Operations News – June 2024

If you have yet to notice, Mother Nature has turned the heater on. It’s time to revisit some essential precautions you can take to potentially save your greyhound’s life.
Heatstroke and overexertion can cause permanent damage to muscle fibers, kidneys and other organs, which can kill your greyhound.
While our greyhounds may have been athletes in their prime, it’s important to remember that they are now retired. After just a few months at home, their physical conditioning is at a different level than it was on the track.
How to Recognize Heat Exhaustion
If you are walking your dog, or if he is running in your yard or at a dog park, watch for these danger signs. Remember, heat-related deaths can happen even in moderately warm weather.
Heavy panting, perhaps lots of thick, ropey saliva
Red flushed ears and nose
Weakness, possibly difficulty walking (in severe cases, fainting or seizures)
How to Treat Heatstroke
You must act immediately once your dog exhibits one or more symptoms. Any delay can have serious consequences, even death.
Cool the Greyhound Immediately
STOP all activity now — don’t wait! Move the dog into a cool place.
Spray the dog with cold water. Begin with the feet and work up.
Drape the dog with wet towels, especially around the belly and between the legs. Refresh the towels frequently to keep the dog cool; otherwise, the covering can add heat to the dog.
Avoid cooling too fast and producing a shivering response, creating more heat in the body.
Transport to Vet
Even if the dog seems to recover, visiting a veterinarian immediately is a good idea. The veterinarian may prescribe administering IV fluids to flush the kidneys of harmful byproducts leaking from damaged muscles or caused by dehydration.
How to Prevent Heatstroke
The most important thing you can do to protect your Greyhound is to BE AWARE. Monitor your dog as you would a young child.
Your greyhound is accustomed to giving his all on the track. He concentrates on “the now” and may not know when to stop.
If you are on a walk or your dog is exercising, take these precautions:
Always have water available to drink, as well as a squirt bottle of ice water.
Squirt your dog with water frequently (wet his coat, ears, legs and belly).
Keep your dog’s activity at a moderate level. Remember, your dog may suffer from what we humans call “weekend warrior syndrome” — exercising too rigorously after a period of non-activity.
Act immediately at the first sign of exhaustion in your dog.
Organ damage and death from heat exhaustion and overexertion are preventable, but you are key to your dog’s well-being.
Protect those paws
We all know the pavement gets HOT in the summer, and our walks should be taken early morning or late evening. Here’s another layer of protection that we are in love with. Hunny Boots are specially made for greyhounds! Check them out.
Nancy Lynberg is Operations Director of Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption and can be reached at nancy@sagreys.org.