Did you know...

That, regardless of your age and circumstances, you should make arrangements for someone to take your Greyhounds and other pets in the event something happens to you.  When you make a will, you take care of your children, your assets and your debts.  Make sure you take care of your pets as well.  Talk to friends and family in advance and make arrangements for someone to take your pets in the event something happens to you.  You can make financial arrangements for the care of your pets in addition to their physical care.  We all hope to outlive our pets, but you never know what is going to happen.  Making those arrangements now may avoid confusion later and avoid your pets having to be placed back into pet adoption with someone they do not know.

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That the likely reason many dogs circle around a spot before they settle down to rest is because it is a residual habit from the days when wolf-like dogs lived in the wild, although no one knows for sure. Your dog’s ancestors had to sleep outside, in the elements, without warmth or safety.  Walking around a spot was a way to stamp down grass, leaves or snow and create a soft, level surface — something akin to carving out a nest. After a dog circles, scratching at the bedding or carpeting before curling up is probably an ancestral behavior related to staying safe and comfortable. In extreme heat, digging a hole was a way to reduce a dog’s body temperature by surrounding herself with cool soil that could help regulate body heat. When it was cold — or even freezing — climbing into a hole allowed a dog to retain body heat and keep cozy.  So why have our pampered house pets not evolved from these behaviors? Adaptive behaviors tend to linger long after they’ve lost their usefulness if there’s nothing to discourage them. Restlessness can be a sign of discomfort or even pain. If your dog repeatedly circles and digs but cannot seem to get comfortable, she may have a health problem. Observe your dog to see if she is having trouble getting up and settling down. If she is restless, take her to the vet to rule out pain and get a proper diagnosis.

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That coursing is the ultimate test of a Greyhound.  Many people believe that open coursing across natural country is the only legitimate way to assess the true qualities of this magnificent breed.  Where else can you see that thrilling explosion of the sprinter’s pace from slips to first turn over 300 yards?  In coursing, the Greyhounds’ elastic agility and innate sense of balance is used to control and dominate the movement of its natural quarry (now an artificial lure).  Many people who have adopted young, uninjured Greyhounds from the racing industry, have discovered that lure coursing is an exciting way to have fun with their hounds and give them lots of exercise. Many pleasant hours can be passed watching Greyhounds run to their hearts’ content!!!

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That human pain medication can be deadly to animals.  Are you thinking about giving your pet an aspirin to ease its pain? Think again! Human painkillers including ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen can be dangerous and even deadly to animals. Though acetaminophen can ease a human tension headache, even one tablet of 500 mg extra strength acetaminophen is dangerous for a dog. Human medications are not designed for the animal body and can have deadly effects when given to pets. Veterinarians can help prescribe the right dose and type of medication for your dog when he is in pain.  For more information on animal poisonings, click on Greyhound Information and read the article, Common Animal Poisonings.

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Greyhounds have a personal space roughly the size of a dog bed or crate. 

Consider the life of a track or farm Greyhound:  They are kept in dog runs or crates separated from other dogs by wire.  No one invades their personal space when they are in their crates or runs.  They can sleep without fear of being attacked (which in a dog’s mind may be the same thing as being touched when sleeping).   Therefore, consider what a Greyhound’s reaction might be when touched while he is asleep on his bed.  Such a move will startle the dog and the reaction may be to jump up or snap. 

Greyhounds are fed in their crates.  They are not used to being bothered while eating and some consider that an aggressive move by a human.  Children should be cautioned to stay away from a dog while he is eating.

At the race track, Greyhounds are frequently moved from place to place by their collars (instead of using a leash) and are sometimes jerked by the collar for other reasons.  Because of that, some Greyhounds are sensitive about having their collars pulled.  The leash seems to have a different effect; therefore, the better idea is to attach the leash to  the dog’s collar instead if you want to physically move the dog from one place to another.

Always keep in mind what the Greyhound’s life might have been.  Adoption into a loving family will definitely be a positive change, but even positive changes are still changes.  Be patient.

That dogs do not hug. Hugging is something humans do and children in particular. It seems that the first thing a child wants to do when meeting a Greyhound is to hug him around the neck. That is a foreign concept to a Greyhound. Other dogs do not hug them around the neck and if another dog puts his legs around another dog’s neck, that might be considered as an aggressive move and not well tolerated. They like to be petted or rubbed but not necessarily confined by a hug.

