Greyhounds, muzzles and being off-lead in public

In Victoria, all greyhounds are required to be muzzled in public. The only exception to this rule is those that are adopted through GAP. Greyhounds adopted privately, or from other shelters and welfare groups (RSPCA, Greyhound Safety Net etc) must be muzzled when not on private property.

The legislation that governs the keeping of greyhounds, either race dogs or pets, is Section 27 of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994. This reads as follows:

Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 - SECT 27

Restraint of greyhounds

27. Restraint of greyhounds

(1) If a greyhound is outside the premises of its owner and is not-

(a)  muzzled in a manner which is sufficient to prevent it causing injury by
biting;

and

(b)  under the effective control of some person by means of a chain, cord or
leash-the owner of that greyhound and any
person for the time being in charge of the greyhound are each guilty of an offence and liable, upon
conviction, to a penalty of not more than 3 penalty units for a first offence and 5 penalty units
for a second or subsequent offence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) control by one person of more than 4
greyhounds at the one time is not "effective control".

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to-  

(a) a greyhound which is being raced, coursed, exercised or trained upon land which
the owner is authorised or entitled to use for that purpose;

or  

(b)  a greyhound while it is being exhibited for show purposes at a fixture
conducted under the rules and regulations of the Victorian Canine Association or any successor in
law of that association or an organisation approved by the Council of the municipal district in
which the fixture is being
conducted;

or  

(c)  a greyhound while it is participating in obedience trials or classes and is
under the effective control of a responsible person.

As can be seen from the above, it is also illegal to let any greyhound, GAP dogs included, off-lead in public except for those times and places as designated in section 27(3).

Due to the strict GAP assessment criteria, in 1999 an Order in Council was made that exempted GAP greyhounds from having to be muzzled in public. These greyhounds are required to wear a unique collar which clearly identifies them as a GAP dog. The Order in Council (Victorian Government Gazette G50 16 December 1999 p2729) reads as follows:

Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994

Exemption Under Section 5

The Governor in Council under section 5 of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994, exempts that class of animal being greyhounds registered under the Greyhound Adoption Program and adopted under contract with the Greyhound Racing Control Board, from the operation of section 27(1)(a) of that Act.

This Order comes into operation on the day it is published in the Government Gazette.

Dated 14 December 1999

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Heat Stress in Pets: It's a Killer

The savage sun is no friend to your pets. Without even realising it, many pet owners make tragic mistakes that just shouldn't happen. Dogs commonly suffer heat stress because of human error.

Unlike humans, most animals can’t sweat to reduce body heat. Instead, dogs and cats lose heat by panting but there is a limit as to the amount of heat they can shed in this manner.

Dogs in hot cars
The commonest mistake is where a dog dies after being left in a hot car. This should never happen, but it does, time and time again.

The rules are simple. At this time of year, don’t leave your dog unattended in your car, even with the windows down. Many say, “But I’m only going into the shop for a litre of milk - I’ll just be a minute”. The ‘just a minute’ extends very quickly if the shop is busy or if you happen to meet a talkative friend.

The type of car you drive is also relevant. Those with large glass areas such as hatchbacks and those that are dark in colour heat up more quickly than other cars. Studies on various makes of popular cars have determined that dark coloured hatchback cars heat up the quickest with temperatures reaching 73 degrees centigrade during testing. This was almost double the outside temperature. In six minutes the temperature of most cars is up to 55 degrees centigrade. If your dog is in the car at this temperature, it will be near death.

What dogs are susceptible to heat stroke?
No matter how healthy your dog is it will not survive if locked in a hot car. However, heatstroke also occurs in other situations, often simply because the weather is hot and humid and people make silly mistakes.

The biggest risk is from a high ambient temperature in association with high humidity and lack of air circulation - exactly what happens in a car.

Walking dogs
Extra care needs to be taken when you are out walking with your dog this summer. Naturally, walk in the cooler times of day, either very early morning or late evening, and stop if your dog is struggling to keep up. NEVER walk your dog during the middle of the day, even for a short period. Stop regularly to give your dog a rest and a drink, or even better a cooling swim.

