GREYHOUND RACING VICTORIA - Booklet 8 - Greyhound Health Attending and Training Greyhounds - Greyhound Care & Standards
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GREYHOUND RACING
VICTORIA
Attending and Training Greyhounds
Booklet 8 – Greyhound Health
Greyhound Racing Victoria
Attendant and Trainer Education Pack
All rights reserved
This work is copyright of Greyhound Racing Victoria
Date Published 2019
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This is the eighth in a series of booklets that support you in attending and training racing
greyhounds.
Booklet 1: Introduction
Booklet 2: Greyhound Basics
Booklet 3: At the Race Track - Kennelling, Preparing for Racing, Boxing and Catching
Booklet 4: At the Race Track – After the Race
Booklet 5: Occupational Health and Safety
Booklet 6: Completing the Assessment
Booklet 7: Setting Up an Optimal Training Environment
Booklet 8: Greyhound Health
Booklet 9: Education and Training
Booklet 10: Nominating
Booklet 11: Preparing a Greyhound for Re-Homing
Booklet 12: The Public Trainer
Booklet 13: Advanced Knowledge
2|P a g e
or bacteria can no longer trigger the full-
Greyhound blown disease, but will still stimulate the
body’s immune response, creating
health immunity against the disease. By
vaccinating an animal, we can prepare the
body for the time where it may be
exposed to the real disease. This means
8.1 Requirements to that the body fights off the disease much
quicker and more effectively than an
keep a greyhound animal that has no vaccination protection.
healthy Vaccines however are never 100%
effective.
In order for your greyhound(s) to remain
healthy, there are a number of things that Currently, the Racing Rules state that the
need to be attended to regularly. These registration of a litter will not be
preventative health care matters ensure processed unless it is accompanied by
that your greyhound is always in the best vaccination certificates showing
possible condition and help to prevent vaccination of each pup to a C3* level at
injury and disease. 6-8 weeks of age and to a C5* level at 10-
16 weeks of age. You also cannot name
(for racing) a greyhound unless the
application is accompanied by a
vaccination certificate showing a C5*
vaccination was given after the greyhound
turned 12 months of age.
* the ‘C’ refers to Canine (for dogs), while
the number refers to the number of
diseases included in the vaccine.
A C3 vaccination includes:
1. Canine Parvovirus
Preventative health care includes things 2. Canine Infectious Hepatitis
such as worming and vaccinations, 3. Canine Distemper
controlling external parasites and
maintaining skin and feet in the best These are the three ‘killer’ diseases of
possible condition. Ignoring these things dogs, that thankfully are seen far less
can lead to problems, not just with the commonly since the advent of compulsory
individual greyhound, but disease which vaccination in the greyhound industry.
may spread throughout your kennels and 1. Canine Parvovirus is the most
affect other greyhounds. common and causes a very nasty
‘gastroenteritis’ (very severe vomiting
Vaccination and foul-smelling, bloody diarrhoea).
It is most commonly seen in young
Vaccination involves injecting an animal puppies and has been known to kill
with a modified version of a dangerous entire litters.
disease. The modification means the virus
3|P a g e
2. Canine Distemper is not common as a weeks for the symptoms to resolve. In
result of vaccination. Signs include stressed (where the immune system is
weepy eyes and nose (thick yellow weak) or older dogs, it can spread to a
pus), vomiting and diarrhoea, and can chest infection or pneumonia.
lead to central nervous system
damage that is irreversible. The Canine Cough vaccine can be given
3. Canine Infectious Hepatitis is a either as an intra-nasal (in the nose)
disease that causes damage to a vaccine, oral vaccine or by an injection
greyhound’s liver. Symptoms include under the skin. Research shows that the
jaundice, vomiting and loss of intra-nasal and oral vaccines can be more
appetite. effective (and faster-acting) than the
injectable vaccine because they act
A C5 vaccination includes Canine directly on the inside surface of the dog’s
Parvovirus, Infectious Hepatitis and nose and throat, which is where the
Distemper (C3), PLUS Canine Cough which infection enters the body. However, the
has two parts (making five in total): oral vaccine only gives protection against
• Canine Parainfluenza the Bordetella bronchiseptica, so
• Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccination against Canine Parainfluenza
has to be given separately by injection
Canine Cough (sometimes called Kennel (either as part of a C4 or on its own). The
Cough) is a very complex disease which intranasal vaccine can provide immunity
can be caused by over 20 different within 72 hours of dosing and can reduce
viruses, bacteria and other micro- the severity of disease in a Canine Cough
organisms. However, the most important outbreak.
two (and the two we can vaccinate
against) are Canine Parainfluenza (virus) You should discuss vaccination options
and Bordetella brochiseptica (bacteria). with your veterinarian as they will be
This explains why sometimes a trainer can able to best advise which vaccine is best
have an outbreak of Canine Cough even suited to your situation.
though they have fully vaccinated against
it. At least in these cases, not all
greyhounds will contract the disease, and
those that do, will have much milder
symptoms and shorter recovery times.