Before joining an adoption group, Greyhounds are generally not shown the type of affection one would show a pet that is considered a family member. Remember a Greyhound has a prior history as a track or farm dog. Adults and children alike should slowly get to know their new Greyhound. Give the dog time to adjust to a new environment. A good rule of thumb is to let a new Greyhound approach you and give affection while the Greyhound is standing. Be patient.

TAGS recommends that families with children who want to adopt a Greyhound read the book, Childproofing Your Dog: Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children by S. Brian/Wilson Kilcommons. Unless the family has previously owned or currently has a Greyhound or other large dog, TAGS does not recommend that families with children under the age of 5 years adopt a Greyhound. Of course, each adoption is taken on an adoption-by-adoption basis.

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That many holiday foods can be harmful to dogs, causing a slight upset stomach to severe vomiting and diarrhea.  Avoid giving your dog fatty or spicy foods, bread dough, fresh herbs, alcoholic beverages, caffeine and any kind of sweets, especially those with chocolate or xylitol.  Particularly dangerous can be poultry bones.  Cooked bones splinter easily and bone shards can cause choking, getting stuck in your dog’s gums or damage the intestines.  As always, discourage your dog from foraging in the garbage – secure the lids on all trashcans.  It’s natural to want to share your holiday treats with your pets, but do not overdo it.  A few small bites of turkey or sweet potatoes should do the trick—without making your dog sick. Enjoy a safe holiday season.

That when guests arrive, you can help your dog contain his excitement and be calm.  Exercise him prior to the festivities.  After 30 minutes of walking or playing, your dog will more likely be relaxed.  As a general rule, don’t let your dog greet unfamiliar guests since unusual activities and commotion can cause him additional stress.  It is also a good idea to use a baby gate or put your dog in another room or his crate while answering the door.  Give your dog a break from the initial hubbub. You don’t want your greyhound to escape through the door while welcoming a guest.  That will really put a damper on a party.  Allow him to rejoin the festivities after all the guests have arrived.  Pets stressed by unfamiliar events typically pant more, so keep your dog’s water bowl filled with fresh water during the holidays.

That decorations are not pet playthings.  Keep your dog away from holiday plants, many of which are poisonous (holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and amaryllis).  Be sure all potpourri is out of your dog’s reach.  Snow globes can contain antifreeze, which is toxic to dogs.  Keep these away from your pets and away from an area where the dog can knock it off and break it.  If there is an antifreeze spill, keep your dog out of the room while you clean up the liquid.  Dilute the spot with water and floor cleaner so your dog won’t lick the spot later.  Keep electrical wires and batteries out of your pet’s reach.  Don’t leave lighted candles unattended and within your dogs reach.  Be sure to anchor the Christmas tree to the ceiling or wall to prevent it from tipping over.  Hang non-breakable ornaments near the bottom of the tree.  Spritzing your dog with water may be necessary to teach him to leave the tree alone.   Help your dog stay busy and out of the holiday trimmings by giving him fun, safe dog toys.  Avoid putting tinsel on your tree.  If ingested, tinsel can twist in your dog’s intestines and be deadly.  Do not let your dog drink Christmas tree water.  It may contain preservative chemicals, and stagnant plain water can breed bacteria.  Regularly sweep up fallen pine needles.  These can puncture your dog’s intestines if ingested.     __________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Greyhound type of physique is a perfect example of aerodynamic design.  All members of the family share basic characteristics designed to enhance speed:  long legs, narrow head, deep chest, sloping ribs, and long toes (and sometimes webbed feet).  The narrow skull with very little stop between muzzle and forehead is less wind resistant than a square skull.  The deep chest and sloping ribs allow for greater lung capacity and greater endurance.  The long legs are self-explanatory:  longer legs can stretch longer distances.  The long toes can actually get a “toe hold” on the terrain.  The shape of a Greyhound’s pads are often referred to as “hare’s foot,” because a rabbit’s foot is compact and long. 

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All of the dogs in the sighthound group hunt by sight. Most dogs hunt by smell. A dog’s sense of smell is 50,000 times greater than a human’s. The sighthound’s sense of smell is no weaker, but they learned to rely on their eyes more than their noses. Greyhounds originated in the Middle East. The terrain was wide open and flat. The dogs needed to be able to see what was on the horizon and chase it down with blinding speed. The Greyhound is the fastest dog in the world. It has been clocked at 45 miles per hour on the straightaway. Greyhounds are also good at hurdling. In the early days of Greyhound racing the West Flagler Kennel Club in Florida hosted hurdle races in addition to flat racing.

