Greyhound Viral Diseases and Vaccinations
May 21, 2016 20:49:17 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on May 21, 2016 20:49:17 GMT 10
Greyhound Vaccination
Viral diseases are one of the most devastating problems a trainer or breeder can have to cope with. Devastating because many of the viral diseases affecting greyhounds (if it doesn’t kill the greyhound) will certainly end a racing career. Therefore maintaining a thorough vaccination program is essential in any kennel facility.
Vaccination against the viral and bacterial forms of kennel cough is also very desirable. They will be in contact with other greyhounds at trial or racetracks, and there is always a chance that they may come in contact with other dogs that are carriers of diseases.
Nor should you allow the chance to occur for your greyhound to become a carrier of an infectious disease.
It is important that you seek the advice of a Veterinarian who is experienced with greyhounds to assist you to set up and maintain a vaccination program for the greyhounds in your care. Your Vet will ensure that your vaccination program accommodates local and environmental factors to suit the needs of your greyhounds.
You should also contact your Vet immediately for advice about what action is required if there is an outbreak of an infectious disease in your kennels or region.
Protecting the continued effectiveness of antibiotics and vaccination programs
Everyone understands that both bacteria and viruses can and do mutate, and any bacterial and/or viral mutation creates the possibility that both current antibiotic substances and/or current vaccination programs may increasingly lose their effectiveness.
Many greyhound trainers have had experiences where a bacterial infection in one of their greyhounds did not respond as well as expected to the course of antibiotics prescribed.
What is less clearly understood by most people is why this occurs.
The only time a bacterium or virus is provided with an opportunity to mutate and build up a resistance to an antibiotic or vaccination program, is when the program used is only partially effective in destroying the bacterium, or provides only partial immunity against the organism that is attacking the body.
One of the most common and stupid mistakes made by many greyhound trainers or kennel managers, is to not fully complete the antibiotic treatment program prescribed by the Vet, or to simply forget to give the greyhound the prescribed antibiotics for one or two days, or even to abandon the program because the greyhound appears to have recovered or is engaged in a race in a day or two and they are concerned with the possibility of a “positive swab”.
Or worse still, obtain antibiotics from other sources and use these “ad hoc” when they think that a greyhound may have an infection without actually knowing there is an infection present, or whether the antibiotic being used is actually effective against the infection they assume exists.
Many injectable antibiotics are available in a multi-dose vial and are therefore subject to abuse by trainers and kennel managers who wrongly believe that one or two “shots” will treat the perceived infectious problem. I have seen this happen time and time again where a trainer sees one of their dogs cough a couple of times the day after a run, then believes the dog is coming down with kennel cough or a throat infection, and gives it an antibiotic injection believing that this will stop the dog getting sick.
Forgetting that the multi dose vial of injectable antibiotics they have managed to obtain is in fact a complete treatment for a severe infection, and to treat that infection the whole vial is supposed to be used over a period of 5 to 7 days.
Nor do they realise that if the dog did have a bacterial infection that this type of action is guaranteed to provide the bacterium with an ideal opportunity to become a “super bug” and resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics.
A similar problem may occur if vaccination programs are not followed correctly and only partial immunity is obtained to a specific virus, and it is thereby presented with the opportunity to continue to invade the body and possibly mutate in the process. This can make the virus more resistant to the antibodies produced by the greyhounds body, and if allowed to infect other greyhounds, could trigger an epidemic with disastrous consequences.
Response to Vaccination
LYMPHOCYTES increase in number (Lymphocytes and Neutrophils are white blood cells)
Memory cells are programmed.
An increase in the quantity of antibodies in the blood. (Antibodies are specific for each virus or bacteria)
Handling of Vaccine
Correct storage and handling of vaccine is of paramount importance,
Keep refrigerated
Heating or freezing will destroy the vaccine
Must be used within 40 minutes of being mixed
Vaccine must be correctly injected under the skin
Effectiveness of a Vaccination Program
No vaccination program is 100% effective at all times, and there can be a number of reasons for the failure of the vaccine to have the appropriate result.
Such as:
Poor handling of the vaccine and therefore the vaccine is no longer active
Temporary immunity due to maternal antibodies in the pup’s blood destroying the vaccine before immunity is attained.
Pups already infected with a virus; for instance a pup infected with the parvovirus will not respond to the distemper or hepatitis vaccine.
Poor hygiene, it is essential that both the whelping kennel and the bitches yard be thoroughly sterilised prior to whelping to avoid the pups being overwhelmed by a virus contaminated yard.
Kennel Cough
Either a virus or a bacterium may cause kennel cough, these are:
Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus type 2
Bordetella bronchiseptica bacterium
Vaccination consists of a nasal spray type vaccination system where two doses of Bordetella bacterin are given initially, with a single dose as a booster every 6 to 12 months.
