Saffron

Before dentals or anesthesia we do a CBC. Actually that has worked out to about once a year for the girls but we have had a couple of lump removals. Twice a year blood test for the boy on pheno for seizures to check his levels. I think once they are seniors an annual check makes sense.

I have no idea, but I have to admire your dedication to your grey and your way with words

Nope. You are not alone or at all paranoid, IMO. We use harnesses here too for all the reasons you said. It does take some training and some (but certainly not all) hate the harness at first. We also used a barrier in the back of the SUV though when we only had one grey. I train them to lie down while wearing the seatbelt harness. This works in my Camry (limit 2 greys in the back seat). In the Forester: one in the back seat (she likes her space), and 2 in the *way back* cargo part -- the harnesses attached to the tie downs. An unsecured dog can become airborn in a collision and however carefully we drive anyone can have an accident. Just saying. Gillian Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murhy.

Alabama Rot Not much to add other than we are big fans of the Bite-Not collar and T shirt thing. If the long sleeved T shirt is the way you go, and it makes sense, cut up the back so that you can knot it on top of the back over the tuck. Otherwise they can get tangled. Best wishes for a quick recovery, Gillian, Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy P

Wow! This post pretty much covers it. Thanks, even though I am not the OP. I will continue to test annually. First, the cost of the test is a drop in the bucket of their overall medical costs (I have 3 kind of special needs greys), and second, we will be covered for treatment if we do year round and test annually (I just double-checked) . . . Gillian Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy P

The heartworm preventative is not 100% effective, and there is always user error. I do 12 months a year Sentinel because I'm always amazed by the fact that I can see 'skeeters in November and on a warm March day -- and I'm in Zone 5! This is my understanding -- The preventative can actually be dangerous if the dog has already got heartworm (if this is a myth I'd really like to know!) Therefore, vets insist on the test before renewing the prescription. Gillian Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy P

Good! I know he'll be well taken care of and you know him best Spritz bottles are good for cooling down, but there are also cooling coats -- or even a wet towel in a cooler! Have fun! Gillian

Yes, dogs cool off through panting and only sweat through their paws and noses. The Therapaws can get very sweaty. To be honest, my first reaction is to wonder whether Bodie will enjoy himself in the conditions you describe. Black *hot* dog, sore feet, asphalt, not much shade, and hot day. I don't want to sound mean, but if you do take him be very, very careful. Heat stroke can be very dangerous. Gillian, Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy.

Yes, surgery ASAP for the mast cell tumor. The aspiration is purely diagnostic -- and you already have the diagnosis! They might as well take the other lump off too while he is under, in case it also turns into something. Once it is off they will check with the Path lab to be sure the margins are clean and they got it all. Clean margins = peace of mind. You may be surprised by the size of the incisions when he comes home, but taking wide margins is good. We highly recommend the Bite-Not collar and a T shirt instead of an E-collar for recovery. Pilgrim had extensive surgery on her back for nerve sheath sarcoma removal but is doing fine today. Hope all goes well, Gillian Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy

Welcome from Harvard, MA (the town not that place in Cambridge ). Ruben was at GH-F for ages. I'm so glad he has a home! He looks just like a grey to me ... Other upcoming events in MA include the GAS Reunion in Westford on May 10, and the GH-Friends 2-day open house in Hopkinton on (I think) the following weekend. Reminders and directions will be posted on the events page here. Come with Ruben and meet loads of grey owners and greys, participate in fun and games, and realise that there are many accessories that you had no idea that you needed but absolutely have to buy! Gillian, Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy

Thanks, everyone! The video of Frazzle was excellent, thank you so much, and I'm very glad to say that Murphy sounds nothing like that! Yet. I am still concerned about the gagging on food, although moistening it seems to be helping. I have a permanent harness on order. Rest assured, I will be keeping a close eye on him and have already emailed his vet about my concerns. I may have mentioned before that I love my vet! She truly goes above and beyond for my greys. She thinks I'm being a little over-anxious, but is taking it seriously. Martha, I'll PM you. Don't worry. I think Murphy is 9 years young and want to keep him happy for years yet. I hope to see some of the MA/New England folk at upcoming grey events this summer too. Anyone else going to the GAS Reunion? Again, thank you all! Gillian

