Greyhound Medicine
This information is not intended to be a medical
textbook. Only to be a guide and a heads up for any sign you see that something may be wrong. Don't let any
source become a substitute for professional advice. The best way to treat heath problems is to prevent them in the first
place. Spend time learning what your grey looks like, smells like, feels like and how he behaves while he is healthy
and you'll quickly know when something isn't quite right.
Choosing a vet
You should take your new greyhound into your veterinarian
shortly after he comes home with you. You should let your greyhound get to know your vet and your
vet get to know your greyhound before they have to go in for something that in his mind, is really bad. Make
it a positive experience for him.
When choosing a veterinarian don't be afraid to ask questions.
Unfortunately there are vets who are not familiar with the needs of retired racing greyhounds. Ask the vet you are planning
on using if he or she is familiar with sighthounds - greyhounds in particular. If you are told that they are like any
other dog - RUN, do not walk out the nearest door. There have been a few vets that have charged their clients hundreds
of dollars treating greys for something that didn't need treating to begin with. Things such as treatment for ringworm,
when in fact it was only a "muzzle rub", or treatment for a low thyroid count when it was within normal range to start with.
If you need help finding the right vet in your area, please let us know. If at all possible, we will be glad to recommend
someone to you.
Greyhound Health
Greyhounds in general are a healthy breed and with routine
visits to your vet and care from you he should remain in good health throughout his 12 or more year life span. You can
enhance his natural good health by providing a proper diet, watching his weight, exercise and preventive medical care.
Your greyhound will be depending on you to take care of him. Keep in mind that although greyhounds are a healthy
breed, they are not excluded from health problems that any other breed can have.
Vaccinations
GAL requires all owners to keep their greyhounds inoculated
against communicable canine diseases including rabies, distemper and parvovirus. Your grey will have been vaccinated
against rabies and DHLPP before adoption. You will be given a copy of the certificate of rabies vaccination at the time
you adopt. You will be sent the original after a week or so. You will need to take either the copy of the original
to your vet for the rabies "tag". Some areas charge a city license fee. Your vet can advise you regarding when
booster shots will be necessary. GAL does not give the Bordetella. This is a preventative for kennel cough and
is only needed if you are going to board your pet at a kennel.
Anesthesia
Greyhounds are especially sensitive to certain anesthetic
agents. Some drugs should NEVER be use on a greyhound. Many greys take longer to wake up from anesthesia than
other breeds. They have relatively little body fat and are thus unable to absorb lipid soluble thiobarbiturates to any
significant degree. Such thiobarbiturates therefore remain systematically active for a greater period of time.
Be sure your vet uses and anesthesia that wears off quickly. Isofluriod is greyhound safe when administered
properly. Some types of anesthesia are likely to cause hyperthermia, a condition that occurs when a dog's body rapidly
and dangerously overheats. This can happen during or after anesthesia. This condition is not limited to greyhounds,
it has also occurred in humans. The condition is often fatal. Dantrolene is the only medication currently available
for treatment of hypothermia. Greyhounds are also susceptible to hypotension while anesthesthetized with thiobarbiturates.
Heart and Blood
Greyhounds have a lot of heart in more ways than one.
A grey's heart is slightly larger than that of other breeds and has a thicker left wall.
Approximately 11.4% of his body weight is blood, as compared
to other breeds at approximately 7.2%. Greys also have more red blood cells than other breeds. Their blood pressure
is higher than other breeds.
Their cardiac output increased by 5 times during a race.
In just one minute a racing greyhound pumps his own body weight in blood. Of course a race only lasts 30 t0 35 seconds.
Weight
Only about 16% of a racers body weight is fat, which
is less than half the amount of other breeds with comparable weight. Of course after they have been in your home
for awhile, with plenty of treats and less exercise, he can really chunk out. We cannot say enough times...do not let
your grey get too heavy!