Pups as young as 4 weeks of age may be treated with a single dose
The intranasal vaccine may also be used in the vaccination for the parainfluenza virus and may be combined with the Bordetella vaccine.
Minimum vaccination requirement by controlling authorities in Australia.
From 1 December 2015, all greyhounds are required to be fully vaccinated at 12 months of age and prior to naming with a minimum C5 vaccination, up from the former C3 minimum.
All pups whelped on or after that date are now required to be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks of age with a minimum C3 vaccine followed by a C5 vaccine at 10-16 weeks of age.
C3 vaccinations cover parvovirus, hepatitis and canine distemper and C5 vaccinations also cover kennel cough (parainfluenza virus and bordetella bronchiseptica).
These national requirements are part of a renewed focus on animal welfare across the sport and aimed at preventing contagious diseases among greyhounds.
Proof of C3 vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age needs to be submitted on the vaccination form generated from the Result of Mating Notice. Proof of the C5 vaccination at 10-16 weeks of age must be submitted on the litter registration/microchipping form.
Proof of the puppy vaccinations as well as the 12-month C5 booster must be submitted on a vaccination certificate from a registered Veterinarian.
Vaccination certificates issued by a veterinary surgeon must identify the greyhound by reference to its sex, colour, ear branding and microchip identifications.
Infectious Viral diseases
Greyhounds must be vaccinated against infectious diseases, and while this provides a degree of protection in some instances the vaccination may fail, and the greyhound may still get the disease.
It is therefore extremely important that you learn to recognize the various symptoms of infectious diseases, so that you may take immediate steps to stop the spread of the disease, isolate the affected dog, and seek urgent veterinary advice and treatment.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect the RESPIRATORY, GASTROINTESTINAL and NERVOUS SYSTEMS of the greyhound.
It is the most common viral disease of the dog population in general, and is most commonly seen in pups three to six months of age.
When non-vaccinated dogs are exposed to Canine Distemper Virus, up to 75% will become ill and 50% to 90% of those will die.
Of the greyhounds that do survive the disease, many of these will display some type of nervous disorder when stressed, the most common of these is grinding of the teeth (chewing gum) or varying degrees of fits or seizures after a hard run.
Canine Distemper Virus is passed on to the greyhound, mainly by air from the spread of aerosol droplets and body secretions of infected dogs, or from the hands, clothes, and shoes of the handler.
Once infected, in the following 14 to 18 days, the virus will multiply in the nose and throat area causing an increase in body temperature above 39.5 Celsius from around day 4 to day 7.
Visible signs include a husky cough, weeping eyes with a crusty discharge that almost look like sugar crystals, and a discharge from the nose that is thick and sticky.
Further symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, reluctance to eat, dehydration and weight loss, while secondary infections in the respiratory system may cause pneumonia.
As the disease progresses, nervous system damage due to the virus destroying nerve cells will become more obvious. The greyhound may display involuntary twitching of the muscles, teeth grinding, loss of coordination and ability to walk hypersensitivity to touch, and blindness.
Early diagnoses of a Distemper Virus infection is extremely difficult, as the first symptoms of the disease are similar to that of a severe dose of kennel cough and the influenza virus, however Distemper Virus infection should be suspected in all cases where there is a history of poor immunization or no immunization.
Diagnosis can only be confirmed by antibody test on the cells of the mucous membranes, or on the white blood cells by a blood test.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment available for the Distemper Virus; therefore treatment is simply aimed at providing supportive care while the Greyhounds own immune system attempts to fight the disease.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Infectious Canine Hepatitis a virus that belongs to a group of viruses called ADENOVIRUS.
Most infections with this virus do not cause obvious symptoms, other than those of the varying degrees of liver damage caused while the Greyhounds own immune system eliminates the virus.
The extent of that damage; will depend entirely on the degree of immunity the greyhound has to the virus as well as its state of health at the time of the infection. Occasionally the virus will overwhelm the immune system of susceptible dogs and causes an acute and often fatal disease that resembles Distemper and Parvovirus disease.
The virus is spread via the body fluids of an infected dog entering the mouth or nasal cavity of a susceptible greyhound, such as a greyhound sniffing or licking the spot where an infected dog has urinated.
The virus then infects the tonsils and lymph nodes in the throat and starts multiplying.
If the greyhound has been given immunity by vaccination, the virus is eliminated at this point by the immune system, if not, the virus enters the blood and spreads throughout the body.
Visible signs are primarily related to the virus destroying liver tissue, and if severe enough will include fever (39.5 - 41.0 degrees Celsius), depression, abdominal tenderness, pale mucous membranes and a reluctance to eat.
As the disease progresses cloudiness of the cornea of the eye may be present and coughing due to bronchitis and pneumonia may also occur.
