The Guide to Understanding Greyhounds

Based on an article that first appeared at

Greyhounds are known for their elegance, grace, and gentle nature, making them wonderful mates for the right person. With their sleek bodies and kind eyes, Greyhounds have a way of capturing hearts. They are often described as "40 mph couch potatoes" because of their surprising blend of speed and laid-back demeanor. A fun fact about Greyhounds is that they are incredibly fast, and capable of reaching speeds up to 45 miles per hour, making them the second fastest land animal after the cheetah!

If you're considering adding a Greyhound to your family, it's important to understand their unique health needs so they can live a long, happy, and healthy life. Today, we'll dig into some of these health challenges and what you need to know before welcoming a Greyhound into your home.

What Makes a Sighthound?

Sighthounds are a group of dog breeds known for their incredible speed and keen vision. Unlike other hunting dogs that rely on scent, sighthounds hunt by sight and speed, using their long legs and lean bodies to chase down prey.

Greyhounds, in particular, have been bred for thousands of years for their hunting prowess and later for racing. They are one of the oldest dog breeds, with a history that dates back to ancient Egypt. Depictions of Greyhound-like dogs have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, emphasizing their long-standing relationship with humans. Known for their gentle and calm demeanor off the track, Greyhounds make wonderful companions, blending athleticism with a sweet-natured temperament.

Greyhound racing at track in air sprint.

What Makes a Greyhound Unique

Irregular Blood Values

One unique aspect of Greyhounds is that their blood values often don't match the normal ranges provided by laboratories. For instance:

  • Red Blood Cell Count: Greyhounds typically have a higher red blood cell count than other breeds. This is likely due to their well-muscled bodies and their breeding for racing.
  • Kidney Values: One of the kidney values in Greyhounds can appear higher than normal, again likely due to their muscular build.
  • Thyroid Levels: Greyhounds often have lower thyroid levels. However, as long as they are not showing clinical signs of hypothyroidism (like hair loss, weight gain, seeking heat, or unusual tiredness), we usually don't supplement their thyroid levels. This can be a bit ironic since Greyhounds are known for being quite lazy!

Anesthesia and Surgical Considerations

Due to their unique physiology, greyhounds require special attention when it comes to anesthesia. We try to keep anesthesia sessions short and periodically check their electrolytes while they are under. This is important because Greyhounds can develop high potassium levels during prolonged anesthesia, which can be dangerous and lead to heart complications. By closely monitoring their electrolyte levels, we can prevent these potential issues and generally have a safer procedure.

Another important consideration is the risk of delayed bleeding, particularly in Greyhounds off the track. This condition, known as fibrinolysis, occurs when their bodies break down blood clots too quickly. To manage this, we often administer a medication called aminocaproic acid before and after surgery. This medication slows down the breakdown of clots, helping to prevent excessive bleeding and providing a smoother recovery process for the dog.

Greyhound in a field after retiring.

Common Health Issues

Greyhounds are prone to a few specific health issues that are less common in other breeds:

  • Corns: Greyhounds can develop corns on the bottom of their paws, which can be quite painful. This is similar to walking with a pebble in your shoe. Treatment options include shaving down the corn or, in severe cases, performing a tendon cut to relieve the discomfort.
  • Dental Disease: Greyhounds are very prone to dental disease. Starting dental care early, including brushing their teeth, is imperative. Routine dental care can prevent severe periodontal disease and gum recession, helping your Greyhound keep their teeth healthy.

The Graceful Greyhound

Greyhounds are a unique and wonderful breed, but they come with their own set of health challenges that require special attention. Understanding these issues and working closely with your veterinarian can help you keep your Greyhound healthy and happy.

If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (941) 253-5218, or you can email us at staff@uacvet.com. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.

Tags

  • Dog Breeds

What Our Clients Have To Say

I wasn’t holding my breath that a vet would work hard to help diagnose my leopard gecko. I was wrong. The doctor worked hard to diagnose why our pet lizard stopped eating & ran a battery of tests.

Paulina Testerman

Vets and staff are knowledgeable and efficient. Clean and friendly Vet office. My dog now goes in to see her Vet with out balking.

Sara Little

Dr. Fink was just super with the Bruiser on his last visit. The entire staff was attentive, caring and professional. We would highly recommend University Animal Clinic to all who love their pets and want the best care for them.

ARF

All employees are amazing with animals. I am glad I found a Vet’s office that makes me feel that my 5 months old puppy is in the best hands

Heide Myrick

Even with full covid-19 protection our Basset was well cared for by the staff, I received detailed home care instructions and got a ‘checking on you’ call the next day. Our basset is on the way to revovery. Perfect outcome. Great caring friendly staff.

Stan Yonkauski

Met Dr. Sam and Dr. Fink today and was very impressed. We have been a client of University Animal Clinic since it opened with Dr. Rill. My wife and I feel very comfortable with these ladies and plan to keep our relationship with them. The staff and Dr’s are very helpful and friendly.

Pet Parent

The very best of care, the entire staff always gives their all and truly cares about both patient and parents! You won’t find a better clinic in Sarasota.

Ron Marano

My dogs, Max and Leo, always have a very positive experience at UAC. The staff is friendly and professional. The office is efficient and clean. I appreciate the ability to check on the dogs’ vaccinations, etc., on the pet portal. Great vet practice.

Ronni Silverman

The entire staff was friendly and professional. Dr. Sam was extremely knowledgeable, kind, and eased my anxiety. Even though I was worried they comforted me, answered all of my questions, and took great care of my fur baby.

Zach Gennette

It is very difficult to find an avian vet who is kind while not sugar coating what can be bad news. I had no idea conures get cataracts as they get older, helped me understand my bird’s actions. The Dr. is wonderful!

Jessica Sakas
Read More