The other thing most people don't consider is the damage done to pads by walking a dog on hot concrete. You wouldn't walk on bitumen in bare feet yourself in the middle of the day, so why do you make your dog do it? This will quickly burn their pads, causing great pain and discomfort. The solution is simple - only ever walk early morning or late evening.

Backyard bungles
Many animals in back yards also suffer heat stress.  ALWAYS ensure that you provide shade and adequate cool water, kept out of the sun. Place ice blocks in your dog's water to keep it cool. An aluminium kennel in the full sun is nothing other than a giant cooker. Kennels must be in the shade. Consider having a sleeping area under your house if available or in your garage. The house will provide excellent insulation.

Emergency care
Heat stroke causes incredible damage. Keep an eye on the colour of your dog's urine. If it becomes a dark, coffee colour, this is a sign of heat stress and the dog needs to be taken cooled down immediately and monitored. More seriously affected animals will first show excitation, followed by loss of balance and seizures, as the blood vessels in the brain engorge. A coma will follow. Heart failure is common and many other changes in body organs occur. The animal is at grave risk.

Emergency first aid is vital and you will need to get to a vet quickly. While you are contacting your vet, cool the animal by placing it in a room temperature (not iced) water bath or by hosing it. Place the wet animal in front of the fan and apply ice packs to its head.

Your veterinarian will need to give medication to control any seizures and to prevent further damage being caused to the animal’s brain. He or she may give it a water enema to reduce its body temperature. It is likely that your pet will be placed onto an intravenous drip. Your vet may also anaesthetise your pet to prevent seizures.

Don’t let your pet get hot under the collar in summer. Be cautious and don’t let the heat claim your pet as its trophy.

Dr Cam Day BVSc BSc MACVSc

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Snakebite Alert!

Unfortunately, the warmer weather also brings with it the danger of snakes, and they are out in force early this year. It is important to know what snakes live in your area, and what the signs of poisoning are so you can seek treatment immediately.

Which snakes?
There are many types of venomous snakes in Australia but brown snakes are the ones most commonly responsible for snakebites and snakebite deaths in both animals and humans. The next most common are tiger and black snakes, found in the wetter parts of southern and eastern coastal Australia, especially near water. It is best to find out which types of snakes are most common in your area and their habitats so you can avoid them.

What are the signs of snakebite?
The signs of snakebite vary depending on factors such as type of venom, location of bite and amount of venom injected. Dogs are more commonly bitten on the face or jaw.
Signs may include:
Trembling, salivation, vomiting and depression
Unsteadiness, hindleg weakness, dilated pupils and worsening paralysis
Respiratory distress, red-brown urine, complete paralysis and coma
Some dogs may collapse suddenly then appear to recover before showing above signs up to an hour later.
Death can occur within 2 hours of snakebite, even within 30 minutes

Can snakebite be prevented?
Unfortunately, being bitten previously does not give your pet any immunity to further bites nor deter them from being inquisitive. Treatment is expensive so the best defence is to avoid walking or playing with your pets in areas of bushland or long grass, especially in summer. For tiger snakes, avoid long grass near rivers and creeks.

Keep your yard free of long grass or piles of wood, rubbish or junk, and keep the rat and mice population under control (popular food for snakes).

What should I do if my pet is bitten by a snake?
Get to your vet immediately (without going over the speed limit, of course). The only treatment for snakebite is for the vet to give antivenom through a drip and the sooner the treatment is started, the greater the chances of survival.

The type of antivenom given depends on the type of snake but if the snake is not seen or identified the choice can be made on geographical area, snake venom detection kits or several antivenoms can be given. Hospitalisation will also be required to monitor the animal's signs and treat any complications.

First aid includes keeping your pet quiet and applying a pressure bandage – just a firm bandage of any material over and around the bite site - if practical. Never apply a tourniquet, wash or cut the wound site. Carry your pet rather than let it walk to avoid speeding the spread of the snake venom. Remain calm! This will help to keep your dog calm and prevent spreading the venom through the blood as quickly.