Greyhounds that are severely affected either recover in 3 to 5 days or in the case of multiple organ involvement go into a coma and die.
However when we talk about recovering in 3 to 5 days, that simply means that the greyhound wont die, but it does not mean that the greyhound is capable of going back into work, full recovery may take 2 months of complete rest, while some may never fully recover.
Diagnosis is based on blood tests showing a low white cell count of less than 2500 and abnormally increased liver enzymes.
Because the antibodies produced by the immune system to this virus increases quickly, a definite diagnosis may be made by measuring these antibodies at the start of the disease and comparing this to the level of antibodies in the blood during the recovery phase.
Treatment
Treatment is similar to that for Canine Distemper and mainly supportive in nature.
Most Greyhounds do recover from this disease and in many instances their trainers are not even aware that the Greyhound has in fact caught and fought off the disease, all while working, running, and racing.
All this occurs due to the fact that the symptoms can be so minor that they are easily overlooked.
First symptom:
A slight cough after a run, inflamed tonsils and slightly enlarged glands in the neck easily confused with a slight bout of kennel cough, clears in 3 to 5 days.
VIRUS IS MULTIPLYING
Second symptom: Generally about 5 to 7 days after the cough clears the trainer may notice that the Greyhounds stools have become a little loose, again easily confused with a sight gut infection.
THE VIRUS HAS INFECTED THE LIVER AND THE LIVER IS NO LONGER SUPPLYING THE NECESSARY BILE TO DIGEST THE FATTY ACIDS IN THE FOOD.
Around this time the trainer may also notice that the Greyhound is a little more dehydrated than usual and doesn’t run the race out quite as well.
If the trainer ignores or doesn’t notice any of this, then the next thing he will notice is that the Greyhound has gone off the boil so to speak, and is coming up with far more injuries than normal.
And it is usually at this stage of the game that the trainer may decide that the expense of a blood test is warranted and has a blood profile performed by their veterinarian.
And generally much to their surprise there may not be much wrong with the results of the blood test, other than a slight elevation of liver enzymes, elevation of muscle enzymes, and showing slight stress and dehydration, with generally a lower than normal white cell count indicating a depressed immune system.
Nothing dramatically wrong to account for the Greyhounds lack of performance
THE GREYHOUND HAS ELIMINATED THE VIRUS AND IT IS NO LONGER ACTIVELY DAMAGING THE LIVER BUT THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE.
Liver enzymes are eliminated from the blood within 5 days when the liver is no longer being damaged, and a liver enzyme test does not tell you how well (or badly) the liver is doing its job.
Greyhounds having had Infectious Canine Hepatitis and suffering liver damage as a result of the infection generally lose 3 lengths or more over 500 meters and are prone to suffering increased stress and muscle damage.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus causes two distinctly different diseases, the most common is a severe type of gastroenteritis that may affect dogs of all ages, and the second is an inflammation of the heart muscle that usually affects pups between 4 to 8 weeks of age.
The virus is spread by contact between dogs and contact with faeces from infected animals, which contain large amounts of the virus, as well as from the hands, clothes, and shoes of the handlers, it may also be spread by flies, fleas, cockroaches as well as birds.
The virus is extremely resistant to heat and most disinfectants, and may survive in the environment for up to a year.
Common household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) diluted to 1 part in 30 and mixed with ammonia type detergent/disinfectant is extremely effective as well as the specialized Parvovirus disinfectants such as Parvicide or Aldacide.
Parvovirus can also cross the placenta and infect the pups inside the pregnant brood bitch.
After entering the mouth, the virus multiplies in the tonsils and lymph nodes in the throat, if unchecked at this point, the infection enters the blood and spreads throughout the body.
Since Parvovirus grows only in cells that are actively multiplying, the gastrointestinal tract which has a large number of cells multiplying at all times, is the most common site for the worst symptoms of the disease to develop.
The virus multiplying inside the cells kills them, and as a result destroys the inner lining of the intestine.
When this destruction reaches a certain stage, the intestine can no longer absorb food nutrients and starts to leak fluid, electrolytes, and blood.
This is the reason that Parvovirus causes such an extremely bloody diarrhoea, however not all cases of bloody diarrhoea are caused by Parvovirus.
A definite diagnosis can be made by finding the virus in the faeces, or by measuring the antibodies in the blood at the time of the disease and during the recovery stage.
Some Greyhounds in particular adults may show no evidence of the disease while others will develop severe symptoms and rapidly die.
The younger the Greyhound the more likely it is that it will develop a severe case of the disease, some pups dying within 24 hours of showing the first symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment again is similar to any viral disease with supportive care that includes fluid and electrolyte replacement, and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
In the case of Parvovirus treatment, transfusion with plasma or whole blood may be required in severe cases, and the transfusion with blood from an immune greyhound with high antibodies may be of benefit, especially in pups or young dogs.
