Stress
When the greyhound is severely
stressed either physically,
or psychologically, for any length of
time, there is a release of the hormone
Adrenalin from the inner segment of
the Adrenal Glands (called the
Adrenal Medulla) which are located
on each side of the body adjacent to
each kidney.
In actual fact, there is a range of
Adrenalin Hormones e.g. Nor-
Adrenalin and others - which are
grouped into a category referred to as
the Catecholamines.
If this Catecholamine release
continued for too long, the greyhound
would die from stroke or heart attack
caused by the enormous rise in blood
pressure resulting from these
hormones.
However, the body avoids this, by
reducing the effect of the Adrenalin
and its related hormones, with another
hormone known as Hydrocortisone
which is produced by the outer coating
of the Adrenal Glands (called the
Adrenal Cortex).
Again, there is a range of
Hydrocortisone related hormones
grouped into the general category of
Corticosteroids - all with similar
effects.
The main effects of these
Corticosteroids are:
* To reduce the heat, redness, pain,
and swelling of any inflammation,
whether it be from bruising or other
damage to muscle, bone, or nerve
fibres - as seen for example in Track
Leg, Metacarpal Periostitis, or even
allergic symptoms – and
* To combat the effects of severe or
chronic stress within the body by
producing a feeling of well-being and
relief from anxiety, together with a
renewal of energy by raising blood
glucose levels from body stores of
glycogen.
There is an interesting side effect of
prolonged Corticosteroid release in
chronically stressed greyhounds, and
that is a suppression of other types of
hormones that are produced by the
Pituitary Gland located at the base of
the brain.
These include:
* The Follicle Stimulating Hormone
that aids sperm and egg production
and available as Folligon.
* Leuteiniing Hormone that aids
release of eggs from the ovary and the
maturation of freshly generated sperm
and available as Chlorulon
* Reduced Testosterone produced by
the Testicle causing reduced libido -
and -
* Reduced Thyroid Hormone from the
Thyroid Gland resulting in Bald Thigh
Syndrome, Anaemia, and a feeling of
lethargy.
DIAGNOSIS of the Stress Reaction,
(which is really an – HYPERA
drenocorticism), is based on:
* The recognition of the signs shown
by the patient, AND, a recognition of
the prevailing stressful circumstances.
Remember, what stresses one
greyhound may have no effect on
another greyhound!
* A Blood Test to confirm the
problem.
This test, if positive for the problem
will characteristically show a fall in
the Total White Cell Count to around
2500 or less per cu ml, also, a rise in
the ratio of Neutrophils to
Lymphocytes (normally averaging
2:1); a fall in Lymphocyte count
below 1000 per cu ml to around 650-
800 per cu ml; often, a rise in
Cholesterol levels and Glucose levels ;
an elevation in Total Protein due to
some degree of Dehydration but with
a fall in Globulin Proteins which are
produced by Lymphocytes, and which
are the greyhound’s antibodies against
disease and infection – that is why
these patients are so prone to recurring
minor infections requiring antibiotics
from time to time.
* Another sign of Hyper-
Adrenocorticism is a slow healing rate
for skin and other wounds, and a
tendency for freshly healed wounds to
open up again. Remember those
recurring Track Leg skin splits?
* Caution must be exercised when
interpreting blood tests taken from
Hyper- Adrenocortic patients as many
of the changes seen in the blood cell
figures are similar to those seen in
virus infections - so be guided by your
veterinarian’s clinical examination of
the greyhound, as well as the blood
test results.
THERAPY for
HYPERADRENOCORTICISM
- 1 REDUCTION OF THE
STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT -
In acute situations such as travelling
by car or airline, this may not be easy,
although rest alone may be adequate.
Medication before travelling for the
reduction of anxiety and tension
should be considered employing a
Tranquilliser such as Acepromazine
(3mgm into muscle), or, Reserpine
(0.25 mgm into muscle) - but do note
that these medications may give a
positive post-race swab for 5-7 days
after the injection.
