Guest WorriedGreyAunt Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Hi all... I am desperately seeking anyone that can help me with this situation ASAP. My sister adopted her greyhound, Spartan, 3 weeks ago. He is 7 yrs old and a retired racer in JAX Fl & Colorado (only 2 im for sure on...more i cant recall now..). My sister adopted him from the top animal specialty hospital in Charlotte NC. After retirement, Spartan had been used as a blood donor for several months until he was adopted by my sister. Apparently the blood is used for some study being done- its made into a serum or something & then used to treat & possibly cure doggie cancer! Apparently only greyhounds have this special type of blood that can be used, & the vet said that many greyhounds go thru this before adoption? Please forgive me for not knowing details.. I am just going off what info ive been given. My sister has had to take poor spartan to the vet 4 times in the 3 weeks she has owned him, finally back to the specialty hospital tonight where he is being kept on overnight IV- she was told he was really really dehydrated & looked like it could be kidney failure. My sister has called me in hysterics tonight over having to leave him. the 2700.00 in vet bills alone in 3 wks hasnt even dampened her optimism until tonight. They told her if he dies overnight she will have to have atleast 1500 in the morning.. they didn't even sound hopeful at the hospital! a month before finding Spartan, her world was turned upside down in her personal life & we all considered him a blessing in her life. She has NEVER owned any type of dog before (a cat once..) but we all thought it would be good for her now, and she felt by adopting spartan they were saving each others lives... She waited 3 MONTHS for him!! being dragged along until the last minute - she kept being told that he wasnt ready to go yet. **MY BIGGEST CONCERN** is that she has gotten so attached in just 3 weeks for what?!? They do background checks, references, & know every in & out of her personal life before granting the adoption- but then they turn a dog they know is sick to someone who has never owned a dog before- especially a specialty dog like a greyhnound?? IS THERE ANY KIND OF PROTECTION OR ANYTHING FOR OWNERS THAT ADOPT AND LOSE THEIR NEW LOVED ONE IN LESS THAN A MONTH??? Like i said, im lost on this whole greyhound thing- but i found this website and knew i had to at least try and explain & ASK FOR HELP - please if someone doesnt mind to respond that would be great.. any insights are appreciated!! Thanks so much from myself, my sis, & my nephew Spartan Quote
Guest Energy11 Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not able to answer this, ... The Adoption Group is THE BEST resource you have, at this point. THEY know about this dog, and hopefully can help! Update them on everything you wrote here, and go from there. This Kidney Failure could be ACUTE, meaning, it will NOT last, and it CAN be fixed! Sending undying love, hope and many prayers! Dee and The Five Quote
Guest PhillyPups Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 I have no answers for you, but will send you a Quote
Guest PhillyPups Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 A few basic questions: What are his blood levels? What are his symptoms? Who did she adopt him from (a group or the hospital)? Thanks. Quote
macoduck Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 It makes me wonder if they drew too much blood from him too frequently for their own studies. Is the same clinic that is treating him now the same one that used him for months? I am going to give the heads up to some other greyhound owners in the Charlotte area for you. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt.