As mentioned earlier, Parvovirus is also responsible for causing severe heart damage in young puppies resulting in death.
In this instance the virus grows in the rapidly multiplying heart muscle cells instead of the intestines.
Symptoms include heart failure and sudden death after exertion, difficulty in breathing, swollen abdomen, weak rapid pulse, and cold legs and feet.
Treatment
There is no effective treatment for the Parvovirus when it affects the heart muscles, even if the greyhound survived the damage to the heart is permanent.
Canine Coronavirus
Coronavirus causes highly contagious diarrhoea, and spreads rapidly through kennels where there are large numbers of susceptible greyhounds, and in an environment where there is frequent movement of new greyhounds arriving such as at a breaking in establishment.
The virus is obtained from the faeces of an infected greyhound, which can shed the virus for several weeks after apparently recovering from the disease, and from the environment in which a sick greyhound has emptied out.
The visible symptoms of a disease due to Canine Coronavirus are a sudden onset of diarrhoea with or without vomiting.
The vomiting if present usually lasts 24 to 36 hours, while the diarrhoea results in orange coloured watery stools containing mucus and blood.
Severely affected puppies may suffer from decreased appetite and depression.
The low white cell blood count usually seen with viral infections is not found with the Coronavirus.
Treatment
Greyhounds will usually recover without treatment, with stools returning to normal after 7 to 10 days, and death from this virus is rare.
Any type of diarrhoea will cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, therefore the appropriate supportive treatment should be provided.
However if young puppies are involved urgent veterinary advice should be sought as this disease can cause deaths in the very young.
Kennel Cough
Canine Parainfluenza Virus and Adenovirus 2
Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus 2 are highly infectious agents that cause localized inflammation in the TRACHEA and lung BRONCHIOLES (bronchitis) of the respiratory tract that result in an increase in respiratory secretions and coughing.
The end result is the same as that caused by the infectious BORDETELLA bacteria that causes kennel cough.
These viruses are spread via the air in the tiny droplets coughed up by the infected greyhounds.
Within 3 to 7 days the immune system stops the primary infection and the greyhounds appear to recover, however pressure on the trachea in the bottom of the neck may cause coughing for weeks, indicating that some of the inflammation is still present.
In some cases where the greyhound is under stress and the immune system is slow to respond, secondary bacterial infections may cause pneumonia.
Racing or trialing the greyhound while suffering an upper respiratory infection may result in permanent lung damage.
Treatment
Treatment as with any other viral infection is aimed supportive care.
Vaccines are available for intranasal administration to provide protection against both Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus 2.
Infectious Tracheobronchitis
Kennel cough can be caused by both bacteria and viral agents, but of the two, the bacterium
BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA is believed to be the major and more serious factor.
Once a Greyhound has obtained some immunity due to having been infected with a viral agent, it is usually no longer a serious threat to the health of the dog.
However, when a Greyhound becomes infected with the Bordetella bacteria, it can breathe out and pass on the bacteria for 3 months or more, with some Greyhounds becoming persistent infected carriers.
The bacteria attach to the cilia of the lining of the respiratory tract and stop these cilia from moving mucus and debris up and out of the airways, causing inflammation, congestion, and restriction of the airways.
In severe cases the inflammation causes a discharge from the nose similar to what is seen in Distemper virus disease, and may also result in pneumonia.
These are worst-case scenarios; the classic case of kennel cough caused by the Bordetella bacteria, is a mild infection characterized by coughing.
The coughing is caused by the inflammation of the trachea and the bronchioles of the lungs, and is worsened by exercise, excitement or pressure on the trachea.
There may be a mild fever with temperature around 39.5 Celsius.
It should be clearly understood that while the dose of kennel cough might appear mild, running a Greyhound with any kennel cough symptoms will cause both the bacteria and mucus being dragged into the alveolus (the little air sacks that make up the lungs).
The end result of that little exercise may range from pneumonia to permanent scarring of the lungs.
Treatment
The treatment will vary in relation to the severity of the disease and is generally aimed at treatment with antibiotics, and substances that loosen the mucus to improve its removal from the airways.
Trainers need to be aware that there are many causes of a Greyhound coughing, these causes may include:
Pharyngitis
Tonsillitis
Tracheobronchitis
Chronic bronchitis
Pneumonia
Abscess or tumour
Chronic lung scarring
Collapsed trachea
Lymph node enlargement in neck or chest
Migrating hook or roundworm larva
CARDIOVASCULAR
Enlarged heart
Heart failure
Heartworms
Fluid around the heart
ALLERGIES TO:
Pollen or dust
Liniments
Flea treatments
TRAUMA AND PHYSICAL
Foreign body in airway
Injured trachea
Severely enlarged liver
Viral diseases are one of the most devastating problems a trainer or breeder can have to cope with. Devastating because many of the viral diseases affecting greyhounds (if it doesn’t kill the greyhound) will certainly end a racing career. Therefore maintaining a thorough vaccination program is essential in any kennel facility.
