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.     

Central tarsal implant in a racing greyhound

Although most type IV fractures in dogs can be treated with screw fixation, type V fractures usually lead to an unsuccessful clinical result. A central tarsal replacement composed of a titanium alloy was developed by our investigation team to treat type V fractures. The implant was used to successfully treat a greyhound and to allow it to return to racing. Continual development of this new surgical procedure hopefully will give the veterinarian predictable and reliable clinical results and return injured greyhounds to active racing.     

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.     

Toe and muscle injuries of the racing greyhound

Extract

The popularity of greyhound racing continues to climb in whichever country or stateit has been introduced. Following the introduction of the Totalisator Agency Board (T.A.B.) to produce off-course legalized betting in Australia, greyhound racing has boomed to unparalleled heights. Further, the additional prizemoney now available to the successful greyhound owner has attracted owners who were previously interested only in horse racing.     

Sprain of the short radial collateral ligament in a racing greyhound

Severe carpal lameness in a racing greyhound due to a sprain of the straight part of the short radial collateral ligament is described. The dog subsequently developed an enthesiopathy at the origin of the ligament. Treatment was by kennel rest and the dog returned to successful racing.     

Haematology and serum biochemistry in the racing greyhound following intraperitoneal povidone-iodine

Povidone-iodine caused peritonitis with neutrophilic leukocytosis and a minimal left shift at the dosage rate of 3.5 ml/kg body weight. A dosage rate of 2 ml/kg only caused slight neutrophilic leukocytosis. There was a significant increase in the levels of creatinine (p=0.049) and BUN (p=0.020) in dogs that received the higher dose rate. Two dogs died from povidone-iodine toxicity with a marked increase in ALT, AP, SDH and conjugated bilirubin. It is concluded that povidone-iodine is unsafe for use in the peritoneal cavity of dogs.     

Lateral ligamentous injury to the carpus of a racing greyhound

The lateral collateral ligament of the ulna and the dorsolateral ligaments of the radiocarpal joint of a racing Greyhound were ruptured, resulting in instability of the carpus when the joint was flexed. This report describes a technique for making a ligament prosthesis, using the ulnaris lateralis tendon. Although the dog did not return to racing, the carpus was stable enough for general activity.     

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.     

Successful derotation of a splenic torsion in a racing greyhound

A two-year-old male racing greyhound was presented to the Sydney University Veterinary Hospital with a six-week history of intermittent gastric dilatation. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography were suggestive of splenic torsion without gastric dilatation. Exploratory ceoliotomy confirmed a 540° clockwise rotation of the spleen. Derotation of the spleen was performed and thrombosis was not present in the splenic vessels. Epinephrine was injected into the splenic parenchyma to aid in splenic contraction. The spleen was left in situ. The greyhound made an uneventful recovery and has won several races in the 10-month follow-up period without further problems.     

A survey of injuries at five greyhound racing tracks

The number of orthopaedic injuries sustained by racing greyhounds from five greyhound tracks in the state of Wisconsin, USA, was obtained over a two-year period. Calculated injury rates were analysed to predict the probability that a given competitor would have an injury based on track design, temperature, bodyweight, grade of race, race distance, race number, injury location on track and type of trauma. One track had a significantly higher injury rate than the others, and this track was constructed with a decreased initial straightaway, a decreased turning radius in the second turn and an increased turn bank. Increased injury rates were also seen with successively higher grades of race, suggesting a possible correlation with speed. Race distance had a significant effect on racing greyhound injury rates as well. Races measuring 3/16 mile and 7/16 mile resulted in a higher incidence of injury as compared with races with lengths of 5/16 mile and 3/8 mile. Injuries were most likely to occur at the first turn of a race. Temperature, bodyweight, race number and type of trauma had no significant effect on injury rate. Speed, race distance and track design were significant factors that were found to influence the injury rate of the racing greyhound and should be areas to focus on for the prevention of injury.     

Histological analysis of a central tarsal implant in a racing greyhound

The hock of a greyhound containing a titanium alloy central tarsal replacement was examined histologically. The animal had raced competitively 43 times before retirement. The examination showed that the adaptation and encapsulation of the implant by the surrounding bones, together with the excellent purchase of the screw into the fourth tarsal bone, had maintained the implant in excellent position during vigorous load-bearing. There was no histopathological evidence to suggest that the fixation of the implant was failing. The results provide evidence for the value of titanium alloy implants as a central tarsal replacement in greyhounds with type V fractures, and as a feasible alternative to euthanasia.     

Cranial cruciate stability in the rottweiler and racing greyhound: an in vitro study

An in vitro biomechanical study of cadaver stifles from rottweilers and racing greyhounds was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of the cranial cruciate ligament to stifle joint stability. This was performed at differing stifle joint angles, first with the joint capsules and ligaments intact and then with all structures removed except for the cranial cruciate ligament. Craniocaudal laxity increased in both breeds as stifle flexion increased. The rottweiler stifle showed greater craniocaudal joint laxity than the racing greyhound at all joint angles between 150 degrees and 110 degrees, but the actual increases in joint laxity between these joint angles were similar for both breeds. Tibial rotation during craniocaudal loading of the stifle increased craniocaudal laxity in both breeds during joint flexion. The relative contribution of the cranial cruciate ligament to cranial stability of the stifle joint increased as the joint flexed and was similar in both breeds.