Canine Cough is contracted when a dog
inhales air containing the disease, usually
coughed out by an infected dog. The
symptoms of a dry hacking cough can take
a week to develop, but in the meantime,
the infected greyhound is spreading the
disease to every other greyhound in the In terms of Canine Cough vaccination, the
same breathing space. Therefore, the risk injectable all-in-one C5 vaccination, while
of spread within a kennel environment is more convenient than the injectable C3
very high. The disease is not generally plus separate intra-nasal or oral vaccine,
fatal (unless pneumonia develops) but can requires a booster for the Canine Cough
be severely debilitating and can take a few component approximately 4 weeks after
4|P a g e
the first vaccination. This means that you GRV recommends the following minimum
need two vaccinations one month apart to vaccination schedule (**= current
ensure full immunity. This type of mandatory vaccinations; KC = Canine
vaccination, although acceptable for Cough):
racing, is NOT accepted for entry to the
Victorian Greyhound Adoption Program Age / Stage Vaccination Comment
(GAP). The intra-nasal Canine Cough 6-8 weeks ** C3 Vaccination These are the
** (Injection) minimum to
vaccine with a C3 or the oral Canine
10-16 weeks C5 Vaccination complete the
Cough vaccine with a C4 are REQUIRED ** ** “puppy
for entry to GAP. course” of
GRV vaccinations.
recommends:
C3 Injection
+ Intra-nasal KC
at 12-16 weeks
12 months + C5 Vaccination
(naming) ** **
GRV
recommends:
C3 Injection
+ Intra-nasal KC
2 years Intra-nasal KC
3 years Intra-nasal KC
4 years C5 Vaccination
GRV
recommends:
C3 Injection
+ Intra-nasal KC
5 years Intra-nasal KC
6 years Intra-nasal KC
7 years + Continued pattern of full C5 every
3 years with KC in the two ‘in-
between’ years for the
greyhound’s lifetime
GAP Pre- C5 Vaccination C3 component
entry as: within the last
Assessment 2½ years and
** either both KC
C3 Injection components
+ Intra-nasal KC within the last
or 6 months
C4 Injection (minimum 10
+ Oral KC days prior) -
see section
13.4
Breeding C5 Vaccination
Registration **
(Pink Card) **
GRV
recommends:
C3 Injection
+ Intra-nasal KC
5|P a g e
Internal parasites they get the right dose. Worming should
take place at least every 3 months for
Internal parasites (commonly called adult dogs but is commonly done
‘worms’) live in a greyhound’s gastro- monthly. This keeps worm numbers to a
intestinal tract (‘gut’ = stomach and minimum and helps prevent
intestines) and/or blood stream. These environmental contamination with worm
parasites live and reproduce by ‘stealing’ eggs.
their nutritional requirements (vital
nutrients and energy) from your It is important to be aware that many
greyhound. They can also cause damage worming tablets may seem cheaper, but
to the various organs of the greyhound. you need to check closely which worms
Basically, the money you are spending on they will treat, and how effectively.
good food and supplements goes out the
window and your greyhounds will not be In addition, those registered for use in
able to perform their best. dogs that contain the active ingredient
levamisole have a low safety margin and
The most common group treated for are can cause a positive swab.
the ‘intestinal’ worms. This includes
roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and Some worming products such as 3-in-1 or
tapeworm (flea tapeworm and hydatid 4-in-1 tablets do not treat all of the
tapeworm). These worms live inside or different worms and may actually be a
attached to the gut of the greyhound and waste of money as the job is only half
can damage or irritate the lining of the done. Many lesser products do not
gut. In addition, many of these parasites contain an active ingredient to kill the
also present a zoonotic risk, that is, they hydatid tapeworm which can cause
can be transmitted from dogs to people. serious disease if transmitted to humans.
Hydatid tapeworm infection is usually
introduced to dogs from the eating of raw
meat and offal, especially from sheep. The
new Code requires a veterinary-approved
worming treatment plan if you feed your
greyhounds offal.
Some kennels choose to use worming
products that are not licensed for use in
dogs. This is considered ‘off-label use’ and
should only occur after discussion with
your veterinarian. The new Code requires
that any off-label use is pre-approved by
your veterinarian in your Establishment
Health Management Plan or in writing in a
Intestinal worms are controlled in most specific greyhound’s Health Record.
cases by dosing the greyhound with an
‘all-wormer’ tablet. Tablets are sized Using a product off-label can be
according to weight, and it is necessary to dangerous and has been fatal where dose
know the weight of each greyhound on rates are miscalculated. Off-label use also
the day of dosing so that you can ensure means you have no legal standing if things
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go wrong. The main reason for using these It is important that you speak to your
products is to try to cut costs, but often veterinarian to discuss an appropriate
what happens is that the dogs are either worming schedule for the greyhounds in
over-dosed, under-dosed, or by using the your care; that is one that is safe,
same product all the time, the parasites effective and minimises the chances of
become resistant to the active promoting resistance in the worms.
ingredients.
Dosing a greyhound with a tablet
Controlling gastro-intestinal parasitism in
greyhounds is not limited to the use of Although many greyhounds can be fooled
anti-parasitic chemicals. Careful into ‘eating’ a tablet by smearing it with
management of the environment and diet butter, wrapping it with meat, or wedging
can greatly reduce exposure. Offal and it into a piece of meat, there will
raw meat have the potential to harbor eventually come a time where you will
infective parasites that are destroyed have to dose a greyhound by hand. Maybe
after cooking and in some cases freezing. the greyhound is not eating, or maybe
Environments heavily contaminated with they have become suspicious of food
canine stools (faeces) will increase treats containing tablets.
exposure to the parasites listed above.