Vaccination against the viral and bacterial forms of kennel cough is also very desirable. They will be in contact with other greyhounds at trial or racetracks, and there is always a chance that they may come in contact with other dogs that are carriers of diseases.
Nor should you allow the chance to occur for your greyhound to become a carrier of an infectious disease.
It is important that you seek the advice of a Veterinarian who is experienced with greyhounds to assist you to set up and maintain a vaccination program for the greyhounds in your care. Your Vet will ensure that your vaccination program accommodates local and environmental factors to suit the needs of your greyhounds.
You should also contact your Vet immediately for advice about what action is required if there is an outbreak of an infectious disease in your kennels or region.
Protecting the continued effectiveness of antibiotics and vaccination programs
Everyone understands that both bacteria and viruses can and do mutate, and any bacterial and/or viral mutation creates the possibility that both current antibiotic substances and/or current vaccination programs may increasingly lose their effectiveness.
Many greyhound trainers have had experiences where a bacterial infection in one of their greyhounds did not respond as well as expected to the course of antibiotics prescribed.
What is less clearly understood by most people is why this occurs.
The only time a bacterium or virus is provided with an opportunity to mutate and build up a resistance to an antibiotic or vaccination program, is when the program used is only partially effective in destroying the bacterium, or provides only partial immunity against the organism that is attacking the body.
One of the most common and stupid mistakes made by many greyhound trainers or kennel managers, is to not fully complete the antibiotic treatment program prescribed by the Vet, or to simply forget to give the greyhound the prescribed antibiotics for one or two days, or even to abandon the program because the greyhound appears to have recovered or is engaged in a race in a day or two and they are concerned with the possibility of a “positive swab”.
Or worse still, obtain antibiotics from other sources and use these “ad hoc” when they think that a greyhound may have an infection without actually knowing there is an infection present, or whether the antibiotic being used is actually effective against the infection they assume exists.
Many injectable antibiotics are available in a multi-dose vial and are therefore subject to abuse by trainers and kennel managers who wrongly believe that one or two “shots” will treat the perceived infectious problem. I have seen this happen time and time again where a trainer sees one of their dogs cough a couple of times the day after a run, then believes the dog is coming down with kennel cough or a throat infection, and gives it an antibiotic injection believing that this will stop the dog getting sick.
Forgetting that the multi dose vial of injectable antibiotics they have managed to obtain is in fact a complete treatment for a severe infection, and to treat that infection the whole vial is supposed to be used over a period of 5 to 7 days.
Nor do they realise that if the dog did have a bacterial infection that this type of action is guaranteed to provide the bacterium with an ideal opportunity to become a “super bug” and resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics.
A similar problem may occur if vaccination programs are not followed correctly and only partial immunity is obtained to a specific virus, and it is thereby presented with the opportunity to continue to invade the body and possibly mutate in the process. This can make the virus more resistant to the antibodies produced by the greyhounds body, and if allowed to infect other greyhounds, could trigger an epidemic with disastrous consequences.
Response to Vaccination
LYMPHOCYTES increase in number (Lymphocytes and Neutrophils are white blood cells)
Memory cells are programmed.
An increase in the quantity of antibodies in the blood. (Antibodies are specific for each virus or bacteria)
Handling of Vaccine
Correct storage and handling of vaccine is of paramount importance,
Keep refrigerated
Heating or freezing will destroy the vaccine
Must be used within 40 minutes of being mixed
Vaccine must be correctly injected under the skin
Effectiveness of a Vaccination Program
No vaccination program is 100% effective at all times, and there can be a number of reasons for the failure of the vaccine to have the appropriate result.
Such as:
Poor handling of the vaccine and therefore the vaccine is no longer active
Temporary immunity due to maternal antibodies in the pup’s blood destroying the vaccine before immunity is attained.
Pups already infected with a virus; for instance a pup infected with the parvovirus will not respond to the distemper or hepatitis vaccine.
Poor hygiene, it is essential that both the whelping kennel and the bitches yard be thoroughly sterilised prior to whelping to avoid the pups being overwhelmed by a virus contaminated yard.
Kennel Cough
Either a virus or a bacterium may cause kennel cough, these are:
Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus type 2
Bordetella bronchiseptica bacterium
Vaccination consists of a nasal spray type vaccination system where two doses of Bordetella bacterin are given initially, with a single dose as a booster every 6 to 12 months.
