Health & Medical Issues

KOOL_2CThose of us who own and work with Greyhounds are aware of the many areas – physically, metabolically, and physiologically – in which these amazing creatures differ from all other dog breeds.

  • Why are normal Greyhound bloodwork results so different from other breeds of dogs?
  • What are “corns” and why are Greyhounds the only dogs who ever get them?
  • Why are so many Greyhounds misdiagnosed as hypothyroid?
  • Why is the Greyhound recognized as the canine universal blood donor?
  • Why is a heart murmur in a Greyhound very common and generally not a health problem?
  • What is bald thigh syndrome (BTS) and why is it a common occurrence in Greyhounds and considered a cosmetic condition only, not a medical symptom?
  • Why is diligence in maintaining dental health especially important in Greyhound care?

And so the list goes on and on. That’s why it is so important to find a veterinarian who really understands and has experience with Greyhounds, one who is aware of and can answer all those questions. For a number of years now AAGA has been very fortunate in having the expert services of The Village Vets in Lilburn. Georgia, by our side, helping to keep our ex-racers in the best possible health.

Sick doggyHEALTH & MEDICAL WEBSITE RESOURCES. On a daily basis, AAGA’s first “go to” informational site for Greyhound medical idiosyncrasies and problems is Greyt Health. This site is a compilation of articles written over many years by Suzanne Stack, DVM. Dr. Stack has been enthusiastically acclaimed by many as a medical authority on “all things Greyhound”. Rather than our trying to “reinvent the wheel” by rewriting and paraphrasing all of her expert articles, we encourage you to visit the Greyt Health site and check out those subjects that are of interest to you. At minimum, and to be on the safe side, we recommend that the material presented on the most significant Greyhound idiosyncrasies – such as normal Greyhound bloodwork parameters and results, as well as anesthesia sensitivity – be shared with your veterinarian.

Since this veterinary practice in Nashville, Tennessee, somewhat specializes in Greyhounds, Grassmere Animal Hospital can be a valuable resource in so many Greyhound areas.

Another popular website, although not limited to Greyhounds, is Healthy Pets. It often features informative articles on current medical trends in pet health written by holistic veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker,

BALD THIGH SYNDROME (BTS)

Greyhounds are generally healthy hounds, but it does seem that alopecia (hair loss) is a fairly common condition in a number of ex-racers.  While it ... (more)

BLOAT

Bloat and the similar conditions of torsion and GDV can occur in any breed but are most prevalent in large deep-chested dogs.  While it is ... (more)

BLOOD CHEMISTRY OF GREYHOUND

Your ex-racer’s blood chemistry is one of the principal ways he/she differs from all other dog breeds.  For this reason alone it is imperative that ... (more)

CORNS

If you have a Greyhound who starts limping, one of the first things he should be checked for is corns on the pads of his feet ... (more)

CPR – THE ABC’s

The need to resuscitate your beloved pet in an emergency isn’t something most Greyhound owners want to think about. But it’s better to be safe than ... (more)

HAPPY TAIL

A Greyhound’s tail is long, bony, and whip-like.  Because it contains little tissue and the skin is thinly stretched over it, the tail can break ... (more)

HEARTWORMS

Heartworm preventative is absolutely essential for any dog in this part of the country. Heartworms are carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. If your home is ... (more)

HEIMLICH MANEUVER

Pets, especially dogs, occasionally choke on things just as humans do.  Knowing how to respond appropriately to a choking emergency could save your pet’s life ... (more)

OSTEOSARCOMA

Osteosarcoma “Bone cancer” is the bane of all long-legged breeds, including the Greyhound. Previously, a diagnosis of this horrible, excruciatingly painful disease was a death knell ... (more)

PET FIRST AID KIT

Pets are always getting themselves into mischief, which means the likelihood of an accident happening and your pet injuring themselves is very high. Of course, ... (more)

POOP SCOOP

Yes, this is a blog on poop!  Our thanks go out to its authors, Holly Harrington and Michael Owens of The Sighthound Underground, McLean, Virginia, ... (more)

THUNDERSTORM PHOBIA

The Fall 2015 issue of Celebrating Greyhounds magazine contained a wonderful article by Jennifer Ng, DVM on “Thunderstorm Phobia” This is a must-read for those ... (more)

TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET

Greyhounds are generally great traveling companions. If you are planning on taking your special hound on a trip, here are some tips to make sure ... (more)

VACCINES

Every conscientious pet owner should make themselves aware of the current thinking regarding medication for them. There are developments happening all the time, for example ... (more)

XYLITOL POISONING – IT’S ON THE RISE!

Xylitol is a very popular sugar substitute that now appears in more and more sugar-free products, such as chewing gum, candies, toothpaste, mouthwash and oral ... (more)