ntw67

(from www.greythealth.com)

Suzanne Stack, DVM

Greyhound bloodwork has enough differences from “other dog” bloodwork to sometimes make it deceivingly “normal” or “abnormal” if one isn’t familiar with these differences. The salient differences are discussed below.

CBC = Complete Blood Count

RBC = Red Blood Cells

Hgb = Hemoglobin

PCV / HCT = Packed Cell Volume / Hematocrit

WBC = White Blood Cells

Platelets

NORMAL VALUES FOR:
Greyhounds                             Other Dogs

RBC:                   7.4 – 9.0                                   5.5 – 8.5

Hgb:                    19.0 – 21.5                               12.0 – 18.0

PCV:                   55 – 65                                     37 – 55

Greyhounds have significantly more red blood cells than other breeds. This elevates parameters for RBC, hemoglobin, and PCV / HCT, and is the reason greyhounds are so desirable as blood donors. Most veterinarians are aware of this difference. Never accept a diagnosis of polycythemia – a once-in-a-lifetime-rare diagnosis of pathologic red cell overproduction – in a greyhound.

Conversely, never interpret a greyhound PCV in the 30’s – low 40’s as being normal just because it is for other dogs. A greyhound with a PCV in the 30’s – low 40’s is an anemic greyhound. Here in Arizona, a greyhound PCV < 50 is a red flag to check for Ehrlichia.

WBC

Greyhound: 3.5 – 6.5

Other dog:  6.0 – 17.0

Other greyhound CBC changes are less well known. The greyhound’s normally low WBC has caused more than one healthy greyhound to undergo a bone marrow biopsy in search of “cancer” or some other cause of the “low WBC.”

Platelets

Greyhound:  80,000 – 200,000

Other dog:  150,000 – 400,000

Likewise, greyhound platelet numbers are lower on average than other breeds, which might be mistakenly interpreted as a problem. It is thought that greyhound WBCs, platelets, and total protein may be lower to physiologically “make room” in the bloodstream for the increased red cell load.

Confounding these normally low WBC and platelet numbers is the fact that Ehrlichia, a common blood parasite of greyhounds, can lower WBC and platelet counts. So if there is any doubt as to whether the WBC / platelet counts are normal, an Ehrlichia titer is always in order. The other classic changes with Ehrlichia are lowered PCV and elevated globulin and total protein. But bear in mind that every greyhound will not have every change, and Ehrlichia greyhounds can have normal CBCs.

Chem Panel

T.P. = Total Protein

Globulin

Creatinine

T4

                                      NORMAL VALUES FOR:
T.P.                               Globulin

Greyhound:               4.5 – 6.2                       Greyhound: 2.1 – 3.2

Other dog:                 5.4 – 7.8                       Other dog: 2.8 – 4.2

Greyhound total proteins tend to run on the low end of normal – T.P.s in the 5.0’s and 6.0’s are the norm. While the albumin fraction of T.P. is the same as other dogs, the globulin component is lower.

Creatinine

Greyhounds: 0.8 – 1.6

Other dogs: .0 – 1.0

Greyhound creatinines run higher than other breeds as a function of their large lean muscle mass. A study at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine found that 80% of retired greyhounds they sampled had creatinine values up to 1.6 times as high as the top of the standard reference range for “other dogs.” As a lone finding, an “elevated creatinine” is not indicative of impending kidney failure. If the BUN and urinalysis are normal, so is the “elevated” creatinine.

T4

Greyhounds: 0.5 – 3.6 (mean 1.47+/- 0.63)

Other dogs: 1.52 – 3.60

These figures are from a University of Florida study of thyroid function in 221 greyhounds – 97 racers, 99 broods, and 25 studs – so it included both racers and “retired.” While greyhound thyroid levels are a whole chapter unto themselves, a good rule of thumb is that greyhound T4s run about half that of other breeds.

Urinalysis

And lastly, the good news – greyhound urinalysis is the same as other breeds. It is normal for males to have small to moderate amounts of bilirubin in the urine.

Sources

M.R. Herron, DVM, ACVS, Clinical Pathology of the Racing Greyhound , 1991

C. Guillermo Couto, DVM, ACVIM, “Managing Thrombocytopenia in Dogs & Cats,”Veterinary Medicine, May 1999

J.Steiss, DVM, W. Brewer, DVM, E.Welles, DVM, J. Wright, DVM, “Hematologic & Serum Biochemical Reference Values in Retired Greyhounds,” Compendium on Continuing Education, March 2000

M. Bloomberg, DVM, MS, “Thyroid Function of the Racing Greyhound,” University of Florida, 1987

D. Bruyette, DVM, ACVIM, Veterinary Information Network, 2001

After fostering many different breeds of dogs, I was finally in the happy position to adopt one permanently. My choice was a greyhound because of the breed’s gentle nature and beauty.