Pups as young as 4 weeks of age may be treated with a single dose
The intranasal vaccine may also be used in the vaccination for the parainfluenza virus and may be combined with the Bordetella vaccine.
Minimum vaccination requirement by controlling authorities in Australia.
From 1 December 2015, all greyhounds are required to be fully vaccinated at 12 months of age and prior to naming with a minimum C5 vaccination, up from the former C3 minimum.
All pups whelped on or after that date are now required to be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks of age with a minimum C3 vaccine followed by a C5 vaccine at 10-16 weeks of age.
C3 vaccinations cover parvovirus, hepatitis and canine distemper and C5 vaccinations also cover kennel cough (parainfluenza virus and bordetella bronchiseptica).
These national requirements are part of a renewed focus on animal welfare across the sport and aimed at preventing contagious diseases among greyhounds.
Proof of C3 vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age needs to be submitted on the vaccination form generated from the Result of Mating Notice. Proof of the C5 vaccination at 10-16 weeks of age must be submitted on the litter registration/microchipping form.
Proof of the puppy vaccinations as well as the 12-month C5 booster must be submitted on a vaccination certificate from a registered Veterinarian.
Vaccination certificates issued by a veterinary surgeon must identify the greyhound by reference to its sex, colour, ear branding and microchip identifications.
Infectious Viral diseases
Greyhounds must be vaccinated against infectious diseases, and while this provides a degree of protection in some instances the vaccination may fail, and the greyhound may still get the disease.
It is therefore extremely important that you learn to recognize the various symptoms of infectious diseases, so that you may take immediate steps to stop the spread of the disease, isolate the affected dog, and seek urgent veterinary advice and treatment.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect the RESPIRATORY, GASTROINTESTINAL and NERVOUS SYSTEMS of the greyhound.
It is the most common viral disease of the dog population in general, and is most commonly seen in pups three to six months of age.
When non-vaccinated dogs are exposed to Canine Distemper Virus, up to 75% will become ill and 50% to 90% of those will die.
Of the greyhounds that do survive the disease, many of these will display some type of nervous disorder when stressed, the most common of these is grinding of the teeth (chewing gum) or varying degrees of fits or seizures after a hard run.
Canine Distemper Virus is passed on to the greyhound, mainly by air from the spread of aerosol droplets and body secretions of infected dogs, or from the hands, clothes, and shoes of the handler.
Once infected, in the following 14 to 18 days, the virus will multiply in the nose and throat area causing an increase in body temperature above 39.5 Celsius from around day 4 to day 7.
Visible signs include a husky cough, weeping eyes with a crusty discharge that almost look like sugar crystals, and a discharge from the nose that is thick and sticky.
Further symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, reluctance to eat, dehydration and weight loss, while secondary infections in the respiratory system may cause pneumonia.
As the disease progresses, nervous system damage due to the virus destroying nerve cells will become more obvious. The greyhound may display involuntary twitching of the muscles, teeth grinding, loss of coordination and ability to walk hypersensitivity to touch, and blindness.
Early diagnoses of a Distemper Virus infection is extremely difficult, as the first symptoms of the disease are similar to that of a severe dose of kennel cough and the influenza virus, however Distemper Virus infection should be suspected in all cases where there is a history of poor immunization or no immunization.
Diagnosis can only be confirmed by antibody test on the cells of the mucous membranes, or on the white blood cells by a blood test.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment available for the Distemper Virus; therefore treatment is simply aimed at providing supportive care while the Greyhounds own immune system attempts to fight the disease.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Infectious Canine Hepatitis a virus that belongs to a group of viruses called ADENOVIRUS.
Most infections with this virus do not cause obvious symptoms, other than those of the varying degrees of liver damage caused while the Greyhounds own immune system eliminates the virus.
The extent of that damage; will depend entirely on the degree of immunity the greyhound has to the virus as well as its state of health at the time of the infection. Occasionally the virus will overwhelm the immune system of susceptible dogs and causes an acute and often fatal disease that resembles Distemper and Parvovirus disease.
The virus is spread via the body fluids of an infected dog entering the mouth or nasal cavity of a susceptible greyhound, such as a greyhound sniffing or licking the spot where an infected dog has urinated.
The virus then infects the tonsils and lymph nodes in the throat and starts multiplying.
If the greyhound has been given immunity by vaccination, the virus is eliminated at this point by the immune system, if not, the virus enters the blood and spreads throughout the body.
Visible signs are primarily related to the virus destroying liver tissue, and if severe enough will include fever (39.5 - 41.0 degrees Celsius), depression, abdominal tenderness, pale mucous membranes and a reluctance to eat.
As the disease progresses cloudiness of the cornea of the eye may be present and coughing due to bronchitis and pneumonia may also occur.
