Sheridan

I have my own 'grumpy old man', though not a greyhound. I have had him checked by a veterinary opthamologist because of his cloudy eyes and he does not have cataracts, just normal ageing lenses. I am very careful not to put my hands down in his 'blind spots'. If I drop something or there's something on the floor that I don't want him to get into, I shift him out of the way by distracting him with food or backing him up and physically getting between him and the object in order to pick it up. I shift a lot of things out of his way with my feet before picking things up.

My sister's the irish terrier person in the family. I asked if she'd respond to the questions and am happy to pass on any questions to her. My sister's dog and Ruby, Lyndsay's girl, are distant relatives. 1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Owner. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? Developed in Ireland in about mid 1800s. ITs are ratters - they will chase small animals. 3. How common is it in Australia? Not common - a small community of breeders and owners. 4. What is the average lifespan? About 14 plus years - typical lifespan for a terrier of this size. 5. What is the general temperament/personality? ITs love people - not so much other dogs. They are typical of most terrier breeds: love people, have no fear and will throw themselves into any situation. They are not for the faint hearted. They can be full-on, "in your face" dogs. They are curious and love to investigate everything. They want to be with their owner, they love to be doing whatever you are doing. ITs are very territorial and will challenge anyone or anything that invades their territory. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? Over an hour everyday, with extra things to stimulate the dog. These dogs don't like being bored. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? No, but ultimately will depend on the owner. ITs are lovely, loyal dogs. However, they can be dominant and a routine and dedicated training is essential. IT's like to chase small animals - if they see a cat, they are off and running. Don't expect them to come back no matter how many times you call them. They are curious, active dogs - they don't like being bored. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Depends on what type of owner you are. If you want a dog to sit quietly in the backyard then don't get an IT. My IT is left alone for long periods during work hours, but when I am home he is always with me, doing whatever I am doing. He sleeps inside. If I am inside, he is inside with me. I also pay someone to walk him when I am at work and he goes to Doggie Day-care. 9. How much grooming is required? 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? ITs love people but can be a bit boisterous. Typical terriers - they have a will throw themselves into any situation. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? No known hereditary problems that I am aware of. 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be). You can ask a breeder any question about an Irish Terrier but be prepared to be asked questions by the breeder about yourself. I almost had to sit an interview before my breeder would give me one of her puppies. After 7 years, I still get phone calls from my breeder on my dog's birthday. The IT community is very small. They all know each other and if your breeder isn't interested in you as an IT owner, then avoid that breeder. You don't just buy a puppy, you become part of a community.

He also slept on the bed with me last night and did his usual Saturday morning thing of standing outside just listening to the neighbourhood sounds. Unlike weekdays where I can't get him outside, he didn't want to come inside.

Moosepup, she said it would settle his tummy. ;)

I don't think I'd have needed to take a week off for a gurgly tummy!

Would you prescribe as a painkiller for a dog who presented with a tummy upset?

That's good info, Neats, thanks.

He's good! He stole a pig's ear and harassed me for dinner!

What's Asher on, huskyheaven?

Rather stupid to give a dog who's suffering from a bad tummy a drug that could cause nausea and vomiting then, isn't it.

This thread comes out of my thread about Grumpy and what turned from an upset tummy into an adverse reaction to a drug called Tramal. This drug is a long-lasting opiate that's normally used for cancer; it's supposed to last for 12 hours. The emergency vet said that it was mild (so mild that it's not a controlled substance) but his reaction to it was hideous. By the time I got him out of the vet, he couldn't jump up into the car. When I got him home, he couldn't jump out of the car and my attempts to lift him out didn't work. We had a full blown beserker dog episode and he clearly had no idea who I was. I left him in the car for the rest of the night after making further attempts to get him out and took him to the vet the next day. I muzzled him to get him out and back into the car. I left the muzzle on him for the trip home and the same beserker reaction happened. This time, as he was muzzled, I finally just jerked him out of the car and crated him still with muzzle. In all, he'd spent around 14 hours in the car. He went to sleep in the crate for some hours and I let him out. He was fine but very tired. I fed him, took him for a short walk, and then he slept again. Indeed, he slept until 2 pm on Tuesday. He is still very tired. The vets (his own vet) advised that the blood tests they took showed nothing abnormal. I would not recommend Tramal as a drug for pets due to the side effects. TRAMAL (also known as Tramadol, Ultram, Mabron, Ralivia, Ryzolt, Tradonal, Tramacet, Tridural, Ultracet, Zamadol, Zydol and Zytram) Use: long-lasting painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain; often used for cancer patients in humans and animals Side effects (this is from a pamphlet on Tramal, which should be read in its entirety): * dizziness * sedation, fatigue * headache * constipation * nausea, vomiting * sweating * dry mouth * indigestion * changes in appetite * skin reactions * sudden onset of low blood pressure, collapse * muscle weakness * tremor * seizures * respiratory depression * improvement of mood * confusion * sleep disturbance * blurred vision * difficulty in passing urine * Serotonin Syndrome: signs of this vary and are not specific; they may include fever, sweating, confusion, agitation, diarrhoea, muscle twitching, difficulty with walking and balance. * skin rash (red spots or patches), itching hives, skin lumps * swelling or puffiness of the eyelids, face or lips * chest tightness, wheezing or pain in the chest * heart palpitations, faintness or collapse * hallucinations * convulsions Taking Tramal with other drugs or if your dog has another illness: Tramal should not be taken if your dog is on some other drugs, particularly antidepressants, so please tell the vet exactly what drugs your dog is on, if any. Before agreeing to your dog taking Tramal: please tell the vet if your dog has reacted badly to drugs previously; if your dog suffers from stomach problems; has had fits, convulsions or seizures before; has a kidney or liver problem; breathing problems; or has an intolerance to certain medications or ingredients of certain medications. Articles on Tramal: Australian Prescriber: Trouble with Tramal Better Health Consumer Medical Information: Tramal pamphlet NSW Health: Tramadol Position Statement from the NSW Therapeutic Assessment Group

