Southeastern Greyhound Club Sep - Oct 2002 Issue Editor: Craig Cerreta Publisher: Roger Thellen Inside this issue: SOUTHEASTERN GREYHOUND CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY In the spirit of the holidays, SEGC requests the honor of your presence at our annual Christmas party. Come join us for an evening of friendship, fun and good conversation with your fellow Greyhound lovers. Appetizers, dinner, wine, beer and dessert will be provided for the nominal fee of $15 per SEGC member, or $25 per non-member. SEGC is picking up all additional costs as a showing of member appreciation. The party will be hosted again this year at the home of Herb, Lou, Rory, Bebe, Dubyah and Kestrel Norton. As has been Club tradition, the Texas Trophy will be awarded to the SEGC Greyhound that has excelled in his or her “rookie year” of lure coursing. The trophy, an antique Greyhound racing trophy donated by members Ernest and Catherine Carlisle in honor of the Whippet “Texas,” is awarded each year to the Greyhound who starts the year in the Open stake and accumulates the most title points in all trials run prior to the annual Club Christmas party. If your coursing Greyhound began 2002 running in the Open stake, please report his/ her point total to John Parker at [email protected] so that all eligible Club Greyhounds can be considered for the trophy. Saturday December 21, 2001 at 7:00p.m. 1298 Swims Valley Drive Atlanta, GA 30327 Adults only. No dogs allowed RSVP, directions and more details will be posted on the SEGC Web Site (www.greyhoundadoption.org) within the next week. 1 SEGC Christmas Party Christmas Poem 2-3 8 Ways To Entertain Your Hound? 3-4 Coursing Corner 4 What’s In Those Blood Test? 5-7 Thank You Acknowledgements 7-8 Brags! 9 Visit our website: www.greyhoundadoption.org Page 2 Greyhound Chatter Merry Christmas, My Greyhounds Author Unknown T'was the night before Christmas and all through the run Not a greyhound was stirring; the raceday was done. The muzzles were hung by the Kennels with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The pups were nestled in their newspaper beds, While visions of Lure-Bunnies danced in their heads. My racemates and I, asleep in our crates, Had just settled down for a long winter's break. When out in the turn-out there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my blanket to see what was the matter. The door of my crate was unlatched, by a chance, So I jumped out and ran to the window to glance. The moon on the sand of the newly-raked track, Gave a luster of midday to the yard in back. When what did I see? (The thought still astounds) But a miniature sleigh and eight flying greyhounds!! With a little old driver so lively and quick, I rooed in a moment , "It must be St. Nick!" More rapid than Downing the coursers they came, And he squaked and shouted and called them by name: "Now Quinn, now Mia, now Rosie, now Winky, On Nasty, on Tex, on Buster, on Brock. To the top of the fence, to the top of the wall, Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!!" As mechanical lures on a whirligig fly, When just within reach, mount to the sky. So up to the kennel top the coursers they flew, With a sleigh full of treats and St. Nicholas, too! And then in a tail-wag I heard on the roof, Dancing and prancing and pawing and WOOF! As I drew in my head and was turning around, Down the skylight St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in grey (you know, dogs don't see red...) And his clothes were untarnished because 'hounds hardly shed. A bag full of pig ears he held tight in one fist, The other held goodies too numerous to list. He had a broad face and his belly was such-Like a puppy at dinner who's eaten too much. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I whined when I saw him, in spite of myself. continued on page 3 Greyhound Chatter Page 3 Merry Christmas, My Greyhounds Continued……………... A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his deed, Handing out treats and new collars and leads. Outside of each crate he hung a bright sign that read, "I'VE BEEN ADOPTED!!" Then he hung one on mine! Then laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the skylight he rose. He sprang to his sleigh with the speed that wins money, And away they all flew like that silly ol' Bunny. But I heard him exclaim, "No more racing for you! Merry Christmas, my Greyhounds! Your wish has come true!" Eight Ways to Entertain your Hound by Jennifer Lawson Many greyhounds could benefit from more activity. Those that are high drive and energetic will find things to do if they are not kept busy and it is usually something we do not want them to do. The following is a list of various suggestions for entertaining your hound. 