ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great pleasure that National Greyhound Adoption Program announces its use of the best dental laser currently on the market today: The Biolase MD.  The Biolase MD has been shown to do innovative techniques that are impossible to do with the standard CO2 laser. This laser uses different technology and will give the veterinarians at NGAP the ability to perform procedures currently done in only a few of America’s human dental offices.  NGAP is the first veterinary facility in the United States to own this equipment.  Lasers typically are used to cut hard bone.  As it cuts, it cauterizes and kills bacteria. However, this technological product has a gentle touch, and can be used to desensitize root exposed teeth.  Many greyhounds, as they get older, develop periodontal disease and will have significant root exposure.  That root exposure does not have the protection of enamel coverage, so the rough surface acts as a magnet for plaque, tartar and bacteria and is a pathway for bacteria into your dog’s bloodstream.  Exposed roots, if looked at under a magnifying glass, shows a multitude of tiny pores.  The Biolase MD can fuse these pores together and subsequently desensitize this root exposed area. Greyhounds can not tell us when they have discomfort while eating or having their teeth exposed to hot or cold, but their teeth are not very different from ours.  Not only will the Biolase MD desensitize the tooth, it will also smooth it, making it a less attractive site for these ill wanted pathogens. Many greyhounds will develop gingivitis, exhibited by extensive redness of the gums and swelling.  It is not uncommon to see canines with swelling around gum tissue ¾ of an inch wide by ¾ of an inch deep by 3/8 of an inch high.  With the Biolase MD, we can now go underneath the surface into the pocket, to help remove plaque and bacteria and creating healthy tissue which can lead to the reattachment of do for your greyhounds.  NGAP will use it on an as-needed basis.  If your greyhound does not need this treatment it simply won’t get it. If your greyhound does need this treatment, it is done quickly and efficiently during the cleaning process.  Healing is faster with minimal or no pain. Everyone reading this information should be excited for their greyhound and the new benefits we can now achieve with the Biolase MD.

For prophylactic treatment where we do not see deep pockets but will protect against the occurrence of such there will be a $50.00 charge if you wish to have it done. Please advise the staff prior to the procedure.

Below is a letter received via email that should concern everyone. A quick analysis is that Mr. Tom Weaver of the Oregon Racing Commission refuses to permit greyhounds to enter the state from other states for adoption. Oregon, a state that used to have greyhound racing but no longer does, has a need for greyhounds to come into the state. Apparently the Oregon Racing Commission can block this effort. In my view, there is no logic or humanity in this reasoning. You additionally can write, fax, or email Oregon authorities your opinions on this issue.

Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol

900 Court Street

Salem, OR 97301-4047 January 3, 2006

Dear Governor Kulongoski,

I am the director of National Greyhound Adoption Program, over the past sixteen years we have adopted over 6,000 former racing greyhounds. I do not know if any had been born in Pennsylvania, certainly none had ever raced in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York are just some of the surrounding states that do not have greyhound racing. Pennsylvania has specifically outlawed it, but they do not discriminate against greyhounds in need. We have taken greyhounds from most racing states, some from thousands of miles away. Governor Rendell has done some greyhound photo ops with us over the last several years. I cannot understand the logic that prevails where the Oregon Racing Commission has the power to encourage the euthanasia of greyhounds. All greyhounds that race are not adopted, there are always greyhounds available to me from many states that need to be adopted but ultimately will be euthanized because there is no space for them here or anywhere else. It appears that people are willing to adopt greyhounds in your state but are not permitted to do so because of Oregon State Law or is it possibly Oregon State Arrogance? I am not sure which. If you can explain the logic to me, and others involved in greyhound adoption across the United States, we would be interested to hear it. Greyhound racing has ended in Oregon, isn’t it time to open your arms and show your compassion as other states have? Thank you for your consideration, I would of course appreciate a response.

Greyhounds are Greyt as pets,

David G. Wolf

Director

National Greyhound Adoption Program

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Clinical Study of Canine Bone Cancer Pain Medication

The University of Penn is currently involved in a clinical study for dogs with bone cancer. The information about this study is listed below but basically dogs already diagnosed with bone cancer are put on a Rimadyl treatment in addition to that they are given an anti-convulsive medication. Some dogs are not given the anti-convulsive medication but rather a placebo. I believe the purpose is to determine whether those on the additional medication will feel better longer before they die. This study in no way cures anything. Ultimately, you will have to determine when to put your dog to sleep. I am not sure if I am unquestionably in favor of this additional medication prolonging your greyhound’s life and masking how it actually feels may not be what we want to do. If we have given our greyhounds a good life, ultimately we want to give them a final gift without needlessly prolonging their lives.

University of Penn Study
Information for Interested Veterinarians and Owners

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of PHA-xxx and Rimadyl® versus Rimadyl alone on Chronic Pain due to Bone Cancer in Dogs

Here are details about the trial we are currently running to determine if a combination of drugs will provide superior pain relief as compared to standard treatment with Rimadyl.