I pursued the adoption through Greyhound Friends For Life, and through every step of the process, I was warned that sight hounds could not be let off-leash since they were unpredictable and prone to taking-off when loose. I said I understood and agreed to be extremely careful. I knew I had a fenced-in yard from which the dog could not escape, and that there was also an enclosed track/ball field behind the local high school where the dog would be able to run without getting away- so I adopted a beautiful boy named Lad.

Lad was special from the moment I met him, and within just a few weeks, had become a well-loved member of my family (which consisted of 4 cats, 1 potbellied pig, 1 small dog, and 1 husband). Although initially shy and reluctant to participate in the family, through basic obedience classes and patience, Lad became a well-adjusted, enthusiastic family member. From the day I had him, he was well-behaved and never tried to run away.

One evening during our walk in my neighborhood, my shih-tzu, Lindsay, managed to get her leash tangled with Lad’s and wound around his legs. Without even thinking, I dropped the leashes to untangle the dogs, and in that brief moment, Lad took off at full speed, sending Lindsay tumbling in his wake. He ran away down a hill and out of my sight, ignoring my calls to him. I don’t know if he saw something off in the distance, or exactly what prompted him to take off at just that moment, but he never even looked back.

I heard, but did not see, the car that hit him, breaking his neck and my heart. That brief second’s thoughtlessness cost Lad his life, and will cause me sorrow for the rest of mine. I finally learned the lesson that everyone had been trying to teach me from the beginning: Don’t let your sight hound off the leash.

For those of you who have let a greyhound into your heart, please do not let him run free. You can never take back the few seconds it takes for an accident to happen, and when it does, it will haunt you forever.

Everyone at Greyhound Friends for Life realizes that owning your first (or second, or third, or…) Greyhound is an exciting time.  We also know that you’ll have lots of questions.  Please feel free to contact us.  And remember, there is no such thing as a “stupid question”.  We just want you and your dog to be as happy as possible.

Barbara Judson (bajudson@gmail.com)(510 506-6225 (cell) 

Marni Parmar (sighthoundstudio@gmail.com)

(510) 520-6030 (cell)

General Information

Agreement:

Should your Greyhound become lost, immediately call the 1-800-446-8637 (1-800-GHOUNDS) so that the group can help locate your pet for you.

If, for some reason, you are unable to keep your Greyhound, you must return it to GFFL, rather than placing it in a home yourself or taking it to an animal shelter.

Suggestions:

• Shampoo:  Use an all-natural shampoo formulated for dogs.  Oatmeal/aloe shampoos are particularly good for soothing the skin and helping to get rid of dry skin.  Citrus shampoo as a second scrub on black dogs enhances sheen.  Oxydex helps clear blackheads and dandruff.
• Flea Control:  Do not use flea collars!  GFFL recommends Frontline or Advantage products.  See your veterinarian for advice on which would be best for your dog.
• Grooming Supplies:  Large nail clippers, curry brush, toothbrush and CET or Petrodex toothpaste.  Oticlens or OtiRinse is useful for cleaning ears and drying inner ears after bathing.  Talk with your veterinarian for products to use for ear infections and wound management.
• Collars:  Day collar with GFFL and personal ID tags (must be left on the dog at all times), Martingale-type collars (no choke chains), harness if preferred, strong 4-foot metal clamp or buckle leads (NO Retractable Leads).
• Kennels:  500 series kennel for most female greyhounds, 700 series for males.
• Dishes:  Metal or ceramic (avoid plastic)
• Food:  Any premium dog food (eg, Canidae, Nutro, California Natural, Eukanuba Premium Performance, Wysong, Nature’s Recipe, etc.).  Avoid foods with “animal by-products”, wheat, or corn.  Supplements can include brown rice, cottage cheese, canned dog food (small amount), vegetables, and some fruits (peaches, apples, blueberries).
• Anesthesia/Tranquilizers:  Ketamine/Valium followed by isoflurane or halothane gas or propofol-isoflurane.  Avoid ketamine-rompun-ace (KRA).  

Contact Information:

Barbara Judson

510-560-6225

If you’d like to help with a donation, please contact:

Barbara Judson

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 549, Fulton, CA, 95439-8861

(510) 560-6225 or 1-800-GHOUNDS (446-8637)

The ex-racing greyhound has had a completely regimented life until the time he goes into a home.  From puppyhood, he has been on a schedule of exercise, feeding, turnouts for peeing and pooping, and sleeping.  The only prohibition in a racing Greyhound’s life is not to get into a fight—or eat certain stuff in the turnout pen.