Guest Adrianne Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 I don't have any answers either, but I'll be thinking about Spartan and praying for his recovery. Quote
CaliforniaGreys Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Any chance you can get the labs? Like the #'s for Creat and BUN? I think it was Dee who mentioned that it doesn't have to be kidney failure, could be kidney disease and treatable Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless
ahicks51 Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Check with the adoption group to ensure the hound is being treated by a veterinarian familiar with the quirks of greyhounds. Quote Coco (Maze Cocodrillo) Minerva (Kid's Snipper)
Guest WorriedGreyAunt Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Thank you everyone for your quick responses and support. I am blown away at how quickly your community has responded to spartan's situation. I am going to speak with my sister first thing in the morning and see if i can get some answers to the specific questions you asked. I wish I was able to know more off hand, like i said.. just a very worried aunt What I do know from the questions asked from some of you were: Yes, the Vet Emergency Clinic he is at now is the same clinic where she got him from. They dont specialize in strictly greyhounds, but are known for specializing in unique & "special" animals. It is the same clinic where she received him from a few weeks ago & worked with the entire time trying to get the adoption. I know that after she initially got him, she was taking him to a vet closer to her house. She was shocked to find out the nurse there had actually worked breifly at the clinic while Spartan was undergoing his blood treatments & knew exactly who he was when they walked in. ...But when she did his blood levels today, my sister said the nurse came back in the room with big tears in her eyes and said she needed to take him back to the Emergency Vet Specialists ASAP... which worried my sis even more. Again, I will try to find out more info.. anything you guys can help with would be great. My sisters email address is michelle_barrett9@yahoo.com - any support or info you guys could shoot her way would sure be apprectiated & a blessing!!!! she has no idea i have come on this site and posted anything.. im sure she will be relieved there is a community at her fingertips ready & willing to help! Gotta love those Greys Thanks again guys.. Mel Quote
Ragsysmum Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Very best wishes coming over from the UK for Spartan and your sister too. Fingers crossed he can make a good recovery and enrich your sisters life for a long time to come. Quote Sue from England
Guest IrskasMom Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 I am so sorry to hear about Spartan. Mel, your best bet is to turn to your Sisters Adoption Group and tell.I am glad you came here to Quote
robinw Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Both Sparky and your sister are in my thoguts. Hoping for a full recovery. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19.
Guest trevdog Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Sending good thoughts, please keep us updated.... Quote
Guest scfilby Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Aside from the worry about the pup, if this dog is at the same clinic where she adopted him from, and they are charging her, there is something very not right.. Every adoption group that I know of accepts responsibility that you are taking home a healthy pup. I am sorry to hear about this, these greys have a way of taking over your heart in a very short period of time, and I am sure your sister is devastated, but if this were my sister, I would council her on insisting the clinic not charge a dime if the pup had issues prior to the adoption or because of the trials. Your sister took home a hound to help her heal, and to give a needy dog a home, she does not need financial burdon on top of greif and more grief... Quote
Guest TBSFlame Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not able to answer this, ... The Adoption Group is THE BEST resource you have, at this point. THEY know about this dog, and hopefully can help! Update them on everything you wrote here, and go from there. This Kidney Failure could be ACUTE, meaning, it will NOT last, and it CAN be fixed! Sending undying love, hope and many prayers! Dee and The Five That's the problem, she didn't go through an adoption group. Quote
Charlies_Dad Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 I wish there was more we could offer as there are some very savvy Grey owners here but they would need more info on the bloodwork. As for the hospital that Spartan is at, it is worrisome that he's back at the same place, a second opinion is always a good thing to get. Perhaps somebody from the Charlotte area has suggestions of another e-vet they can recommend? Prayers for Spartan and your sister. I hope he can turn the corner. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl.
