symptoms

Like most dogs, greyhounds have a normal appetite and eat well as a rule. However, they can be become stressed and lose weight. Like people, they can also be fussy eaters. Anorexia can happen due to a number of other reasons, such as; dental pain or discomfort, pain the head or neck, ulcers anywhere in the body including the mouth, increased body temperature, disease or depression.

At the Greyhound kennels at Wortley we try to make sure our dogs have a balanced diet, and most importantly (to the dogs) - one which they will enjoy eating!

To avoid attracting excess plaque and tartar to the dog's teeth we feed them with a tasty dried food which will help wear down the build up of plaque around the teeth and gums.

In addition to fresh drinking water (which should always be provided), we then pour a warm stock over the dried food to add taste and to make it easier for the dogs to digest. In the cold winter months, this also helps keep their bodies warm and prevent them from losing any weight. To add extra vitamins and minerals, we then top off their dinners with tasty tit-bits such as cooked pasta or fish.

Loss of appetite can be a symptom of dental pain. However, this should not be used as a diagnosis as plenty of other problems can have this side effect.

For further information see the 'Greyhound Care' book, 'A Resource for kennel staff NVQ/SVQ Level 2', Published by the British Greyhound Racing Board, page 4.6

A few examples of ailments caused by bad dental health and hygiene:

Plaque is the initial building block to many more serious oral infections and diseases. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to prevent plaque build up. Plaque can be identified by a creamy layer on the surface of the tooth which can be scraped off.

Inside plaque, there are minerals which can crystallise forming a hard material called calculus. This has a rough feel to the touch and can destroy the protective proteins in the teeth.

Gingivitis happens when the thin film of plaque spreads between the small gap between the tooth and the gum. This causes the bacteria to change and toxin production to increase and cause inflammation. The main symptom of this to begin with this is to begin with is a reddened edge around the gum. As the disease spreads and worsens the gums may bleed and the gum can look like it is growing up the tooth.

Gingivitis is part of periodontal disease, which is a progressive disease preventable by a good dental health regime. This is painful and irritating to the dog due to swollen and bleeding gums and bad breath. Gingivitis is common, uncomfortable and can often lead to tooth loss. The image on the right shows severe gingivitis, which often is the progression of gingivitis after around 3 years, except in larger dogs such as greyhounds were reaching this stage may be even sooner

The British Greyhound Racing Board recommend that a greyhound's teeth should be clean with no tartar, breath which is not unpleasant, moucous membranes which are salmon pink in colour and no gingivitis.

They also recommend that in the event of symptoms such as excessive tartar, gingivitis or broken, rotten or chipped teeth further advice should be sought. (page 10.5, 'Greyhound Care', 'A Resource for kennel staff NVQ/SVQ Level 2')

This image was taken by ayoung102 and posted on Flickr. The image shows a rescued greyhound before dental treatment. To view the transformation after treatment please see the 'treatment' tab to your left.