Tash

No worries

Not at all!!!! Unless I have seriously misunderstood several posts, one of the issues here is that support is wanted from GA. I was merely suggesting that as opposed to just focusing on what we can achieve now goals that a phrase such as 'Our main goal is to see greyhound racing banned however in the meantime we are campaigning for better conditions'. It just sounded (and I appreciate that sometimes posts on the Internet can be easily misinterpreted) like that wasnt part of the plan. I can see from the post quoted above that this is not so. Nothing about this situation is easy and I have to admit that I totally admire GA for their single mindedness. It reminds me of an episode of Monkey Business (about a couple who rescue monkeys and give them a lovely place to live) where they saw a much abused and neglected baby chimp in a pet shop in Turkey. They felt desperately sad for the chimp and wanted to buy him and bring him home. They decided not to because the pet shop owner would just get another baby chimp plus their money is going towards killing families of chimps in order to sell the babies for cash. I would not for one minute suggest that we all sit back and let nothing happen but there are difficult decisions we all have to make. I felt compelled to stop helping at an RGT rehoming centre because they were breeding and racing greyhounds. To me that makes them part of the problem and I am not prepared to be part of the problem. But let me tell you it was bloody difficult to walk away. All I am suggesting is that this is a prime time to raise the issue of implementing a ban and giving it a much needed momentum boost. I also feel that if conditions are improved etc it will make it that much harder in the future to secure a ban because trainers will argue that the dogs have such a good life. Which is why I feel it is so important to ensure that a ban is vital part of any campaign.

Mel I totally understand what you are saying but one could equally argue that better conditions etc should already be in place according to NGRC. They simply are not there. I agree with GA's statement in principle and I would respectfully suggest that this is a perfect time to work towards a ban ASAP becase that is the only way that this kind of incident will stop. The media attention has raise the greyhound profile so high that I see this as the perfect time to strike for a total ban. It may not be successful but the more people behind a total ban now can only mean that the numbes will incease. Should anything else happen in along the way, well that would be good but the ultimate goal (for me anyway) has to be a ban. Thats does not mean that I wont be supporting any action taking but I did feel I needed to express my thoughts. And this forum has been crossposted to GGLL (www.gll.co.uk)

Thank you Muriel I have printed off the Dp reply - thank you also for that one

Update on Duke: the blood that was sent off has confirmed that Duke's pancreatic lipase in in fact normal. However the elevated lipase count in his blood IS coming from somewhere. We don't know where and why. His lipase count for today was lower than the last one so it appears that antibiotics are having some effect. So here is the plan: My vet is making 2 referrals for me. 1) is to go and have an ultra sound scan (no GA or sedation) to see if that will determine what is going on. The results of this may lead him to have a biopsy (needle into the pancreas under sedation) which will then give us further information. In the meantime the second referral is to a local homeopathic vet to see if she can assist in anyway. I have to have the vet refer me or else the insurance will not pay for it. Please continue to keep Duke in your thoughts. He is not unhappy or uncomfortable but he does need your help. If anyone has any other suggestions please feel free. Does anyone know anything about healing crystals?

thanks Edith - much appreciated xx

Update on Duke the greyhound: He had another blood test on Friday which showed his enzyme count had gone up and is now double the highest of the normal range. They are taking more blood on Tuesday for further tests and to double check the results Its very confusing because Duke has absolutely no symptoms whatsoever, consequently we are not sure how to proceed. So please, anyone with healing powers please send some to Duke should you have a spare moment. Thanks

thank you our little godsend

I am bumping this back up again because although Duke is very well in himself, his blood tests show that his enzyme count is not going down. The vet has said looking at the whole picture that he feels if Duke had cancer of the pancreas he would have more severe symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting (which he has not had since the day he was admitted to the vet nearly a month ago.) However we still don't know why the enzyme count is not reducing to normal levels. The vet also said that the best therapy for him is what he is currently on. The enzyme count from the blood test merely shows us that the pancreas is not functioning 100% normally. We do not have to return to the vet for another 2 weeks which is good. The next step may be to have a scan of the pancreas to see what it looks like. The results of that would then direct us in how to proceed. The scan can be done with GA or sedation but he will have to go to a specialist. Now this is playing havoc with my nerves because on the face of it I have a very happy hound. But the blood tests tell me something is not quite right. So I am asking again if everyone could please send healing thoughts/ prayers/ reiki to Duke and particularly his pancreas. Thank you so much everyone I hope all the other animals heal as well

thanks Muriel Duke today decided to indulge in one of his fave activities - destroying a crackly sounding envelope by pulling it to bits out my hand. he is extremely gentle even when at his most excited and as the bit of envelope left in my hand decreases the more gentle he becomes (the pics are from my phone so not great quality!)

We visited the vet today and Duke had his blood test. His enzyme count is a little further down. The recommended range is 200-1800. When he went in it was over 3000 and didn’t go down for a while. Last Thursday it was 2800 and today is was 2400. So its going in the right direction. He is staying on the stomach liner medicine one hour before food and the low fat diet and we are back for another blood test next week. But he is making progress

I am not an expert but I am sending healing thoughts to Millie and hugs for you xx

Loved that story Barbara Duke has been to the vet and had his blood test. The enzyme count is DOWN which is good news that we are heading in the right direction. He needs to stay on his meds/ special diet for a while so he is still is need of your positive thoughts. He is due back at the vets next Thursday Thanks everyone for your support so far - it HAS made a huge difference to us And now I can get some sleep!

thanks for your concern Barbara. I am exhausted as I have found sleep difficult this week. But I am doing ok and keeping happy as possible for my boy. My other hound Harry helps by keeping us amused and happy.

Duke has just played with his favourite toys for the first time since this whole episode started. I am taking this as a good sign

thank you Muriel - I am very grateful for you help (P.S. he thinks he is very lovely too)

thank you ReikiAnge for pointing this thread out to me My greyhound Duke was in at the vets 9 days ago with pancreatitis. He doesn't seem to be responding well to meds and there may be more serious diagnosis to come. he is veryhappy in himself - the illness is only really showing through blood tests. if anyone is able to offer any form of healing please please contact me. I would really appreciate it. here is a pciture of Duke: and there are more here http://www.mypetpages.net/index.php?getpag...gallery_id=1171 he is a beautiful greyhound, 8 years old on April 10th who loves people. Thanks Tash