1. Hide kibble or treats in the crevices of a pile of blankets. For greyhounds that eat kibble, an entire meal can be fed this way. Your greyhound can root around and use his or her paws to search for the hidden kibble. 2. If you have a grassy fenced yard, scatter kibble or treats in the grass, so that your greyhound has to walk around and use his or her nose to find each bite. 3. Again for kibble-eaters, Buster Cubes and Roll-a-Treats are excellent puzzle toys. They are plastic toys that you fill with kibble and as your dog pushes the toy with his or her nose or paws, kibble is dispensed. * The above three suggestions are excellent for dogs that eat kibble. Ideally, you would forgo using a bowl for an entire meal. The above suggestions make eating a meal take much longer than it usually does thus keeping your hound busy. You might have to help your hound figure out the object of the game the first few times. 4. Use stuffed Kongs. Stuff the Kong with a variety of ingredients such as kibble, treats, cottage cheese, yogurt, canned pumpkin, veggies, etc. Start with something easy to lick out to start your dog off. Once your dog becomes more experienced, start to pack the Kong tighter and eventually you might freeze them to make them difficult and to slow your dog down. 5. Many greyhounds find grooming an enjoyable experience. I use grooming equipment designed for horses since greyhounds have a similar coat. I scrub my greyhounds’ coats in a circular motion using a rubber mitt that has little nubs. Next I use a medium bristle brush in short brisk strokes. Finish up with long strokes using a soft brush. 6, Purchase a lunge whip from Horsetown in Marietta or order one from www.kvvet.com. A lunge whip is a long whip with a handle at one end and a long lash at the other. Attach a rag, stuffed animal, or some other type of lure to the end of the lash. You can then maneuver the whip around you simulating a mini lure course in your backyard while your greyhound chases and catches the lure. continued on page 4 Greyhound Chatter Page 4 Eight Ways to Entertain your Hound 7. My personal favorite, clicker training. You can easily teach your greyhound all sorts of tricks and behaviors using a clicker training. I recommend the Clicker Training Starter Kit by Karen Pryor or take a clicker training class. 8. Search for new parks in your area. Nothing spices up a daily walk than exploring a new park with new sights and smells. I find that looking at local maps helps to pinpoint parks that are close by that I had never noticed before. Coursing Corner By John Parker The Club’s fall lure coursing season kicked off October 19 – 20 with the sixth running of the Old Mill Stakes at Old Mill Farm in Cartersville. Named to honor our home coursing grounds, the trials attracted a large entry of 78 hounds on Saturday and 70 hounds on Sunday. Conditions were near ideal, with highs in the upper 60’s each day and turf made just right for sighthound feet by recent rains. As always, Old Mill owner Billy Wright and Farm Manager Frank Lewis were great hosts, mowing the coursing field for us the week before the trials. The winner of the Old Mill Cup for Best in Event on Sunday was a new coursing phenomenon, the Ibizan Hound “Pogo,” Gryphon’s Pogo Podenco, F.Ch., owned by Tony Forbes of Wildwood, Florida. Pogo broke onto the scene in April with a bang, winning the Best in International Invitational at the I.I. in Rome, becoming the first Ibizan Hound ever to win that honor. Pogo put in two Best in Event runs on Sunday, tying with the Greyhound Pyro and nearly matching the young Greyhound in speed. Though spirits were dampened somewhat by rain on Sunday afternoon, the superb runs by the Best of Breed winners for the Old Mill Cup put a nice finish on the day, and everyone cheered as Billy Wright presented the trophy to Pogo and Tony. The SEGC coursing program for 2002 will conclude with the sixth running of the Fullerton Cup November 16 – 17. We are once again taking the show on the road, this time to Pinetop Farm in Thomson, Georgia. This year’s Fullerton Cup will be unique in that a drag lure (as opposed to the more standard continuous loop lure) will be used, marking the first time in more that 20 years that a drag lure has been employed in the Southeast. It promises to give the hounds a slightly different look at the object of their pursuit, making the game a bit more interesting for them. Congratulations, hounds and members – have a successful fall season, and run safe! Greyhound Chatter Page 5 What's in those Blood Tests By Suzanne Stack, D.V.M. A lot of SEGC club members have asked about