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Almost 8000 years ago there was evidence of greyhound-like dogs living with humans. Greyhounds are the oldest pure breed of dog. They belong to the clan known as sighthounds. Greyhounds originated in the Middle East. Other sighthounds are Basenjis, Borzois, Scottish Deerhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Afghan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Italian Greyhounds, and Whippets. There are other dogs in this family in Europe and Africa:  Chart Polski, Rampur Hound, Sloughi, Azawakh, Spanish Galgo, Khalag, Taigan, Cirneco Dell’Etna. Greyhounds are the only dog breed mentioned by name in the Bible.

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There are several dietary strategies for helping your dog lose weight as well as safe exercise programs.  Your vet may recommend the following:

Feed your dog smaller meals more often (but not a larger amount of total daily food) – this helps your dog burn more calories and help minimize begging for food.

Feed your dog less of its regular food each day.  This is most effective with increased activity.

Instead of feeding your dog less, switch him to a lower calorie food.  The change should be gradual, mixing the old and new food over several days or weeks until you are only feeding the new food.  A sudden change could upset your dog’s stomach.

Give treats only on special occasions.  Offer lower calorie treats or divide a larger treat into several smaller ones. Some low calorie dog treats are slices of apple, banana, carrot, melon, pear; green beans; and lean cooked meat.  You might also try treats for smaller dogs (smaller treats).  NOTE:  Do not feed your dog grapes or raisins because they can reportedly cause kidney problems.

You can help your dog become more active and lose weight by scheduling regular playtimes and walks. Not all games/exercise are appropriate for all breeds or medical conditions, so be sure to check with your vet before beginning a new exercise program. For walks, start out slowly to give your dog a chance to adapt to an exercise routine. Work up to a brisk 10- to 20-minute walk or jog once or twice a day. On hot or cold days, go easy or rest. 

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According to estimates, 40% to 50% of dogs are overweight and 25% are obese.  Obesity is more common in older, less active dogs.  Dogs that are fed homemade meals, table scraps and lots of high calorie snacks are more likely to be overweight than dogs eating only high quality commercial pet food and healthy snacks.
Obesity-related health problems may be heart disease, reduced life span, knee problems, labored or difficult breathing, fatigue, greater risk for heatstroke, diabetes, joint problems, immune system problems and pancreas problems.  Check with your vet to see if your dog is overweight or obese, the probable cause, whether your dog should lose some weight, and what the best weight loss regimen is.  The most effective weight loss plans usually involve increasing activity and decreasing calorie intake.
Get veterinary advice before changing your dog’s eating and exercise habits.  You want a safe, age-appropriate eating and exercise plan for your pet.  When helping your dog lose weight, slower is safer.  “Crash diets” and intense workouts are inappropriate for an inactive dog.  If your dog gained weight slowly, losing it slowly will be better for your pet.

• Having these items will make it easier for you to work with a Poison Helpline expert:
  
  - Hydrogen peroxide 3%                                - Liquid dishwashing liquid (such as Dawn or Palmolive)
  - Rubber gloves                                            - Triple antibiotic ointment
  - Vitamin E capsules                                     - Benadryl (with no other combination ingredients)
  - Corn syrup                                                 - Can of tasty canned dog food
  - Ophthalmic saline solution or artificial tears (with no other combination ingredients)
  - Sweet electrolyte beverage (such as Gatorade)

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That there is still plenty of time for a road trip before summer is over.  Make it a fun trip for your Greyhound, too.  There are many pet-friendly options for travelers. Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are current before you leave and that your dog wears a collar with identification tags.   Ask your vet about health concerns specific to where you are traveling.  Check www.officialpethotels.com  for pet-friendly hotels.  When you arrive at the hotel, allow your pet to examine and explore the new surroundings and stay with him until he settles in.  If you must leave your dog alone in the room, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and let the housekeeping office know not to enter while you are gone.  Dogfriendly.com’s Top 10 dog-friendly cities are Portland, Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Austin, Alexandria/Washington, D.C., New York and Indianapolis.  Honorable Mentions:  Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando and Raleigh.  Check www.dogfriendly.com for other travel information.  Have fun and stay cool!!! 

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Below is the Dog Heatstroke Survival Guide  by Robert Newman: 

What is heatstroke?  In simple terms, heatstroke occurs when a dog loses its natural ability to regulate its body temperature. Dogs don't sweat all over their bodies the way humans do. Canine body temperature is primarily regulated through respiration (i.e., panting). If a dog's respiratory tract cannot evacuate heat quickly enough, heatstroke can occur.  To know whether or not your dog is suffering from heatstroke (as opposed to merely heat exposure), it's important to know the signs of heatstroke.

