Health Conditions Found In Racing Dogs
There are many non-hereditary health risks that come along with adopting a retired racing dog. These can range from dental problems to bloody and crumbling toenails, some of which will require immediate attention after you receive the animal.
Take your adopted dog to the veterinarian to check for any dental issues, as they may be hard to detect.
The Greyhound’s damaged nails and frequently cracked and broken paw pads can be soothed through foot soaks, and other therapies that aim to eliminate bacteria and fungus while promoting healthy paws. Toenail and pad issues are extremely common in racing Greyhounds.
Retired racer Greyhounds should also be given a complete tick disease panel, because many retired racers have had infections at some point, or may even currently be infected. Tick diseases are usually easily treatable with antibiotics if caught early, so make sure to have your adopted dog tested right away just in case. While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to test for heartworm, although your adoption group should have done this already.
Greyhounds: What a Unique Breed!
Your dog is special! She’s your best friend, companion, and a source of unconditional love. Chances are that you chose her because you like Greyhounds and you expected her to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle:
However, no dog is perfect! You may have also noticed these characteristics:
Is it all worth it? Of course! She’s full of personality, and you love her for it! She is even-tempered, quiet, and has a low activity level indoors; an excellent housemate.
The Greyhound is an ancient breed thought to have originated in Egypt. Bred for speed, they were used for coursing game, including deer and hare. This sighthound is a popular racing dog, known as a “40-mph couch potato,” because while they are fast, they also enjoy resting at home. The Greyhound was bred for sprinting rather than for endurance. The Greyhound is the fastest of all dogs, clocking in at speeds of up to 44 mph! At home, the Greyhound is a gentle and laid-back dog that appreciates a comfortable place to sleep. Greyhounds are good with calm children and most family dogs.
We know that because you care so much about your dog, you want to take good care of her. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Greyhound. By knowing about health concerns specific to Greyhounds, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks.
Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they are related to your pet’s breed. There is a general consensus among canine genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners that the conditions we’ve described herein have a significant rate of incidence and/or impact in this breed. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Greyhounds to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. Of course, we can’t cover every possibility here, so always check with us if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms.
This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Greyhounds. This information helps you and us together plan for your pet’s unique medical needs. At the end of the booklet, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Needlenose looking and feeling her best. You will know what to watch for, and we will all feel better knowing that we’re taking the best possible care of your pal.
The Most Common Greyhound Health Issues
The Greyhound breed is known for its athleticism and speed. Greyhounds owners may not be aware that they are also at risk for Fibrocartilaginous emboli or FCE. An FCE occurs when a blood clot cuts off the blood flow in the spinal cord. An FCE or spinal stroke occurs suddenly in very active dogs. Sudden hind leg paralysis and back leg weakness are common with an FCE.
Mobility loss can be temporary or permanent. For the best outcome, your Greyhound needs to seek treatment immediately. As your dog heals, a wheelchair can be beneficial for back leg support and continued mobility.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a serious condition and is fatal if left untreated. Commonly referred to as “bloat,” GDV occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and subsequently twists. GDV develops without warning and can progress quickly. It is always an emergency. Greyhounds have deep narrow chest which could be a precursor to developing bloat.
If you see these conditions, you will need to take them to the E.R. for treatment immediately.
Preventing Bloat
To reduce the risk of bloat:
Some veterinary hospitals will recommend a gastropexy. A gastropexy is a surgical procedure that stops the stomach from twisting. Owners of large breed dogs may opt to have the surgery done when their dogs are young, typically at the time of neuter or spaying.
Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor of the bone. Osteosarcomas are tumors result from an abnormal production of cells that break down bone, and is likely to develop in older greyhounds. While this is an aggressive condition, your vet can best advise pain management and other treatments to ensure your greyhound is as comfortable as possible. Be on the lookout for:
Finding and addressing your dogs cancer diagnosis early will increase the likelihood of survival. Walkin’ Wheels Dog Wheelchair
Greyhounds are known to suffer from a few different heart problems. Some heart problems are connected to the fact that they have a slightly larger heart than other dogs of the same size. The two most prominent cardiac concerns in greyhounds are heart murmurs and elevated blood pressure. To avoid misdiagnosis for these and other heart conditions you will want to see a specialist.
A heart murmur is an issue where the heart’s chambers do not adequately allow blood flow. A heart murmur diagnosis is by no means a life threatening. Many dogs with murmurs live a long, healthy life. The severity of a dog’s murmur is rated on a scale from 1 to 6. A dog’s heart murmur needs to be diagnosed by a Veterinarian.
Another common issue Greyhounds may be at high risk for is high blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension can be caused by other diseases or singularly develop independently. Symptoms of high blood pressure often come on without warning., A common sign could either be a gradual, or sudden, onset of blindness due to blood vessel tears within the retina.
When untreated high blood pressure can cause cardiovascular complications and can weaken or damage the heart.
If you have a Greyhound or are looking to adopt one, be sure to know the common signs of high blood pressure and seek assistance from your Veterinarian.
Greyhounds do well in homes with children and are indeed a great family companion. Pet parents of Greyhounds have often referred to them as ‘angels’. They are indeed a sweet and loving breed. There are a number of rescues that save greyhounds from the plight of racetracks both in the U.S. and in Europe. Almost never are Greyhounds bred for adoption as puppies because there are so many in need of rescue at these greyhound-specific rescues.
Greyhound Health Issues
When it comes to breeds like the Greyhound, many people around the world are adamant on keeping their dog’s offspring as pure as possible, which means that crossbreeding is almost entirely unheard of. While this has become more unpopular in recent years, purebred breeding is still fairly common, especially when it comes to Greyhounds.
Whether you are for or against breeding, there are some factors about pure blood breeding that can’t be denied, and one of these is health. In nature, if an animal has a particular health issue, the only way it can be effectively weaned out of the species is through mixed breeding, where the offspring of the parents sometimes won’t inherit the health issue, instead taking genes from the healthier parent.
This isn’t the case when breeding animals, and as such, health issues tend to remain within a family of animals, and in fact, throughout an entire bloodline.
Whether you’ve adopted a Greyhound after seeing it on eSports betting Australia, or want to participate in breeding yourself, these are some of the more common health issues that affect Greyhounds, especially as they get older.