wants everything her way... Then when we got home, I unwrapped his tail, that they had wrapped in vet wrap - fine, there is a lot of long hair on his tail, that I'm sure got in the way. The wrap and his tail had diarrhea all over them! Thanks, staff! After I got it unwrapped, I realized that they had also trimmed the hair on his tail! WHY did they need to do this?!?! The injury was on his foot, for God's sake! I should have called, and written a letter, but I didn't. If something like this happens again, though, you can bet that I will at least stay at the hospital, and demand to be with the dog every second possible...

I'm so sorry!

Perfectly normal. To remove the scrotum would be far more invasive to the dog, and create a very large wound. As for the neuticles, I completely agree - the dog has no clue, and couldn't care less if he's neutered. They don't think of things like that like humans do. Funny aside about neuticles, though: A couple years ago, I heard a story about a dog show person who had a male with an undescended testicle. This person really wanted to show the dog, so had a neuticle implanted. (VERY unethicle, and illegal in the AKC). As the judge went over the dog, he looked up at the handler upon checking the scrotum, and said, "Three?" Apparently, the undescended testicle came down, just in time for the show! I don't know how true that story is, but I can see it happening!

I wouldn't worry about it yet. It's likely that she is shedding her "track coat," and that'll make her temporarily bald. What I mean by track coat is this: Because Greys are fed a very high protein diet for muscle building on the track, their coats are rough. Fuzzy, dry, and generally not in good condition. As they get a lower protien, higher fat food in a pet home, their coat will improve. But they need to shed the old stuff first...

Last fall, when I had a facial laceration, I had to be sutured. I can tell you that the lidocaine stings like MAD, but the numb feeling really does make a difference with sutures. There was one spot where the PA did not get enough lidocaine, and lemme tell ya, the suturing definitely hurts! (to the PA's credit, he did ask if I wanted more lidocaine, after he saw me jump. He said I only need two more sutures, so I said, "JUST GO!") BUT, mine were sutures, not staples, so that makes a difference. I know staples typically are less painful, since they are so quick...

You can try a kennel muzzle with a stool guard. But \my suspicion is that he'll bury the whole thing in the show, and letthe snow collect in the stool guard, and use it like a feedbag. Naples does this...

Interesting. Often, we do better buying our dogs' drugs at the pharmacy, whenever possible. Depends on what we need...

As for using the kennel muzzle to keep him from licking - place a stool cup in it, and use duct tape on the rest, so he cannot get to his feet at all. You can find one at Birdwell Enterprises, or check with your adoption group, to see if they have one available.

I HATE cleaning up after the dogs. HATE it!!! So, because we have a HUGE yard, I don't do it often, unless the lawn needs mowing. We are ablr to do this, not only because of the large yard, but the fact that our soil is very sandy and dry, so it sucks all the moisture out of the waste, leaving it dry and not stinky! BUT, Naples eats poop (so do the boys, but she then gets sick, and they don't), so we muzzle her with a poop cup. Works greyt!!

Vitamin E is fantabulous stuff!! When I had my injury last year (facial lacerations), it was recommended that I use bacitracin to prevent infection and keep it moist (to facilitate healing). It started to get infected anyway, so I tried tea tree oil and vit. E oil. Worked like a charm, and I have very little scarring to show for it!

Glad you're there for Raven. God knew what he was doing...

Our boys' breeder is dealing with that with their dam. She is now 11, and was 9 or 10 when spayed, so it's assumed tthat the tumors are malignant. Doc (owner and vet) is not planning to biopsy or remove the tumors, as he's afraid they will become much more aggressive. I don't think I'd do it, honestly, knowing that these things often get worse if messed with...

He's three months off the track? If so, this is NORMAL. He is going through a normal coat change, associated with getting onto a diet with less protien, which usually creates for a less sleek, shiny coat than on the average pet. This usually happens within about 6 months of retirement, so the timing sounds right. You can try supplements, if you'd like to hurry this process along, but it's probably not neccessary. When bathing, the Zoom Groom is a greyt idea, along with a very good shampoo (designed for dogs, not humans) that also has conditioners in it. You can also use a creme rinse (leave it on the dog for at least 5 minutes, after massaging it into the skin), and follow-up with a leave-on moisturizing spray (liberally applied, then massaged into the skin). My favorite line of dog shampoos and conditioners is Nature's Specialties, which is tough to locate, but GREYT quality. I like the Plum Silky shampoo, followed by the Aloe Remoisturizing conditioner, and the Quicker Slicker spray. Oh, and for a quick fix, often used by show people to prevent the inevitable flakes from recent bathing: a 50/50 mix of water and apple cider vinegar sprayed on, and massaged in. Then brush as normal.