the differences in Greyhound blood tests versus other dogs. The information below is provided to help you better understand your Grey and to help you understand the tests your vet performs. If you don’t understand what tests your veterinarian has ordered or the subsequent results, ask. Dr. Stack is a Greyhound owner and previous track vet who resides in Arizona. She is actively involved in Greyhound rescue. We have reprinted this information from Dr. Stack’s web site with her permission. Blood Tests When your veterinarian sends your greyhound’s blood to a lab he is most commonly asking the lab to run a CBC (Complete Blood Count). This common analysis covers these items: • RBC = Red Blood Cells • Hgb = Hemoglobin • PCV / HCT = Packed Cell Volume/Hematocrit • WBC = White Blood Cells Platelets For a more in-depth look, usually to determine kidney/liver functions, the veterinarian may also ask for a “Chem Panel”. This will give them information about: • T.P. = Total Protein Globulin • Creatinine • T4 (Thyroid) Greyhound bloodwork has enough differences from “other dog” bloodwork to sometimes make it deceivingly “normal” or “abnormal” if one isn’t familiar with these differences. The salient differences are discussed below. Greyhounds: • RBC: 7.4-9.0 • Hgb: 19.0-21.5 • PCV: 55-65 Other Breeds: • RBC: 5.5-8.5 • Hgb: 12.0-18.0 • PCV: 37-55 Greyhounds have significantly more red blood cells than other breeds. This elevates parameters for RBC, hemoglobin, and PCV/HCT, and is the reason greyhounds are so desirable as blood donors. Most veterinarians are aware of this difference. Never accept a diagnosis of polycythemia — a once-in-a-lifetime-rare diagnosis of pathologic red cell overproduction — in a greyhound. Conversely, never interpret a greyhound PCV in the 30’s-40’s as being normal just because it is for other dogs. A greyhound with a PCV in the 30’s-40’s is an anemic greyhound. A greyhound PCV less than 50 is a red flag to check for Ehrlichia (tick disease). Greyhound Chatter Page 6 What's in those Blood Tests Continued………………………. WBC • Greyhound: 3.5-6.5 • Other dog: 6.0-17.0 Other greyhound CBC changes are less well known. The greyhound’s normally low WBC has caused more than one healthy greyhound to undergo a bone marrow biopsy in search of “cancer” or some other cause of the “low WBC.” Platelets • Greyhound: 80,000-200,000 • Other dog: 150,000-400,000 Likewise, greyhound platelet numbers are lower on average than other breeds, which might be mistakenly interpreted as a problem. It is thought that greyhound WBCs, platelets, and total protein may be lower to physiologically “make room” in the bloodstream for the increased red cell load. Compounding these normally low WBC and platelet numbers is the fact that Ehrlichia, a common blood parasite of greyhounds, can lower WBC and platelet counts. So if there is any doubt as to whether the WBC / platelet counts are normal, an Ehrlichia titer is always in order. The other classic changes with Ehrlichia are lowered PCV and elevated total protein. But bear in mind that every greyhound will not have every change, and Ehrlichia greyhounds can have normal CBCs. T.P. & Globulin • Greyhound TP: 4.5-6. • Other dog TP: 5.4-7.8 • Greyhound Globulin: 2.1-3.2 • Other dog Globulin: 2.8-4.2 Greyhound total proteins tend to run on the low end of normal — T.P.s in the 5.0’s and 6.0’s are the norm. While the albumin fraction of T.P. is the same as other dogs, the globulin component is lower. Creatinine • Greyhound: .8-1.6 • Other dogs: .0-1.0 Greyhound creatinines run higher than other breeds as a function of their large lean muscle mass. A study at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine found that 80% of retired greyhounds they sampled had creatinine values above the standard reference range for “other dogs.” As a lone finding, an “elevated creatinine” is not indicative of impending kidney failure. If the BUN and urinalysis are normal, so is the “elevated” creatinine. T4 • Greyhound: .5-3.6 (mean 1.47+/- .63) • Other dogs: 1.52-3.60 These figures are from a University of Florida study of thyroid function in 221 greyhounds — 97 racers, 99 broods, and 25 studs — so it included both racers and “retired.” While greyhound thyroid levels are a whole chapter unto themselves, a good rule of thumb is that greyhound T4s run about half that of other breeds. Greyhound Chatter Page 7 What's in those Blood Tests Continued………………………. Urinalysis And lastly, the good news — greyhound urinalysis is the same as other breeds. It is normal for males to have small to moderate amounts of bilirubin in the urine. Sources: M.R. Herron, DVM, ACVS, Clinical Pathology of the Racing Greyhound , 