 Dr Julia Adams BVSc

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Arthritis

As our pets get older, arthritis is something that we need to consider treating. Don't assume that this is a normal 'old age thing' and that nothing can be done. The truth is that old pets with arthritis have a new lease on life if treated properly and there is no reason to allow your dog to suffer the pain of 'old bones'.

What causes arthritis?
Arthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints in an animal's body. One in five dogs is affected by arthritis. In dogs more than six years of age, 65% have arthritis. Sometimes the cause is some form of trauma to the joints (eg. old sprains, fractures or racing injuries). For instance, when a dog suffers from a ruptured cruciate ligament in its knee joint, arthritis in the damaged joint is quite common. Inflammatory conditions and infections in the joints will also cause arthritis.

Once a joint is injured, a cascade of damaging enzymes is released from the injured tissues. These enzymes cause further damage to the joint structure. The damaging enzymes spread deep into cracks that appear in the joint cartilage, severely damaging the underlying bone. The irritation causes the bone to react aggressively and boney outgrowths and spikes grow into and around the joint, crippling the pet and causing continual pain.

How will I know my pet has arthritis?
Arthritis makes movement painful. For this reason, an affected dog or cat will be reluctant to exercise and is less likely to jump, play or chase balls. Many owners note the dog hesitates before it jumps into the back of the car. Sometimes, these early signs are missed or ignored. That's a big mistake because early treatment will really slow down the progression of the disease and will give pets a much better quality of life.

Dogs which have difficulty in rising after resting often have arthritis. However, after initially appearing stiff and sore, they tend to move more freely after they 'warm up'. Dogs with arthritis often have a stiff, stilted gait and show an exaggerated swinging of their hips as they walk. Certainly an animal with untreated arthritis 'loses its spark' and has a reduced quality of life.

How is arthritis treated?
Your veterinarian is likely to use anti-inflammitory medication to reduce the pain and to give your dog back some mobility. Modern anti-arthritic medications are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). There is a wide variety available and your vet will be able to prescribe the most suitable one for your dog. While approximately 80% of dogs improve with medical treatment, the medications do not cure the arthritis. In many cases, animals affected by arthritis will need to be on medication for the rest of their lives.

There are also several readily available supplements you can use to assist with managing your pet's arthritis. Chondroitin and glucosamine are two compounds that are useful with arthritis as they assist in rebuilding the cartilage of the joint surface. Shark's cartlidge and fish oils are also helpful. Many companies now make "joint formulas" specifically for dogs. These are usually added to the dog's food.

There are also numerous commercial dry dog foods that have these compounds added to them. Look for the "senior" or "joint" formulations.

To reduce the stress and strain on your pet's joints, be sure to keep your dog in trim condition. Obesity contributes significantly to the pain arthritic dogs experience so reducing the dog's weight by feeding it a low calorie weight-reducing diet is important. 

Moderate exercise is also important but don't overdo it because you will place strain on the damaged joints. One of the complications of arthritis is that the muscles in the affected legs wither away because the pet is too sore to exercise. Gentle exercise will prevent that. Try to involve your dog in 'low impact' exercise such as swimming. If this is not possible, then gentle walking is good. Avoid running and jumping.

In cold weather arthritis is always worse. Make sure your dog has comfortable bedding and a warm place to sleep. Ensure it has a dog coat to keep it comfortable and if it is an outside dog, ensure it has a warm kennel with a raised floor. Don't forget that early treatment for arthritis is the key to pain-free years as your pet ages.

Dr Cam Day BVSc BSc MACVSc

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Human Foods that Poison Pets

Feeding pets food that we enjoy is not only wrong, it can also be fatal. There are some foodstuffs that humans relish which cause illness or death if eaten by pets.

