Medical sensitivities
Greyhounds' livers metabolize toxins out of their bloodstream more slowly than other dogs of comparable size, so it is possible for harmful concentrations of these toxins to develop. Also, the breed has a very low percentage of body fat in proportion to its size. There is, on the average, only 16% fat in a Greyhound's body weight versus about 35% fat in body weight for a comparably sized dog of another breed.
Greyhounds are very sensitive to certain medications, including anesthesia. Before allowing your Greyhound to undergo any surgery, make sure that your vet is aware of the special anesthesia requirements for Greyhounds. In particular, barbituates are to be avoided. Do not be afraid to ask questions of your vet; not all are aware of a Greyhound's special anesthesia requirements.
Flea collars, and long lasting pesticides such as Hartz Blockade, can also be harmful or even fatal to Greyhound. Any product which releases flea killing chemicals into the bloodstream of the dog should be avoided, as should all flea collars and many of those applied monthly to the length of the dog's spine or a spot on the base of the dog's neck (i.e., Rabon, Bayon, ProSpot, Ex-Spot, etc.). Flea products safe to use on your greyhound include K-9 Advantix, Frontline Plus, and the product your vet recommends as safe for sighthounds.”
Products containing Pyrethrins are generally safe to use on Greyhounds, and given their very short coat, flea combs are especially effective. Other safe products are Rotenone and d-Limonene. The Rotenone is often sold in the gardening sections of feed stores, but it is organic and directions for treating pets for fleas are included in the "approved uses". Several companies make d-Limonene dips, sprays and shampoos. D-Limonene is derived from citrus fruits and is a fairly safe organic pesticide. Additionally, the human shampoo Pert Plus kills fleas on the dogs, although it has little or no residual effect. Lather, wait a few minutes, and then rinse.
Care also needs to be taken when deworming a Greyhound, as they are extremely sensitive to anything with an organophosphate base.
Some relatively safe choices for worming Greyhounds: For hookworm or roundworm infestations: pyrantel pamoate. This is the active ingredient in these non-prescription wormers: Evict, Nemex, Nemex2; and in the prescription wormer Strongid-T. For tapeworm: Droncit tablets. Droncit injections are also effective, but some dogs find them very painful. For whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms: Panacur. However, keep in mind that adverse reactions can happen with any individual animal to any particular medication.
Bloat
As with other deep chested breeds, Greyhounds may be affected by bloat, or torsion. Bloat is a life threatening disease where the stomach flips over. Immediate medical attention is required to avoid death. Preventive measures include avoiding exercise just before and for an hour or two after eating; avoiding ingestion of large amounts of water immediately after eating dry kibble and eating and drinking from a raised feeder.
Symptoms include distended abdomen, repeated unproductive vomiting, pacing and restlessness. It can kill quickly, an immediate trip to the vet is in order. You may wish to discuss bloat with your vet, to set up in advance what to do should it happen to your dog. Your vet may also suggest other things you can do while driving to the vet's for emergency care to improve your dog's chances for survival.
Considerations for the ex-racer
Because racing Greyhounds are kenneled with a large number of other dogs in a highly transient population, you will probably have to make sure your dog is checked for worms and tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichia and Babesia. A greyhound in racing condition will probably lose muscle and put on some extra fat once retired. While they should not become overweight, few dogs remain at racing weight, often gaining about 5 pounds in their retirement. This is to be expected.
Bone Cancer
It's not actually known whether Greyhounds are actually more predisposed toward bone cancer than other breeds, but there are enough anecdotal stories to warrant keeping an eye on your Greyhound for this, especially a former racer. The first symptoms involve lameness in the leg.
Hygroma
This is common in large dogs especially over bony prominences like elbows. It is usually seen in dogs housed on hard flooring. A hygroma is a fluid-filled bursa which forms to protect the skin from pressure necrosis from the bone underneath. They can get inflamed or even ulcerate. They tend to look more alarming than they are; your vet can advise you of the best course to take.
Hypothyroidism
Many Greyhounds appear to have low-normal levels of thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: hair loss (on rear and neck, usually bilateral and typically through thinning), darkening or thickening of the skin, and lethargy. Sometimes irritableness and/or wheezing are indicators. Untreated, hypothyroidism can have serious long term effects.