A dog's normal resting temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a dog's temperature rises above 105 degrees, physiological changes start to take place, and the dog begins to experience the effects of heatstroke. At 106 to 108 degrees, the dog begins to suffer irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.

If a dog is experiencing heatstroke, you may observe excessive panting; hyperventilation; increased salivation; dry gums that become pale, grayish and tacky; rapid or erratic pulse; weakness; confusion; inattention; vomiting; diarrhea; and possible rectal bleeding. If the dog continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent, and finally, seizures or coma can occur.

The amount of damage a dog sustains when stricken with heatstroke depends on the magnitude and duration of the exposure. The longer and more severe the exposure, the worse the damage will be.  What to do

1. Pay attention to your dog. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke and responding quickly is essential for the best possible outcome.

2. Get into the shade. If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move it into a shaded area and out of direct sunlight. Apply cool water to the inner thighs and stomach of the dog, where there's a higher concentration of relatively superficial, large blood vessels. Apply cool water to the foot pads, as well.

3. Use running water. A faucet or hose is the best way to wet down your dog's body. Never submerge your dog in water, such as in a pool or tub - this could cool the dog too rapidly, leading to further complications, including cardiac arrest and bloating.

4. Use cool - not cold - water. Many people make the mistake of using cold water or ice to cool the dog. When faced with a dog suffering from heatstroke, remember that the goal is to cool the dog. Using ice or extremely cold water is actually counterproductive to this process because ice and cold water cause the blood vessels to constrict, which slows blood flow, thus slowing the cooling process.

5. Don't cover the dog. One of the keys to successfully cooling your dog is ensuring the water being placed on the dog can evaporate. Never cover an overheated dog with a wet towel or blanket. This inhibits evaporation and creates a sauna effect around your dog's body. Likewise, don't wet the dog down and put it into an enclosed area, such as a kennel. Any air flow during the cooling process is helpful in reducing the dog's body temperature. Sitting with the wet dog in a running car with the air conditioner blowing is an ideal cooling situation.

6. Keep the dog moving. It's important to try to encourage your dog to stand or walk slowly as it cools down. This is because the circulating blood tends to pool in certain areas if

the dog is lying down, thus preventing the cooled blood from circulating back to the core.

7. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water. Cooling the dog is the first priority. Hydration is the next. Don't allow the dog to gulp water. Instead, offer small amounts of water that's cool, but not cold. If the dog drinks too much water too rapidly, it could lead to vomiting or bloat.

8. Avoid giving human performance drinks. Performance beverages designed for humans are not recommended because they are not formulated with the canine's physiology in mind. If you can't get an overheated dog to drink water, try offering chicken- or beef-based broths. 

 

See a veterinarian.  Once your dog's temperature begins to drop, cease the cooling efforts and bring the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.  Your dog's temperature should be allowed to slowly return to normal once cooling has begun. A dog that's cooled too quickly may become hypothermic. Even if your dog appears to be fully recovered, the veterinarian needs to check to determine if the heatstroke caused any damage to your dog's kidneys and liver. The effects of heatstroke can continue for 48 to 72 hours longer, even if your dog appears normal.

William Grant, DVM, a veterinarian for 20 years and former president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, has treated hundreds of cases of heatstroke, ranging from mild to fatal.

According to Grant, the most common cause of death following heatstroke is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (blood coagulating throughout the body), or DIC, which can occur hours or days after the heatstroke episode.  DIC can also be caused by pyometra or septicemia, but Grant says heatstroke is the most common cause. "Once a dog develops DIC, it may bleed in the thorax, abdomen, nose and intestine," Grant says. "Once the blood-clotting factors are consumed, there is an inability of the blood vessels to prevent leaking; the condition is almost always fatal." For this reason, follow-up veterinary care is essential following a heatstroke episode, even if your dog seems to be  completely fine.  Prevention is the best medicine The best treatment for heatstroke is prevention. Especially during the summer months, it's essential to be aware of the potential for heatstroke. Knowing the signs of heatstroke, and taking the necessary steps to prevent it, will ensure your dog can have a safe and active life year-round.

• When traveling with your Greyhound, make sure you pack:
  

- Secure collar with current ID tags                        - Leash

- Crate, safety harness or other restraint               - Poop bags

- Food, water and snacks                                       - Food and water dishes

- Medications and prescription copies                     - Vaccination records, especially rabies certificate

- List of vet and emergency hospital contacts          - First aid kit

- Familiar blankets and toys                                    - Towels and clean up item