Italian Greyhound

Care Tips

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THE BEST WAY TO RESTRAIN YOUR ITALIAN GREYHOUND WHILE BRUSHING TEETH

Most people are afraid to brush their dog's teeth because they don't know how to hold the dog without hurting or scaring him. Here is a safe and secure way of holding the dog for the procedure. I recommend you start with two people; one to hold the dog while the second person does the procedure.


I rest the dog's head in the crook of one elbow wrapping my arm around the neck. Then with the other arm I come up under the dog and secure the rear end so that the dog can't back away. Then I firmly hug the dog against my body making him feel loved and secure.


For more details watch my video on youtube >>> https://youtu.be/xWdysIJp7LI



NEW PUPPY-HOW TO HOUSEBREAK AND FEED

This is where your puppy came from.


He is used to staying in wire fencing. He has access to the outside via a dog door. He has an indoor potty pad in case of bad weather, darkness, etc. He has a comfy bed, food and water. You can set up a similar environment with a 36 inch exercise pen, potty pads on the floor, a comfy bed, water and food. 

I free choice feed and also offer 2 meals a day. If you prefer to just meal feed, start with three times a day.

You could offer Biljac for lunch and Royal Canin for breakfast and supper. Dogs like variety, don't you?

He can be confined in his pen and after going potty either on his pad or outside, he can be loose in the house for a while. This is the start of housebreaking. you can leave his pen open for him to go in to eat, drink and potty. Its a safe place to leave him if you need to go out. They do enjoy a big stuffed animal that they can snuggle against especially if they are alone. It helps to set up a heating pad on low under your puppy's bed to simulate the warmth the puppy got from his littermates.  Be careful to protect the electric cord.


Puppies have to pee when they first wake up and poo before and after meals and throughout the day especially when they are free fed. As he gets older he will develop a regular schedule and you can try to stay ahead of this routine and get him outside around that time. Make sure he has gone potty before letting him back in. If you didn't see him do it, he may be holding it until he can get back in the house, so be patient. Its just time consuming the first week or two. If you come up with a potty word, use the word when you see him go, and then give quiet praise and a food treat, you will soon have him at least peeing on command.

Remember that any potty pad on the floor is a toy. the first thing they do is try to destroy it! cloth potty pads work better for me even if they do create a lot of laundry.

Note puppy food and water are in buckets secured to the wall wire. Be sure to separate the food from the water to avoid a mess.

They know how to go through dog doors! I use plastic flap doors in the kennel.

I feed Biljac  left out all the time for snacking and for meals I feed Purina Proplan Puppy Chow

softened with broth and my own cooked dog food on top or mixed in.


 Pork rinds are great dog treats, get a low salt original flavor kind like they sell at Sams Club. A big jar costs about $6 and you can eat it too.  I also feed real cooked meat for special training treats.  My dog's favorite is cooked chicken breast.


Feel free to contact me about any health or behavior problems and don't wait until you are so frustrated you are ready to give your puppy back. I appreciate email and messaging, sometimes its hard to answer phone calls.

Email at: marchwindigs@yahoo.com

Text at: 229-699-0290

WHY MARCHWIND MALE PUPPIES

 MAKE EXCELLENT PETS


BOYS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN!  THEY ARE VERY FOCUSED ON THEIR OWNERS AND VERY BIDDABLE = TRAINABLE.

BOYS CAN WEAR BELLY BANDS FOR EASE IN HOUSEBREAKING, AND CONFIDENCE IN TAKING THEM PLACES.

NEUTERING MALES (RECOMMENDED AT 5 + MONTHS) IS LESS EXPENSIVE AND LESS RISKY THAN SPAYING FEMALES, AND IMMEDIATELY MAKES A GENTLEMAN OUT OF YOUR BOY.

DOGS NEED TO BE NEUTERED WHEN: 

 1.  THEY FAIL TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE AND HEALTHY WEIGHT

2.  THEY CANNOT STAY FOCUSED WHEN OTHER DOGS ARE AROUND

3.  THEY MARK AND WANT TO HUMP EVERYTHING, OTHER DOGS, ETC.

WHY MARCHWIND FEMALES MAKE GREAT PETS TOO

FEMALES ARE USUALLY SMALLER THAN MALES SO EASIER TO PICK UP AND CARRY.

FEMALES HAVE THESE ADORABLE SMOOTH BELLIES FOR PETTING.

