Greyhound Wes ... and 2 dislocated toes... The saga continues...

So, it was a sunny Saturday and the rains have subsided (for a bit). I decided to take Wes and Heff (new family member as of January!! - and will tell the sad story of Jerry in next posting) to the dog park for a bit of fun since they just 'worked' a Greyhound Pets Inc booth at one of the lower mainland Tisol stores to help promote greyhound adoptions.

Well, Wes was full of energy and running throughout the dog park at full speed. Now, our local dog park isn't overly flat, has bushes he needs to watch out for, and this Saturday had LARGE puddles!! He was doing sharp turns, jumping over 6' puddles and just having a jolly ol' time. He even stopped and dropped in one of the muddy puddles to relax and cool down. Of course, I was on the other side of the park and couldn't stop him so he comfortably lazed in the puddle and got all dirty! Thanks Wes!! I catch up a minute later and off he goes to run about with Heff (as Heff has now picked he courage up to start running) but then slows down and lazily walks directly to me. I notice this right away and check out his legs for anything. What do I see? On his right hind leg his two middle toes (the big ones!!) are sitting sideways!! OUCH! Can you say uncomfortable!! I think he has broken 2 toes ... I check for Heff and he's hanging out with a new friend and OK. Wes of course is sopping wet and filthy and we are on the far side of the park. He is such a trooper. We slowly walk back and he isn't whimpering (nor had I heard any whimpering or helping at all when it happened so I don't know exactly when it did). Each step I am looking back and thinking this must be soooo painful. Poor boy.... We get back to the car and he jumps in. I go back to get Heff and load him up as well. I have now called my Vet and they can take me in right away. Enroute I call my 'gurus of greyhounds' Michelle and Steve to give them an update of my predicament. Steve mentions that possibly it is just 2 dislocated toes. I then hear a help from the back - sounded like Heff stepped on Wes' toes. Sigh ... what else can happen?! A few minutes later another help. Heff - we know you love you new brother but give him some space!

We arrive at the vet and I open the back of the car to let Wes jump out. Out he gently goes and I look down and his foot looks perfect?! What ... did Heff somehow step on the toes and put them back in place. Oh, he was helping his brother. What love....

Inside the vet I tell the front staff that it looks like it isn't 2 broken toes but 2 dislocated toes since they have seemingly 'popped' back into place. I decide to see the vet anyways but turns out the vet is the one vet I haven't seen before... plus hadn't heard rave reviews about him. Hey - everyone gets a chance right? I lift Wes up and put him on the scale. As he is lowered down I look at his foot and one of the toes has popped back out. Sigh..... (again!!)

Well, the foot was 'bandaged up' and off we went home. All fixed ... or so we thought. This brought on a whole other saga. The fun of greyhounds.....

Long time ... no post ... Back on track!

Wow, does time pass so quickly! Wes is now 7 (turning 8 in June). His brother, Jerry, unfortunately is no longer with us (a post I will be putting together in the near timeframe). However, Wes has adopted Heff (aka Atastocita Hefty). Heff is a troublemaker like Jerry and makes us laugh all the time! A few years ago Wes dislocated a few toes...

All healed well and this week it is something we are not yet sure of. His front right foot is all swollen. Wes visits Dr. Smith today so we will find out.

Many interesting stories to tell. Wes lost part of his tail (amputation!! even a double amputation because he got at his stitches and there wasn't enough skin to close it up again... sigh...), Heff had a stroke (actually a fibrocartilagenous embolism (FCE)) last summer. I came home and he couldn't walk correctly. It was like he was drunk. This was pretty upsetting but today he is 95% of what he was beforehand.

Thus, many interesting stories to tell!! I will get you all back 'in the loop' if you weren't updated via Facebook.

Wes update - Babesia....