Greyhounds that are severely affected either recover in 3 to 5 days or in the case of multiple organ involvement go into a coma and die.
However when we talk about recovering in 3 to 5 days, that simply means that the greyhound wont die, but it does not mean that the greyhound is capable of going back into work, full recovery may take 2 months of complete rest, while some may never fully recover.
Diagnosis is based on blood tests showing a low white cell count of less than 2500 and abnormally increased liver enzymes.
Because the antibodies produced by the immune system to this virus increases quickly, a definite diagnosis may be made by measuring these antibodies at the start of the disease and comparing this to the level of antibodies in the blood during the recovery phase.
Treatment
Treatment is similar to that for Canine Distemper and mainly supportive in nature.
Most Greyhounds do recover from this disease and in many instances their trainers are not even aware that the Greyhound has in fact caught and fought off the disease, all while working, running, and racing.
All this occurs due to the fact that the symptoms can be so minor that they are easily overlooked.
First symptom:
A slight cough after a run, inflamed tonsils and slightly enlarged glands in the neck easily confused with a slight bout of kennel cough, clears in 3 to 5 days.
VIRUS IS MULTIPLYING
Second symptom: Generally about 5 to 7 days after the cough clears the trainer may notice that the Greyhounds stools have become a little loose, again easily confused with a sight gut infection.
THE VIRUS HAS INFECTED THE LIVER AND THE LIVER IS NO LONGER SUPPLYING THE NECESSARY BILE TO DIGEST THE FATTY ACIDS IN THE FOOD.
Around this time the trainer may also notice that the Greyhound is a little more dehydrated than usual and doesn’t run the race out quite as well.
If the trainer ignores or doesn’t notice any of this, then the next thing he will notice is that the Greyhound has gone off the boil so to speak, and is coming up with far more injuries than normal.
And it is usually at this stage of the game that the trainer may decide that the expense of a blood test is warranted and has a blood profile performed by their veterinarian.
And generally much to their surprise there may not be much wrong with the results of the blood test, other than a slight elevation of liver enzymes, elevation of muscle enzymes, and showing slight stress and dehydration, with generally a lower than normal white cell count indicating a depressed immune system.
Nothing dramatically wrong to account for the Greyhounds lack of performance
THE GREYHOUND HAS ELIMINATED THE VIRUS AND IT IS NO LONGER ACTIVELY DAMAGING THE LIVER BUT THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE.
Liver enzymes are eliminated from the blood within 5 days when the liver is no longer being damaged, and a liver enzyme test does not tell you how well (or badly) the liver is doing its job.
Greyhounds having had Infectious Canine Hepatitis and suffering liver damage as a result of the infection generally lose 3 lengths or more over 500 meters and are prone to suffering increased stress and muscle damage.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus causes two distinctly different diseases, the most common is a severe type of gastroenteritis that may affect dogs of all ages, and the second is an inflammation of the heart muscle that usually affects pups between 4 to 8 weeks of age.
The virus is spread by contact between dogs and contact with faeces from infected animals, which contain large amounts of the virus, as well as from the hands, clothes, and shoes of the handlers, it may also be spread by flies, fleas, cockroaches as well as birds.
The virus is extremely resistant to heat and most disinfectants, and may survive in the environment for up to a year.
Common household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) diluted to 1 part in 30 and mixed with ammonia type detergent/disinfectant is extremely effective as well as the specialized Parvovirus disinfectants such as Parvicide or Aldacide.
Parvovirus can also cross the placenta and infect the pups inside the pregnant brood bitch.
After entering the mouth, the virus multiplies in the tonsils and lymph nodes in the throat, if unchecked at this point, the infection enters the blood and spreads throughout the body.
Since Parvovirus grows only in cells that are actively multiplying, the gastrointestinal tract which has a large number of cells multiplying at all times, is the most common site for the worst symptoms of the disease to develop.
The virus multiplying inside the cells kills them, and as a result destroys the inner lining of the intestine.
When this destruction reaches a certain stage, the intestine can no longer absorb food nutrients and starts to leak fluid, electrolytes, and blood.
This is the reason that Parvovirus causes such an extremely bloody diarrhoea, however not all cases of bloody diarrhoea are caused by Parvovirus.
A definite diagnosis can be made by finding the virus in the faeces, or by measuring the antibodies in the blood at the time of the disease and during the recovery stage.
Some Greyhounds in particular adults may show no evidence of the disease while others will develop severe symptoms and rapidly die.
The younger the Greyhound the more likely it is that it will develop a severe case of the disease, some pups dying within 24 hours of showing the first symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment again is similar to any viral disease with supportive care that includes fluid and electrolyte replacement, and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
In the case of Parvovirus treatment, transfusion with plasma or whole blood may be required in severe cases, and the transfusion with blood from an immune greyhound with high antibodies may be of benefit, especially in pups or young dogs.
