Follow a Hound to Retirement – Edition 009

Hello NLGA Dog Blog Readers…it’s Max again!

I got a foster sister a few weeks ago!  Remember in January when Reese, Cole, Ann, and Chita made their journey to NLGA?  Well, Ann came to stay with us to experience living in a house until she finds her forever home!  She is spending her time with us soaking everything in.  Especially the petting!  I was not so sure of this foster sister thing at first but I think I am getting the hang of it.  It is really not too bad…you should give it a try!  I hear that Cole is still looking for a foster family to learn from!  

Us with foster sister Ann (in the red coat)

Anyway, Ann’s crate is next to my crate so during those first two weeks we talked a bit.  I knew she had her ‘big day’ at the clinic coming in her future.  It came up in discussions.  After some talking she, under no duress, agreed to share her experience at the clinic with the us!  As NLGA greyhounds, in our journey from our racing careers to retirement, we have all been through the clinic and had our ‘big days’.  It is nothing new to us.  However, all this happens before we meet our forever families.  So, in the spirit of ‘follow a hound to retirement’, she agreed to share her experience for the benefit of our forever families! 

Here is how Ann’s week went…

Last Saturday Ann went on a short visit to the clinic for her pre-operative examination.  She was brave during the whole experience!  She had a physical examination.  And Ann had her blood drawn for a blood chemistry profile, thyroid panel, and heartworm/tick panel.  

The blood chemistry profile is done to check for possible underlying medical issues which could add risk to either the surgery or general anesthesia.  In particular, the liver and kidney values are reviewed as these organs break down and remove anesthesia from the body after surgery.  The thyroid panel and heartworm / tick tests are run as part of getting a retired racer ready to be a pet.  Thyroid levels in greyhounds are lower than the average dog breed.  Thyroid levels are checked in order to establish a baseline for each individual dog.  Rarely are new dogs treated based on the initial thyroid levels as several factors can contribute to these being unreliable results.  The initial thyroid values are merely an attempt to lock in a number at the beginning of the process.  If a greyhound were to display significant clinical signs suggesting hypothyroidism does exist, then therapy would be initiated and the dogs progress closely followed.  The heartworm and tick panel are done as a critical part of the health screen.  Heartworm and tick borne diseases can be potentially fatal to pets and if present, are a huge risk factor during anesthesia.  Screening and prevention are key to keeping us all healthy!  

It takes a day to get all the blood test results back.  Once all of Ann’s results were looked over and deemed to be good she was ready for her spay surgery! 

Ann was scheduled for her surgery on Monday.  She was not allowed to have any food after 6pm on Sunday evening.  This helped ensure that her stomach was empty by the time she was put under general anesthesia.  Having an empty stomach lessened the chance that she would vomit and then inhale it into her lungs.  Which is both dangerous and rather gross.

Checking Ann's weight

On Monday, before her spay procedure began, she was started on pain management medication.  It is good to stay ahead of the pain!  She was also weighed to determine the amount of anesthesia needed.  As everyone knows, greyhounds have special anesthesia needs when undergoing surgery. 

She was then anesthetized and an intravenous catheter was placed in her leg.  The IV catheter was needed for fluid administration while under anesthesia to aid the kidneys and liver in metabolizing the medication.  The spay procedure is a routine procedure but it is also an invasive procedure that involves opening the abdomen.   The incision area of Ann’s abdomen was shaved and cleaned in preparation for her surgery. 

  

Preparing Ann for surgery

During the spay procedure Ann was kept warm and was constantly being watched.  Her heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen concentration, and other parameters were monitored while she was under anesthesia.  A small incision was made and her reproductive organs were removed.  Sutures were then sewn in place to close the incision. 

After the spay surgery was complete and while she was still under general anesthesia, her teeth were cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler.  Digital X-rays were taken and all Ann’s teeth looked great!  She had no pockets between her teeth and gums.  And no extractions were necessary.  With her teeth nice and clean, Oravet sealant was applied.  This is a plaque prevention system which helps reduce plaque and calculus formation on her teeth. 

Cleaning Ann's teeth

Ann was closely monitored as she completely recovered from the anesthesia.  She was put on oral antibiotics and pain medication.  Ann spent the next day resting at the clinic. 

Ann came back to our house on Tuesday.  She was a little lethargic and subdued when she came home which was to be expected!  She rested comfortably and quietly for a couple days.  Ann is now feeling better but she is still not allowed to run or jump for several more days.  She has to wait for 10 days from her surgery before her sutures will be ready to come out and she is allowed to return to playing.

So, that was Ann’s week!  And that is the experience of every NLGA greyhound (female, of course) as part of going from a retired racing greyhound to a pet!

Ann

Until next time,

~Max

p.s.  Did you see the previous blog post?  I sure would like it if you could come join me at the Pet Expo!