FEMALES PEE UNDERNEATH THEMSELVES SO POTTY PADS ARE EASIER FOR THEM.

FEMALES ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN SEX ONCE FOR A FEW WEEKS EVERY 6 TO 10 MONTHS.  BOYS ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN SEX--NO SEASON FOR THEM!

OF COURSE ONCE NEUTERED, BOYS =GIRLS!

FEMALES ARE FOR THE MOST PART LESS ROWDY, LESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN A REAL DOG FIGHT, AND MORE COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER DOGS.

FEMALES CAN MAKE MORE DOGS FOR YOU!  I ALLOW BREEDING WITH SUPERVISION.

ITALIAN GREYHOUNDS ARE JUST AS DEVOTED TO THEIR OWNERS WHATEVER SEX THEY ARE.

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LOVE THAT SMOOTH BELLY!

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PUPPY FAMILY


TEETH CARE

Many toy dogs have gum disease. It often starts as early as a year old, or may not be a problem until they are 5 or older. Similar to human beings, it occurs from not keeping their teeth clean, there may be a hereditary factor, and it may be contagious from dog to dog!

Bad breath is a first sign.


Look particularly at the little upper front teeth. If there is redness, soreness, odor, and if the gums are receding from the teeth. You are in trouble.


Tooth Care Regimen


1. Brushing with pumice (available at amazon, use the extra fine)
2. Scaling if the dog tolerates it.
3. Application of carbamide peroxide now available a
s GLY-OXIDE daily applied to gums and teeth.  If you can find this product, you may be able to rescue teeth that a vet would have pulled, stop inflammation and keep teeth much longer.

Carbamide peroxide (Glyoxide) was off the market last year but is now available on AMAZON.  I use it daily, even if I dont brush the teeth.  Just rub a little on his gums at the base of the teeth, especially the little front teeth.
4. 1 to 3 X a week for tooth care.  Daily is best.
5. Bones, Chewers, and more Bones
6. Bad Breath: Antibiotics, clindamycin, available without a prescription called Fishmycin, followed by brushing, scaling and carbamide peroxide applied topically
7. Gum disease-
-GLY-OXIDE
8. Loose teeth don't worry, they will eventually come out on their own
9. Vet Care? Shouldn't be necessary. 

10.  Teeth are important spacers in a dog's mouth and without them, the mandible actually dissolves away over time.  I leave loose teeth in as long as possible, especially if I can keep the inflammation and infection under control with topical medication.  The dog will eventually shed really loose teeth.  the others should stay where they are!!!  DO NOT LET YOUR VET PULL ANY LOOSE TEETH JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOSE!

WITHOUT TEETH THE DOG'S TONGUE WILL HANG OUT THE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH AND HE WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY EATING AND SWALLOWING.  HIS BOTTOM JAW WILL SLOWLY DISAPPEAR.


Brushing Teeth


When brushing hold the mouth closed.

It is only necessary to clean the outside surfaces of the teeth.


Tooth Paste


Brush with pumice, a non flavored tooth powder, not expensive, get it on amazon, the extra fine.

then apply the carbamide peroxide to areas of inflammation. See below.


CARBAMIDE PEROXIDE

The original Glyoxide is now available from AMAZON.  The percent carbamide peroxide is 10%.  It will not harm your dog.

It is a human product recommended for gum disease and irritation around teeth. Used topically on teeth that are inflamed or have built up debris it will control the inflamation, whiten the teeth, and enable loose teeth to stay in longer.

It comes in a bottle with a small nozzle.  Simply squeeze a little out on problem areas., then rub in.  It creates a little foam so you know you got some in.


Scaling

Since I have been brushing with the pumice, very little scaling is necessary. sometimes just at the gum line, but be careful not to pinch or hurt the dog or you are done for the day.

Best way to hold the dog for dental scraping.

Scraping the back teeth.

Favorite Tools: Sturdy, Sharp Dental Hooks


These were made for dogs. I found these at dog shows (not on the net)


It is common for dogs to accumulate debris from lint to dead grass at the base of the upper teeth. Try to get this out if you can. that is where the little hooks come in but persistent brushing will also help


Best Drugs:

Clindamycin 150mg give one each day - Most effective for gum disease. often just 1 to 3 days dosing is all that is needed to improve gum disease.