Frequent faecal collection and To dose a greyhound by hand, you need
environmental sanitisation will reduce the to first get the tablet organised in your
amount of parasitic transmission from dog dominant hand holding it between your
to dog. Sanitisation is much easier with thumb and forefinger. Then, standing
solid floors (for example concrete) than beside the dog, place your other hand
grass or sand, which is why greyhounds on over the bridge of the dog’s nose,
sand and grass often have much higher grasping the upper jaw in your hand. If
parasite burdens. Like any livestock you gently lift the dog’s nose upwards,
industry, resting of external yards is you will find that its mouth will open
recommended where and when possible slightly. You can then use the free fingers
to reduce potential parasite burdens on your tablet holding hand to push the
(worm eggs are killed by heat, cold and lower jaw down, and then quickly place
sunlight). the tablet as far back in the mouth as you
can before shutting the dog’s mouth and
You will note that both the new and holding it closed until the dog swallows. If
existing Codes require all sleeping areas you are not sure about how to do this, ask
and indoor kennels to have impervious your veterinarian to demonstrate next
flooring. This is to enable easy disinfection time you seem them. Dosing dogs can be
and sanitisation, reducing the risk of quite difficult, especially if they are not
parasitic and disease transmission cooperative, so it is a skill you will need to
between dogs. practise in order to avoid being bitten.
Parasite resistance (where the worms Heartworm
become resistant to the drugs used to
control them) is a developing problem, so Heartworm is becoming an increasing
it is recommended that you plan a problem in some areas of Australia. Once
worming program that helps avoid the thought to only affect dogs in the
problem of resistance developing. northern states of Australia, it has slowly
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spread into areas of Victoria. which is itchy and is similar to mosquito
bites in people. The affected greyhound
Heartworm is different to the intestinal will then chew and scratch at the area in
worms. It is spread by mosquito bites, attempting to get some relief from the
meaning the dog can be infected without itching sensation, and in the process can
even having come into contact with cause quite significant damage to their
another dog. skin. Greyhounds can also become allergic
to flea bites (where the itchiness is much
The immature heartworms (called worse than with just a flea bite) with
‘microfilaria’) travel around the body for a symptoms including long-term scratching,
while before entering the blood stream hair loss and reddened, thickened skin.
and eventually moving to the heart.
Symptoms of heartworm infestation
include the signs of heart failure –
tiredness, intolerance to exercise, moist
cough and shortness of breath.
The treatment for heartworm once a dog
has advanced symptoms is quite
unpleasant. So instead, a preventative
treatment is given that will kill the Fleas are generally not spread from dog to
heartworm before it gets to the heart. The dog, but are usually picked up from a
preventative can be given as a daily or contaminated environment. Fleas like
monthly tablet, or a once a year injection. warm, dark moist places, and thrive in
It is advisable to discuss with your bedding and carpets. Once a flea has had
veterinarian the prevalence of heartworm a feed of blood, they lay hundreds of eggs
in your local area and where your which drop off into the area the dog
greyhounds travel. inhabits. When the weather and
conditions are right, these eggs hatch and
Speak to your veterinarian to determine larvae emerge. These larvae take some
the best heartworm option for you time to mature through the pupal stage,
greyhounds. emerge as young adults, then jump onto
any moving warm animal – even people!!
External parasites
Cats and dogs share the same fleas, but
By far the most common of the external cats are not required for a flea infestation
parasite is the flea. These pesky ‘hitch- to be established or maintained on a
hikers’ jump on board the dog for a feed greyhound property because greyhounds
of blood, which is something they require pick flea infestations from the
to be able to lay their eggs. Most of the environment.
flea lifecycle (egg, larval and pupal stages)
is actually spent in the environment, with Treating fleas can be frustrating because
the time spent actually infesting an animal by treating the dogs alone, you are not
(adult stage) only a tiny part of their treating most of the stages of the flea
lifecycle. Fleas tend to congregate on the lifecycle (eggs, larvae and pupae) that are
dog’s back near the top of the tail, and in the environment. Also treating just the
their bite causes a reaction in the skin greyhounds will only kill the adult fleas on
8|P a g e
the dogs on that day and will do nothing Nail and foot care
to stop them being re-infested on
returning to their kennels. Washing all of A racing greyhound relies on good feet to
the bedding and cleaning the runs at the propel itself around the track. Care and
same time will go some of the way to help attention to the feet and nails is vital to
reduce the environmental contamination. ensuring top performance. Long,
untrimmed nails can lead to unusual or
There are now many products on the abnormal forces being applied to the
market that continue to have a flea killing joints and ligaments of the feet and legs,
effect long after they are applied, with predisposing the greyhound to an injury
some working for up to a month. Some that could be career-ending, or injuries to
also contain active ingredients that inhibit other greyhounds.
the hatching of any eggs in the dog’s
environment. Alternatively, chewable Most greyhounds will wear down their
tablets prevent flea infestations for up to nails naturally and will need little care.
three months. The beauty of these But if your greyhound has unusual nail
products is that they do not require the wear, or is on soft surfaces most of the
dog to have a bath and are far less toxic time, you may have to trim the
that some of the traditional flea greyhound’s nails to ensure that they
shampoos and rinses. never get to a length that could cause
Some products combine the treatment of problems with its stance or gait.
intestinal worms, heartworm, fleas and
even mites into a single spot-on or tablet,
making treatment easier and more
successful.
