Stormy

Try using Biozet liquid (diluted in a spray bottle or watering can). I've found it pretty good at removing the urine smell. Otherwise try Pming @juice on here as her back garden is AT, she's had three large dogs and the grass is still going great after at least 5 years (I can't remember when she put it down exactly). Juice goes to great lengths to keep it in tip top shape

They'll get over it when they see him in the adorable flesh, keeping in mind too that he'll probably be with you longer than they'll be living at home (most likely!) Can't wait to meet this gorgeous scruffer

RuralPug, I've Pmed Ish - Thank you! DogFoodzCBR, I've also passed on your details. I'll leave it to them to have a look / contact you to decide. All information is greatly appreciated, thanks

Asking for a friend who is looking for a family pet on acreage with some horses, a couple of cows and goats, chooks and a cat. She is looking for a straight back, old style (working dog?) dog, with hips and elbow scores (a healthy dog with no hereditary issue), and sound temp. Preferably a registered breeder. Not wanting a guard dog per say, just something that hasn't been bred with a very sloped back (show standards?). My friend is near Canberra but happy to look at recommendations anywhere. They nearly bought a pup from a person who said they were registered but on further research found out that they weren't and there were many negative reviews re health issues with pups, so hoping to now get recommendations from those in the know. Any suggestions will greatly appreciated. TIA

That's true though wanting to make sure he finds a good match for his life style. I agree with using experienced breed rescue groups as their knowledge is invaluable :) We've told him that this is essential as he'll have to prove to rescue groups that he has permission before being allowed to adopt!

I've recommended that he looks at Greyhound Rescue and GAP but wasn't sure if any other reputable rescues have some too. The fellow in question lives in an apartment but will walk the Grey everyday. He has verbal permission to keep a dog from the landlord but I've advised him to get it in writing. He also has two house mates that are happy to have a dog live with them, one is a student at the near by Uni - so the dog won't be home alone for long days on end. It will be the only pet though. Has no preference with age or sex, it just needs to be content to live the apartment life. Any suggestions welcome :)

Rocko and Ralph, who have both gone to bridge Disorder's Snot Juice's Bonn - A true blonde girl! :p

Thanks *kirty*, I'm now definitely leaning towards the basic eye removal option. He's got retina detachment and had a few bleeds. If the bleeds continue then the eye will be removed fairly soon but at the moment he's not in any pain/discomfort. Yep, our boy has started to bump into things on his blind side and you can startle him if he doesn't see you coming. It's all very promising hearing the positive stories - I don't know anyone personally who's had to do this for their dog - Gotta love DOL :) I'd be happy to see photos if you're happy to share, thanks :) Thanks Jumabaar - I don't know how well our boy would tolerate wearing that around his head, he's not keen on an eye patch either - he can be a difficult boy! Thanks Ellie - love hearing the happy endings Stormy, I bought a couple of these when Danny had one of his eyes operated on (his wasn't removal, just scraping). I found these didn't help with him because he could still rub and he had a protective lens in which was very easy to dislodge with rubbing. So if you would like to give these a try, I'd be happy to send them to you. If they fit, they are so much better than Elizabethan collars. Thanks for the offer DDD - I think we'll try with the training first as I he either tends to freeze or freak out when things are placed on him (have I mentioned he's a delicate little petal :laugh: ). I'll keep it in mind though :)

Dame Aussie - Thanks, the Specialist was happy just to do the eye removal with no prosthetic, which is looking like the most likely atm. Though still keeping fingers crossed he can keep his eye even if it's not working (so long as it's not causing him issues like pain/discomfort etc) Thanks DDD :) *kirty* - Thanks, they did mention pain relief but not which type they use - I will check it out. I also wasn't aware that the intra-occular prosthetic option was less painful. Would you be able to give me an idea as to length of time pain relief is needed for either option? Is the pain factor greatly increased with the optical nerve being severed?

Steph M - apparently they can put a silicone/plastic ball into the socket when they remove it. The eyelids are still sewn shut so you don't see an "eye" so to speak it just fills in the orbital cavity. There was another procedure they mentioned where they scoop out the contents of the eyeball and then place a prosthetic eye inside so it looks like he has two normal eyes but we aren't doing that - unless he could look like Mad Eye Moody :D (joking - we're not even considering that option!)

Thanks pers and denali - by the sounds of it no prosthesis is more common/the norm. Until now it's not even something I've ever thought about! I'm thinking we may have to train one of our other dogs as his seeing eye dog if he ever needs it :laugh: He's not in any pain but when/if that happens that's when the eye will come out (he has retinal detachment, so no infection/trauma/puncture etc). We wouldn't let him suffer :)

Thanks blinkblink - the vet hasn't advised it as necessary but we were just wondering as to what is the norm I guess. And yes, his remain eye is a priority as you mentioned - he'd need a crash helmet if he loses both!