As mentioned earlier, Parvovirus is also responsible for causing severe heart damage in young puppies resulting in death.
In this instance the virus grows in the rapidly multiplying heart muscle cells instead of the intestines.
Symptoms include heart failure and sudden death after exertion, difficulty in breathing, swollen abdomen, weak rapid pulse, and cold legs and feet.
Treatment
There is no effective treatment for the Parvovirus when it affects the heart muscles, even if the greyhound survived the damage to the heart is permanent.
Canine Coronavirus
Coronavirus causes highly contagious diarrhoea, and spreads rapidly through kennels where there are large numbers of susceptible greyhounds, and in an environment where there is frequent movement of new greyhounds arriving such as at a breaking in establishment.
The virus is obtained from the faeces of an infected greyhound, which can shed the virus for several weeks after apparently recovering from the disease, and from the environment in which a sick greyhound has emptied out.
The visible symptoms of a disease due to Canine Coronavirus are a sudden onset of diarrhoea with or without vomiting.
The vomiting if present usually lasts 24 to 36 hours, while the diarrhoea results in orange coloured watery stools containing mucus and blood.
Severely affected puppies may suffer from decreased appetite and depression.
The low white cell blood count usually seen with viral infections is not found with the Coronavirus.
Treatment
Greyhounds will usually recover without treatment, with stools returning to normal after 7 to 10 days, and death from this virus is rare.
Any type of diarrhoea will cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, therefore the appropriate supportive treatment should be provided.
However if young puppies are involved urgent veterinary advice should be sought as this disease can cause deaths in the very young.
Kennel Cough
Canine Parainfluenza Virus and Adenovirus 2
Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus 2 are highly infectious agents that cause localized inflammation in the TRACHEA and lung BRONCHIOLES (bronchitis) of the respiratory tract that result in an increase in respiratory secretions and coughing.
The end result is the same as that caused by the infectious BORDETELLA bacteria that causes kennel cough.
These viruses are spread via the air in the tiny droplets coughed up by the infected greyhounds.
Within 3 to 7 days the immune system stops the primary infection and the greyhounds appear to recover, however pressure on the trachea in the bottom of the neck may cause coughing for weeks, indicating that some of the inflammation is still present.
In some cases where the greyhound is under stress and the immune system is slow to respond, secondary bacterial infections may cause pneumonia.
Racing or trialing the greyhound while suffering an upper respiratory infection may result in permanent lung damage.
Treatment
Treatment as with any other viral infection is aimed supportive care.
Vaccines are available for intranasal administration to provide protection against both Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus 2.
Infectious Tracheobronchitis
Kennel cough can be caused by both bacteria and viral agents, but of the two, the bacterium
BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA is believed to be the major and more serious factor.
Once a Greyhound has obtained some immunity due to having been infected with a viral agent, it is usually no longer a serious threat to the health of the dog.
However, when a Greyhound becomes infected with the Bordetella bacteria, it can breathe out and pass on the bacteria for 3 months or more, with some Greyhounds becoming persistent infected carriers.
The bacteria attach to the cilia of the lining of the respiratory tract and stop these cilia from moving mucus and debris up and out of the airways, causing inflammation, congestion, and restriction of the airways.
In severe cases the inflammation causes a discharge from the nose similar to what is seen in Distemper virus disease, and may also result in pneumonia.
These are worst-case scenarios; the classic case of kennel cough caused by the Bordetella bacteria, is a mild infection characterized by coughing.
The coughing is caused by the inflammation of the trachea and the bronchioles of the lungs, and is worsened by exercise, excitement or pressure on the trachea.
There may be a mild fever with temperature around 39.5 Celsius.
It should be clearly understood that while the dose of kennel cough might appear mild, running a Greyhound with any kennel cough symptoms will cause both the bacteria and mucus being dragged into the alveolus (the little air sacks that make up the lungs).
The end result of that little exercise may range from pneumonia to permanent scarring of the lungs.
Treatment
The treatment will vary in relation to the severity of the disease and is generally aimed at treatment with antibiotics, and substances that loosen the mucus to improve its removal from the airways.
Trainers need to be aware that there are many causes of a Greyhound coughing, these causes may include:
Pharyngitis
Tonsillitis
Tracheobronchitis
Chronic bronchitis
Pneumonia
Abscess or tumour
Chronic lung scarring
Collapsed trachea
Lymph node enlargement in neck or chest
Migrating hook or roundworm larva
CARDIOVASCULAR
Enlarged heart
Heart failure
Heartworms
Fluid around the heart
ALLERGIES TO:
Pollen or dust
Liniments
Flea treatments
TRAUMA AND PHYSICAL
Foreign body in airway
Injured trachea
Severely enlarged liver