Eligible Animals
Any dog with radiographic (x-ray) evidence of a bone tumor in either the fore or hind limb may be eligible for the trial. The owners must have opted to not amputate the limb and the dog must have been tried on an analgesic/anti-inflammatory for at least a week with discomfort persisting.

The Drug
The drug PHA-xxx is a drug that has been used extra-label in dogs for many years and has shown promise as an analgesic.

Trial Procedures
The trial involves 3 trips to Ryan-VHUP over 3 weeks. The owners will bring their dog in on day 1 for evaluation and if they decide they want to include the dog in the trial, they will fill out some questionnaires while we draw blood from the dog and we will dispense 10 days of Rimadyl to all dogs. They will return 10 days later and we will dispense another 10 days of Rimadyl to all dogs. At this visit ½ the dogs will be dispensed PHA-xxx and ½ will get placebo in addition to the Rimadyl. The dogs will return for the final time 10 days later for blood work and the owners will fill out questionnaires. At the end of this visit the owners of all dogs will be offered
PHA-xxx and Rimadyl free of charge for the remainder of the dog’s life.

Risks
PHA-xxx has been used in dogs at the doses used in this study with the most commonly reported side effect being drowsiness at higher doses.

Costs
All cost associated with the trial (drugs, blood work, office visits, etc.) are provided free of charge. In addition, after the 3 week trial period, we will provide PHA-xxx and Rimadyl, free of charge to all dogs for the rest of their lives. If there is a side effect of the PHA-xxx that requires treatment, we will cover those costs.

Time Commitment
Each of the 3 visits to Ryan-VHUP should take less than 30 minutes.

If Owners Are Interested
If an owner is interested in the study, we can phone them directly to give them further details and answer any questions. Just call at 215-573-0302 or email at mdigreg@vet.upenn.edu with the contact information and we will contact you within 1-2 business days.

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Below we have a poem written by Mary Butler about a greyhound lost and tragically found hit by a car. We never want our greyhounds to be lost and if they are, we pray that they will be found safe and alive. Unfortunately, for the dog in this poem that did not happen.  

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Limping becomes Osteosarcoma

It is a familiar chain of events, the greyhound begins limping, did it run in the backyard and pull a muscle or tendon or perhaps it just bumped into something. The limp persists for a few days. Sometimes it’s a front leg and sometimes it’s a back leg. We have placed very specific protocols for such events and I am sure it’s similar to most vet clinics. First an exam may determine some soreness in the shoulder. The vet may take either Step 1 or Step 2 or both. Step 1 is to prescribe an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory pain medication), which there are several, Rimadyl is the most prescribed and the most used. Step 2 is taking an x-ray. There are times when it is done in conjunction with Step 1 and other times when it is done if the medication is not working. Some veterinary clinics will not do an x-ray because it may entail anesthesia and the cost is significant. If your dog is over 7 years old, having the x-ray done on the first visit may be appropriate. It is a matter of money and how much you can afford to spend. If your vet sees cancer or the hint of cancer in the joint or even in the leg, they will then proceed usually to do a chest x-ray. More often than not even showing cancer or Osteosarcoma in the joint you will not see it spread into the chest cavity. Our experience has been that once you see cancer in those upper leg joints your options are very limited if any at all. The options are pain medications until the dog no longer has quality of life, amputation or euthanasia now. Most adopters choose pain medications as opposed to leg amputation. I am not a big fan of leg amputation because we rarely seem to see long-term survival. Leg amputation at NGAP is $900.00. We will keep the greyhound for up to a week. We do not do it often but we have not lost a dog in leg amputation surgery. We keep greyhounds much longer than clinics and do not charge extra for that upkeep and when the dog goes home it will get around well on three legs. Greyhounds with back leg amputations will do better than greyhounds with front leg amputations but they do well with either. Survival rates even with chemotherapy are not particularly good. Total costs, which may include chemotherapy, can be $5,000.00-$6,000.00. Spending money on the belief that the dog will get better usually doesn’t work. Biopsies are usually not necessary. The dog will either get better or get worse. It may cost several hundred dollars to get a biopsy and you may not get results for a week. There is always a chance of spontaneous fracture. Spontaneous fracture is when the leg breaks and you cannot explain why. Something simple may have happened. In one case a child fell on a greyhound, fracturing the greyhound’s leg. It never would have happened if the greyhound didn’t have cancer in the joint. If you know your greyhound has cancer and you decide to wait, you have the risk of spontaneous fracture. A Litmus Test to determine if it is time to give your greyhound the “Gift of Death” is:
• Is your greyhound eating and drinking?
• Is your greyhound maintaining its weight?
• Is your greyhound peeing and pooping without stress?
• Is your greyhound wagging its tail?
• Is your greyhound getting up and down without pain?

Your dog must pass all of the questions on this test or you are surely keeping it alive out of selfishness. Please do not wait for your dog to scream or die in pain at home.

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