The most cost-effective method of
preventing flea infestations is to use flea
treatment regularly. Tips for preventing
flea infestations include:
1. Clean housing and sleeping areas daily
– sweeping or washing away dust and
A good set of nail trimmers is an essential
cobwebs
tool for anyone involved in the keep and
2. Wash bedding and rugs weekly
care of greyhounds. There are different
3. Provide regular flea prevention
styles of nail trimmers including scissor-
treatment according to label
action and guillotine-action types.
instructions
4. Change flea prevention treatment
Each toenail contains a ‘quick’ which is a
(active ingredient) every 1-2 years
fleshy core filled with blood vessels and
nerves. The nail grows down over this
The new Code requires all facilities to
quick and extends past it. Knowing where
have a pest management program as part
the quick ends is essential to ensuring
of their Establishment Health
that it is not cut whilst trimming the nail.
Management Plan.
For this reason, trimming the nails of a
greyhound can be tricky if it has black
nails. If you do cut the quick, the dog will
usually react painfully, and you will cause
9|P a g e
bleeding. The greyhound will remember sand toe) regularly. Greyhounds who run
this unpleasant experience and may on sand tracks are particularly prone to
become increasingly difficult to trim. foot injuries especially to the webbing
between the toes and around the nail
To locate the quick, have a look at the bed.
toenails and try to find a white nail.
Usually the quick can be seen through the
white nail as a pink area. Any trimming
should be done to end at least a
millimetre below the lowest point of the
quick. Using sharp cutters is best as this
minimises the crushing effect that some
dogs find unpleasant.
If there are no white nails, the safest thing
is to do is to turn the nail upside down
and have a look at the underside of the
nail. Usually you can see the nail Sandtoe
extending past a central core area, and
you can trim this section of the nail away This is the traumatic inflammation and/or
quite safely. As you approach the central infection of the nail bed and is caused by
core, you can nibble small amounts off at the nail digging into the sand while
a time until you are happy you have running. Nail beds become swollen,
trimmed enough. It is always better to reddened and may bleed or show some
come back in a week and trim off a little type of discharge. They become sensitive
more, than to cut into the quick and cause to touch. Occasionally the skin around the
bleeding and pain. nailbed may split and flare outwardly.
Some people choose to use a small file If sandtoe occurs, gently clean the area
instead of cutters. Filing the nails back can with an antiseptic solution, wiping in a
be an alternative to using cutters and is a direction down the nail away from the
quite efficient way to keep nails short. The nailbed. After cleaning, antiseptic creams
down side to this method is that it is can be applied.
possible to create a lot of heat in the nail
bed which can damage the sensitive If the inflammation or infection does not
tissue, and it is possible to file the nail too start to heal within 2-3 days of applying
far back, exposing the quick. Filing can first aid, or you are unsure, seek
help reshape nails that grow unevenly, or veterinary assistance.
those associated with toes that have been
damaged (such as ‘sprung’ toes) and To protect the nail bed from becoming
where the nail no longer curls towards the sore again, wrap several layers of a 2-3
ground. mm wide tape around the nail close to the
nail bed to act as a sand-deflector. Firstly,
Foot care also includes checking the area ensure that the nail is clean, dry and free
under the feet (e.g. sand burns on from any oily cream to ensure that the
webbing) between the toes (e.g. split tape sticks.
webbings) and around the nail bases (e.g.
10 | P a g eSandburn the sand. This can be done through
physical massage.
This is abrasions and/or cuts on the
underneath skin of the feet, below the toe Skin care and bathing
bones, which is evident when the toes are
spread. Healthy skin and a shining coat are
indicators of good health and nutrition.
Feeding good quality food with the
correct types and balance of oils in it is
the first step to maintaining coat
condition. Greyhounds that are fed
inappropriate diets may be missing
essential nutrients for the production of
hair and skin, and as a result will have a
poor coat, often with dry, flaky skin.
It is often caused by either abrasive sand
runs or weak flexor tendons leading to
overspread toes during exercise, which
allows the foot to have direct contact to
the sand causing friction between the
sand and foot. Affected feet will be red,
Control of external parasites such as fleas
swollen and painful.
will also impact on skin and coat
condition. The damage that can be caused
Small cuts and burns require cleaning and
from even a few flea bites can be quite
treatment to avoid infection using an
significant and can lead to ongoing
antiseptic solution. A soft method of
problems with bacterial infection and
cleaning and treatment is preferred here
‘hot-spots’ (septic sores). Lack of sufficient
to avoid any further damage to the
bedding can also predispose a greyhound
sensitive area. Large or deep cuts should to skin damage and calluses or pressure
be seen by a veterinarian for advice on sores, with their short coat and thin skin
what the most appropriate treatment providing little protection against hard
option is. surfaces. This is especially true where the
skin over bony areas takes the weight of
If the sandburn is not starting to heal the resting dog.
