Guest greytchloe Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Yesterday I was giving my girl, Chava, a bath, or actually a ahower. About ten minutes in, she almost toppled when I ran my hand along her lower back. I then saw that she was leaning against the wall for support. I didn't think it was terribly odd, until she then started to have difficulty staying standing. It was as if her back legs were just giving out--the knees would start to bend, butt start to sink...I tried telling her to sit, cause I thought that was what she was trying to do, but she apparently didn't want to sit. She did a fall/sink into a sit, then fumbled around and got up, then repeated the process. It was like she couldn't stay standing, and was pretty alarming. Not knowing what to do, I turned the water temp to almost cold, thinking maybe the warm water had her muscles too relaxed, and rushed to rinse the soap off. When we finished, and I was drying her, she still seemed a little weak, but it wasn't as bad. She ended up lying down while I dried her, but that's not terribly unusual cause she has a lot of fur and drying takes a while. Has anyone else had a similar experience? The suddenness, and acuteness of it all had me pretty freaked out. She has shown mild signs of weakening in her hind end, like trembling after a good walk, and she is 11, but nothing this extreme before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Common in bathing a greyhound of any age. Helps somewhat to keep water temp only barely warmer than room temp, and work fast. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyWrangler Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 it happens a lot. I have had several greys do this. Quote Nancy and Grace - Andicot 2/1/07 Solo - Flying Han Solo 3/20/11 Missing: Murphy, Shine, Kim, Sprite, Red Dog, Lottie & Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I'll switch to slightly cold water when bathing Rainy if she starts to sway a bit. They get overly warm quickly. Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Yup, sounds normal to me. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonsmom Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Has happened with each of my greys; in varying degrees.. more so as they older. Since I bathe them in MY tub.. (or I guess it's actually "our" tub since it's their spot too,) I have enough room to kind of straddle the side of the tub. Then if starts to look like someone's getting "Bambi legs" I'll put my knee under them to help support 'em as I quick finish up then dry 'em off. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest twoskinnydogs Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Funny you posted this, I gave mine a bath yesterday too......both of mine do it, actually I have to hold up my male because he will lay down.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifthounds Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Common in bathing a greyhound of any age. Helps somewhat to keep water temp only barely warmer than room temp, and work fast. And some are more sensitive to the warm water, with no relation to size/strength of the hound. My big, strapping Prancer would sink if the water was just a bit warm. My Vixen, who has LS, doesn't have the issue at all ( and she hops into and out of the tub on request). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytchloe Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Thank you all so much, it is such a relief to hear that this is "normal". Interestingly, its never happened with any of the 3 greyhounds I've bathed. Guess I had oddballs, or have just been lucky! She's been having other issues, so this 'new' thing had me a little freaked out. Big exhale now... Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Isn't it wonderful when something you are so worried about... turns out to be nothing? Phew. Breathe now! Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Don't know if it's true or not, but someone once told me that the warm water can cause their blood vessels to expand rapidly, thus reducing their blood pressure and making them wonky and dizzy. Of my five I have two that just collapse in any warm water, the others seem fine. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lizmego Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 "normal" isn't really the term I would use. Everyone needs to be really careful about using too warm/hot a temperature when bathing their greys. Unlike other breeds, greyhounds don't have the body fat and undercoat of fur to regulate the temperature of their bodies (thus the wearing coats when cold out). Same goes for overheating. When bathing use LUKEWARM, or it almost feels cool temp to you when bathing your greyhound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Sorry, but I lol'd when I read the title...my Bella does the same thing, even under luke warm water I Quote Greyhound Collars : www.collartown.ca Maggie (the human servant), with Miss Bella, racing name "A Star Blackieto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 We were warned about this when we picked up Summit because I mentioned we would be giving him a bath pretty soon since he smelled like the kennel. On another note, I have been known to faint in the shower on numerous occassions. The combination of the warm water and the steam (lack of oxygen) makes me pass out. I keep the water from getting too hot, and I often leave the shower curtain open half way to provide oxygen. Summit doesn't have this problem. We took him to a carwash place that also has a "dog wash", and the water was almost hot. I was a little worried, but he had no problems. Probably helped that it was almost November so the air was cold. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smiley Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Ours have always done this, especially Smiley. I think keeping the water just warm enough to keep her comfy is perfect so she's not too cold and doesn't get overheated. We found a Paw Wash near our home and having lots of open space around the bathing tub (but each bathing area has it's own gated space so it's completely secure) has helped. It's almost like have more air circulation helped somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBass Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Of my 3, one does this. Even with the use of tepid water, Piper's legs appear to turn to rubber and I gently assist him as he collapses into the bottom of the tub. He is always just fine once the bathing part is finished. Interestingly enough, he didn't do this rubber legged collapse during his pre-Sandy Paws bath this year. I'm not sure what made the difference because I've always been as careful with water temperature as I was this time. Piper collapses into a miserable heap in the tub. Spirit spends his bath time trying to climb over me to get out of the tub. MoMo just leans her soggy self as close as she can to me. Quote Lucy with Greyhound Nate and OSH Tinker. With loving memories of MoMo (FTH Chyna Moon), Spirit, Miles the slinky kitty (OSH), Piper "The Perfect" (Oneco Chaplin), Winston, Yoda, Hector, and Claire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 We've been telling and telling and telling you humans -- NO BATHS! What does it take to get it through your stubborn heads???? Poor innocent greyhounds collapsing in the cruel, hard basin of torture and possibly conking our delicate little heads??????? Indignantly, on behalf of greyhounds everywhere, Nutmeg and Romie Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest StriderDog Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 It's like trying to wash a drunk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Same thing happens to Sid at hydrotherapy! The hydro guy says it's normal for pretty much all breeds, although this pool is at a greyhound racing kennel. The water is very warm, but Sid shows no sign of discomfort while he's actually swimming. The guy checks his pulse regularly and makes him rest on his knee every ten minutes or so. Sid swims very strongly with no panting, so he's not actually overheating (I did worry about it at first), but when he gets lifted out he has completely useless legs. Hydro guy lays him down carefully on a rubber platform at the poolside and lets him rest for five minutes before carrying him to be dried. Lays him down again in the towel area, dries him off and checks his pulse again and just waits for him to be ready to stand. First week, he had to be carried to the car, laid inside his bed and lifted out again and carried into the house when we got home. After three sessions, he was carried to the car, but jumped in, and out again when we got home. Now he trots out of the pool building and jumps in the car, perfectly normal. I guess partly it's just a case of getting used to it, but you certainly want to make sure the water isn't too close to his body temperature, and definitely not above it, IMO. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 /hijack How is Sid's swimming therapy going? Notice any results, either way? /end hijack Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 /hijack How is Sid's swimming therapy going? Notice any results, either way? /end hijack Yes! He's a lot less stiff generally, and finds sitting down and getting up easier - it looks like a much more fluid movement. Thanks for asking! And he doesn't look pop-eyed and anxious in the water anymore, either. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2dogs4cats Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Interesting. All my greys have done this, so thought they all did. Looks like there are quite a few that can stand a bath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Elaine Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 First time this happened to me, way back when, I thought I killed my dog by giving her a bath! Now, whenever we put a hound into a home, I tell the people that this happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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