Sighthounds are prone to bloat. This condition is fatal if not treated quickly. It is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer.
So what is bloat?
Bloat occurs when something goes wrong during the digestion of food. Something causes gases to build up in the stomach so fast that the stomach blows up like a balloon, stretching the organ so much that normal circulation of blood to and from the heart is cut off. The stretching and the lack of blood to the stomach’s cells can cause Necrosis (the death of body-tissue). Gas is trapped when the stomach “twists and turns†(known as volvulus)  and can’t escape in either direction. The gas builds and builds as it becomes trapped inside the stomach. Once the stomach starts to twist and turn it can torsion, which can be fatal. It cuts off the circulation in the stomach and blood gets pushed into the main organs while the stomach dies. When this happens, the dog goes into shock and then cardiac arrest. What I find most scary is that bloating can occur without notice and might even be mistaken for indigestion!  It can sometimes have the appearance of a bloated belly (which is where the name comes from).
It is unclear as to what exactly causes bloat, however there have been some behaviours which appear to accompany dogs that experience bloat. Dogs who are nervous or skittish/edgy can be susceptible to bloat. There is also an indication that stress plays a part in the disease.
It is important to make sure that your dog does not drink a large amount of water with his meals as this can make him more at risk of bloat. It is important to limit the amount of water available during meals.  A natural food diet seems to be beneficial for dogs that experience bloat. So try to avoid cereal-based kibble and stick with something that is more wholesome. Dogs that are fed large quantities of dry-food are more prone to bloat. Rather than feeding the dog a large dinner once a day, give him the same amount of food in two or more meals.
Exercise may also contribute to bloat if done just before or after a meal. Try to exercise you dog in between meals and not close to meal times. You can still walk the dog close to meal times, but no extreme exercise should be done one to two hours before and after meals.
If you are concerned that your dog may be bloated, do not wait and see. Take him to the vet immediately! Bloat can kill in less than an hour so time is of essence. Your dog’s life may be in danger if it is torsioning. It might need to undergo surgery to relieve the distress as quickly as possible.
Contrary to popular belief, sighthounds do not need an excessive amount of exercise!
I am often stopped by people whilst walking Scrap and asked how many miles I have to walk him. Many people seem to be under the impression that these dogs need a huge amount of exercise but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Sighthounds, particularly Greyhounds, are complete and utter couch potatoes and would rather spend their time as a couch decoration than out on huge walks.
Sighthounds burn off any conserved energy through a run in the park or a nice walk. I often take Scrap to an empty field and throw a tennis ball for him. This gives him the freedom to go bonkers and run around until he tires himself out and wants to go back home to the couch. Backyard exercise is perfectly acceptable for these dogs but daily walks can provide more mental and physical stimulation which is important and helps to kill any boredom building up.
It is important to remember that these dogs L.O.V.E Â to run! For that reason, it may be unsuitable having young children around when letting your dog off-lead. Sighthounds are very graceful when running but do not have the best of brakes. You may often see these dogs with muzzles on. I can assure you, it does not necessarily mean that that dog is aggressive. When running around, sighthounds often nip at each other as a form of play or their strong kill instinct can switch on around smaller dogs. It is safer to keep a muzzle on these dogs when let off to run.
Sighthounds are sprinters, not distance runners! If you intend to run long distances with your dog, start with a one mile jog and slowly increase the distance. A long run can be harmful to your sighthound’s health if he is not conditioned.
Finally, and most importantly, it is extremely important to wait at least an hour after your sighthound has eaten before doing any kind of exercise with him. Sighthounds are prone to bloat which is a life-threatening condition and will require emergency veterinary care. (See post about bloat in Dog Care category).
Trimming Nails
Sighthound claws need regular trimming.There are more than just aesthetic reasons to trim your dog’s nails! Untrimmed nails can cause a variety of problems including broken nails, which are painful, bleed profusely and can result in infection. Also, unlike humans (and  some other animals) a dog walks on his toes like a horse, not the soles of his feet. Long nails can cause the dog to rock back on his paws, causing strain on his leg assemblies and interfering with his gait. Some dogs (particularly overweight ones) may may find it uncomfortable to put their full body weight on their feet with overgrown nails, causing sore feet, legs and hips. Over the long term, this can also help contribute to the devlopment of arthritis.