within 2-3 days after you start treatment,
then seek veterinary advice. Many greyhound owners bath their dogs
regularly and use products such as flea
Strengthening the flexor tendons of the
rinses which can leave the coat dry. A
foot can be a good mechanism to aid in
dog’s skin produces natural oils that help
the prevention of sandburn as it will
maintain normal skin health and
lessen the likelihood and ease of toe
protection. Frequent washing, especially
spread during exercise and exposure to
11 | P a g ewith the wrong types of shampoos can
Be careful with putting a coat on a wet
dog. Sometimes this can lead to skin
strip these oils leaving the skin dry and problems as the skin stays damp or moist
the hair dull. As a guide, washing once a for longer because the surface water
fortnight is usually plenty unless there is a cannot evaporate. The coat can also
specific problem that needs to be become damp and cold, like wearing a
addressed. In between baths, the coat can wet towel. If you are concerned that the
be maintained by brushing regularly to greyhound will get cold after a bath, it is
remove the dead hair from the coat. A better to make sure it is completely dry,
rubber brush is often the best tool for and then put the coat on to keep it warm.
short coats.
8.2 Identifying injuries
Whenever you bath your greyhounds,
make sure that the products you use are and lameness
designed for dogs. A dog’s skin has a
different pH to humans, so using human Identifying signs that your
shampoo is not recommended. Ideally, greyhound has suffered an injury
use warm water, and make sure that you
or is unwell
thoroughly rinse any shampoo from the
dog’s coat. If applying a flea rinse, this is
The first skill in being able to tell when
applied after the shampoo has been
things might be wrong is knowing what
rinsed out. A flea rinse is usually left in the
your greyhound looks like when it is
coat, rather than rinsed out but check the
healthy and well. Once you have an
instructions on the bottle.
appreciation of what ‘normal’ is, then you
can become better at picking up the
Once you have finished bathing your
subtle changes in your greyhound’s
greyhound, let it have a ‘shake’, then
behaviour or gait that may suggest things
gently towel it dry. As greyhounds are
are not normal, or that your greyhound is
fairly thin skinned, it is important that you
injured or unwell.
thoroughly dry the dog after a bath to
help prevent heat loss and chilling. In
Some injuries are very obvious, even to
winter, it may be necessary to dry the
someone who knows little about dogs.
greyhound using a dryer, or make sure
But some injuries can be so mild they take
that it is kept in a heated room until it is
an experienced and watchful eye to
fully dry. detect. Being able to identify these minor
12 | P a g echanges can mean that the injury is have a good idea of what times to expect,
treated early and correctly, reducing the and if they suddenly change, it indicates a
risk of it worsening and potentially ruining problem that needs investigation.
a very promising career.
Early identification and rapid diagnosis
Spend time each day watching each of and treatment by your veterinarian will
your greyhounds; you will quickly notice hopefully reduce the length and severity
the quirks and peculiarities of their of the illness or injury, prevent disease
behaviour and gait. You will also become spread, and return your greyhound to
better at noticing the little things that fitness and racing sooner. Knowing the
may indicate your greyhound is ‘off- normal appearance and behaviour of
colour’ or is feeling pain. Maybe your your greyhound is essential in helping
greyhound is not quite as keen to eat, you to recognise signs that something
maybe it is passing more urine than may not be right.
normal or taking longer than normal to do
it, maybe it is licking or scratching at an Common signs of illness include:
area on their body, or maybe not moving • lack of appetite;
about as much as normal. • lethargy (more tired than usual);
• coat appears rough or fluffed up (can
be a sign of fever);
• hair loss;
• coughing;
• discharge from nose and/or eyes;
• vomiting and/or diarrhea;
• belly is distended or swollen
• urinating more or less frequently than
normal;
• increased water consumption;
• performs poorly during training,
trialling or racing;
• performance in second half of a race is
poor, while first half was normal; and
• any changes in your greyhound’s
behaviour and habits.
Unwell greyhounds may display one or
more of these symptoms. If you suspect
your greyhound may be unwell, seek
veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
Treatment may be as simple as a few
days of rest, a minor change to their diet
If your greyhound is in work or training,
or environment, but a veterinarian is best
then things such as trial times and
qualified to assess, diagnose and provide
sectional times may give a clue to a
treatment options for your greyhound.
niggling injury that is affecting the
greyhound’s performance. You should
Some of the things that you should
13 | P a g econsider are: shortening stride.
• how sick is your greyhound;
• how long has your greyhound been Feeling for injuries - examining
sick; your greyhound
• if not treated by a veterinarian, how
long will your greyhound remain sick; Not all injuries will lead to changes in gait
• what are your treatment options; or movement. So, you also need to get
• are there any withholding periods into the habit of examining your
associated with the treatment; and greyhound by feeling with your hands and
• what are the potential risks to other fingers. If you follow a set procedure, you
greyhounds if the illness is can examine the greyhound from head to
contagious? toe in a relatively short time. By doing it in
the same order each time you will find
Assessing gait and movement that you don’t miss anything along the
way.
If you think something is not quite right
with your greyhound, the first thing is to
watch it moving. Lameness may be very
obvious, with the greyhound not wanting
to put weight on one of its legs; or it may
be harder to see. Often the best way to
assess the gait is to have someone else
‘trot’ the dog for you so you can watch it
move. Trotting is a two-beat gait with two
legs moving together at the same time.