Naty, I think you may have met Michael's other "Murphy" brindle foster grey, not us! Michael has many, many fosters. I was certainly at the courthouse, but with my white and black girl, Catwalk, not brindle Mr Murphy. Catwalk and I worked the back of the crowd because we got there late due to traffic. My Mr Murphy is also a mellow sweetie. As a "Michael" foster he had another name. I don't want to outright specify it because no way in H double hockey sticks do I want his previous adopters to be able to track him down through the internet. Call me paranoid. Here is a clue to the previous adopters' name for him: R (cough) O (cough) double S. We changed his name to the first part of his racing name according to his tats. Heck, he already seemed to know the name Murphy but did not really respond to the other. Go figure! Yes, I am temporarily using his car seat-belt harness instead of a collar to relieve stress on his throat, but it is not perfect. I'm currently researching permanent harnesses. Any recommendations from your experience? Thanks! Gillian

As always, thanks to GTers for great responses. Having read thus far I'm feeling a lot less anxious, mostly due to the fact that you all are focusing on breathing issues. So far he is breathing fine. Mr Murphy also thanks you. He says that he has been a canine pincushion recently and, nice as the vet is, he wants me to quit taking him there for poking, prodding, dentals, ultrasounds and way too many shots! Little does he know that we are scheduled for another corn hulling next month. I'll talk to the vet again then about possible LP, and I'm willing to bet that she will advise me to keep a very close eye on his breathing as it gets warmer here in MA before going much further. As I said, that really odd bark (he honestly sounds like me with laryngitis) may or may not be a new development. We have no way of telling because his previous adopters left no forwarding address along with minimal vet records. Phone in pheno scrip renewal for 4 years? Wow! IMO that vet was skirting the law. The previous adopters did love him though. He is a complete confident snuggle bug. I am still concerned about the coughing and gagging and will try moistening his food at his next meal. I've avoided doing that so far because of his nasty teeth, but if it lessens the possibility of aspiration it is worth a try. Murphy is a happy loving squirrel chasing hound who roos brilliantly and has taught the girls to roo as well! He also recently passed his TD test. What a sweet senior dog. And a very special thank you to MP_the4Pack who seemed to read my mind and addressed all my concerns. Especially the how it is diagnosed part. I'll be talking to the vet! Gillian (who needs to change her GT name. It should be 2whitegreys and Murphy the brindle grey!)

I'm puzzling about what Laryngeal Paralysis really sounds like in the early stages, how it is diagnosed, and how urgently we need another vet visit? I just did a GT search and googled it (oh dear), but I thought someone with personal experience could expand a little on early symptoms. Murphy has a really odd husky bark and quite frequently coughs or gags while eating. We have already ruled out Bortadella. No sign of breathlessness, he can chase a squirrel out of the yard with the best and keeps up on walks. Last vet visit (2 weeks ago) I mentioned the cough again. Of course, he does not cough or bark at the vet's office so she has never heard it. She did not mention the possibility of LP, but is always open to input from me. A bit more info: Murphy is 9. He came here last November as a foster -- one of Michael McCann's Craigslist foster dogs -- and yes, we are proud to have failed fostering resoundingly with this sweetheart! He had very little vet care with his previous adopters per his vet records (they refilled his pheno scrip, but he had not seen a vet in 4 years) so we can't tell whether his bark has changed. In the last few months the poor boy has been brought UTD on everything and checks out very well other than a heart murmur. According to his ultrasound, this is minor mitral valve leakage. He is on pheno for mild seizures, but has never seized here. He came with a horrible mouth and found it hard to eat. I initially thought that this caused the gagging and coughing, but the teeth have been taken care of. He lost 5 teeth at his dental, but I wouldn't think that loosing a few teeth would cause him to continue to gag while eating. Murphy wants to say, "I doesn't need no more stinking vet visits thankyouverymuch!" I'm thinking that I'll switch him to a harness pronto, and check again with the vet ASAP. Or am I totally over-anxious? Perhaps I have "Hypochondria by Proxy," if that is a clinical term. Gillian Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy

