Fred's last run

Sadly Fred has died.
Even worse, his death was 100% preventable. While running around one sunny afternoon, Fred let out an intense howl of pain and immediately fell right to the ground. He could not get up. He was carried to the car a minute or two after he went down and was on his way to the emergency vet. It was determined that he had vertebrae pressing on his spinal cord. This condition would require surgery to correct.

The day before the surgery the neuro-surgeon briefed me on the procedure and was asked specifically about anesthesia protocol for greyhounds, which is different than other breeds of dogs. The surgeon acknowledged our concerns and assured us he was familiar with greyhound anesthesia.

The day of Fred's surgery the first surgeon had left town to attend to other cases and another surgeon was brought in. There was no mention of the substitution, nor was there an opportunity to brief surgeon on greyhound anesthesia issues for greyhounds.

Several hours after Fred's surgery should have been finished, I called the hospital and was told he did not make it. I was shocked. I listened to the surgeon say, "Fred died, we did all we could do". Without thinking I asked, "what did Fred die from?" His condition was not terminal before the surgery, just dire.

What happened next changed my world for ever. I was told Fred died of Hypothermia. He got so cold he died. This happened before the surgery every began. Fred was given the wrong anesthesia protocol for greyhounds. With a strong pre-sedative the norm, followed by anesthesia, greyhounds hearts slow so much they lose body heat because there heart can't keep the blood following enough to keep the body warm. Simply put, Fred froze to death from the anesthesia. The surgeon and never laid a hand on him.

The hospital was open and honest about their mistake, and further more they wanted to be part of the solution. They told me there are no certified vet anesthesiologists, rather lab techs who may or may not have adequate training or experience. They certainly are not vets. The head of a prestigious vet school said there simply is not enough time to train vets to do anesthesia in the current program. He acknowledged the problem and welcomed any suggestions.

Wonderful, fun loving Fred passed away from an improper anesthesia protocol administered by a vet tech after properly briefed surgeon hands off case and leaves town without saying good bye.

Fred was still to have the last word... but first his 1/2 brother Slammer would suffer one of the worst deaths imaginable at the hands of one of America's top veterinarian universities.

Trip's Mom and Dad

Havasu is Trip's mom.

Trip's dad, Visa Trip

Slammer's Dad

Blood Counts

KIDNEY TESTS - CREATININE and BUN

Greyhounds have a higher creatinine than other breeds, and can be inadvertently misdiagnosed with kidney failure when, in fact, their kidneys are quite healthy.

Depending on the lab's normal range, other breeds have a high of about 1.2 to 1.4 for their creatinine level, Greyhounds can normally run up to 2.1 (some say to 2.4) before it's considered to be possibly abnormal. If there is any doubt, run a second test on the urine called a specific gravity to help distinguish true kidney failure from a normal value.

A specific gravity in the 1.008 to 1.012 range combined with a truly elevated creatinine requires further testing. BUN's can also run a little above other breed's normal.

BLOOD COUNTS

TEST - GREYHOUND - OTHER BREEDS

Platelets 80,000 to 200,000 - 150,000 to 400,000

PCV 55-65% - 37-55%
RBC 7.4 to 9.0 million - 5.5 to 8.5 million
WBC 3000 to 6500 - 6000 to 17000
Total protein 4.5 to 6.0 - 5.4 to 7.8
Globulin 2.1 to 3.2 - 2.8 to 4.2

A few things worth noting:

A platelet count of 100,000 or slightly less may be normal, but if this Greyhound hasn't been tested for the various tick diseases, it would be a good time to do that.

While a PCV of 45% is fine for other breeds, and will be noted as normal on all lab reports, remember that a PCV of 50% or less in an adult greyhound is too low and suggests an anemic Greyhound. Again, if the Greyhound hasn't been checked for tick diseases, have it done.

WBC's can run even lower than 3000 on an otherwise normal Greyhound, but low-end counts also warrant a tick check.

