|
|
Post by Andrew on Aug 23, 2013 9:51:45 GMT 10
Hi Tom,
Wondering ifg you can help me out here as I am dumbfounded with my race dog.
When I first got him he was going great running decent times but over his past 4 runs he has been getting slower early and slower overall.
We trialled him this morning to see where he is at and he seems to have lost 1 whole second in his overall time, how can this be?
The dog is fit, keen, no injuries were found and his blood count is excellent. He is now 2 n hlf years old so he should be getting stronger not weaker.......
My main question is - Is it possible he has a fracture somewhere but he is still able to chase the lure? He runs off on U turn tracks and runs all over the place on a straight track.
PLEASE HELP TOM!
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 24, 2013 7:55:30 GMT 10
Hi Andrew,
Mate I'm sorry but all I can say is that the greyhound is badly broken down in more than one area, and urgently needs to see a specialized greyhound Vet for a thorough physical examination before it should be allowed to run behind the lure again.
Some greyhounds are such insane chasers that they will continue to further damage their own body in their endeavor to catch the lure.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Aug 24, 2013 17:07:39 GMT 10
Hi Tom,
Good advice! I took him to the vet 2 days ago and he went through him saying his bone structure was fine and looks really well and toned.
We did take a full blood test to find that the dog has more white cells than red cells and he has also caught a bacterial infection somehow so we are now treating this.
In saying this, would a bacterial infection put a dog out 10-12lgths ?
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 25, 2013 21:27:10 GMT 10
Hi Andrew,
An injury can take 8 to 10 lengths off a dogs time but an illness can take 10 to 15 lengths.
Lets hope that the infection was the only cause, and that the antibiotics will take care of the infection.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Aug 25, 2013 22:09:56 GMT 10
Thanks again Tom....
He did have some sort of rash like exma under his chest, do you know what this could be ?
Is it possible something has bitten him?
|
|
|
|
Post by Ray Jones on Aug 26, 2013 3:42:53 GMT 10
Andrew,did the vet check his tonsils,inflamed or infected tonsils can affect a dogs times quite badly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Aug 26, 2013 7:48:20 GMT 10
I wasn't there but I was told was in great condition and the vet couldn't find anything wrong with him, yet the full blood results came back with him having a bacterial infection and more white cells than red, looking at the dog you wouldnt think he is unwell as he is eating well and jumping out of his skin.
It's wierd really, if only they could talk to us!
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 26, 2013 12:49:11 GMT 10
It's weird really, if only they could talk to us! LOL, its quite funny but they do talk to you, however in a non verbal manner.................and unfortunately even if you are very observant it can take as long as 20 years of being around a number of racing greyhounds every day before you know what they are trying to tell you. |
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Aug 27, 2013 17:59:09 GMT 10
Well how bads this tom?
More White cells than red
Low lymph level
Bacterial Infection
Is this the 1 sec slower?
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 27, 2013 20:22:21 GMT 10
Hi Andrew, If in fact the greyhound had more white blood cells than red he would have died long before this eventuated, as this is a medical impossibility. There is no doubt that a severe infection in conjunction with a low red blood cell count will severely affect the ability of the greyhound to perform. This whole saga simply means that the greyhound may need a four week spell away from running behind the lure while the infection clears, and the dogs body has a chance to recover. It would be nice from your point of view as the trainer to try and find out WHY the greyhound finished up in this condition in the first place, and what led to it becoming so severe before it was realised that there was something wrong with the greyhounds health in order for this type of scenario to be avoided in the future not only with this greyhound but also with others you may train. It may be worth having a read of THIS article. Cheers, Tom |
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Aug 28, 2013 11:58:46 GMT 10
Sorry Tom I meant to say that the dog had More white cells than he is meant to have, his count was at 8.0 for White Cells which is 1.5 above normal
As to finding out why he ended up with this bacterial infection I am yet to find out as he was always happy, eating fine, shiny coat, no dehydration signs and his eyes were good even the vet is dumbfounded!
What I am thinking is that maybe he got a spider bite in the kennel as he did come up in a rash under his chest area. He is on medication now and is off for 3 weeks.
Hopefully he recovers as he has ability.
Thanks
|
|