Alternatively, one may prefer to
administer Tryptophane in doses of
500mgm, orally, together with 10 ml
of Aminolyte 34X orally, twice daily
for the 5 days before travelling,
including the day of travel, This
will produce a reduction of anxiety
and nervousness without any problem
of a positive swab.
Restrict exercise to walking,
swimming, free running for 3-7 days
after arrival.
In chronic situations of stress such as
very hot weather, aggressive kennel
mates, excessive workload for that
particular greyhound and so no, it may
be best to rely on the use of
Tryptophane (500mgm) plus the
Aminolyte34X (10ml), both orally,
twice daily, indefinitely - and that
there is no risk of a positive swab.
In all cases do your best to minimise
the stressful situation or circumstances
for that particular greyhound.
Remember, you may have six
greyhounds in your kennel, but only
one with a spooky, nervous
disposition leading to Hyper-
Adrenocorticism resulting in reduced
or variable performance - so learn to
recognise the signs and employ
appropriate measures to restore this
greyhound to normal.
Another medication to reduce the
stress reaction is Glutamine, given in
doses of 500 mgm three times daily
for 14 days, then twice daily for as
long as required. Glutamine &
Tryptophane work well together.
2 TREAT CHRONIC STRESS
SYMPTOMS -
* Dehydration may be detected or
suspected using the “skin pinch test”
over the backline.
Lift a fold of skin and release it - if it
snaps back there is no dehydration - if
the fold of skin stays there, or, returns
slowly, then there is a degree of
dehydration roughly equivalent in
severity to the speed of return of that
skin fold.
Treat with electrolyte supplement -
especially Potassium (K Salt, Slow
K), to aid retention of fluid, and be
aware that high levels of
corticosteroid causes a loss of
Potassium which predisposes to
Acidosis after a hard run. Medication
with Florinef Tablets (Florinef,
0.1mgm) using half a tablet twice
daily for 5 days, then half a tablet
daily for 7-14 days may be indicated,
but you must keep up the Potassium
supplement with this medication,.
Also be advised by your veterinarian
regarding the implications of a
positive swab with Florinef.
* Check the skin at the back of the
thighs for hair loss, indicating “Bald
Thigh Syndrome”.
If detected or suspected, request a
“Free T 4” blood test to determine the
extent of suppression of Thyroid
function.
This will provide the information
necessary for calculating the dose of
Thyroxine (Thyroid Hormone
Supplement) needed by the patient (=
Oroxine, or, Thyroxine Tablets).
* The Hormone Serotonin is produced
naturally in the brain of greyhounds,
and is associated with rest and
reduced tension or anxiety. This is
destroyed by the Adrenalin
& corticosteroids of the stress
reaction.
However, brain stores of Serotonin
can be improved by administering the
amino acid Glutamine, in doses of
500mgm three time daily for 14 days,
then twice daily indefinitely
throughout the period of stress
reaction without any problem of a
positive swab too!
* Maintain a good general Mineral/
Vitamin Supplement in the food daily
- especially including at least 50 mgm
of nonacidic Vitamin C daily (=
Sodium or Calcium Ascorbate).
* Watch the workload - keep the
greyhound fit but fresh with walking,
swimming, free runs, handslips and
straight runs rather than regular
weekly trials. Space the circle runs to
10-14 days apart for these patients.
* Keep on the lookout for minor
infections by conducting a simple
blood test once a month.
This will show up any anaemia as
well.
Most trainers will be aware of any
major infection affecting a greyhound
by the obvious signs of illness, but
minor infections can be much more
difficult to recognise, especially in
their early stages - so, early prevention
is better that a delayed health risk and
lost performance or time out of racing.
* Anabolic Steroids will prevent loss
of muscle, weight, and performance.
Try Stanazol, .5ml into muscle once
each 5 days, or, Nandoral, one tablet
twice daily for 7 days, then one tablet
daily.