It is best to ask your vet or groomer to demonstrate how to trim a dog’s nails before attempting it yourself. A lot of people avoid trimming their dog’s nails because they feel nervous about hitting the quick. The ‘quick’ is the blood supply and once interfered with, can bleed profusely, which can be a bit traumatic to both human and dog!  Styptic powder, corn starch, flour or Bisquick can help stop the quick from bleeding. Simply put some powder on the tip of the nail (where you cut) to plug the injury and prevent further blood-loss.
When trimming your dog’s nails,  If you’re using a scissors-type trimmer, hold it at a right angle to the nail with the tip of the nail between the blades. Quickly squeeze the handles to close the scissors and cut the nail. If you’re using a guillotine-type trimmer, place the tip of your dog’s nail into the hole, holding the trimmer perpendicular to the nail so that you cut from top to bottom, not side to side. Keep an eye on the exposed edge of the cut nail each time you take a snip, eventually, you’ll see a gray or pink oval starting to appear. Stop trimming when you see the oval. If you don’t, you’ll cut into the quick, causing pain and bleeding. In clear nails, the quick is easy to see as it is pink in colour. It is hard to see in black nails so extra care is needed when trimming. Take small snips at a time until you can see the gray or pink oval starting to appear. Alternatively, have an assistant use a flashlight to back-light each of your dog’s nails while you trim. The light from behind the nail allows you to clearly see the pink quick in black nails. An alternative to clipping is a tool named a Dremel which files the nail down. This tool is quite loud to operate  though so some dogs may have issues with it! It is important to make this an enjoyable experience for your dog so make sure you’re armed with his favourite treats!
Tip: I find that trimming a dog’s nails after he/she has had a bath is the best time to do it as the nails are softer from the warm water used in the bath.
Searching for videos on Youtube may be useful as they will demonstrate how to clip the nail and give you additional tips which may not be in this blog.
Sighthounds often have soft or sensitive feet. Beware of walking them so much that they get sore feet or walking them on rough terrain without necessary pad protection. You can harden their feet by massaging with surgical spirit daily for a few weeks. You can also use Vaseline or Musher’s Secret (a dense barrier wax) as a protective layer on your dog’s paws before walking. This can help keep the pad in a healthy condition and can help stop it from cracking. Alternatively, dog boots/shoes can be purchased in most pet shops but your dog may not like them or feel comfortable in them. Always check your dog’s paws for any sores or cuts. An injury on a paw can easily become infected. Also check for any odd odours from your dog’s paws. An almost sweet musky smell is natural but any offensive odours may be a result of an infection!
Everyone knows that when you have a handsome pooch, he must have a fashionable collar to make him the most popular and irresistible hound in the neighborhood!
Most people buy the wide Greyhound collars or Martingale collars for their sighthound – and with good reason! A normal collar simply won’t do! Not only do these collars make your pooch look very smart and sophisticated, they serve a purpose for these beautiful dogs too!
Sighthounds have delicate necks, the wider collars put less pressure on their trachea than standard collars. Most sighthounds have tapered necks and tiny ears so a loose collar can easily slip over their heads which is very dangerous when out on a walk.Make sure that the collar is adjusted whilst it is at the top of the neck and cannot slide off. If in doubt, or if you have a nervous dog, use a harness as well. You can get a lead which will clip to both the collar and harness and keep your dog safe. I have found that 2 point contractor harnesses work particularly well with sighthounds and their body shape. Provided that it is adjusted correctly, Leather Greyhound collars are next to impossible to remove without undoing the buckle. They are comfortable for the dog and keep the dog safe. Martingale Collars are designed to tighten (but not tighten enough to choke) if the dog pulls on it.. thus preventing the collar from slipping. I personally don’t like them so I invested in a wide leather Greyhound collar.As a rough guide, a small sighthound will need a size 5 and a very big one will need a size 7.
When caring for a leather Greyhound collar, I find that your standard (black) shoe polish is fine. I also use some leather wax and leave it to completely dry before putting it anywhere near my sighthound. I usually polish his collar when he is having a grooming day (bath, brush, nails etc) so as that both collar and dog can be nice and shiny!
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