Sight
It is believed that greyhounds depend on their sight
for 60% of the hunt. Their sense of smell and hearing are used only 20% each. There is no evidence that a greyhounds
vision is any better than other breeds. What does make the difference is their peripheral vision. Some sources
believe they can see movement in a range of 270 degrees, almost a full circle. And they do have remarkable reaction
time and incredible speed.
Teeth
The downside (if there must be a downside), is a greyhounds
teeth. Whether it's genetic or do to their diet as a racer, the bottom line is still the same - greyhounds require regular
dental cleanings.
Your greys teeth will be professionally cleaned
before you would take him/her home. Take a few minutes from time to time and check your greys teeth. You can help
keep his teeth clean and his gums healthy by providing him with a large marrowbone or knucklebone. Do not give
him small bones such as steak bones and never, ever give chicken bones that can splinter and be broken into small pieces that
can be swallowed causing your greyhound to choke or suffer internal bleeding.
Hard doggy biscuits such as Milk Bones are helpful
in keeping teeth clean. Dentabone by Pedigree is designed to promote oral health. Synthetic toys and
bones such as Nyla-ones are also good and they last a long time. There are several newer doggie treats on the market
now, such as Greenies that also help keep those pearly whites almost pearly.
You may also want to purchase a doggy toothbrush and
doggy toothpaste. These are specifically made for canine. Be careful not to brush too hard. Most greyhounds
enjoy having their teeth brushed. But if he resists, don't force the issue. You vet can recommend how often to
have your grey's teeth clean and can schedule routine cleanings at his office. Some grey's may need dentals twice a
year while others are fine with once a year. Having your vet clean your pet's teeth is the best way to make sure his
teeth and gums are in good health.
Thyroid
Your greyhound's thyroid count will be a little
lower than most other breeds. Ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 is perfectly normal for a grey. This is another reason to
have a vet that knows or is willing to learn about greyhounds.
Temperature
A greyhounds temperature should fall within a range of
100.2 degrees F. to 102.8 degrees F. And yes, he should have a cold wet drippy nose.
Tumors
Both benign and malignant tumors are common on all breeds.
We are seeing many more greyhounds with cancer than ever before. Not just greyhounds, but all breeds all the way across
the board. However, growing evidence suggests that large breed dogs may be more susceptible to bone cancer. That's
may be more susceptible not is more susceptible.
Bloat
Bloat is a life threatening condition that can strike
without warning. It can kill your greyhound before you realize anything is wrong! Bloat is a kind of everyday
layperson's term for gastric torsion or gastric dilation and volvulus syndrome (GDV). Unless you are planning on going
into veterinary medicine, stick with the word bloat. A dog's stomach can actually twist when bloat occurs. When
twisted, the blood supply to the stomach is the only way to save the life of a dog with bloat. Almost 50% of dogs who
bloat do not survive. Mainly because medical treatment was not sought. And the dog DOES suffer.
Bloat can be avoided by not free feeding. Feeding
two smaller meals a day is best for any large deep chested breed of dog. If your dog gulps his food, try to find a way
to slow him down a little. Adding water may slow him down. Calling his name and getting him to look at you for
a few seconds will give him time to swallow. Some people have put a tennis ball in the bowl with the food. The
theory behind this is that the dog will have to take the time to move the tennis ball around to get to his food, which will
slow him up a bit. Raising the food bowl of long legged dogs may also help prevent bloat.
Even moderate exercise one hour before or one hour after
feeding can cause a problem. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least two hours before and after feeding. Would you
want to do heavy exercise after a big meal?
Symptoms of bloat include retching without the ability
to vomit; excessive salivation; the abdomen feels or looks full or swollen; pacing or restlessness; seems visibly uncomfortable
or other signs of distress. The symptoms may appear soon after eating or hours later. If your greyhound is showing
signs of bloat, and there is no other reason for his unusual behavior, contact your vet right away. Tell him your are
bringing your greyhound in with symptoms of bloat. Give them a heads up that you are on the way. They can have
their stuff ready to help you get him into if office if need be. Do not wait to "see what happens" or try home remedies.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects almost every dog in their senior years.