We did go to the vet during that time, wire, and he had to be lifted in and out of the car. He was fine (though muzzled both times). He freaked out again when we got home but in all it was around 14 hours in the car. ETA quickly to add that I've read that overdoses can cause those very adverse reactions but a lot of the literature says that it causes 'confusion' and vertigo anyway.

I've not seen Evo anywhere online to buy. My concern with Artemis is the chicken fat in there.

Thanks, wire. Wheaties are such special creatures. I had a wheatie air kiss before with a wiggy wag of his tail. Very nice to see.

Hi schnauzer Another black mark for Tramal. What an appalling drug. I don't know if Grumpy would have lost his house training because he didn't make it into the house. He didn't make it out of the car at home until around 14 hours later and that was only because I yanked him out of it. He had no idea who I was and honestly, it was so bad I thought I would have to drive back to the vet and have him pts. Full on evil alien stuff. You're right, an absolute nightmare. I think I'll start a thread on side effects of drugs on dogs, just so people can be aware of them. Would people be interested in a thread like that?

He doesn't mind the cold, not as much as Mini does. It's certainly old age catching up with him. He's becoming increasingly grumpy, is Grumpy. I had another email from his breeder today who suggested that he'd actually be better off outside more because his brain will be more occupied. We went for a long walk tonight, nearly and hour's worth, and he only dragged his feet as we approached the house.

He's been reinstated by the NFL.

My two are on the salmon and anchovy and love it. They do very well on it. I've noticed Mini's skin is far less dandruffy.

Grumpy woke up at 10.00 and ran outside with Mini. She went off at something so he did, too, which he hasn't done for a couple of days. Now he's back to sleeping. The vet rang at 7.30 am and said, 'Sorry for waking you up' (which he did ... yawn). Blood test results showed nothing in particular. The white blood cell count was at the lower end of the scale but within the range, so nothing in particular there, though it's possible he had the same virus that Mini had. Maybe, maybe not. They just don't know. We went for a walk last night and he was fine on that. No sign of the abnormal behaviour so far, just sleeping. So, whatever caused the original downturn isn't known but he had a very bad reaction to the Tramal. The test will be how he behaves when he gets back in the car, I think, or has something else happen (bath, etc). Just going to have to be careful. He's still sleeping a lot so I may just keep an eye on him for a few days and rest him.

Thanks, wire. We went for a walk around 7.30 and he's having a sleep. I will have to crate him again tonight and let Mini out. She's been out all day so it won't hurt for her to be crated for a wee while. Things are quiet and he's been a good boy.

Thanks, Daisy. He's gone back to bed now. The dog across the road has started her evening 'Welcome back, everyone who's been at work' barking so I hope it doesn't wake him up. Mini's not reacting, which is good.

Grumpy slept through until around 2.00. He's been outside to do his wees and poos, had something to eat and has been asleep since. If he comes out around 5-ish, I'll see if he wants to go for a short walk. ETA: Bloody swine flu. Just spoke to the vet and there's a delay in getting test results back from the lab because they're busy with the swine flu. Stupid swine flu.

I hope he pulls through, wire, so we can meet up. I remember your lad's puppy pics; he was my favourite from that litter. Such a beautiful sable. He ate two tins of sardines last night. I didn't want to give him any kibble in case it irritated his tummy. Directly after dinner (around 8.30) he slept for a couple of hours and then I put him back in his crate and he's slept through the night. He's still asleep. I've opened the crate door so he can come out in his own time.

Surely, that's up to the OP? It's her dog and her money and questioning as to whether the dog is show quality is simply irrelevant and rude.

Thanks, wire. He was in his crate most of the afternoon and I let him out and took him for a walk. He's had a big drink and he's lying on his bean bag for now. Just to make sure Mini is safe, she's crated. I've had several emails with his breeder across the day and he will agree with whatever decision I make, if I need to make one. The blood test results should be in tomorrow and I hope they show something that is fixable. I love him so much; it's just awful seeing him unlike himself.