OK - so back in October I had Wes and Jerry both 'Tick Tested' through GPI ... They had a panel of 6 tests done each (Babesia Canis, Ehrlichia Canis, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Valley Fever and E Equi (Anaplasmosis). Although - Valley Fever is not a 'tick disease' but a fungus ... it is one of the tests that could be included in the panel. I wanted to have the whole panel done because the fact that they could have been bitten by a tick before I got them earlier this year (May / June respectively). Also, when Al-E (my previous greyhound) was sick and we were trying to figure out what the growths were in her lungs - it was either cancer or Valley Fever. Oh what torture it was waiting to find out which it was. Thus, if Wes and/or Jerry were positive for any of the above - I was going to be able to treat them right away rather than waiting until any signs or symptoms surfaced.

So .... test results came back all negative except for Babesia. Wes was a definite positive and Jerry was a 'suspect' with a titre of 1:40. Wes' titre was 1:320. Difficulty being that Imizol is not available in Canada for treatment. Also, my vet nor my previous vet was / is able to treat for Babesia .... So 'road trip'! to Lynden, Washington. The treatment with Imizol is 2 injections (1 injection 2 weeks apart) with the vet monitoring the patient for 4-5 hours after the injection. Wes' threw up and was salivating quite a bit after his first injection - and later that night. Nothing major .... and then 2 weeks later after our return for his section injection he had a little more salivating but no throwing up that time. Done ... treatment 'finito' for now. We will test both the boys again at the next Tick Testing Clinic that GPI does.

A few notes about the Imizol shots off the top of my head ...

- best to have the injection intramuscular (rather than subcutaneous). It does hurt more but less chance of skin lesion at the injection site

- the vet administered something (can't remember right now but will include when I check the paperwork) to ease Wes' effects of the injection

- after drawing up the required amount of Imizol in the syringe - the needle should be changed with a new one for administering to the dog

Note on Jerry's 'suspect' - with such a low titre - he could have that titre if their Mom had Babesia. So, this is something I will monitor and retest to see how his numbers are...

There's the update on Babesia ...

Next post - shall I update on the 'black-bellies' ... yeah!! Stay tuned to see how the boys bellies are looking!

Steveston Farmer's and Artisan's Market - Aug 30/09 ...

Just a quick note and I will write more but wanted to get information up that we had a booth at the Steveston Farmer's and Artisan's Market on August 30th and it was fabulous. Booth report sent in to Greyhound Pets, Inc I have included below. Also - today Mary Anne brought into the office the Richmond News for September 2nd. Check it out! Our booth featuring a picture of Catie and Patricia made it into the Photo Feature!

Overwhelming!! and we mean that in the most positive way! The Steveston Farmer's and Artisan's Market (Steveston/Richmond, BC) opened up their arms to Greyhound Pets and set us up with a booth and a fantastic location! They took care of us - above and beyond - providing a location with great shade, grass, away from the music stage and with a water source near by (and this was all their doing! - as we were just ecstatic to be given just a booth location at this busy market). The location allowed for us to spread out into a walkway when things got super busy - I even think there were quite a few times we were covering the area of 3 booths! It was 'the' place to be at the market -- I think pretty much all the Farmer's Market staff stopped to meet the pups. They are soo excited to have us and asked us to come back whenever we want to!

I brought along my twins - Wes and Jerry (adopted May / June - respectively this year) and Cilla and Terry showed up shortly thereafter with Aspen and Missy. Steve and Michelle rounded out the set-up crew with Koda and Karma. Not long after the market opened, Patricia and Dave started working the aisle greeting crew with Doozer and Kate. So, were were off to a great start with the 8 pups! Bill and Pat came by with Pharaoh and Jedi (formerly Porsche - adopted in early July). It didn't take long until Jedi was 'belly up' on one of the 5 beds showing the 'marketeers' exactly how a greyhound roaches. Karma was out showing off her pink pearl necklace and many of the elderly ladies were clearly envious. Wes and Jerry had a full day beforehand and were definitely giving folks a great example how a greyhound spends most of their day - catching up on most valuable sleep! Koda offered a fantastic demonstration of how greyhounds are not afraid of little condo life - and dozed in his portable kennel a few times throughout the day - out of the sunshine and in the cool. It was great to see Emmy (Bella Emeline adopted late February this year) stop by for a quick visit - greatly appreciated. Denzi brought along Dad - Jeff to be the representation of one of the 'big boys' along with Cilla and Terry's Aspen.