And you thought it was just us humans that are cursed with arthritis. Greyhounds experience plenty of wear and tear
in their joints because of their profession and the sheer joy of running. Like all athletes, greys are prone to "job
related" injuries. Because of this he may be more likely to develop arthritis in his later years. But lots of
dogs have never been any more than lap puppies have developed arthritis.
Signs of arthritis may be stiffness in his joints.
He may be slow in getting up in the mornings or after napping. He may lick at his joints trying to relieve some of the
discomfort. The signs are much the same as with humans. If your grey is aging a little and starts showing signs
of arthritis have your vet examine him. If it is arthritis your vet can prescribe medication for relief. There
are some newer medications on the market now that work wonders with few side effects.
Or instead of prescription medication, you can try one
half to one Glucosamine pill a day. There is also a liquid Glucosamine you can add to his food.
You may need to adjust the amount depending on your pet. Before you start your pet on any over the counter medication,
discuss the options with your vet.
Allergies
As with some people, dogs can have allergies also.
The allergy could be caused from insect bites, his food, even some types of grass or like some of us, everything floating
in the air. If you have allergies, you know how he feels. He may have red watery itchy eyes. It is a little
harder to tell if he has skin or food allergies since greyhounds are prone to having dry skin to begin with. If
you suspect your grey may be having a problem with allergies, have your vet check him out. Your vet can prescribe medication
to relieve the symptoms or ask him if a child size dose of Benadryl would be a good choice. For insect
bites Benadryl Stick can help relieve the itching.
Pannus
Pannus is an eye disorder that is believed to be inherited.
It can lead to blindness if not caught in time and treated. There is no cure, but it can be controlled with something
as simple as eye drops. A dog having Pannus is not a guarantee that he will go blind.
Aging
Most greyhounds don't really mature mentally until they are about 3 years old. But don't
expect that on his third birthday he will magically be a grown up. One may be more mature at 2 years old than another
may be at 6. He may be turning gray but still have a puppy personality. A 2 years old or even at 3 he may still
be very much of a puppy and very full of himself or herself. A younger grey will probably need more exercise and supervision
than an older one.
A greyhound that is 9 years old and reaching his senior years will probably need more medical
care as he ages. He may start showing signs of arthritis. He may move a little slower and not want to go for those
really long walks. The senior hound is also more susceptible to weather extremes. Who isn't? But he
still can give you more love than any amount of money could ever buy. Giving him a big extra soft bed will help make
those old bones and joints more comfortable.
More than 20% of the animals in shelters and with rescue groups have been abandoned due to the
problems that may arise from aging. Neither pets nor humans should be thrown away or ignored just because they are getting
old. You wouldn't really throw Momma from the train, so you shouldn't throw away a pet that has been with you through
thick and thin giving you unconditional love no matter what. They put all of their love and trust in you to take care
of them...no matter what.
Dry Skin
Greyhounds naturally have very little skin oil, therefore they have dry sometimes itchy skin
and dandruff. A teaspoon of vegetable oil in his food once a day will aid in keeping his coat shiny and help reduce
the dandruff. You can substitute the vegetable oil with fish oil. Fish oil concentrate comes in soft gel capsules.
You snip off the end , squeeze out the oil onto the food, cut the capsule into pieces and drop those in the food also.
One fish oil capsule a day is sufficient. Or you may want to purchase food additives from your local pet supply store
that do the same thing. Products that you apply to the coat and skin are only a temporary fix. Your grey's dry
skin needs to be taken care of from the inside out. You will not see a difference over night. It may take several
weeks to notice the difference.
Sterilization
GAL requires that all greyhounds placed by our organization be altered before adoption.
You are welcome to pick out your new companion and fill out the application, but you will have to wait until after the surgery
to take him home. Although some risk is involved with any surgical procedure, the risk is far out weighed by the benefits
from sterilization. An unaltered greyhound can produce dozens of unwanted puppies, thus serving to undermine one of
the purposes of our program. There are far too many unwanted puppies and dogs at the Humane Society, Animal Control
and running loose on the streets. In addition, altered pets do not have as many health risks as unaltered one do.
