Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite may occur at the onset of a large number of debilitating illnesses, or viral and bacterial infections, or it may simply be a case of a tummy upset caused by the previous meal.

Because a simple loss of appetite may be the first symptom of further problems, the greyhound should be kept under close supervision.

Check the greyhound’s temperature twice daily and if normal.

Keep the greyhound warm and in a comfortable quiet environment.

Provide a bland but nutritious meal such as cooked chicken broth and rice.

If the temperature is over 40 Celsius, or below 37 Celsius, seek Veterinary advice

(As a guide but not a hard and fast rule, a high temperature is generally caused by a bacterial infection, while a low temperature is often associated with a viral infection.)

Vomiting

The definition of vomiting is the forceful ejection of fluid or food from the stomach.

Vomiting may be caused by gastroenteritis, toxins or drugs, a foreign body in the gut, an obstruction in the intestines, an obstruction in the bile ducts, liver disease, acute pancreatitis, distemper, or something as simple as a severe case of travel sickness or a bad lot of meat.

Vomiting may be a sign of many different disorders, and if allowed to continue for too long will lead to severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes from the system.

First look at the severity of the vomiting.

Vomited only once or twice and vomited up only the recently eaten food.

This is likely to be caused by excessive bacteria in the food or contamination of the food.

Symptomatic treatment;

Take temperature, if high or low seek Veterinary advice.

Withhold solid food for 8 to 10 hours.

Provide clean cold water with ‘Vitrate’ added at the rate of 80 ml per litre of water.

For the first two meals provide chicken broth, rice and toasted whole meal bread.

Vomiting every time any food or liquid is ingested.

This requires Veterinary treatment rather than supportive home therapy.

Vomit is tinged with blood or smells like faeces.

Seek urgent Veterinary advice.

Diarrhoea

The definition of diarrhoea is a change in the normal bowel movement, characterized by increased frequency and increased fluidity of motions, caused by an increase in faecal water or an increase in gut secretions.

As with vomiting, diarrhoea may be a sign of many different disorders, and even more so than vomiting, can and will lead to severe dehydration.

Diarrheal may be due to bacterial contamination of the food by Salmonella or E-coli causing gastroenteritis, or something as severe as Parvovirus or Distemper.

Again look at the severity of the symptoms, and take the greyhounds temperature.

Moderate diarrhoea (no vomiting)

Diarrhoea in the kennel first thing in the morning, and further loose stools when taken out for a walk, no other signs of illness

This type of diarrhoea is generally caused by a change in the diet or due to some contamination of the feed.

Withhold solid food for 8 to 10 hours

Provide clean cold water with ‘Vitrate’ added at the rate of 80 ml per litre of water

For the first two meals provide chicken broth, rice and toasted whole meal bread.

Diarrhoea and vomiting

This is generally caused by a bacterial gastroenteritis and may require antibiotic and intravenous fluid treatment. Seek Veterinary advice.

Diarrhoea tinged with blood, or a jelly like diarrhoea with a particularly foul odour

Blood in the stools may indicate a severe viral problem such as Parvovirus, or something as simple as a hookworm infestation, while a jelly like diarrhoea may indicate severe intestinal inflammation caused by toxin producing bacteria. 
Seek urgent Veterinary advice.

Persistent loose stools

A persistent problem with loose stools (cow plat) requires further investigation; it may indicate such diverse problems as intolerance to wheat, lactose, brewers yeast, overgrowth of the wrong type of bacteria in the gut, or something as severe as liver damage.

Lethargy, depression

Greyhounds are no different to you or me when it comes to feeling tired or down when you are ill have a dose of the flu or a pain in the gut.

Any change in the normal behaviour of the greyhound should set alarm bells ringing for the trainer.

Take the greyhounds temperature.

Keep the greyhound under observation.

Reduce workload.

Dehydration, drinking excess water, difficulty urinating, abnormal urine colour, weight loss

All of the above, if taken individually may indicate some type of stress either due to an excessively hard run or a run while suffering from a bacterial or viral infection.

If taken all together, it means the greyhound has a severe case of acidosis.

Anyone of these symptoms will require investigating and appropriate Veterinary treatment if the greyhound is to continue performing as required, if all of them are present seek urgent Veterinary advice.

Difficult or unusual breathing or severe coughing

Any difficulty in breathing, any unusual sounds while breathing, or a deep hacking cough, require immediate treatment by your Veterinarian.

Under no circumstances allow the greyhound any running exercise while exhibiting any of these symptoms.

Keep the greyhound quiet and warm.

Isolate away from other greyhounds

Seek Veterinary treatment

Respiratory infections may lead to lung damage if left untreated, or the unusual breathing you hear may be due to severe tonsillitis, soft palate malformation or even heart damage.

Nasal and eye discharge

Nasal discharge may be due to kennel cough, or the eye discharge may be caused by a simple eye irritation.

However any discharge from the nose and eyes in particular if it appears crusty, will require the immediate isolation of the affected greyhounds and urgent Veterinary advice, as this is one of the first symptoms of the Distemper virus.

Always insure all of your greyhounds have been correctly vaccinated, including any booster doses as required, and don’t bring greyhounds into your kennels that are not immunized.

That way you may never have to worry about crusty nasal and eye discharge.