Many a great stories I can easily recall from folks stopping by the booth - from one couple who only thought there was one section of the market and when they left that section and noticed another - they were discussing adopting a greyhound. They did not have a clue that we were there and when they rounded the corner --- BAM!! --- there were 10 greyhounds (our number at that time). What a coincidence! 'When will you guys be here again?' was a common question asked by 'marketeers' stopping by. Folks are putting this down on their calendar and spreading the word that Greyhounds have made it to the Steveston Market and are FAB-U-LOUS!

All in all a great time was had - the booth was never empty of folks stopping by to pet the pups, ask questions or pick up information. At one point I lost count at over 14 folks either petting the dogs, asking questions or 'waiting in line' for a chance!

We are very much looking forward to next month's Steveston Farmer's and Artisan's Market.

Judith

PS - A special 'Thank You' to Jeff Bough for the image of the booth. www.jeffboughphotography.com

Ohh ... what will the neighbors think?!!!!

Well, exciting few weeks for Jerry ... and a little adventuresome for Wes ....

It all started with the broken toe ... It has been so long since my last blog and I didn't re-read what I have written so I can't remember if I mentioned it before. It sounds vaguely familiar but I could be wrong - as I am always talking about my boys to anyone who will sit down and want to listen.

OK, back to the story! ... We were out running (well, maybe just Wes and Jerry ... I stood around and supervised) and Jerry went running behind some trees so I began to walk over so I could get him in my sights again. I wasn't super concerned as this was a fully enclosed area with the fence being over 5' tall. When I found the boys, Jerry was stopped with his paw held up a little and he walked towards me with a little limp. I knew right away .... likely a broken toe. Sigh ... poor thing. We left and went home. Ice for my pup on his paw and it was very tender. Doing research I knew as it was not a weight bearing toe - that there wasn't much that could be done that would allow for it to heal faster ... other than to take it easy with him and NO RUNNING!! Short walks it was going to be for the next 4-6 weeks. Jerry was a real trooper at the Tisol meet and greet as he limped in spent most of the time lying down. Wes was there for support ... or was that Jerry was there to support Wes' head as a pillow?!!

Anyways ... back to the 'Jerry - happenings' ... so, Jerry is taking it easy and 3 weeks ago he is lying down on the couch and had an elbow that is just huge!!! All puffy like a dough of bread that you can push it in like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Not tender to touch ... so I figure I will monitor and assess. The day goes on and that evening we go out for our nightly pee and poop. Nothing special just a walk around the area and along Scott Road as well. We get back into the house and the boys go over to the food area for some water. I notice a red blotch on the carpet infront of their bowl and I curse them for spilling their food on the carpet.

I turn around and notice more on another carpet ... and turn to my side and notice some red marks on the kitchen laminate floor. I swipe my finger through it and notice it is wet! Blood?!! Yikes! I stop Jerry pronto and begin checking him over. Drat ... a gash on the bottom of his back right paw that is about 1.5cm long and 3mm deep. Thank goodness for my dog emergency kit. Fully stocked with gauze, cleaning solution and my favorite - VET WRAP.

I think the person who invented VET WRAP should be given a special prize! The stuff is just unbelieveable! So, I clean and wrap his paw and we settle down for the night (after then noticing and cleaning up the 'red' path from the front door, up the stairs, into the kitchen...). Next day, early afternoon I take a peek at Jerry's paw because I am the obsessive-compulsive type and am just not too comfy with how it looks to heal on its' own. To the vet we go the next day ...

At the vet ... boy did I feel like a nincompoop!! Yes Dr., we are in so you can look at Jerry's back paw - as it has a large gash. Can you also check his front left elbow - it is really swollen. Oh, whilst looking at his front paws, can you check out his front right 'pointy' finger ... as I think he broke that about 4 weeks ago. Yeah, his one back left paw seems ok at this time! .... grimace. Really Dr., the dogs are with me all the time and I am super careful with them! Really!!

