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.     

Neoplasms in two racing pigeons

A large ovarian papillary adenocarcinoma occurred in a 7-year-old female racing pigeon; a multicentric lymphosarcoma was found in the tissues of a 14-year-old female racing pigeon.     

Paramyxovirus disease in racing pigeons

Summary

Since 1981 a highly contagious viral disease causing high morbidity and low mortality in racing pigeons has spread over Europe. The virus belongs to the avian paramyxovirus sero group I. Clinical signs include watery droppings, polydypsia and neurologic signs in a high proportion of infected animals.

Definitive diagnosis can be made by virus isolation in cell cultures or chicken embryos, and virus identification by haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The HI test, using sera from suspected animals, is a useful clinical tool to confirm the diagnosis. The most important differential diagnosis is salmonellosis. Good immunity against this disease can be acquired by subcutaneous vaccination with an inactivated oil adjuvant poultry NDV‐vaccine.

For the benefit of pigeon racing a plea is made for compulsory vaccination in countries in which the disease is endemic.     

Effects of racing and training on serum thyroid hormone concentrations in racing Greyhounds.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of racing and training on serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in Greyhounds. ANIMALS: 9 adult racing Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Serum thyroid hormone concentrations were measured before and 5 minutes after a race in dogs trained to race 500 m twice weekly for 6 months. Resting concentrations were measured again when these dogs had been neutered and had not raced for 3 months. Postrace concentrations were adjusted relative to albumin concentration to allow for effects of hemoconcentration. Thyroid hormone concentrations were then compared with those of clinically normal dogs of non-Greyhound breeds. RESULTS: When adjusted for hemoconcentration, total T4 concentrations increased significantly after racing and TSH concentrations decreased; however, there was no evidence of a change in free T4 or total or free T3 concentrations. Resting total T4 concentrations increased significantly when dogs had been neutered and were not in training. There was no evidence that training and neutering affected resting TSH, total or free T3, or free T4 concentrations. Resting concentrations of T3, TSH, and autoantibodies against T4, T3, and thyroglobulin were similar to those found in other breeds; however, resting free and total T4 concentrations were lower than those found in other breeds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Except for total T4, thyroid hormone concentrations in Greyhounds are affected little by sprint racing and training. Greyhounds with low resting total and free T4 concentrations may not be hypothyroid.     

Postoperative bleeding in retired racing greyhounds

BACKGROUND: Some retired racing Greyhounds (RRG) that undergo surgery bleed excessively. Hypothesis: Greyhounds that bleed excessively will have one or more preoperative hemostatic abnormalities that can be used to predict the risk and severity of postoperative bleeding. ANIMALS: Eighty-eight RRG undergoing ovariohysterectomy or castration. METHODS: All dogs were evaluated preoperatively with a physical exam, CBC, platelet count, OSPT, APTT, platelet function with PFA-100(a); fibrinogen, d-dimer, plasminogen (Plmg), antiplasmin (AP), antithrombin (AT), and vWF concentration (vWF:Ag); vWF collagen binding assay (vWF:CBA), and Factor XIII assay. Assays were repeated in the dogs that bled, and in an age- and sex-matched control group of RRG. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of the dogs had bleeding 36-48 hours after surgery. AP (P <.0001) and AT concentration (P= .007) were significantly lower, and vWF:CBA (P= .0284) was higher preoperatively in the dogs with excessive hemorrhage. A lower platelet count (P= .001) and hematocrit (P= .002), shorter OSPT (P= .0002) and higher plasma fibrinogen (P <.0001), and AP (P= .001) concentration were detected at the time of bleeding compared with preoperative values in the dogs that bleed excessively. The same findings were observed postoperatively for the control group, except for the decrease in hematocrit. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results indicate that this excessive postoperative bleeding is not attributable to a primary or secondary hemostatic defect, but could result from altered fibrinolysis.     

Surgical colic in racing endurance horses

A retrospective study was performed of horses that developed colic during endurance racing, and subsequently required surgery. Fifteen horses met the inclusion criteria, of which 13 (87%) had small intestinal volvulus. Nine of the 15 horses (60%) had a small intestinal resection and anastomosis performed. Post operative ileus, particularly in those horses that had a resection performed, was a common complication. Eleven of the 15 (73%) survived, and 4 (27%) have since raced.     

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in the racing Greyhound

This paper describes the clinical and radiological features of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in three racing Greyhounds. The clinical signs were characterized by dyspnoea, subcutaneous emphysema and increased bronchial tones. The diagnosis was confirmed by thoracic radiographs. The major structures of the anterior mediastinum which are normally not visible in thoracic radiographs, are easily seen with the presence of large quantities of air in the mediastinum. No definite cause of pneumomediastinum was found in these dogs but all of them recovered after 5 days' kennel confinement and a 4 week break from training.