This is the life of a racing greyhound—

From weaning until he goes away for serious race training, usually at 1 to 1 1/2 years, he eats, grows, and exercises with his siblings.  When he gets to the training kennel, he is put into a separate crate in a large kennel, usually housing about 70 greyhounds.  Although these crates are in rows and stacked, the greyhound has its own space and no one touches or startles him without warning.  A dog hears a vehicle drive up or the kennel door being unlocked.  The light switches are flipped on.  The loudmouths in residence, and there always are some, begin to bark or howl.  The greyhound is wide awake by the time the human opens the door to his crate to turn him out.  A greyhound has never been touched while he was asleep.

The greyhound is fed on a strict schedule.  There is no choice of food; the greyhound’s bowl is put in front of him and there is no chance to eat any other dog’s food or get food from another dog.  The greyhound and his food are not touched or disturbed while he is eating.

Turnouts are also on a strict schedule.  The greyhounds are placed in a turn out pen and it isn’t long before they get the idea of what they are supposed to do while out there.  Unless the greyhounds really get out of hand, they can chase, roughhouse, jump, and put their paws on the other dogs.  The only humans the greyhounds know are the trainers and handlers who bring food and turn them out to go to the bathroom.  Respect people? Surely you jest.

In a greyhound’s life, there are no surprises, day in and day out.  The only thing that is wanted of the greyhound is that he will win, place or show, and he doesn’t have much control over this.  It is either in his blood, his heart, or his fate—or it is not.

And when it’s not, the greyhound, in a very brief period of time, is often expected to be a well‑trained pet when it goes into an adopter’s home.  He is dropped in a totally unfamiliar world without warning or training.  But adopters don’t realize the greyhound may not even understand English and most don’t know their name because they don’t need to.  But suddenly, the dog is expected to behave himself in places he’s never been taught how to act.  He is expected to take responsibility for saying when he needs to go outside, to come when he is called, told not to get on some or all of the furniture, and to not eat food off counters and tables.  At first, almost everything he does may be wrong.  Suddenly he is a pet, expected to know the rules and the schedule, even when neither exist.  We get calls from adopters saying “He won’t tell me when he has to go out.” What kind of schedule is that?

There is no more strength in numbers for him.  He is left alone for the first time in his life, in a strange place with no idea of what will happen or how long it will be before someone comes to him again.  In many cases, one of his first experiences with his new family is punishment, something he doesn’t understand in the middle of the rest of the chaos.  After all, what are the most common human reactions to misbehavior?  We live in a violent society, where the answer to any irritation is a slap, punch, kick, whip, or rubbing your nose in it.

When first left alone, if the greyhound is not crated, he may go though walls, windows, or over fences, desperately seeking something familiar, something with which to reconnect his life.  If he does get free, he will find the familiarity within himself:  the adrenaline high, the wind in his ears, the blood pulsing and racing though his heart once again—until he crashes into a car.

Many adopters expect their greyhound to have the manners of at least a 6-year old child.  But what responsible person would leave an unfamiliar 6-year old human alone and loose in a home for hours at a time and not expect to find who knows what when they returned home?  Also, consider that a person who did this with a 6-year old child could be brought up on charges of child abuse, neglect, and endangerment.  Yet people frequently do this with Greyhounds and this is often the reason for so many returns.

Adopters must assume that they are dealing with a 2-year old, not a 6-year old.  Too many dogs have been returned within the first few weeks because they did not know how to tell the adopter when they had to go out.  Or for jumping on people, getting on furniture, counter‑surfing, separation anxiety, or defensive actions (eg, growling or biting) because of being startled or hurt.

Almost all adoptions can be successful if the adopters understand the background of these wonderful dogs and are willing to work with them.  Despite their lack of bonding with humans on the track, they are anxious to please and will respond with affection and loyalty to the adopter who is patient and gentle but firm in providing structure and training in a loving environment.

This is an edited version of a talk given by Kay. L. Gilley – delivered in Council Bluffs, Iowa on 10 Oct 98

This deadly stomach disorder

Can kill a dog in an hour

The death of one of America’s top show dogs has brought about a new awareness of the condition called bloat.  Even the TV show “The Simpsons” made a recent reference to bloat, when Bart’s dog (named Santa’s Little Helper) nearly died of what the vet called “a twisted stomach.”

But bloat is no laughing matter.

Bloat can kill a dog within an hour after its onset.  It affects 36,000 dogs in the United States each year and kills as many as 30 percent of those.  The cause of the ailment is unknown.