So, a few stitches to the back right paw, the Dr. took out 4cc's of a bloody fluid in the elbow (a hygroma - if I remember correctly - likely from banging his elbow somewhere) and an injection of a slow-acting 'something' (can't remember) and a 'yup, you did what I would have done with the fractured toe' ... and off we were on our merry way.

That was the Monday and on the Friday I was heading east to Osoyoos for a week's vacation. With the hot weather - the boys were staying in town ... Their first visit to a kennel. The boys did well ... (got rave reviews from the kennel folks') but came away with a few more injuries. Understandably I knew they wouldn't come back with a clean slate .... Jerry fared the worst with a 4cm scratch on his neck, scab on the back of his ear and top of his head. Tough guy Wes only had a scab under his chin. I had the leg bandaged whilst he was there and when we got home I had a look and was going to re-wrap. Still a little bit of oozing 'stuff' mixture of blood and fluid likely with him not staying off of his feet but also what I figured was due to needing lots of 'fresh air' to heal.

So off came the bandage and within a few hours I could already see the difference. Yes, the area is still tender 3 weeks later - but I am can see things 80% mended now. We are still careful and put on a 'bootie' with any 4x4ing walking action or if wet or gravelly surfaces. The boot makes it much more comfortable for him to walk with.

OK ... yes, a rambly one .. and now time to look what recent pictures I can put up to make this post a little more interesting .... This last one was tonight where Wes' decided to try Winston's bed ...

Adios for now,

the 3 Amigos.

(picture to right is Winston!)

Are Greyhounds related to Kangaroos?!!!

Well, a few weeks ago (I know for a fact that it wasn't last week - as 

I am pretty sure that Jerry broke his toe a week ago on Friday - so he is on running rest!) ... the boys went for a

 little run in Steveston (at the softball diamond behind the Steveston Community Centre). It is a great park as it is fully enclosed and the fencing is super high! Although, my boys have difficulties with a 1.5' chain link 'fence' - too high for them to go over! and I have to lift up the chain so they can go under!! Before I go further into detail - I wanted to discuss the muzzles as the boys are great together but when running - they can get excited and because their skin is quite thin - what could be a play bite between the brothers could quickly cause some trouble. Plus, the boys don't care whether or not they have the muzzles on. It is too bad that muzzles are synonymous with dangerous dogs. 

On to the reason for today's post ... I am pretty darn sure that Wes' paperwork says that he is a greyhound .... He barks, he has a brother who is a greyhound (Jerry), he looks exactly like the form that is on the side of a greyhound bus ... I have included a few pictures of that day ... looks like a greyhound dog correct??

Well .... upon closer investigation .... 

we see ...

a kangaroo??  Reminder - Wes is always in blue ...

What is really cute about the story of kangaroo Wes looking backwards whilst running full speed is that he is checking to see where his little brother is. They love running together.

So, your thoughts? Dog or kangaroo?? .... I am waiting for the DNA test results to come back.

Fuzz Update - Stop the Press - Jerry's losing his fuzz...

Hmm ... was walking the boys together this morning and saw a red 'patch' on my little boy Jerry coming through. It was exciting and sad at the same time. Wes' coat is just beautiful but I love Jerry's fuzzy coat as well. So I am torn....  

And then there is the 'obsessive, compulsive' part of me that wants the 'moult' done and over .... so we hung out at the park and got rid of a little extra fur. You may state: 'I thought greyhounds don't shed?' Well, to clear this up - pretty much all dogs shed .. it is just the fact that greyhounds do not have an undercoat which means they do not shed that much. But, I am trying to figure out why my boys have this puppy fur as they recently turned 2.

Rewind 

one day ... and I woke up Saturday morning to the sight of Wes huddled behind Jerry (protecting him from the fan of cool air!!). Awww, the brotherly love! Or, was Wes trying to use some of Jerry's heat because Jerry still has his fuzz? 

 (image to the right is of Wes' smooth backside)

Anyways, I love my boys no matter how they look! 

Next topic: discussion on how closely related greyhounds are to kangaroos .... Stay tuned!