Lameness may show up as a change to the
rhythm of this beat, or you may notice an
increased head bob on one of the two
strides. The greyhound’s body will be There are suggested examination
trying to protect the injured leg by taking techniques in the book ‘The Care of the
some weight off it, and this leads to the Racing and Retired Greyhound’ – both for
head being lifted up as the sore leg examining for common muscle injuries
touches the ground. and for a more thorough evaluation.
There are also a number of videos at
Trotting the greyhound in a circle, first to https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/video-
the left, then to the right may also assist archive/. You can also ask your greyhound
as added pressure is placed on certain veterinarian to give you a demonstration
areas of the body when cornering, and of how to perform the examination and
sometimes this can help highlight an what to feel for.
injury.
When you are examining a greyhound,
Watching the video of a race or trial may you should be looking for soreness, heat,
help assess if anything looks abnormal in swelling, or changes in shape and feel.
the greyhound’s galloping gait such as Tense tight muscles are often protecting
running wide, slowing into the corner, an injury, reduced range of movement of
‘throwing’ a leg, ‘flicking’ the tail or a a joint indicates pain or damage, and hot,
14 | P a g epainful areas indicate active inflammation. Symptoms will vary between greyhounds,
and the number and location of the
You should assess both sides of the body micro-fractures.
and can use one to compare to the other.
For example, if you think there might be If you have concerns that your greyhound
swelling in the right front leg – you can may be suffering from micro-fractures,
compare it to the left front leg. seek veterinary advice.
Micro-fractures Treating micro-fractures is all about REST!
Micro-fractures or hairline fractures are Bones can heal and strengthen given
tiny fractures of the bones, occurring plenty of rest and providing the micro-
when the forces placed on the bone are fractures are very minor. This means
greater than the strength of the bone. resting your greyhound from its normal
They often occur in a younger greyhound racing and training activities; in some
beginning its training because its bones cases, a greyhound may need periods of
are still growing and hardening. isolation to prevent it from becoming
excited and/or causing additional stress
Micro-fractures are also common in on the bone. If the area of the micro-
greyhounds at their peak, while training fracture is swollen or hot, you may want
and racing frequently, particularly those to apply icepacks to the affected area for
that race and train on circular tracks. The 5-7 minutes, 3-4 times per day until the
forces applied to the bones while running swelling and/or heat reduces.
around curves is greater than when
greyhounds run on a straight. However, if you do not see an
improvement within 24-48 hours, seek
The stresses put on a greyhound’s body in veterinary attention. The heat in your
its day-to-day racing life can also greyhound’s leg could also indicate an
contribute to micro-fractures. Common infection and may require antibiotic
contributing factors of micro-fractures treatment; or that the micro-fracture is in
include: fact a large fracture that requires different
• training and/or racing on hard treatment.
surfaces, which increases the forces
on the bones; Always seek veterinary advice if you
• training and/or racing too often, suspect your greyhound has a micro-
preventing the bone from having fracture.
enough time to heal;
• high intensity training involving tight Your veterinarian will provide advice:
or multiple turns. • on rest periods and when your
greyhound is likely ready to resume
Micro-fractures may go unnoticed initially, training or racing;
but generally present in a greyhound as: • on medication and/or treatments to
• mild heat, pain and swelling in the support fracture healing;
area of the fracture; • regarding a review of your
• mild lameness; greyhound’s diet, exercise, training
• affected gait; and/or and racing regime to try and establish
• poor cornering. how the micro-fractures occurred and
15 | P a g ehow to prevent them from occurring If you ignore the injury, it is likely that a
in the future; and minor problem may worsen very quickly
• on alternative exercise options such as into a more serious, potentially career-
swimming that will help you to keep ending one if the greyhound continues to
your greyhound fit while they are trial or race.
healing.
Your veterinarian will also discuss with
you the process of re-introduction to
trialling, training or racing.
There are many things to do to prevent
your greyhound developing micro-
fractures including:
• feeding a nutritionally balanced diet
that is appropriate to the age and
activity level of your greyhound - for
example, a pup requires a different
diet from an adult in full race training,
as does a young dog learning to chase You may also need to pay more attention
and beginning its racing career; to the ‘warm-up’ and ‘cool-down’
• seeking low impact exercise options techniques that you use. Some trainers
for building and maintaining your are so busy with so many greyhounds that
greyhound’s fitness between races they forget that each individual needs to
and while recovering from injury - for be properly warmed-up prior to running.
example swimming; We would not expect a football player or
• having your training facilities assessed other elite athlete to jump straight out of
by a GRV track expert to determine the car and go straight into hard exercise.
whether your surface is too hard or These days a considerable amount of time
too soft; and is spent stretching and warming up the
• regular examination of your muscles to help prevent injuries. Once the
greyhounds for soundness and race or game is over, a similar amount of
adaptation of training program if time is spent cooling-down.
issues arise.
Warm-up exercises for greyhounds may
When to get professional help include light jogging or brisk walking,
rubbing or massage, and even gentle
If you detect a change, it is important that stretches. In cold weather, the greyhound
you note it on the greyhound’s record and may also wear a warm coat right up to the
change any training program accordingly. time of racing to maximise the circulation
You will probably need to have the injury to the muscles. There are warm coats
examined by your veterinarian so that available for use at each of the club
they can assess the extent of the damage tracks. You should never just get a
and give you advice on the best way to greyhound out of the car or trailer and run
rehabilitate the greyhound. them, nor should you just put it back in
the car straight afterwards without
making sure they have cooled down -
even if you have another one to run!