Morris Animal Foundation’s Bloat Advisory Panel defines bloat as “a sudden, dramatic and often fatal disorder characterized by the rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach, an increase in intragastric pressure, compression of surrounding organs, and shock.”

“Veterinarians call the ailment Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or GDV,” said veterinarian Dennis Feinberg, Charles Towne Veterinary Clinic, Charleston, SC.  “The first part of the name refers to a rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach.  For some unknown reason the stomach doesn’t empty normally.  No food passes into the intestine, and no food passes in the other direction as vomit, either.”

“The second part of the name refers to what can happen to the stomach with this condition.  Sometimes the stomach flips over or twists clockwise on its long axis.  When this happens, the spleen turns with the stomach.  This turning compresses the caudal vena cava, one of the major veins carrying blood to the heart.  The blood supply is cut off from the stomach, spleen, and some other organs.  The dog goes into shock, and death in imminent.”

“Bloat is a medical emergency,” said Dr. Joel K. Jensen, Arden Animal Hospital, Arden, NC.  “If your dog exhibits any of bloat’s symptoms, take him to the vet immediately.  Any delay can be deadly.”

“A dog who is experiencing bloat will be very uncomfortable.  He may seem anxious, and may whine and pace the floor.  He may keep looking at his stomach, which may look swollen and distended, and he may try to vomit, with no results.  The dog will seem to be unable to get comfortable in any position.  Any of these symptoms are warning signs of possible bloat,” Dr. Jensen said.

Symptoms usually begin after a meal, though that isn’t always the case.  GDV has developed in dogs hospitalized for other conditions who haven’t eaten for more than twenty-four hours.

“When your dog arrives at the vet, the doctor will immediately try to pass a tube through the mouth and into the stomach.  If this succeeds, the gas and pressure can escape, stopping the attack.  If this procedure isn’t successful, the vet knows that torsion has occurred and the only treatment is immediate surgery to correct the twist,” Dr. Jensen said.  Even then, the dog isn’t out of danger.  While the blood is prevented from circulating, damage occurs to some of the organs in the body.  When the twist is corrected, the trapped blood rushes back to the heart.  It can carry damaged micro-organisms and small blood clots with it.  Vets call these “reperfusion injuries.”  They can damage the heart and other organs and may cause death within a few days.

At Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Gary Lantz is conducting clinical trials on treatment of reperfusion injuries.  “While his work is still experimental, the techniques look promising,” a leading bloat expert said.

“Owners of large or giant-breed dogs should be especially cautious as these dogs seem to have a much greater chance of developing the disease,” cautioned veterinarian Colin Burrows of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, who has been studying bloat.  “The giant breeds are more than 130 times more likely to experience bloat than dogs under 20 pounds, and the Great Dane is the breed most susceptible to GDV.  Older dogs are also at greater risk, and purebred dogs have the ailment four times as often as mongrels.”

“While there is no doubt that GDV results from the accumulation of gas in the stomach, the origin of the gas remains a mystery,” said Dr. Burrows who has been studying bloat.  Some people believe that diet plays a role in bloat.  These people are particularly suspicious of soy products because they believe these products cause gas.  However, no studies funded by Morris Animal Foundation give conclusions that implicate foods.  “Studies at the University of Florida and at Colorado State University suggest that diet is probably not the cause of the disease,” Dr. Burrows said.

While bloat may not be related to what the dog eats, how he eats may affect him.  Stress seems to be related to bloat.  “This is hard to test,” Dr. Burrows said.  “How does one define stress?”

Yet there is an increased incidence of bloat in dogs who have just returned from the vet or have been boarded in a kennel while the family was away.  Even the dog who is being shipped prior to or after breeding is under stress, and more likely to develop bloat.

“At the University of Florida, dogs who are subject to heavy metal rock music show signs of gastric distress,” Dr. Burrows said.  “Given the results of our stress studies, one cannot help but speculate that stress might be a major risk factor.  However, it cannot be the whole story, because dogs subjected to stress do not routinely develop GDV.  Also, this doesn’t explain the predisposition of large and giant breeds to contract bloat.”

Dr. Rob Hilsenroth, staff veterinary spokesman at Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), suggested that owners learn the symptoms of bloat and the risk factors related to the disease.  “Owners can take steps to help protect their pets from bloat,” he said.

MAF offers these guidelines for dog owners.  These are not guaranteed to prevent bloat.  They may help protect a dog, since they are based on suspected risk factors.

* In general, divide a large dog’s food into at least two feedings per day.  Avoid feeding only one meal a day.