In males, possible enlargement of the prostate gland is minimized and the likelihood of certain
cancers is lessened. Castration totally eliminate testicular cancer and possibility of injury to those vulnerable parts
of his body. Not to mention the frustration when he smells a female in heat.
Spaying females eliminates her from coming into estrus (heat or season) which is unpleasant for
you and her. A "hot bitch" is an irresistble enticement for every unaltered male for miles around. Spaying eliminates
the risk of uterine infections and certain cancers, both of which are common in females which have not been altered.
The "Patch"
No silly, not the patch to help quit smoking. Although we have often wondered what they
do outside of so long in the middle of the night.
This is the type of patch that is used for pain management. It is sometimes used after
surgery or a major accident. They are good for humans and most breeds of dogs. But NOT for greyhounds. The
idea is for the pain medication is just sucked right in. A patch designed to give relief for several days is absorbed
by greyhounds in a matter of hours. The convenience of the patch is not worth the risk of over-dosing your grey.
Ouch!!!
Trauma or accidents are one of the greatest hazards in your greys life. NEVER let your
grey off lead if there is a possibility of him running into traffic and being struck by a car! Greyhounds do not know
that cars can injure them. Be alert for hazards in you home and vehicle as well.
You can help safeguard your pets in your car by stuffing pillows on the floor boards between
the back of the front seat and the back seat. The pillows should be the same height as the back seat. You should
also place a blanket or comforter over the seat and the pillows. If you have to make a sudden quick stop, this will
keep your pet from being thrown onto the floor and avoiding possible injury.
Greyhounds are not familiar with their new environment and are sometimes injured when they try
to run through glass patio doors or low windows, fall downstairs or slip on the floors. Place markers or masking tape
on glass doors and low windows, take the time to teach him the stairs and keep on eye on him until he figures out how to keep
his feet under him on the tile floors. Also keep an eye on him while you are cooking. A hot pot of pan could be
pulled off the stove or a nose in a hot oven when the door is open. After all, it does smell like good food. Us
common sense and try to see things as your grey sees them.
Be alert for possible hazards where your dog is permitted to run and play. Garden tools,
broken fencing and even holes in the ground can cause injuries.
All dogs can be seriously injured or killed from the dangers of riding in the back of any open
vehicle. NEVER put your grey in the back of an open vehicle with or without you! This includes convertibles with
the top down.
Be sure to keep household cleaners, solvents, antifreeze and other chemicals that can cause poisoning
safely away from any pet.
In other words, all the stuff you were going to get around to putting away someday, you have
a good reason to do it now. It is your job to make your grey's new world safe as possible.
Kiss My Boo-Boo.....Please
Greyhounds have little protection of fur or fat from injuries. So they often to seem more
accident prone. It is not uncommon to find scrapes, scratches or even gouges on your pet. It is a good idea to
have a topical spray for your pets on hand. You can get this from your vet. He is not a baby, but will do whatever
it takes to get sympathy. If he has had a foot injury in the past, even though that injury has been healed for months,
he may still use it from time to time. Usually when he is being scolded.
Your grey may seem like a klutz at first. He is not accustom to having to navigate around
furniture or even walls. He will learn how to get his whole body where he wants it to be without banging into things.
Some greys wag their tail so hard and fast they could hit it on walls or furniture and bust it
open on the end. If this happens, get the bleeding stopped, apply an antibiotic ointment or powder, place a piece of
gauze over wound, then wrap with tape or vet wrap. First over the end of the tail and then around and around.
"Bitter Apple" will stop him from chewing the bandage. Bitter Apple is a chew deterrent that is never
to be applied directly to skin or fur.
My Tummy Hurts
Sporadic vomiting may sometimes occur. This is usually the result of vigorous exercise
too soon after eating; drinking too much water too quickly or ingestion of grass, bone fragments, or foreign objects.