Try a search on "stud tail" here on GT. Or even "bald spot on tail." I lack the savvy to post the exact links but I think a lot of us have asked this question! Bottom line: Nothing serious, just a gland, and a lot of greys have it. Take care.

Hi, and congratulations on your first greyhound! As others have said -- Drippy nose: quite normal when excited or stressed. Panting: could be nervous, hot or in pain. Pee: Well, it sounds as though that problem is probably fixed. Couch: Give him time to settle in. Once he's up there, the problem will be getting him off it Soft poops. This is a process of elimination and here is what I'd do in the short term: Talk to your vet and do a fecal to check for parasites (again?) -- worms do not show up in every test. You are doing the right thing to change foods slowly, but some foods don't work with all dogs. Rather than change again now though, add spoonful of 100% pure pumpkin (found in the baking section) or beet pulp to kibble of choice. Stop all other treats for the moment -- If he likes Kongs, use some of his breakfast kibble in them. If this doesn't work it is time to change kibble. I'm wondering if the rawhide isn't the culprit here? I am not keen on rawhide for several reasons, soft poops being one of them, potential for choking or obstruction and nasty additives being others. There are better tooth cleaning chews (raw bones come to mind. ) Good luck.

I am so sorry. For you and for Cricket. It is such a hard decision. You will know when the time is right to let Cricket go. Gillian

What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful dog. Fly free sweet Mattie. Free of pain, thanks to a wonderful Mom who knew when it was time to let you go, and made that incredibly hard, sad, compassionate and loving decision. I hope that some day, but only when you are ready, you will be able to share that love with another dog. The world needs loving adopters like you. Gillian

We consulted with Dr Couto for 2 hounds so far. No charge, and my vet is a total fan of his. He is a gem.

I remenber Spottydog with a whole lotta love. Such a sweetie. Gillian

Hi Gillian, Good to hear from you. And how is Stanley's favorite sister and his best girlfriend? And who is Murphy? Send some pics. Love, Anne-Marie, Stanley, and Dan Anne-Marie, I'm so glad that Stanley is feeling better. Catwalk sends her sisterly love to Stanley and Pilgrim sends girlfriend smooches! Murphy wants to meet Stanley soon. I think they'll like each other. Murphy is our failed foster! He is 9 years old with a mild (controllable with pheno) seizure disorder, horrid painful teeth (now dealt with), and corns. We agreed to have him "temporarily," . He decided to stay forever, and he is such a sweet, mellow, tall loving brindle boy, there was no way we could disagree! We don't know what we ever did without him. Photos are forthcoming because my digital camera and computer decided to die, and I'm working in the new ones. I'm so computer challenged! Gillian

Hey Stanley, stop worrying your Mom! Anne Marie, I just saw this and agree that he might just have a twist from running. If it does not resolve a vet check is in order. You are going over him with a fine toothcomb, I'm sure, but be sure to check his paws too for foreign objects. Love. Gillian, Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy

So glad Lady came through the dental and surgery so well. Hoping for clear margins. Doesn't she look sweet in that unitard? That and the Bite-Not should do it. Pilgrim endorses the Bite-Not. So much nicer than an e-collar. Please keep us updated on the path results. We are thinking of you. Gillian, Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy

Our positive thoughts are with you and Jane. Please update, Gillian

Any update on Lady? Hope she came through the dental and lump removal OK. Gillian, Catwalk, Pilgrim and Murphy