Here comes part three of our greyhound glossary! This time we’re talking medical terms. Here are some of the terms you will frequently hear mentioned in regards to greyhounds.
Body Condition: Not specific to greyhounds, when talking about body condition, it refers to a way of measuring a dog’s weight and consequently, their health condition. Using a score, you can assess the amount of fat your dog is carrying. A good body condition score will reduce the risk of health problems that arise when a dog is overweight.
Corns: Corns are pesky growths that form on your houndies paw pads. Specifically, a greyhound corn is a “focal circular area of hyperkeratinization found in the digital paw pads of sighthound breeds”. If you notice your hound limping, check their pad as they may have a corn. Think of it like a rock in your shoe, that’s how it will feel for you hound.
Fibrinolytic Syndrome: Greyhounds are prone to this, a syndrome that hinders them from forming effective blood clots to stop bleeding. It can be life-threatening, and up to 30% are believed to suffer from it. Surgery, trauma from an injury or fight with another animal can be particularly risky for hounds who experience this condition.
Freezing: Freezing is a fear response. There are four basic responses to fear: fight / flight / fiddle / freeze. Freezing is a common one that we see in greyhounds, and it can be a challenge if you’re out for a walk. Remember, freezing ≠ stubborn. Find some more information on how to manage it here.
Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphocytes, “a type of white blood cell, and can involve lymph tissue anywhere in the body”. Symptoms may differ depending on the tumor location, however a common early sign is what can feel like a hard rubbery lump under your greyhound’s skin. Sash Vets have a great article about it here.
Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is bone cancer, and the most common type of cancer to affect greyhounds. It starts in the bone, and then metastasizes, or spreads, throughout the body. Many hounds are first diagnosed with osteosarcoma when their owners notice lameness or a limp, assuming they have hurt themselves somehow. Sadly, this an aggressive form of cancer, and treatment options are limited. If you notice lameness, an unexplained hard lump on the leg, a loss of appetite or a reluctance to walk or play, please take your hound to the vet for assessment.
Pannus: Pannus is an auto-immune disorder also known as superficial keratitis. It is an eye condition that is more common in greyhounds than other breeds. In extreme cases, if pannus is left untreated, it could lead to blindness. The good news is that it can typically be easily managed with daily drops, and if caught early the progression of the disease can be slowed dramatically. Dr Matt Buchanan-Pascall of Macquarie Veterinary Hospital has kindly put together some information for us here.
Reverse sneezing: Have you ever heard a reverse sneeze? It’s a mix of a snorting sound combined with inhaling, and it will probably look like your hound is trying to extend their neck. It’s when your hound takes in a sudden burst of air into the nose, rather than a normal sneeze where the air would be pushed out from the nose. If in doubt, it’s best to try and take a video of it happening and show your vet.
Rhabdomyolysis: This is an illness that commonly affects racing greyhounds, working dogs, and even at times other dogs that are especially active. It refers to the muscle damage caused by short, high-intensity workouts. Telling symptoms can include dehydration, pain, weakness, nausea and disorientation. This condition is very serious, and can cause an irregular heartbeat and kidney failure. It’s important to seek urgent veterinary care.
SLO (Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy): This is a painful condition that can cause your hound’s nails to fall out, inflammation at the base of the nail, pain, lameness and more. It is an inflammatory condition, believed to be immune-related. SLO often starts with a single nail, so seek treatment if you notice any abnormalities. While it can’t be cured, it can be managed with minimal discomfort to your hound.
Kennel coat: When you first adopt a kennel kid, you might notice they have a thick, dull coat, or patches of a thicker fur in a lighter colour than their normal coat. This is what’s known as kennel coat, a coarser coat hounds develop when living in kennels and cold conditions to stay warm. Regular brushing will remove the loose hair, and you’ll soon start to notice your hounds coat looking much better.
If you are ever unsure about your hound’s health, don’t wait. We strongly recommend seeking veterinary care as soon as possible.