When the greyhound is severely
stressed either physically,
or psychologically, for any length of
time, there is a release of the hormone
Adrenalin from the inner segment of
the Adrenal Glands (called the
Adrenal Medulla) which are located
on each side of the body adjacent to
each kidney.
In actual fact, there is a range of
Adrenalin Hormones e.g. Nor-
Adrenalin and others - which are
grouped into a category referred to as
the Catecholamines.
If this Catecholamine release
continued for too long, the greyhound
would die from stroke or heart attack
caused by the enormous rise in blood
pressure resulting from these
hormones.
However, the body avoids this, by
reducing the effect of the Adrenalin
and its related hormones, with another
hormone known as Hydrocortisone
which is produced by the outer coating
of the Adrenal Glands (called the
Adrenal Cortex).
Again, there is a range of
Hydrocortisone related hormones
grouped into the general category of
Corticosteroids - all with similar
effects.
The main effects of these
Corticosteroids are:
* To reduce the heat, redness, pain,
and swelling of any inflammation,
whether it be from bruising or other
damage to muscle, bone, or nerve
fibres - as seen for example in Track
Leg, Metacarpal Periostitis, or even
allergic symptoms – and
* To combat the effects of severe or
chronic stress within the body by
producing a feeling of well-being and
relief from anxiety, together with a
renewal of energy by raising blood
glucose levels from body stores of
glycogen.
There is an interesting side effect of
prolonged Corticosteroid release in
chronically stressed greyhounds, and
that is a suppression of other types of
hormones that are produced by the
Pituitary Gland located at the base of
the brain.
These include:
* The Follicle Stimulating Hormone
that aids sperm and egg production
and available as Folligon.
* Leuteiniing Hormone that aids
release of eggs from the ovary and the
maturation of freshly generated sperm
and available as Chlorulon
* Reduced Testosterone produced by
the Testicle causing reduced libido -
and -
* Reduced Thyroid Hormone from the
Thyroid Gland resulting in Bald Thigh
Syndrome, Anaemia, and a feeling of
lethargy.
DIAGNOSIS of the Stress Reaction,
(which is really an – HYPERA
drenocorticism), is based on:
* The recognition of the signs shown
by the patient, AND, a recognition of
the prevailing stressful circumstances.
Remember, what stresses one
greyhound may have no effect on
another greyhound!
* A Blood Test to confirm the
problem.
This test, if positive for the problem
will characteristically show a fall in
the Total White Cell Count to around
2500 or less per cu ml, also, a rise in
the ratio of Neutrophils to
Lymphocytes (normally averaging
2:1); a fall in Lymphocyte count
below 1000 per cu ml to around 650-
800 per cu ml; often, a rise in
Cholesterol levels and Glucose levels ;
an elevation in Total Protein due to
some degree of Dehydration but with
a fall in Globulin Proteins which are
produced by Lymphocytes, and which
are the greyhound’s antibodies against
disease and infection – that is why
these patients are so prone to recurring
minor infections requiring antibiotics
from time to time.
* Another sign of Hyper-
Adrenocorticism is a slow healing rate
for skin and other wounds, and a
tendency for freshly healed wounds to
open up again. Remember those
recurring Track Leg skin splits?
* Caution must be exercised when
interpreting blood tests taken from
Hyper- Adrenocortic patients as many
of the changes seen in the blood cell
figures are similar to those seen in
virus infections - so be guided by your
veterinarian’s clinical examination of
the greyhound, as well as the blood
test results.
THERAPY for
HYPERADRENOCORTICISM
- 1 REDUCTION OF THE
STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT -
In acute situations such as travelling
by car or airline, this may not be easy,
although rest alone may be adequate.
Medication before travelling for the
reduction of anxiety and tension
should be considered employing a
Tranquilliser such as Acepromazine
(3mgm into muscle), or, Reserpine
(0.25 mgm into muscle) - but do note
that these medications may give a
positive post-race swab for 5-7 days
after the injection.