Thanks TSD & blinkblink - he's already walking into door and and walls - not the sharpest tool in the shed considering he's live here eight years so thought the prosthesis might help prevent him damaging his eye socket (or brain). Our preference would be for none as there's less chance of irritation / infection but not sure which is the best way to go.

One of our boys has lost sight in one eye and may need to have it removed a bit further down the line. He's seen an ophthalmologist, it's not repairable and no tumours are present. Just looking for information as to whether it's worth putting in a Orbital Prosthesis or not - either way his eye would be sewn shut so not for cosmetics (we don't care how it will look) but wondering if the prosthesis offers any protection to his eye socket should he walk into something etc Would love to hear from anyone with experience or advice, thanks :)

Thanks dogbesotted - We're seeing the vet again tomorrow so I will ask about checking her thyroid levels / thyroxine. I was told by one of the vets that her thyroid levels wouldn't drop for about a month after surgery. It's all been a bit confusing as there are three different vet practices involved, the one that did the surgery, the Emergency vet hospital (when the operating vets couldn't manage the drop in her PCV's and calcium) and then our normal vets (who are now treating her post-op). Penny's eyes have now stopped "ticking" so I'm taking that as a good sign.

dogbesotted - Pen's not yet started the thyroxine but I'm told she'll start shortly. The calcium and calcitrol /vit D are ever 12 hours (for life I believe). Five days after surgery Pen had vestibular episode which has also exacerbated things. The upside is that she's starting to look better/brighter and has been taking a few small meals now throughout the day, though she still walks like a drunk after a night on the turps. Maddy - Sorry to hear about your girl They tried to do a fine needle biopsy first but all the got were syringes of blood and it increased the swelling in her neck during the following days to the point that she started choking on her food. They wanted to do surgery for a bigger biopsy but I didn't want her to undergo two generals, so opted for removal straight up (if it was possible - they didn't really know until they went in). They did a chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound the day after the FNB and both were clear - which helped make my decision too.

Thanks OsoSwift and Dory, that's very encouraging. Penny, our whippet, is 13 and had to have both thyroids removed last week. They both tested positive to carcinoma. I was told that it was aggressive but they were both still encapsulated and they believe they removed all/most of it. It was a tough call re surgery at her age but seeing as she was still very much enjoying life bar the masses in her neck, I couldn't bring myself to euthanasia her. Mind you this last week has been a really tough week for her and I've had moments wondering if I've done the right thing. So happy to hear two positive stories, thanks :)

Just wondering if anyone else has or had a dog with this? TIA

Vale Appollo. A beautiful tribute for a beautiful boy Juice. He and Jed are once again a formidable team now that he can run again. Appollo was the voice of reason amongst your lot, such a dignified, *gentle soul (*noting the cat/bunny clause ) It's the hardest thing about giving your heart to a dog, they age before our eyes and leave us well before we'd like them to.

Thanks sas, those are the kinds of results I'm wanting to hear about, to see what the odds are of a full recovery :) juice for being an awesome friend (as always :D), I'll let you know when we can get in. Thanks VizslaMomma :) Here's Storm on week 1 (blue blanket) and week 2. He's now getting very frustrated and wanting out from Alcatraz, especially when he hears the other three fur kids romping in the garden.

Thanks cavNrott. I've been tossing up about taking him back for a follow up next week, and I will, but I didn't know if I was over reacting as the 4-6 weeks aren't up yet I'll ask about a referral too.

Thanks caninephysio, Storm is able to walk now least which wasn't the case initially. When he first gets up in the morning he's a bit more unsteady on his legs, once he's been moving a bit he's better, but he still loses his back end from time to time. We've kept him in a playpen to limit his movements for the last three weeks but we were going to give him access to this level this weekend to encourage a bit more movement, thinking maybe the fact that he's been contained has weakened his legs - we could be wrong though.

Thanks Persephone, my biggest fear is that he'll never be the same again VizslaMomma - Vet No2 was happy with the treatment Vet No1 recommended. Onsior for two weeks and complete rest, then small walks to maintain muscle / strengthen his back. Vet2 put him on the MSM, which is ongoing. I was told it would take 4-6 weeks for him to recover, I'm just really worried that may not be the case

We did get a second opinion from a Greyhound Specialist (who deals with racing greys), is that what you meant? or are there spinal specialists? Neither vet referred us to anyone else.

My 9 year old Whippet has been diagnosed with bleeding in the spine and I'm just wanting to see if it's possible for him to make a complete recovery or if the reality it something else. It's been three weeks since he was diagnosed and though he's improved he's still not that stable in the back end I'm hoping other people's experiences might help allay my fears. Any advice re supplements (he's on MSM as per the Vet's instructions), exercise / physio or anything else would also be greatly appreciated.