Vomiting should not be a major concern unless it continues without apparent cause or if there is blood in the vomit.
If there is blood contact you vet right away.
Diarrhea can present a special challenge to a pet owner. This problem is usually diet related,
but can be triggered by stress, disease, worms, or a change in environment. Aside from being unpleasant for you and
your pet, if left untreated it can result in dehydration and even death. This does not mean to run your grey to the
vet at the first sign of loose bowels. Should your grey suffer from diarrhea, let him out frequently, as he will be
unable to control his bowels very will. You should try to determine the cause and correct it. The diet should
be supplemented with plain cooked rice. Patent anti-diarrheal medicines such as Immodium A-D or Kaopectate
can be given in the child size dosage. If the stool does not firm up by the second or third day, consult your vet.
Valley Fever
Greyhounds that have spent any time in the southwest or western United States may have been exposed
to an insidious fungal disease know as Valley Fever. Valley Fever was first seen in the San Joaquin Valley of California,
thus the name. Clinical signs are variable and progressive. Symptoms may include:
Weight Loss
Limping or Lameness
Lethargy (not easy to tell with a lazy grey)
Coughing
Lesion that will not heal
Blindness
Neurological Disorders
The only sure way to tell if your pet has Valley Fever is with a blood test. It can strike
any part of the body (brain, spine, etc.) and is not limited to canines. Many humans have suffered from Valley Fever.
A diagnostic test is able to determine whether an infected dog has a localized infection of if dissemination throughout the
body has occurred. Since Valley Fever is not common in most parts of the United States, some vets may not have seen
a case before. If your grey is showing symptoms and your vet has ruled out everything else and is not responding to
treatments, please ask your vet to take a blood sample and have it tested for Valley Fever and also for tick-borne diseases.
Valley Fever can be deadly if not treated. Once diagnosed and treatment is given, the dog can live a very long and happy
life with no problems.
And So On...
Your new grey may have little or no hair on his thighs, chest, throat, tail or nose. This
is nothing unusual. Baldness on his body may be from life in a crate. Hair loss on his nose is from the muzzle.
It is NOT ring worm or mange. Most often the hair will grow back. If there is no sign of the hair growing back
after a year or so, the cause may be the thyroid. If you are concerned, your vet can perform a thyroid count.
But if your grey is eating well, playing, generally happy and otherwise healthy, heave his thyroid alone. His baldness
may bother you, but not him.
Though it is normal for your grey to spend nearly the entire day napping, he should be eager
to play or go for a walk with very little encouragement. He should have a good appetite and eat with relish. Although
some may turn into "munchers" after being in a home for awhile. His coat should be smooth and shine, his eyes clear
and bright. He should be happy, inquisitive and eager for all the love and attention he can worm out of his family.
After you have been owned by your grey for awhile, you will become sensitive to his appearance
and behavior. You will eventually become aware of those subtle changes in your pet that can signal a health problem.
Sound scary and overwhelming? Well it's not. Use common sense and all will be well.
Parasites...Inside and Out
External parasites can include fleas, ticks and other bloodsucking insects. He can also
be bitten by ants if they are in the yard where he likes to lounge.
Ticks are small, flat and are eight legged. They can be brown, black or reddish brown in
color. They attach themselves to the skin with their mouths. Once the tick attaches itself to your pet and begins
to feed on blood, it becomes very engorged. Check especially in the folds of the ears and between toes. But ticks
will attach themselves to any part of the body. Should you find a tick, remove it by grasping it near the head and pulling
it free. You can use a pair of tweezers or the brave at heart can use their finger nails. Placing the tick in
a small container of alcohol will kill it. Ticks go about their business so quietly that they may go unnoticed unless
you make it a point to look for them. Beware...ticks can also attach themselves to you! There are commercial oil
based products such as Proticall or Frontline that are greyhound safe. Apply as directed on package.
There are four tick-borne diseases that all pet owners should be aware of.