* If possible, feed the dog when someone will be there to observe him for about an hour.  This person should be aware of warning signs and emergency procedures.  * Discuss emergency measures with your vet.  Some vets will recommend emergency procedures to uses while transporting the animal to the vet.

* If you have a dog who is at higher risk of suffering from bloat, develop a good relationship with your vet.  You should feel comfortable calling on the vet at any time of night or day.

* Water should be available to dogs at all times.  Limit the amount of water for dogs who drink too much after eating.

* Help the dog avoid vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress one hour before and two hours after a meal.  Walking is permissible; jogging and playing fetch are not.

* Feed dogs individually in a quiet place.  Dogs who feel they have to bolt down their food or protect it are under stress while eating.

* Changes in an animal’s diet should be made gradually over 4 or 5 days.  Mix a small amount of the new food into the old food for the first feeding, and gradually increase the amount of new food over subsequent feedings until only the new food is being presented.

* Special attention should be paid to all of the above any time the dog is under stress.  This is especially true during breeding season, after a trip to the vet, or while the dog is boarding at a kennel.

* Dogs who have survived bloat are at increased susceptibility for more attacks.  Preventive surgery or medical management should be discussed with the vet.

What’s in the future in terms of treatment and prevention of bloat?  Dr. Burrows said, “despite a great deal of study, the cause of GDV remains as elusive as ever.”  Some researchers believe the basic cause of bloat may be the result of a variety of factors which combine to block the stomach from emptying after a meal.

“Our research has taught us a great deal about what happens to the dog during bloat, and we have learned about medical and surgical treatment of the disease.  While some tantalizing clues exist as to its cause, we are still a long way from any comprehensive understanding of the disease.”

A new study funded by MAF is underway at Purdue University.  The two-year epidemiological study hopes to identify the many factors that predispose a dog to bloat.  It also hopes to pinpoint the factors that cause GDV so that veterinarians can predict, and hopefully avoid, the onset of the condition.  The study, which involves examining hundreds of medical records from actual cases of bloat over the last ten years, should be complete in the fall of 1993.

You can help support bloat studies.  Through grants to scientists, Morris Animal Foundation funds research on this deadly condition.  Donations to MAF can be ear-marked for bloat research.  Send contributions to:

Morris Animal Foundation

45 Inverness Drive, East

Englewood, CO  80112

 Barbara Backer is a frequent contributor to Good Dog!

 Dogs At High Risk For Bloat

•  Basset Hound
• Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)
• Bouvier de Flandres
• Boxer
• Collie
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shepherd
• German Shorthaired Pointer
• Gordon Setter
• Great Dane
• Greyhounds
• Irish Setter
• Irish Wolfhound
• Labrador Retriever
• Saint Bernard
• Large Mixed Breeds

Source: Burrows, C.F. and Ignaszewski, L.A.; (1990) Canine gastric dilatation-volvulus; Journal of Small Animal Practice 31, 495-501

Warning Signs of Bloat

•  Whining
• Pacing
• Retching
• Swollen or distended stomach
• Dog can’t seem to get comfortable
• Dog keeps getting up and lying down
• Dog looks at stomach
• Dog seems anxious

 Don’t delay.  Bloat can kill within 1 hour.  Call your vet or emergency clinic NOW!

 VET’S PHONE:____________________

NIGHT EMERGENCY:______________

Clip and post near telephone.

All About Ticks

Ticks are a common parasite of both dogs and people. Tick species are found worldwide and may infest dogs in very large numbers, especially during certain times of the year. Ticks as well as fleas and mosquitoes act as vectors of disease. Three stages of the tick (larvae, nymph and adult) parasitize animals and humans. When a tick feeds, it cuts an opening in the skin of the host with the teeth on its chelicera and then pushes its hypostome (feeding tube) into the hole. At the same time, the tick secretes a “cement-like” substance in and around the opening. The barbs on the hypostome and the cement anchor the tick to the skin. While feeding, ticks inject saliva-containing anticoagulant into the blood. The saliva may also contain disease organisms. Ticks may carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, several types of ehrlichiosis, Babesia, and other potentially deadly diseases. Prevalence of these diseases may be quite high in certain regions, making tick control a definite medical concern for veterinarians and dog owners.

Tick-borne Diseases: Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, tularemia

Risk for biting ticks is increased if:

• Tick-borne diseases have been diagnosed in your region.
• You take your dog camping, hiking or hunting where ticks are found.
• You have removed a tick from your dog in the last few months.
• Your dog is exposed to wildlife that are tick hosts (deer, rodents, raccoons, etc.).
• Your yard has dense shrubs, tall grass or leaf litter – common tick habitats.
• You take your dog to wooded areas or grassy meadows.