 Dont for get the daily application of Glyoxide!

You will be surprised at what your dog will tolerate if you are kind and don't hurt him.

There is a learning curve for both of you. Because the pumice has no taste, it is not disagreeable to the dog.

You will notice that one side of the mouth is usually cleaner than the other. this is because your dog is right or left mouthed and is similar to being right or left handed in humans.



You don't need to start using the pumice until you see tartar or inflammation of the gums. sometimes they have great teeth for 2 years but some start deteriorating as early as 8 months old. Stay on top of this and I have found that early treatment will arrest the disease. Often it only involves the front 4 teeth and once the two middle teeth are gone, the inflammation subsides.


This is not enamel hypoplasia which is entirely different and may not involve the gingiva. At this time there is no DNA test for early gingivitis. However bigger dogs tend to have less trouble than smaller dogs.


RECIPE FOR MY HOMEMADE DOG FOOD

I USE THIS FOOD AS A TOPICAL SUPPLEMENT ON THEIR KIBBLE TO MAKE IT MORE TASTY AND ALSO TO WEAN PUPPIES TO SOLID FOOD.

THIS FOOD IS COOKED AND THEN FED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE.  IT CAN BE THINNED WITH CHICKEN BROTH OR MILK TO MAKE IT MORE LIKE GRAVY OR USED THICK TO BE MORE LIKE CANNED FOOD.

INGREDIENTS INCLUDE: 

10 LBS OF RAW CHICKEN QUARTERS

2 CUPS ORANGE VEGETABLE

2 CUPS GREEN VEGETABLE

2 CUPS CHICKEN LIVER WHOLE

3 TO 4 CUPS WHITE RICE

20 TO 30 EGGS, SHELLED AND STIRRED


FIRST COOK THE CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES AND LIVERS UNTIL DONE.  REMOVE SOME CHICKEN BROTH FOR LATER USE.

THEN ADD THE RICE AND THE STIRRED EGGS, WATER IF NEEDED.

COOK ABOUT 1 MORE HOUR ON LOW HEAT UNTIL RICE IS MUSHY.

I INCLUDE AND FEED ALL THE BONES AS WELL AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM RELATED TO A CHICKEN BONE IN 30 YEARS.

                                         

VEGETABLE CHOICES INCLUDE AN ORANGE VEGETABLE LIKE SWEET POTATOES, CARROTS, PUMPKIN

A GREEN VEGETABLE LIKE GREEN BEANS.  BROCCOLI AND CABBAGE FAMILY VEGETABLES TEND TO SMELL STRONGLY SO I AVOID THEM BUT THEY ARE HEALTHY.

IN ADVANCE I PREPARE THE VEGETABLES BY BLENDERIZING THEM AND THEN FREEZING THEM IN CONTAINERS TO MAKE THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS LESS TIME CONSUMING.

I HAVE MY OWN CHICKENS SO LARGE QUANTITIES OF EGGS ARE USUALLY AVAILABLE AND EGGS ARE AN EXCELLENT PROTEIN.

SOME PEOPLE GRIND THE EGG SHELLS AND ADD THEM TO THE DOG FOOD.  I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT THESE ARE DIGESTIBLE AND THEY TEND TO END UP IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POT.




 RICE:  I USE WHITE RICE FOR ECONOMY.  BROWN RICE IS A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE AND TAKES LONGER TO COOK.

OTHER GRAINS MAY BE INCLUDED LIKE BREAD, OATMEAL, YOU NAME IT.  MORE GRAINS MAKES IT THICKER.  MORE WATER MAKES IT THINNER.

HINT:  AFTER I COOK THE CHICKEN THERE IS A LOT OF RICH CHICKEN BROTH.  I SCOOP OUT ABOUT 2 QUARTS OF THIS BROTH TO THIN THE MIXTURE LATER.


THIS RECIPE MAKES ABOUT 40 LBS OF FOOD.  YOU MAY WANT TO SCALE IT DOWN.






Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm prevention is necessary all year long, especially in the south. Your vet will sell you wonderful products that include flea and tick repellants, as well as all purpose wormers, for BIG dollars. It is really expensive when you have several dogs. 

Want to save some $$$$$$$$$? Let me tell you what I do...

What I use for heartworm and general worming prevention for all of my dogs is Ivermectin 1.87%. It is a Horse Paste Wormer (my favorite is the gel). It is an excellent and cheap alternative to the vet's products. One tube is around $5 and it will last your dog all year. It has several brand names so just be sure to look that it is the only active ingredient on the label.