Alcoholic beverages -Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Baby food -Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Cooked bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources -Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Cat food -Generally too high in protein and fats.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine -Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.
Citrus oil extracts -Can cause vomiting.
Grapes, sultanas and raisins -Contain a toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.
Hops -Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron -Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys. 
Macadamia nuts -Contain a toxin which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Marijuana -Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
Milk and other dairy products -Some adult dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Moldy or spoiled food -Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
Mushrooms -Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) -Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Persimmons -Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Pits from peaches and plums -Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.
Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves -potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.
Raw egg whites -Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin).
Raw fish -Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.
Salt -If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Table scraps (in large amounts) -Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet.
Tobacco -Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.
Yeast dough -Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

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Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (Bloat) in Dogs

Gastric dilation and volvulus syndrome (GDV) is a condition in dogs in which the stomach greatly enlarges and then twists on itself. It commonly is referred to as 'bloat' and is a life-threatening emergency. GDV is a problem seen mostly in large, deep-chested dogs. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from bloat, emergency veterinary attention should be sought immediately.

Although the actual cause of gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV) syndrome has yet to be determined fully, many theories have been proposed.

What is Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV)?
For reasons that are not well understood, gas and/or food stretches the stomach many times its normal size and the stomach turns more than 180 degrees on its longitudinal axis, sealing off both the entry and exit from the stomach. The spleen swells placing pressure on the major vein bringing blood back to the heart from the lower body. Many damaging events follow including the release of toxins from the dying stomach lining and heart dysfunction. Without immediate care the dog goes into shock and dies.

What are the signs of GDV?
Since the dog is in extreme pain you will see signs of restlessness including pacing, panting or rapid breathing, and reluctance to settle. The dog will attempt to vomit without actualy vomitting anything up, except for sometimes bringing up foam and saliva. The stomach and abdomen will be distended and hard to the touch. This distension is first apparent on the left hind side of the abdomen. With time, the dog becomes lethargic and the gums will be pale as shock sets in.

How is GDV treated?
The dog is first given intravenous fluids and other treatments to combat shock, pain and infection, before an X-Ray is taken and an attempt made to pass a stomach tube. If the entry to the stomach is not entirely blocked, the tube will relieve the gas buildup and the stomach can be emptied. After treatment, a decision is made about surgery to avoid recurrence, the rate of which can be as high as 75%.

If the stomach tube cannot be passed, surgery must be performed to relieve the pressure in the stomach and the swollen spleen. Parts of the stomach and/or spleen that are permanently damaged must be removed. The stomach is then permanently fixed into its correct anatomical position by one of several surgical techniques (gastropexy). Although this is not always successful, this procedure greatly reduces the likelihood of recurrence.

GDV is expensive to treat due to the need for intensive care and surgery. It is a highly risky surgery due to the effects that shock has on the body systems, and some cases are fatal either during surgery or in the post-operative period, despite the best veterinary care.

What causes GDV?
There are many theories about the cause of GDV. Factors may include feeding large meals of food, particularly dry food, exercise either immediately before or after feeding, abrupt changes in diet, drinking a large amount of water before or after eating, and greedy gulping of food. Other causes such as grass eating and lack of bulk in the diet have been proposed, but nothing has been proven.

How can I reduce the risk of GDV in my dog?
It is recommended to feed breeds that are at risk 2 or even 3 smaller meals per day, and do not feed two hours before or after vigorous exercise. If your dog tends to gulp his/her food, raise the food bowl off the ground to slow their eating.

Editor: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
Contributors: Dr Rebecca Bragg BVSc
Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science

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Sometimes, due to illness or stress, greyhounds can end up thinner than is desirable. Here is a great recipe to help get weight onto skinny dogs!

Satin Balls

These are very high in fat so need to be fed with care, but most greyhounds do cope with a lot of fat with no problems.

2kg mince
8oz packet cream cheese
400g jar peanut butter
1 small jar wheatjerm
1 doz egg yolks (not whites)
1 cup flaked oats soaked in cream

Mix all the above and form into burger sized patties. Freeze.

Add half a burger to each meal to start with, working up to a full patty (in addition to your normal food) twice daily. Make smaller sized patties for smaller dogs.