16 | P a g eLearning more about anatomy and 8.3 Basic greyhound first
body structure
aid
Good trainers take the time to learn about
anatomy and body structure as this helps What should I do if my greyhound
them better understand what they are is injured?
trying to achieve. There are numerous
text books and articles that can help you First aid for animals is basically the same
learn about the important role the big as first aid for people. Anyone who has
muscle groups play in propelling the done a human first aid course can apply
greyhound along the track at such high their knowledge to their greyhounds. The
speeds. aim is to maintain the basic bodily
functions needed for survival, whilst
recognising what is injured and protecting
it from further damage.
Luckily, in most cases, the injuries
You do not need to know the name of suffered by a greyhound will be minor,
every muscle, bone or tendon, but you but it is important to be able to recognise
should understand where the important which injuries you can deal with yourself,
ones are and what they do. You should and which injuries need to be seen by a
also be aware of the common injuries veterinarian. Some trainers try to cut
seen in racing dogs and try to do corners by treating injuries themselves,
everything you can to prevent your but they may be neglecting the
greyhound from getting injured. After all, greyhound’s welfare and adversely
every injury puts your training back, or affecting its future performance if they
slows the greyhound’s times, meaning fail to do the right thing. This is especially
that you will no longer be competitive and true with injuries that may look very
more importantly it’s bad for the minor but may have underlying damage
greyhound’s welfare. to the muscles. In the best interests of the
greyhound’s welfare, you should always
have access to a simple First Aid Kit.
If in doubt seek veterinary attention!
17 | P a g eDanger first If you have trouble lifting the greyhound,
it may be possible to fashion a stretcher
As with human first aid, the first thing to from a heavy towel or blanket. This can
do prior to assisting an injured animal is to be slid under the greyhound, and then
check for danger. With animals, often the used to lift and carry it to the car using
biggest danger is that of getting bitten two or more people.
whilst trying to help. Greyhounds are
generally very placid animals, but all Bite wounds, punctures, and
animals can bite if they are in pain. A lacerations
muzzle is often the first thing required
when tending to an injured animal. The biggest problem with most seemingly
Luckily, muzzles are something all minor skin wounds is the risk of infection,
greyhound owners and trainers have especially if it gets deep into the muscle
ready access to. layers. Infection can take hours or days to
become fully established after initial
So, the injury seems serious… contamination.
If the greyhound has broken a bone, is
bleeding, or seems to be unable to stand
or sit up, then you will need to take it
immediately to the veterinarian. Once a
muzzle has been applied, transfer the
greyhound to the car or trailer and head
off to the veterinarian (‘Load and Go!’). If
possible, pressure can be applied to any
wound that is bleeding, and this can be
finger or hand pressure, or a pressure
bandage. If you are close to a veterinarian
and can move the greyhound there gently,
do not bother to splint or apply a support
bandage to an injured or broken leg, as
this can cause a lot of pain, and will have If wounds are seen and treated early on,
to be removed before the veterinarian the risk of infection is greatly reduced. In
can examine the injury. Instead, try to cases of deep wounds – such as punctures
gently support the injured leg as you load from dog fights – antibiotics need to be
the greyhound into the car. If you are started within the first 6 hours (the
further from a veterinarian, then splinting ‘golden period’) to have the best chance
(or applying a support bandage to) the leg of preventing serious infection.
may be warranted.
Waiting until the wound ‘looks’ infected
Make sure the greyhound has a day or two later before seeking
comfortable bedding for the journey, and veterinary assistance is not the best way
do not offer any food or water, just in to manage a wound.
case it needs to be sedated or
anaesthetised once it gets to the By the time the area around the wound is
veterinary clinic. red and swollen, a lot of tissue damage
has been triggered, and recovery time is
18 | P a g emuch longer. The damage may lead to recovery time and rehabilitation needed
scar tissue which will permanently change to ensure your greyhound returns to
the area and its ability to function normal functioning.
normally.
The location, size and depth of the wound
If your greyhound has a wound, start by and the amount of bleeding will guide you
gently cleaning any foreign matter from to provide appropriate care for your
the wound. Avoid using strong greyhound.
disinfectants, especially those that sting.
Often, good old-fashioned salty water Small cuts and ‘nicks’ of less than 5-
(‘saline solution’) is as good as anything – 10mm in length with minimal bleeding
and it is safe if the dog decides to lick at can usually be treated at home without
the wound! stitching. You should do the following
things:
You can buy saline solution at most 1. clean the affected area with warm
chemists, and some first aid kits contain salty water, patting the wound dry
small vials of it. However, you can also with a clean cloth;
make your own saline solution at home. 2. apply an antiseptic solution or cream,
You will need plain table salt, a sterile jar checking first with your veterinarian
with a lid, measuring cup, teaspoon, a pan for the most appropriate product;
with a lid and timer. To prepare the 3. place a small sterile gauze square from
solution you can follow these steps: your first aid kit over the wound and
1. Wash your hands well with warm bandage to hold the gauze in place to
water and soap, rinse with warm prevent the wound from becoming
water and dry; dirty;
2. Wash the pan and lid with warm water 4. the bandage should be changed daily
and soap and rinse well with water; until the wound has scabbed over;
3. Measure 1 litre of water and pour it 5. if the wound does not scab over
into the pan; completely within 2-3 days of initial
4. Add 2 level teaspoons of table salt to treatment you must seek veterinary
the water and heat until dissolved; help as the wound may have been
5. Remove the pan from the heat and deeper than you initially thoughts and
allow to cool to room temperature, your veterinarian may need to stitch
keeping the lid on; it;
6. Pour the saline into the sterile jar and 6. if the wound begins to swell, becomes
close tightly. swollen, painful or hot or begins to
Once the jar is opened, discard it within show signs of discharge, contact your
48 hours. veterinarian immediately as an
infection may be developing.