Greyhounds' livers metabolize toxins out of their bloodstream more slowly than other dogs of comparable size, so it is possible for harmful concentrations of these toxins to develop. Also, the breed has a very low percentage of body fat in proportion to its size. There is, on the average, only 16% fat in a Greyhound's body weight versus about 35% fat in body weight for a comparably sized dog of another breed.
Greyhounds are very sensitive to certain medications, including anesthesia. Before allowing your Greyhound to undergo any surgery, make sure that your vet is aware of the special anesthesia requirements for Greyhounds. In particular, barbituates are to be avoided. Do not be afraid to ask questions of your vet; not all are aware of a Greyhound's special anesthesia requirements.
Flea collars, and long lasting pesticides such as Hartz Blockade, can also be harmful or even fatal to Greyhound. Any product which releases flea killing chemicals into the bloodstream of the dog should be avoided, as should all flea collars and many of those applied monthly to the length of the dog's spine or a spot on the base of the dog's neck (i.e., Rabon, Bayon, ProSpot, Ex-Spot, etc.). Flea products safe to use on your greyhound include K-9 Advantix, Frontline Plus, and the product your vet recommends as safe for sighthounds.”
Products containing Pyrethrins are generally safe to use on Greyhounds, and given their very short coat, flea combs are especially effective. Other safe products are Rotenone and d-Limonene. The Rotenone is often sold in the gardening sections of feed stores, but it is organic and directions for treating pets for fleas are included in the "approved uses". Several companies make d-Limonene dips, sprays and shampoos. D-Limonene is derived from citrus fruits and is a fairly safe organic pesticide. Additionally, the human shampoo Pert Plus kills fleas on the dogs, although it has little or no residual effect. Lather, wait a few minutes, and then rinse.
Care also needs to be taken when deworming a Greyhound, as they are extremely sensitive to anything with an organophosphate base.
Some relatively safe choices for worming Greyhounds: For hookworm or roundworm infestations: pyrantel pamoate. This is the active ingredient in these non-prescription wormers: Evict, Nemex, Nemex2; and in the prescription wormer Strongid-T. For tapeworm: Droncit tablets. Droncit injections are also effective, but some dogs find them very painful. For whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms: Panacur. However, keep in mind that adverse reactions can happen with any individual animal to any particular medication.
Bloat
As with other deep chested breeds, Greyhounds may be affected by bloat, or torsion. Bloat is a life threatening disease where the stomach flips over. Immediate medical attention is required to avoid death. Preventive measures include avoiding exercise just before and for an hour or two after eating; avoiding ingestion of large amounts of water immediately after eating dry kibble and eating and drinking from a raised feeder.
Symptoms include distended abdomen, repeated unproductive vomiting, pacing and restlessness. It can kill quickly, an immediate trip to the vet is in order. You may wish to discuss bloat with your vet, to set up in advance what to do should it happen to your dog. Your vet may also suggest other things you can do while driving to the vet's for emergency care to improve your dog's chances for survival.
Considerations for the ex-racer
Because racing Greyhounds are kenneled with a large number of other dogs in a highly transient population, you will probably have to make sure your dog is checked for worms and tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichia and Babesia. A greyhound in racing condition will probably lose muscle and put on some extra fat once retired. While they should not become overweight, few dogs remain at racing weight, often gaining about 5 pounds in their retirement. This is to be expected.
Bone Cancer
It's not actually known whether Greyhounds are actually more predisposed toward bone cancer than other breeds, but there are enough anecdotal stories to warrant keeping an eye on your Greyhound for this, especially a former racer. The first symptoms involve lameness in the leg.
Hygroma
This is common in large dogs especially over bony prominences like elbows. It is usually seen in dogs housed on hard flooring. A hygroma is a fluid-filled bursa which forms to protect the skin from pressure necrosis from the bone underneath. They can get inflamed or even ulcerate. They tend to look more alarming than they are; your vet can advise you of the best course to take.
Hypothyroidism
Many Greyhounds appear to have low-normal levels of thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: hair loss (on rear and neck, usually bilateral and typically through thinning), darkening or thickening of the skin, and lethargy. Sometimes irritableness and/or wheezing are indicators. Untreated, hypothyroidism can have serious long term effects.