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Post by Rick on Dec 20, 2016 16:47:12 GMT 10
Hi Tom What would the undesirable side effects of using Orabolin to suppress a bitch in regards to racing form. are they likely to chase better or worse be more or less aggressive, effect performance etc? Regards Rick |
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Post by Tom Meulman on Dec 21, 2016 9:10:49 GMT 10
Hi Rick,
Where do I start? As personally I consider it a very bad steroid to use on female greyhounds to suppress oestrus, but unfortunately the better drugs to do this are banned.
While this drug does have some very slight performance enhancing effects such as minimal muscle growth, it also has some rather worrying side effects.
It depresses testosterone so with susceptible bitches it can reduce the desire to compete in a race.
It can cause fluid and fat retention which can again with susceptible bitches reduce the ability to perform.
Worst of all long term use is known to cause liver damage in humans, I suspect this would also occur with greyhounds particularly if dosage is increased in an effort to reduce the chance of a bitch "breaking through" and coming on season.
All in all I personally prefer allowing a bitch to have a normal season all while running them often enough to maintain fitness, including continuing racing when possible, and with just a short break if they did come into milk.
I do understand that this is difficult to achieve with some bitches that come on season every six months, in which case you do not have a lot of choice, however regular blood tests to check that there is no liver damage occurring would be recommended.
Cheers,
Tom
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Post by Peter on Apr 11, 2017 17:40:48 GMT 10
Totally agree with Tom on the negative effects of Orabolin. I had a hard-chasing bitch who I began on Orabolin after a kennel mate came on season. At the 2 month mark, I noticed a change in her personality and a reluctance to want to leave her kennel and race. This culminated in her failing to come out of the boxes during a trial. Had her checked and blood tests performed which pointed to her being physicaly fine. Spelled her for a month and slowly noticed a return of her desire and chase. I have no doubt that the Orabolin was to blame. My vet told me that less than 10% of bitches on Orabolin turn sour or show negative effects. (I also used natural supplements to try to improve her liver function including taurine, methionine and stuff you would only hear of in a Harry Potter movie.) I think I'll just let nature take its course in regards to seasonal issues from now on.
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