1991. C. Guillermo Couto, DVM, ACVIM, “Managing Thrombocytopenia in Dogs & Cats,” Veterinary Medicine, May 1999. J.Steiss, DVM, W. Brewer, DVM, E.Welles, DVM, J. Wright, DVM, “Hematologic & Serum Biochemical Reference Values in Retired Greyhounds,” Compendium on Continuing Education, March 2000. M. Bloomberg, DVM, MS, “Thyroid Function of the Racing Greyhound,” University of Florida, 1987. D. Bruyette, DVM, ACVIM, Veterinary Information Network, 2001. SEGA Wishes to Thank Silent Auction & Raffle Donors Southeastern Greyhound Adoptions’ Fall GreyFest in Newnan, Georgia was a tremendous success with over $800 being raised for SEGA! This fund raising success is in part due to the generous donations made by members, volunteers, and businesses, as well as those who bid in the auction, bought raffle tickets, and/or helped at the auction tables. Please know that I appreciate your help, but more importantly know you are an integral link in helping greyhounds find forever homes. With the kennel opening, we are having silent auctions at the Spring Gathering and our Fall Event. If you can include SEGA in your donation budget for both events, we would be most appreciative. I have requested that our web master place business donors’ web addresses as links from our Website links page. If members can possibly give some of these donors their business, please do so. When ordering, mention that you are a member of SEGA and appreciate their past donation to our cause. This will help assure future support for our raffles/auctions. Thanks again, Wanda GT Bright Greyhound Groups & Business Donors: Atlanta Thrashers Atlanta Hawks Black Horse Designs (www.black-horse-design.com) Bigsky Sighthound Kennels ([email protected]) Canine Krunchies ([email protected]) Circle Of Greyhound Love([email protected]) Dixie Pet Treats (www.dixiepettreats.com) Fast Jack Sportswear (www.fastjack.com) Esther’s Pet Portraits (www.estherspetportraits.com) Feathered Gems (www.featheredgems.com) Gpa-Northern Virginia (www.gpa-nova.org) Greyhound Chatter Page 8 SEGA Wishes to Thank Silent Auction & Raffle Donors Continued…………………. Greyhound Friends, Inc.(www.greyhound.org) Greyhound Love Collectibles www.greyhoundlove.com) Greytwear (www.greytwear.com) Home Eclectics (www.homeeclectics.homestead.com) Karen’s Kollars (www.karenskollars.net) Mrs.Bones Collars (www.mrsbones.com) Photography By Cass Lievsay Of Alpharetta (770-998-5835) Royal Paws Pet Resort & Day Spa, Ltd (www.royalpaws.com) Run With It Embroidery (www.runwithitemb.com) 18 Toes The Unique Pet Boutique (www.18toes.com) Wendi L. Cowie, Author & Illustrator ([email protected]) Sarah Reagan Snavely, Artist (www.dog-art.com) Suzie Q Designs (www.suzieqdesigns.com) Whisper Pet Products,(www.whisperpet.com) Wild Things For Greys (www.wildthingsforgreys.com) Segc/Sega Member Donors: Randy Bright - coat; candle snuffer; and leash collar combo Teresa Burneson - Louis Icart print coursing II Sientay Cahoon - home baked dog treats and container Shelley Espinosa - contact for Hawks and Thrashers Julie Jenkins - blue hound print, toys, fun factory, pin, & key chains Mimi Jones - collectible postcards, prints, jewelry, and figurine Marty Lansiedel - specialty dog treat basket Gail Lubrant - handmade polar fleece snood Kathy Marrgraff - luxury embroidered pet bed Shannon Cambell Zak - red bandana gift certificate Penny Fuller - patriotic pet sweaters Allison Phears - handmade Elite Hound Martingale collar Lonnie & Victoria Joyce - handmade birdhouse and butterfly house Greyhound Chatter Page 9 Brags!! Brags!! Brags!! Recent graduates of Jen Lawson’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program: Paul & Sientay Cahoon's Dino; Ralph and Stefanie Yulo's Bethany, Austin, and Macy; Lou and Herb Norton's Rory; Dean and Christine Sever's Greycie; Jennifer Twillman's Bella and Zues; Denise Lawson's Spooky Graduates of Helen Sutton’s Therapy Dog program: Julie Jenkin’s Daisy; Wanda Bright’s Erin; Cass Lievsay’s Shelby (she also passed Helen’s CGC test) National top 20 rankings for Greyhounds in lure coursing have been released recently by the American Sighthound Field Association, and five SEGC Greyhounds are among the contenders. Red #3, owned by Mike and Karen Lorenzo; Ko-Ko #7, owned by Mike and Nanci Ball; Flannie #8, owned by Robbin Wiseman; Amy #9, owned by Pam and Glen Davis; Pooch #16, owned by David and Beth Alley. And the brag of the month is on Jennifer Lawson’s Kate - now the #1 AKC ranked Agility Greyhound in the U.S.! You go girl !!!!!!! Greyhound Chatter Page 10 Southeastern Greyhound Club Greyhound Advertisements ! PLACE YOUR GREYHOUND RELATED AD HERE
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