Wow

Recently Overheard:

Some race horses staying in a stable. One of them starts to brag about his track record. "In the last 15 races, I've won 8 of them!"Then another horse says, "Well in the last 27 races, I've won 19!!""Oh that's good, but in the last 36 races, I've won 28!", says yet another, flicking his tail. At this point, they notice that a greyhound dog has been sitting there listening. "I don't mean to boast," says the greyhound, "but in my last 90 races, I've won 88 of them! "The horses are clearly amazed. "Wow!" says one, after a hushed silence. "A talking dog."

Obey the Greyhound!

Digital Photo Submittal Requirements for Celebrating Greyhound:

The Greyhound Project collects adopter's Greyhound photos all year long, but by the end of April, the selection process starts for the up coming calendar.

The Greyhound Project is always looking for photos that are a little bit different. Pictures that capture the personality of the individual Greyhound(s) and the versatility of the breed.

All of the above photo submittal requirements apply to digital photos, as well as the following:

- All digital photos must be taken at the highest resolution possible on your digital camera. These high resolution images produce huge files. You can expect a high resolution image to be at least 1.5 Megs or larger.

- You MUST have each digital image professionally printed on quality photographic paper. Do NOT print a digital photo out on a home printer!

- You MUST place an adhesive label on the back of each digital photo which has been professionally printed, with the following: please PRINT, the name of the digital image file (on the CD), your name, address, email address, the names of all Greyhounds in the photo, the names of all people in the photo, the name of the adoption group, track, kennel, or breeder from which the Greyhound(s) in the photo were adopted.

- Please send a CD which contains each digital image you have had professionally printed. Place a label on the CD cover and PRINT: the name of the digital image file, your name, address, email address, the names of all Greyhounds in the photo, the names of all people in the photo, the name of the adoption group, track, kennel, or breeder from which the Greyhound(s) in the photo were adopted.

** Please note: Photographs can not be returned. **

Send your Greyhound photos to:

Celebrating Greyhounds Calendar The Greyhound Project, Inc.

P.O. Box 5239

Framingham, MA 01701

Slammer surveys snow

Slammer used to race in Colorado so a little snow does not faze him much. Still he found it exciting enough to get up from his usual nap to have a look at some Texas snow. Not the same huh Slammer? Back in the day Slammer won races. He may laugh and joke, but he did not mess around when it came to race day. Check out his record and his bloodlines here :http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=466361

Thinking Dog

Fred contemplates the meaning of it all. "Is it all just about the treats?" "When will I move up in the pack?" "I wonder what Slammer is thinking about, he looks kinda depressed"

4 Seasons Fred

Fred is definetly an all weather dog. He enjoys being outsite regardless of heat, cold, rain or snow. He used to work for the Post Office before they retired him. If Fred had his way he wouldn't be wearing his new house coat outside either, "what if the neighbors see?" Check out Fred's bloodlines and race record here:http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1029064 His name was LRs Surge

Apre' Ski Trip

Trip is not one to mind the occassional snow flurry. As long as there is no thunder she can brave the elements, especially if she has a colorful new jacket to wear. She is ready for the slopes, unfortunately we live in the "Flat Lands." Check out her bloodlines and racing career at http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?z=qi2CRI&d=lrs+eve Trip's real name is LRs Eve. They have a different "call name" so they will not be distracted at the race track by your cheering for them.

Fall Daze

Britt enjoys a beautiful fall afternoon. It's relaxing just to watch her. She spends most of her day seeking out treats and a soft place to lay her head while she dreams about her next walk.

Tess

Tess was a hunter. She was high prey and a bit wild. She was a very loving dog unless you were a squirrel. Between her and Britt a squirrel did not have a chance. Just the mere mention of the "S" word and their skin would crawl. Tess loved standing on the picnic table, it belonged to her. She did not have a problem towering over you as many hounds do. As a sign of respect they generally keep their heads below your's.

Not a sled dog!

Britt has her first taste of real snow. Moving to Idaho required her to pack an extra coat. She enjoyed her walks along the Snake River and especially the ferril cats that would hide in the brush along the shore. Britt nailed one cat so hard it jumped in to the river to get away. That was a lucky cat!

Classical Britt

As she ages Britt just gets more beautiful. When she was adopted Britt was choosen because she was not as pretty as the other dogs. We figured if we were going to save a dog we should pick the one nobody else would want. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder. She is one of the most beautiful and unique Greyhounds I have ever known.