I agree completely about spaying earlier than later, don't get me wrong. And I stand corrected regarding the height issue. But the difference in the look of maturity is not just opinion. And, often, the earlier a dog is altered, the longer the legs are, in proportion to the body, giving the appearance of a taller, less substantial dog. Again, though, this is all cosmetic, and while it would be my choice to wait, I encourage most other people to do the surgery as young as possible. It prevents so many problems...

It really depends on what you want. 6-8 months is average, and what I'd recommend for most people. The truth is, you really want to have it done before her first heat cycle (which can be as late as 2 for Greys), so you avoid the problems associated with that. In addition, there are studies that show a bitch is less likely to develop mammary cancers in later years, if spayed before her first heat. Personally, I prefer to wait till a large breed is at least 12-18 months old, because they look more mature once they've developed that far. The hormones produced by the reproductive organs dictate when the growth plates on the bones close, so without them, you'll have a narrower, taller dog (typically). BUT - that is ALL ABOUT the look, and most people din't care. Nor should they! It changes nothing about the dog's personality, trainability, etc. It's just my personal opinion, and truthfully, I feel you should schedule the spay ASAP.

I wouldn't think you'd need to use a specific brand name cranberry tablet. I would think it would cost more, and you should be able to just go to the local drugstore and buy any old cranberry tablet. I have been told, though, by a vet, that cranberry does little for dogs. I don't know how true that is, just throwing it out there. Cranberry is unlikely to hurt, though, even if it does not help, so it's worth a shot!

I agree. I have found that Capture works better. It's available at Sear's, and is less expensive than Nature's Miracle.

I always like yogurt containers or other disposable containers with lids that seal tight. Then you don't feel bad when the vet throws them away for you!

"Butt powder" Glad to hear she's on the mend, and soon to be a happier girlie!!!

Feet are tough - they bleed a lot. You can try styptic powder (aka Qwik Stop - the stuff you use on toenails), but that may sting. Otherwise you can apply lots of gauze and vet wrap, then a baby sock to vreate a ton of padding on the bottom of the foot. Hold the baby sock on by taping it to vet wrap wrapped around the leg.

I work for Banfield. We only started giving the lepto vaccination this year as lepto is now in our area. I agree that the plans can include overvaccination, but you have the final say. Tell them if you do not want a vaccination for your pet. It is your right, but you need to stay infomred and be an advocate for your pets as well as yourself when you go for anything medical. Ah, but this is the kicker! Most people do not educate themselves any better about their pets' health than they do about their own. They rely on their doctors/vets to tell them what they need, and unfortunately, there are those (in human medicine as well as veterinary) who will always take advantage of that. I do educate myself, and ally myself with eeducated friends. I I do my own vaccinations (except rabies, as required by law), and if something pops up in one of my pets, I research it, so I can make educated decisions, with the help of my vet. Ah, there's no law that says private practice vets can work only by appointment. We use a private multi-vet practice; believe there are 6 vets on staff, usually 3-4 seeing patients on weekdays, 2-3 on Saturday. There are no appointments. First come, first served except for emergencies and some types of surgery. You can ask to see a specific vet; on a really busy day you might wait a bit longer to do that but usually not. For ongoing things, two vets will generally work together and keep each other informed so that if you need to go in when one vet is off, the other can take care of you without having to learn the whole case from word one. Once or twice I've had to wait an hour to see the vet. Do I like that? No. But I can't tell you the number of times something has come up fast -- a UTI, a nasty sheath infection, an injury -- and I would not have wanted to wait several days or even to the next day for an appointment. I value the ability to be seen promptly far beyond the annoyance of the occasional longer wait. And, many vets keep an appointment or two open on any given day, to see urgent, non-emergent cases. Granted, those fill fast, but often, if it's something important, most vets will tell you to come on over, and work you in. I know my vet does that, though, thankfully, I've only rarely needed it!

If your adoption group routinely worms their dogs, you should not need to assume your new dog will have whips. However, even if they've treated, it's wise to have your vet do a fecal. Whips can be hard to get rid of. I agree with the three rounds of treatment, though. We've had whips here, and have found that they are TOUGH little buggers! In addition, the eggs will live in your soil for several years (nothing kills them - not even below-zero temps!), so you should make sure your monthly heartworm prevention works against whips, as well as other intestinal worms (I believe Interceptor is the only brand name that does so), and you should also treat monthly year-round. We had a Borzoi foster bring us whips. That was 2 1/2 years ago, and to date, we have not seen any show up in our resident dogs.