Keeping My Dog

[Batmom]

Not sure what you mean by bed sores. If she has open sores popping up, I'd get the vet to have a look and do a culture on those.

 

A treat ball (dog rolls it around to get little treats out) and a brief "obedience" training session are good ways to amuse a dog when the weather is bad. You only need @ 10 minutes of training (teach her how to shake hands or roll over or some such) to wear out their little minds and induce a nap .

 

Glad things are working out well!

[JAJ2010]

Easter egg hunt with kibble is always entertaining... Just start feeding her dinner across the entire house! Also clicker training or obedience training drains some mental energy.

[Guest happygrey]

Sorry for the lack of response, but I just wanted to take some time to step back and see how things go. For the most part, Ari has been a dream. I had exams this week, which meant that things were especially crazy, and she was content to just chill in my room with me while I studied. The only problem is that yesterday the weather went down to the low twenties and it snowed, so we couldn't take our usual walk. Ari was a lot more whiny than usual, which I assume is because she didn't get any exercise and I certainly don't blame her. It's so hard to entertain her indoors though, because she isn't particularly fond of toys. We have a fenced in backyard and so I went out with her and tried to get her to do some zoomies, but she would have none of it. I guess she just isn't a fan of the cold. Any suggestions for exercising a dog when you can't go outside?

 

My other question is about bed sores. When I first got Ari, she was covered in them and all but one on her elbow have gone away. I just noticed one that popped up on her lower hind leg that looks kind of nasty. Is this because her bed isn't fluffy enough, or is she not getting enough exercise?

 

Some good news. In August when my lease is up, I've arranged to move n with one of my vet school friends. She has a boxer whom Ari absolutely LOVES. I know it's a long time away still, but at least next year she will have some company while I'm at school My current living situation unfortunately has a one dog maximum rule.

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

Our Tatam came to us with serious sores on his elbows and they took a really LONG time to heal completely -- close to a year actually. We put bactine and neosporin on it but what it really took was time. Definitely be sure that Ari has a very soft bed. We splurged and got him a memory foam. That will go a long way to getting them to heal up completely. When they've got sores on their legs like that they can't lie on anything hard.

 

We tried wrapping his legs with bandages and vet wrap but he hated it and always got them off.

 

Some people recommend using Manuka Honey on these sorts of sores to help them heal.

 

Good luck! Glad she will have a canine companion at some point in the not so far off future. Hopefully that will help with her nerves.

[Feisty49]

I'm glad to read things are working out. August will be here quicker than we think and it will then be an ideal situation. Good luck with school!

[Guest Greyt_dog_lover]

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

 

As far as the stimulation, you could make a "lure pole" and take her out into the yard. If she has any prey drive at all, she wont mind the weather as long as there is something fluffy to chase. My lure pole is a 6' horse whip, with a taxidermy fox tail tied to the end of the whip. Whenever my hounds SEE the tail come out, they go nuts. You just throw it on the ground and start pulling it along. Once your hound takes the bait, whip it fast, believe me, they can catch it faster than you think. Do this for about 5 minutes, and your hound will be tired for the rest of the day.

 

Chad

[TheFullHouse]

It sounds like things are going very well. I have a young 2 year old hound who needs to go outside once or twice a day and run but then we don't have snow or ice on the ground. If you don't think her bed is soft enough, Costco has very cheap dog beds, they're very big and soft and sell for around $20.00. If you don't have a membership see if you can find a friend who does. Glad to see things are going well for you and August will be here before you know it.

[Guest Audeamus]

From one poor student to another, if her feet are kinda cold toodler socks make awesome make shift booties. Just like if she shivers a little, that band t shirt that doesn't quite fit anymore can be made into a make sure t-shirt/coat for her. Things sound like they're going really well for you now. I admit that when I first started uni (gasp) when I was 20ish (gasp) after I had gotten Gir my grey x dane puppy more or less (gasp) I had some moments when I felt like returning him. Or I had done a very foolish thing.

Luckily for us, just like you, we figured each other out and we're living to tell the tale. Gir has turned into the most lazy, happy dog I've ever had and doing school 8 hrs day ish (or 4 ish hours + a part time job) did not kill him or me, nor did it make me a terrible dog owner.

Try teaching her the shell game. I'm working on that with Gir (between essays ) and he's catching onto it.