Your vet may tell you that it is not safe or that it is not mixed consistently. The TRUTH is that it is perfectly safe if given the proper dosage, and it is thoroughly mixed when manufactured.



Ivermectin will not kill external parasites such as fleas, ticks and mosquitos.

HOW TO ADMINISTER IVERMECTIN TO A DOG:
NOTE: A whole tube of horse paste is a enough to treat a 1250 lb. horse!!! On the tube plunger (pictured left below), there are notches and doses marked in 250 lb increments. Each notch is enough for 100 lbs of dog (amount pictured on end of yellow below), so you can imagine how little you will need for an IG! However, 1 notch will not hurt an IG.

STEPS TO ADMINISTER IVERMECTIN PASTE or GEL:
1. Push 1/2 a notch out of end of tube.
2. Put the dab on your finger.
3. Open dog's mouth and wipe it on the roof of mouth.
4. Hold mouth closed for a few seconds so none gets spit out.
5. Mark on your calendar the date given an
d when next dose is due.

Do your homework to find the right flea and tick prevention for your dog, but avoid any of these products if possible. I just use Adam's flea and tick spray and a flea comb should I see a flea or tick after an adventure.


The Italian Greyhound Club of America has some good info about this.

TREAT YOUR ITALIAN GREYHOUND ONCE A MONTH FOR HEARTWORM!


Diarrhea In Dogs and Puppies

Veterinarians like to tell owners that their dog has a sensitive stomach and needs special food that is hypoallergenic, grain free, etc. Maybe it makes a difference, maybe not.


The REAL TRUTH is...

  1. Food allergy is actually very rare in dogs.
  2. Dogs eat and drink unspeakable things such as dirty water, feces, rotting dead morsels, etc.
  3. This is a good way to contaminate the gut with Cocci, one celled parasites like Giardia, and worms. This results in diarrhea, which may be one or a combination of abnormal stools that may have a very foul odor, yellowish color, watery, slimy and some blood may be present. Vomiting may also present during this period of illness.
  4. Dogs become asymptomatic (show no signs of illness) carriers of these parasites, and become symptomatic when stressed, during wet weather, traveling, at dog shows, etc. REMEMBER, STRESS IS ANY CHANGE IN ROUTINE.
  5. It may not be possible to clear the gut of these parasites. There is a Giardia vaccine, but it did not impress me.
  6. There are simple and inexpensive antibiotics available with a prescription from YOUR PHARMACY that will control the symptoms of diarrhea pronto. These include any sulfa drug like Bactrim and Metronidazole. For tiny puppies, Albon is a veterinary antibiotic that comes in a pleasant tasting liquid that can be dosed more flexibly. Albon requires a veterinary prescription but can be obtained through vet catalogs.
  7. Resistance to these antibiotics over time is possible. However, if you persist, it will eventually work. AN ADEQUATE DOSE IS NECESSARY. Veterinarians notoriously under dose with these drugs, resulting in delayed or unsuccessful results.  I would not hesitate to treat a 5 lb. puppy to a 30 lb. adult with 250 mg once a day for 5 days with Metronidazole (Flagyl) or a 1/2 tab of Bactrim DS.  A combination with fenbendazole (panacur) is good for resistance/persistence.


DEHUMIDIFIER:

I found that keeping one of these in the kennel and bringing humidity down to around 55% seems to improve diarrhea in puppies. A moist environment favors the parasites.


DIATOMACEOUS EARTH:

Marcy Caton feeds this powder to her dogs. Estimated dose 1/4 teaspoon over the puppies food once a day. She thinks this helps control diarrhea by eliminating one celled parasites and worms. According to the literature, this should work as insects and worms find diatomaceous earth both irritating and deadly. The tiny sharp particles that make up this powder desiccate and abrade the cuticles of insects and kill them. The effective dose is unknown.  I have not been impressed with results, and I like quick, visible benefits.


CLEANLINESS:

Is of course key. Remove feces and loose stools immediately from the dog's environment. 


Please make an appointment before visiting by call, text or email:


TEXT or CALL: 229-699-0290

EMAIL:   marchwindigs@yahoo.com

Marchwind Kennel

3665 Hwy 215
Vienna, GA 31092

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