If the wounds appear to be deeper than
just the skin, or if there is a large tear that Larger wounds (more than 10mm), and
might require stitching, the wound should wounds that look deep or are
be inspected by a veterinarian as soon as accompanied by lameness, swelling, pain
possible. If required, the veterinarian may or sensitivity when touched, should be
prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible
medications to assist in healing. They will as there may be additional injury in or
also be able to give you advice about the around the site.
19 | P a g eWith any large wound, the area should be are dealt with appropriately.
carefully cleaned with warm salty water,
dried with sterile gauze or a clean cloth, Any signs of swelling or lameness should
covered in a gauze dressing and bandaged be noted and immediately examined.
to minimise ongoing bleeding and Knowing which injuries will respond to
possible contamination from soil or the rest and treatment, and which need to be
environment. seen by a veterinarian is an acquired skill.
If you are not sure, it is better that the
Most of these types of wounds require greyhound is taken to a veterinarian for a
stitches to speed up healing and minimise professional opinion.
any downtime for the greyhound;
All trainers should have a working
It is not acceptable to leave wounds that relationship with a veterinarian that has
are large or deep without veterinary a special interest in the treatment of
examination and treatment, or delay in greyhounds, while also maintaining a
seeking treatment. good relationship with their local
veterinarian (if they are a different
For more information on wounds, person), particularly in case of
applying first aid and seeking veterinary emergency.
treatment you can find a Medical Fact
Sheet – FAQ Wounds at:
https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/StewardsHear
ing/GeneralAlert?Year=2018
Note: FastTrack is GRV’s computerised
racing system which also contains a lot of
useful information.
There are also a range of Injury and
Illness Management Fact Sheets at:
https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/
Other injuries Track leg
Because greyhounds tend to race around Track leg is one relatively common injury,
at high speed, even at home, they are and is the common name for swelling on
prone to other injuries such as sprains, the inside of the tibia (the main hindleg
strains and muscle tears. bone between the knee and hock). In
most cases, it occurs on the left leg, and is
Maintaining your yards in a safe condition less common in the right leg, and in rare
may help to prevent some of these, but it cases, will occur on both legs. It is caused
is inevitable that at some stage your by the outer point of the elbow on the
greyhound will injure itself in the course same side of the body colliding with the
of having some exercise. These types of inside of the tibia as the greyhound runs
injuries can influence a greyhound’s and is most common with circle racing.
future race career, so it is vital that they Usually it is due to some injury that
20 | P a g eunbalances the running style such that the veterinary help.
elbow turns out or the hindleg
inadequately arcs around the elbow. In all cases, treatment also involves
attempting to identify and correct the
Track leg ranges in seriousness from mild cause for the abnormal gait leading to the
to severe, and the treatment varies development of the track leg.
accordingly:
To minimise ongoing damage to the area
Mild track leg is described as a little during running and racing, a track leg tape
puffiness after one or two glancing blows can be applied. This tape, usually a 50 -
during a run: 75mm Elastoplast strapping, often with
some form of padding placed over the site
If you notice minor swelling, treat your under the bandage is applied over the
greyhound’s leg with an icepack held in area before trials and races. A GRV
place for 5-7 minutes, 3-4 times daily; Steward must endorse the application of
magnetic field therapy on low settings tape prior to racing and record the
until the swelling subsides can be useful; approval in your greyhound’s weight card
and on FastTrack.
It is important you consult your
veterinarian if you are unsure of the
severity or treatment options or do not In all cases, remember to check with the
have access to magnetic field therapy. with-holding requirements of any
medications that you use, or that your
Moderate track leg shows more veterinarian dispenses.
significant and obvious swelling with
subsequent thickening and scarring.
Treatment of moderate track leg requires
a veterinarian who will assess your
greyhound. The most common treatment
is:
o Draining the fluid and then treatment
to reduce thickening and ongoing fluid
build-up; for example, by injecting the
site with an anti-inflammatory and
bandaging the site for 1-2 days;
o Application of anti-inflammatory
preparations after the bandages are
removed. Greyhound Racing Victoria
Severe track leg presents as a break or 46-50 Chetwynd Street,
rupture of the skin with bleeding and West Melbourne VIC 3003
ongoing oozing from the site. Treatment Ph: 03 8329 1100
Fax: 03 8329 1000
of severe track leg must be undertaken by
Email: admin@grv.org.au
a veterinarian. However, for any wound
Web: www.grv.org.au
you should offer initial wound first aid, as
described earlier until you can get
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