Good luck! August isn't that far.

[Brandiandwe]

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

 

As far as the stimulation, you could make a "lure pole" and take her out into the yard. If she has any prey drive at all, she wont mind the weather as long as there is something fluffy to chase. My lure pole is a 6' horse whip, with a taxidermy fox tail tied to the end of the whip. Whenever my hounds SEE the tail come out, they go nuts. You just throw it on the ground and start pulling it along. Once your hound takes the bait, whip it fast, believe me, they can catch it faster than you think. Do this for about 5 minutes, and your hound will be tired for the rest of the day.

 

Chad

 

Just wanted to add.... brilliant idea. Will be implementing as soon as possible (and it means a trip to the saddlery, yay!)

[Guest budsmom]

suggestion for the sores - water treatment. Hold a warm, wet washcloth against them for 5 or so minutes 4-5 times per day. This brings the blood to the surface and works like a charm. I'd never tried it before my heart kitty got an abcess from a feeding tube - the sore was healed almost to nothing in a week!

 

Glad that things seem to be getting better. These guys are so wondeful - they repay your love a million times over. I'm sure you'll never regret working things through with Ari.

[Guest verthib]

Sorry for the lack of response, but I just wanted to take some time to step back and see how things go. For the most part, Ari has been a dream. I had exams this week, which meant that things were especially crazy, and she was content to just chill in my room with me while I studied. The only problem is that yesterday the weather went down to the low twenties and it snowed, so we couldn't take our usual walk. Ari was a lot more whiny than usual, which I assume is because she didn't get any exercise and I certainly don't blame her. It's so hard to entertain her indoors though, because she isn't particularly fond of toys. We have a fenced in backyard and so I went out with her and tried to get her to do some zoomies, but she would have none of it. I guess she just isn't a fan of the cold. Any suggestions for exercising a dog when you can't go outside?

 

My other question is about bed sores. When I first got Ari, she was covered in them and all but one on her elbow have gone away. I just noticed one that popped up on her lower hind leg that looks kind of nasty. Is this because her bed isn't fluffy enough, or is she not getting enough exercise?

 

Some good news. In August when my lease is up, I've arranged to move n with one of my vet school friends. She has a boxer whom Ari absolutely LOVES. I know it's a long time away still, but at least next year she will have some company while I'm at school My current living situation unfortunately has a one dog maximum rule.

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

Do you have a winter coat for her? That makes a huge difference for my girl. If she's warm she'll play. If she's cold she'll just whine to come in. Greys really need coats. Also for boredom can you get her a treat ball or bully stick? I'm glad you are still working on things with her and ate not giving up.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

I am a little confused about this, too.

 

 

I am in Ontario and we walk for an hour or more every day, no matter the temps, unless like today there is a blizzard, with high winds and heavy blowing snow.

 

My dogs all have coats (+ hats if needed) and they do not mind it at all.

[Guest sheila]

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

 

Really? Why would anyone assume that because someone is in TRAINING to become ANYTHING that they should automatically know it all? Now perhaps the OP does have other sources for asking medical questions, but I don't see anything wrong with seeking the opinions of an obviously knowledgeable group for their opinions. I've used products and protocols that my seasoned vet has not had experience with, based on things I've read on this board that have worked very well. My vet encourages this and welcomes my 'hands on' experience. I don't see how a student asking such questions could be regarded as anything but a genuine search for more knowledge.

[Guest PhillyPups]

If you need a big soft bed cheap, I have a Costco membership, pm me, I can share the info and you can order. Also their food is quality and about $23 for 40 lbs. I joined Costco for the dog beds and dog food, and Costco knows it, cause I tell them all the time. What I save on the beds and food pays for the membership in a months time.

 

Which one of you couldn't handle the 20 degree weather, bundled up and a coat on Ari and it should be no problem. Yes some even raced in the cold weather.

Edited January 14, 2012 by PhillyPups

[Greydawg]

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

 

Really? Why would anyone assume that because someone is in TRAINING to become ANYTHING that they should automatically know it all? Now perhaps the OP does have other sources for asking medical questions, but I don't see anything wrong with seeking the opinions of an obviously knowledgeable group for their opinions. I've used products and protocols that my seasoned vet has not had experience with, based on things I've read on this board that have worked very well. My vet encourages this and welcomes my 'hands on' experience. I don't see how a student asking such questions could be regarded as anything but a genuine search for more knowledge.