Guest TBSFlame Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Hi all... I am desperately seeking anyone that can help me with this situation ASAP. My sister adopted her greyhound, Spartan, 3 weeks ago. He is 7 yrs old and a retired racer in JAX Fl & Colorado (only 2 im for sure on...more i cant recall now..). My sister adopted him from the top animal specialty hospital in Charlotte NC. After retirement, Spartan had been used as a blood donor for several months until he was adopted by my sister. Apparently the blood is used for some study being done- its made into a serum or something & then used to treat & possibly cure doggie cancer! Apparently only greyhounds have this special type of blood that can be used, & the vet said that many greyhounds go thru this before adoption? Please forgive me for not knowing details.. I am just going off what info ive been given. My sister has had to take poor spartan to the vet 4 times in the 3 weeks she has owned him, finally back to the specialty hospital tonight where he is being kept on overnight IV- she was told he was really really dehydrated & looked like it could be kidney failure. My sister has called me in hysterics tonight over having to leave him. the 2700.00 in vet bills alone in 3 wks hasnt even dampened her optimism until tonight. They told her if he dies overnight she will have to have atleast 1500 in the morning.. they didn't even sound hopeful at the hospital! a month before finding Spartan, her world was turned upside down in her personal life & we all considered him a blessing in her life. She has NEVER owned any type of dog before (a cat once..) but we all thought it would be good for her now, and she felt by adopting spartan they were saving each others lives... She waited 3 MONTHS for him!! being dragged along until the last minute - she kept being told that he wasnt ready to go yet. **MY BIGGEST CONCERN** is that she has gotten so attached in just 3 weeks for what?!? They do background checks, references, & know every in & out of her personal life before granting the adoption- but then they turn a dog they know is sick to someone who has never owned a dog before- especially a specialty dog like a greyhnound?? IS THERE ANY KIND OF PROTECTION OR ANYTHING FOR OWNERS THAT ADOPT AND LOSE THEIR NEW LOVED ONE IN LESS THAN A MONTH??? Like i said, im lost on this whole greyhound thing- but i found this website and knew i had to at least try and explain & ASK FOR HELP - please if someone doesnt mind to respond that would be great.. any insights are appreciated!! Thanks so much from myself, my sis, & my nephew Spartan A greyhound is not a specialty dog a greyhound is a dog that does require knowledge like many other breeds. A greyhound is not a difficult dog to have as a first dog. I have had a number of greyhounds and all have been very healthy. I am sorry she is going through this. I am sure the vet hospital did not know he was sick. I hope he will be okay and will pull through. If this was the same hospital that she got the dog from I would be talking to the owner of the practice before paying out $2700. Could the dog have gotten into something that made him sick. It is always best to go through an adoption group. There are several in the Charlotte area. I am sure he is receiving good care and for right now I will be praying for Spartan to get well. If he does he may need to eat a special diet. Keep us posted. Quote
Guest Swifthounds Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 If your sister has the blood results, she could fax them to a better specialty practice (even one out of state) for a second opinion. I say better only because this clinic raises a whole lot of red flags, both for their research, and for their aftercare. If I were a racing owner, I would certainly not want my dogs sent to someplace that would adopt the dog out to you and then when it's very sick in very short order and very possibly related to their "use" of him, tunr around and charge you that much. Something doesn't seem right. Quote
Guest JoeyUK Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Thinking of you all and sending our love. Quote
montgomery2524 Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 FYI - Charlotte satellite of Greyhound Friends of NC has contacted Spartan's owner. Spartan was adopted direct from a local Speciality Hospital who uses greyhounds as blood donors. We are working with Michelle to review Spartan's blood work and direct them to a greyhound savy vet. Quote Mom to Bella, Trinity, Cricket, DB, Dabber and Sidewinder As well as Gizmo, Miles, Pumba, Leo, Toby, Sugar, Smokey, Molly, Jasmine, Axel, Billy, Maggie-Mae, Duncan, Sam (MH King 2019), Bambi, Stella, Bay and "Gerty the cat" at the Bridge
Guest Adrianne Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 FYI - Charlotte satellite of Greyhound Friends of NC has contacted Spartan's owner. Spartan was adopted direct from a local Speciality Hospital who uses greyhounds as blood donors. We are working with Michelle to review Spartan's blood work and direct them to a greyhound savy vet. I am very happy to hear this. Quote
Guest meakah Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 FYI - Charlotte satellite of Greyhound Friends of NC has contacted Spartan's owner. Spartan was adopted direct from a local Speciality Hospital who uses greyhounds as blood donors. We are working with Michelle to review Spartan's blood work and direct them to a greyhound savy vet. I am very happy to hear this. Me too. Quote
Guest Swifthounds Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 FYI - Charlotte satellite of Greyhound Friends of NC has contacted Spartan's owner. Spartan was adopted direct from a local Speciality Hospital who uses greyhounds as blood donors. We are working with Michelle to review Spartan's blood work and direct them to a greyhound savy vet. Greyt news! Quote
Guest MyCody Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Very good news, someone needs to step up here, that hospital is not doing right by this greyhound or his adopter. Very sad to read something like this. Quote
Guest zoolaine Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Very good news, someone needs to step up here, that hospital is not doing right by this greyhound or his adopter. Very sad to read something like this. My thoughts exactly Quote
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