Alternatively, one may prefer to
administer Tryptophane in doses of
500mgm, orally, together with 10 ml
of Aminolyte 34X orally, twice daily
for the 5 days before travelling,
including the day of travel, This
will produce a reduction of anxiety
and nervousness without any problem
of a positive swab.
Restrict exercise to walking,
swimming, free running for 3-7 days
after arrival.
In chronic situations of stress such as
very hot weather, aggressive kennel
mates, excessive workload for that
particular greyhound and so no, it may
be best to rely on the use of
Tryptophane (500mgm) plus the
Aminolyte34X (10ml), both orally,
twice daily, indefinitely - and that
there is no risk of a positive swab.
In all cases do your best to minimise
the stressful situation or circumstances
for that particular greyhound.
Remember, you may have six
greyhounds in your kennel, but only
one with a spooky, nervous
disposition leading to Hyper-
Adrenocorticism resulting in reduced
or variable performance - so learn to
recognise the signs and employ
appropriate measures to restore this
greyhound to normal.
Another medication to reduce the
stress reaction is Glutamine, given in
doses of 500 mgm three times daily
for 14 days, then twice daily for as
long as required. Glutamine &
Tryptophane work well together.
2 TREAT CHRONIC STRESS
SYMPTOMS -
* Dehydration may be detected or
suspected using the “skin pinch test”
over the backline.
Lift a fold of skin and release it - if it
snaps back there is no dehydration - if
the fold of skin stays there, or, returns
slowly, then there is a degree of
dehydration roughly equivalent in
severity to the speed of return of that
skin fold.
Treat with electrolyte supplement -
especially Potassium (K Salt, Slow
K), to aid retention of fluid, and be
aware that high levels of
corticosteroid causes a loss of
Potassium which predisposes to
Acidosis after a hard run. Medication
with Florinef Tablets (Florinef,
0.1mgm) using half a tablet twice
daily for 5 days, then half a tablet
daily for 7-14 days may be indicated,
but you must keep up the Potassium
supplement with this medication,.
Also be advised by your veterinarian
regarding the implications of a
positive swab with Florinef.
* Check the skin at the back of the
thighs for hair loss, indicating “Bald
Thigh Syndrome”.
If detected or suspected, request a
“Free T 4” blood test to determine the
extent of suppression of Thyroid
function.
This will provide the information
necessary for calculating the dose of
Thyroxine (Thyroid Hormone
Supplement) needed by the patient (=
Oroxine, or, Thyroxine Tablets).
* The Hormone Serotonin is produced
naturally in the brain of greyhounds,
and is associated with rest and
reduced tension or anxiety. This is
destroyed by the Adrenalin
& corticosteroids of the stress
reaction.
However, brain stores of Serotonin
can be improved by administering the
amino acid Glutamine, in doses of
500mgm three time daily for 14 days,
then twice daily indefinitely
throughout the period of stress
reaction without any problem of a
positive swab too!
* Maintain a good general Mineral/
Vitamin Supplement in the food daily
- especially including at least 50 mgm
of nonacidic Vitamin C daily (=
Sodium or Calcium Ascorbate).
* Watch the workload - keep the
greyhound fit but fresh with walking,
swimming, free runs, handslips and
straight runs rather than regular
weekly trials. Space the circle runs to
10-14 days apart for these patients.
* Keep on the lookout for minor
infections by conducting a simple
blood test once a month.
This will show up any anaemia as
well.
Most trainers will be aware of any
major infection affecting a greyhound
by the obvious signs of illness, but
minor infections can be much more
difficult to recognise, especially in
their early stages - so, early prevention
is better that a delayed health risk and
lost performance or time out of racing.
* Anabolic Steroids will prevent loss
of muscle, weight, and performance.
Try Stanazol, .5ml into muscle once
each 5 days, or, Nandoral, one tablet
twice daily for 7 days, then one tablet
daily.
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