 

Ditto. (i.e. Well said, Sheila!)

Edited January 14, 2012 by Greydawg

[Guest Gemma]

In regards to keeping her entertained when it's too cold to walk her, I bought Peyton a Kong Wobbler, which saw us through all the snow last year. He loved knocking that thing around and it definitely kept him occupied.

[Guest Arielle]

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

 

Really? Why would anyone assume that because someone is in TRAINING to become ANYTHING that they should automatically know it all? Now perhaps the OP does have other sources for asking medical questions, but I don't see anything wrong with seeking the opinions of an obviously knowledgeable group for their opinions. I've used products and protocols that my seasoned vet has not had experience with, based on things I've read on this board that have worked very well. My vet encourages this and welcomes my 'hands on' experience. I don't see how a student asking such questions could be regarded as anything but a genuine search for more knowledge.

 

 

Thanks for the defense. I'm only a first year student, so basically I won't be having contact with actual live animals or practicing veterinarians for another year. If I were to have a question for a vet, I would have to schedule an appointment like any other person and pay however much for an exam. I did ask a veterinary products representative who works at my school, and she told me that it's difficult to keep large bony dogs like greyhounds from getting pressure sores, especially around the elbow area. Having never owned a large, bony breed before, I was simply curious to see if anyone with experience had any suggestions.

 

Thanks to everyone on the advice about beds! Ari currently has two beds and they are both from Costco and piled with blankets, so I'm assuming that it isn't the plushness of the beds that's the issue. She has a double fleece winter coat, and sometimes I put it on over her Christmas sweater for extra warmth, but she just isn't a fan of the cold. To walk her in the weather we've been having would require me to drag her the entire way (I've tried). Thankfully it's supposed to warm up tomorrow.

 

Thanks again!

[JAJ2010]

My girls frequently lay on the carpet or on the tiled kitchen floor (along with their sofas and dog beds) and neither of them have had any pressure sores. Pretty sure I would freak if they did get one! Maybe she has them from being in the kennel and they just take a loooong time to heal?

[DesiRayMom]

I've kept still throughout this whole debate, now would like to offer my humble opinion.

 

2 beds, piled with blankets, a double fleece winter coat somtimes over her xmas sweater......I think you love her.

And I hope that sooner rather than later, she comes to realize that you love her. Given the way she's lived, being

poked & poked; if it were I, I know durn well it would take me a while to believe that somebody really loved me.

 

How about some boots? Maybe it's her feet that hate the cold. Desi HATES cold feet. He'll go out with no coat, but if

the ground is frozen and/or snow covered, he better have those boots on, or I have to drag him.

 

Can't offer much advice about pressure sores, I've never actually seen one outside of an immobile dog in hospital.

Maybe some fish oil to get her skin in better condition? Desi gets these weird lesions around his nailbeds....we've never

figured out why, despite a bazillion tests, cultures, etc. I've been trying a new product from Duoxo...a weekly topical

of all things, that is touted to help skin heal. You can actually put a drop or two right on the lesion, and then apply the

rest topically, just like Frontline. I've used it for the past 4 weeks, and his feet do look better, but then I do so much

stuff for his feet that I really don't know if it's the Duoxo stuff, or something else.

 

I wish you much sucess with your chosen field, and hope that you & Arielle (love her name) can work things out & be happy.

[vjgrey]

she told me that it's difficult to keep large bony dogs like greyhounds from getting pressure sores, especially around the elbow area.

 

I've never heard this and have never had any pressure/bed sores on any of my three greyhounds.

[JAJ2010]

I've kept still throughout this whole debate, now would like to offer my humble opinion.

 

2 beds, piled with blankets, a double fleece winter coat somtimes over her xmas sweater......I think you love her.

 

 

:lol :lol I would just like to state that I did not point that out even though I really wanted to!

[GreytNut]

I'm glad things are going better. And thank you for rescuing her.

 

Riley was difficult at first, too. Among other things he yowled, howled and frantically paced all day while I was working (just downstairs in the basement) for the first couple of weeks I had him. I couldn't even go to the mailbox without him running to the garage and howling. He had learned that the cement floor in the garage amplified his voice like shouting into a megaphone, and used this technique to make sure I could hear him when I left the house... and so could the whole neighborhood. It was a particular problem because my calls are monitored and if the QA folks had heard a wailing dog in the background I could've lost my job.