Canine Ehrlichiosis (also known as tick fever)
Canine babesiosis
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Lyme Disease
They are typically transmitted by tick bites and travel through the dog's blood stream. Some
dogs may be silent asymptomatic carriers of one of these diseases and actually appear perfectly healthy with virtually no
symptoms. Unfortunately the symptoms for all four are very similar, and can only be diagnosed through a blood test.
But if your pet is experiencing the following and everything else has been ruled out, ask your vet to do a blood screening
for tick-borne diseases and Valley Fever.
High Fever * Depression or Lethargy * Diarrhea or Constipation
Loss of Appetite * Loss of Weight * Vomiting
Unusual Bleeding (nose; skin hemorrhage)
Swollen Legs or Lymph Nodes
Nervous System Disorders (stiff joints; stiff gait; head tilt; seizures)
Pale Gums and/or Inner Eye Membranes
These symptoms alone do not mean that your dog has a tick-borne disease or Valley Fever!
You know your pet and will be able to tell when there is a real problem. As with Valley Fever, these diseases do not
go away by themselves. If left untreated they are deadly! But with proper treatment there is no reason for any
pet to die from a tick-borne disease or Valley Fever. A dog can live a very long and happy life with treatment, and
no one will ever be able to tell anything was ever wrong. Treatments for tick-borne diseases can include a series of
Tetracycline (or their derivatives), or Doxycycline. Your vet will know which antibiotic is best.
The antibiotic treatments are relatively inexpensive.
Dogs may sometimes be affected with mites, which are tiny spider like creatures. You can't
see them move. They are usually found in the ears and can be killed by washing the affected area with a cotton ball
dipped in a small amount of alcohol. Be careful not to go down into the ear too far. There are specific medications
available for mites. If in doubt, have your vet check your pets ears.
Fleas can be a big problem as well. Especially if your pet has been exposed to other animals
or surroundings that have fleas. Fleas are blood sucking insects with six legs and the ability to jump far distances.
Like ticks, they can carry diseases that can spread from pet to pet and pet to human. Flea bites will cause redness
and itching on the skin. Your pet will scratch and bite at his skin with his front teeth trying to "flee" from himself.
If you discover fleas on your pet, first give him a good bath with a flea shampoo, we recommend Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo
or lemon scented Joy dishwashing liquid. Use just enough shampoo to lather the dog. Leave on for a few
minutes and rinse completely. After his bath and he is dry, he can be sprayed with a commercial greyhound safe product,
we recommend Adams Flea and Tick Spray. You will also need to treat ALL pets, bedding, your home and yard.
Always us only greyhound safe products. Pay special attention to the legs, feet, in between
toes, groin area, neck and behind ears. Many preparations will only kill adult fleas. You should repeat after
seven days to remove nits (eggs) which were laid. You can also use a "flea comb" which you should be able to find at
your pet supply store. If reinfestation occurs, repeat the process.
NEVER use a flea collar on any greyhound! Do not use any internal preparation designed
to kill fleas. Do not rely on store clerks to know which products will be safe for your grey. Be careful when
using all flea and tick products excessively or over a long period of time as toxic reactions may occur. Greyhounds
do not tolerate pesticides well and some could prove to be toxic or even fatal.
We have heard from people that have had their greys for years without any fleas or ticks that
suddenly they are finding them. Even though they have been nowhere that their pets could have gotten them. An
infested stray cat can wander through your yard. The pets next door may have them. Sometimes it seems that they
fall from the sky. Not as funny as it sounds, birds also carry external parasites. If they do show up, again,
you must treat all of your pets, bedding, home and yard. And again in seven days. You can take the flea collar
that you are not going to put on your grey, cut it in strips about three inches long and drop them into your vacuum bag.
Throw the bag away after you have vacuumed.
Your new pet may be scratching too due to dry skin. If you see him scratching or nibbling,
check to see that it is not due to fleas or ticks. If you see no sign of parasites, adding vegetable oil or fish oil
to his food should take care of the dry skin.
