Osteochondromatosis in the racing greyhound

This paper describes the occurrence of osteochondromatosis (OCM) in the distal radius of the right forelimb of two racing Greyhounds. Both cases were presented with right forelimb lameness. In case 1, the OCM was secondary, while in case 2, it was the primary cause of lameness. Surgery and histopathology were performed on case 2. Both cases won races after their respective treatments.     

Metatarsal III fractures in the racing greyhound

During a five-year period, six single stress fractures of metatarsal Iii fractures were diagnosed in five greyhounds. All cases occurred while racing and without external trauma. Treatment by external support had previously been unsuccessful in three cases. However, surgical treatment permitted a prompt return to racing in all cases treated. The aetiopathogenesis of these fractures, the relative importance of the functional anatomy of the canine hock and the practice of racing greyhounds around tight curves are discussed.     

Angiostrongylosis in a greyhound

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was diagnosed at necropsy of a Greyhound imported from Ireland. Granulomatous masses and pulmonary arterial thrombosis were associated with adult and larval stages of metastrongyle nematodes. Hemorrhages, widespread in subcutaneous tissue and muscle masses and at serosal surfaces, were suggestive of the onset of the bleeding disorder that has been seen in angiostrongylosis in Europe. The mollusks that can serve as intermediate hosts are known to be common in the United States, and therefore establishment of this parasite from imported racing or breeding stock is possible.     

Third tarsal bone fractures in the greyhound

Objective : To describe the signalment, morphology, response to treatment and prognosis of third tarsal bone fractures in the racing greyhound. Methods : All third tarsal bone fractures seen by the author over a ten year period were included in the study. Diagnosis was by radiography. Treatments were reconstruction with a lag screw, fragment removal, centrodistal joint arthrodesis or conservative management. Results : Twenty-three cases were included in the study of which 16 cases were recent and seven cases chronic fractures. The chronic cases had been rested from between three and six months before an examination for recurrent lameness. There were five concomitant second tarsal bone fractures. Partial dorsal collapse was present in four cases. Thirteen dogs had lag screw fixation; three were lost to follow-up, seven returned to racing and three, all with partial tarsal collapse, failed to return to racing. Two dogs that had a centrodistal joint arthrodesis and one dog treated by rest alone raced again. Two dogs that had fragment removal failed to return to racing. Clinical significance : Veterinary examination of greyhounds with third tarsal bone fractures is often not sought at the time of the initial injury due to the benign presenting signs. Recurrence of lameness after rest is common. The prognosis for a successful return to racing would appear to be good following fragment fixation in both acute and chronic cases without dorsal tarsal collapse. Centrodistal joint arthrodesis may encourage bone union. The prognosis for conconservatively treated cases is guarded. Fragment removal is not recommended as a treatment.     

Open ante-brachiocarpal luxation in a greyhound

The successful management of an open ante-brachiocarpal luxation in a two-year-old grey hound is described.     

Caffeine--the potential for its abuse in the racing greyhound

The effects of caffeine and its availability as a drug or constituent of beverages is described. The literature concerning the effect of caffeine in greyhounds is reviewed and deductions are made and tested by experimental work. Thus conclusions are drawn as to how caffeine affects greyhound racing carried out under the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) rules.     

Gross pulmonary thrombosis in a greyhound

A two-year-old greyhound was presented with progressive dyspnoea. Radiography showed a hypovascular lung pattern with hyperlucent lung fields and echocardiography revealed a large thrombus in the main pulmonary artery. Blood results showed azotaemia and marked hypoalbuminaemia. The dog's clinical condition continued to deteriorate and it was euthanased. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of the pulmonary thrombus and revealed idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.     

Pharmacokinetics of oral amantadine in greyhound dogs

This study reports the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in greyhound dogs after oral administration. Five healthy greyhound dogs were used. A single oral dose of 100 mg amantadine hydrochloride (mean dose 2.8 mg/kg as amantadine hydrochloride) was administered to nonfasted subjects. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points from 0 to 24 h after administration, and plasma concentrations of amantadine were measured by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. Amantadine was well tolerated in all dogs with no adverse effects observed. The mean (range) amantadine C_MAX was 275 ng/mL (225–351 ng/mL) at 2.6 h (1–4 h) with a terminal half‐life of 4.96 h (4.11–6.59 h). The results of this study can be used to design dosages to assess multidose pharmacokinetics and dosages designed to achieve targeted concentrations in order to assess the clinical effects of amantadine in a variety of conditions including chronic pain. Further studies should also assess the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in other dog breeds or using population pharmacokinetics studies including multiple dog breeds to assess potential breed‐specific differences in the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in dogs.