 

Time, patience and alone training cured him. Within a few months I had an awesome, confident, happy dog. It sounds like that's what worked for you too.

 

You may find that you can use this valuable experience in the future. When you have clients whose new dogs are exhibiting behavior problems, and who are wondering if there is hope, you'll know exactly how they feel because you've walked in their shoes. And you'll be able to offer advice.

[Guest verthib]

<br />

<br />

Your in vet school and asking this board about a medical condition?

<br /><br />Really? Why would anyone assume that because someone is in TRAINING to become ANYTHING that they should automatically know it all? Now perhaps the OP does have other sources for asking medical questions, but I don't see anything wrong with seeking the opinions of an obviously knowledgeable group for their opinions. I've used products and protocols that my seasoned vet has not had experience with, based on things I've read on this board that have worked very well. My vet encourages this and welcomes my 'hands on' experience. I don't see how a student asking such questions could be regarded as anything but a genuine search for more knowledge. <br /><img src='http://forum.greytalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dunno.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />Thanks for the defense. I'm only a first year student, so basically I won't be having contact with actual live animals or practicing veterinarians for another year. If I were to have a question for a vet, I would have to schedule an appointment like any other person and pay however much for an exam. I did ask a veterinary products representative who works at my school, and she told me that it's difficult to keep large bony dogs like greyhounds from getting pressure sores, especially around the elbow area. Having never owned a large, bony breed before, I was simply curious to see if anyone with experience had any suggestions.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone on the advice about beds! Ari currently has two beds and they are both from Costco and piled with blankets, so I'm assuming that it isn't the plushness of the beds that's the issue. She has a double fleece winter coat, and sometimes I put it on over her Christmas sweater for extra warmth, but she just isn't a fan of the cold. To walk her in the weather we've been having would require me to drag her the entire way (I've tried). Thankfully it's supposed to warm up tomorrow.<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

It's not difficult at all to keep bony dogs from getting pressure sores.... we just need to make sure that they have soft beds everywhere they go... home, crates, visiting others, cars, etc.

[Guest happygrey]

suggestion for the sores - water treatment. Hold a warm, wet washcloth against them for 5 or so minutes 4-5 times per day. This brings the blood to the surface and works like a charm. I'd never tried it before my heart kitty got an abcess from a feeding tube - the sore was healed almost to nothing in a week!

 

Glad that things seem to be getting better. These guys are so wondeful - they repay your love a million times over. I'm sure you'll never regret working things through with Ari.

 

Sounds like this might be worth a try.

 

As someone who adopted a grey with pressure sores myself, I understand how hard it can be to get these to heal up since they are on them every single time they lie down.

 

As I mentioned before, we found that the key ingredient to getting Tatam's elbows healed was the passage of time, keeping them clean, and above all else keeping him on a super soft bed. That said they took a long time to close up completely, with one taking longer than the other (I think he often went down on that side). It did take a very long time.

 

However, once they are gone, they have not come back.

[kudzu]

It's not difficult at all to keep bony dogs from getting pressure sores.... we just need to make sure that they have soft beds everywhere they go... home, crates, visiting others, cars, etc.

I agree & feel that the person who stated this was giving inaccurate information. These would not be considered by us as "hard to prevent". Just go through the EEG section though & you'll see a gazillion bed threads. Clearly we put some amount of work & money into this. I can also see why someone unused to this lifestyle change might think of it that way.

 

Also, the OP is trying to heal sores that already exist. That can be exponentially more difficult that preventing new sores.

Edited January 15, 2012 by kudzu

[Guest sheila]

OK for sores that exist, one product that I had good luck with is Bach Rescue Remedy cream. A member of this board suggested it to me several times and I looked it up and decided it was 'over priced hippy cream' and dismissed it. Finally this GTer bought a tube and mailed it to me. Now I'm a believer. I had better and faster results with this product than the myriad of others I had tried. I was using it on an old open wound (skin torn past the basal membrane) that would never fully heal. If I didn't keep something topical on it the wound would dry and crack open and bleed, causing my dog to lick it and make it worse. The Rescue Remedy cream kept it moisturized and seemed to take the discomfort out as well. I actually began using it on my own excema and it worked well for that too.