Here is just one of the many stories to be told about a greyhound's new life after leaving the track.

Hi, my name is Nodak Glen. I don't really know my name but that's what people keep calling me. I use to work all the time at the track. But now I live in a big crate with people and another Greyhound. To get in the big crate I have to climb a steep hill with steps. That was hard at first, but I picked it up quick. I get a nice soft place to sleep. This is where I spend most of my day now.

After spending a couple of days here, I had to go to another big crate with a lot of other dogs and other little furry things. Different people kept poking me and took a part of my body off, but otherwise they were nice. I don't seem to like the girls as much as I used to. That's cool because now I get to sleep more. : 8 )

We had a good Awareness Clinic this week. Easy's new parents came for a visit and brought the grandparents as well. Mom was extremely happy and could not wait to get him home the following week. I can remember the anticipation of my greyhound's arrival. It was exciting and the wait was nerve racking.

It was a busy clinic, plenty of new prospective parents came to get information on these amazing dogs. Shoppers in the Ballston Spa Agway were also curious and stopped by for a look and a hello. We were all happily tired at the end of the day. Future an Bing were tired as well. What did you expect, their greyhounds. They drop like rocks in no time, usually in a soft spot but anywhere near their loved ones will do. Don't you just want to kiss them all over?

Here is a list of hazards that you should be aware of, especially around the holiday season.

Chocolate Toxicity

Active Ingredient: Methylxanthine alkaloids (theobromine and caffeine)

Systems Affected:
• Gastrointestinal - early onset of vomiting and diarrhea
• Cardiovascular- increased heart rate or abnormal rhythms
• CNS- seizures and excitability

History:
• Recent chocolate ingestion
• Vomiting and diarrhea are often reported in the first 2-4 hours after ingestion
• Affected dogs show early restlessness and enhanced activity
• Increased urination
• Advanced signs include stiffness, excitement, and seizures

Examples of products with high methylxanthine concentrations include:

Minimum lethal dosage of caffeine and theobromine in dogs ranges from 100-200 mg/kg. One-quarter ounce of baking chocolate or 2 ounces of mild chocolate per kilogram of body weight is a potential lethal dosage in dogs. Thus, 1 pound of milk chocolate or four ounces of baking chocolate could be lethal to a 16 pound dog.

Take home message:
Please keep chocolate away from your pet. If your pet eats chocolate, please call your veterinarian immediately.

Acute Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and the digestive enzymes stored in the pancreas are activated within the pancreas.

Breed predilections:
• Miniature schnauzers
• Miniature poodle
• Cocker spaniel
• Siamese cats
• Laborador retrievers

Predominant sex:
• Female

Systems affected:
• Gastrointestinal- diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Vascular- dehydration
• Other signs- depression, anorexia, lethargy

Causes:
• High fat meals -TURKEY SKIN, HAM, GRAVY....you get the idea
• Certain drugs
• Trauma
• Tumors

Risk factors:
• Obesity
• Presence of other diseases
• Recent drug administration

Take home message:
Please do not feed your pet table scraps, especially those high in fat. If you notice any of the signs listed above, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Linear Foreign Bodies

Examples:
• String
• Tinsel
• Yarn

Signs to look for:
• vomiting
• lethargy
• pawing at mouth
• excess salivation
• tender abdomen

Etiology:
The string (yarn or tinsel) often will get attached at one point, such as looped around the tongue or in the stomach, but the body will attempt to pass the rest of it. Often what happens is the intestinal tract will "accordion up". When this happens there is a potential that the string will saw through the intestinal tract.

Treatment:
• Radiographs
• Hospitalization
• Surgery is usually indicated

Take home message:
Do not allow your pets to play with string, yarn, or tinsel. This problem is more common in cats but can happen in dogs as well.

Poisonous plants

Examples:
• Poinsettias
• Mistletoe
• Holly

Systems affected:
• Gastrointestinal- most plants cause irritation to the mouth and throat, vomiting and diarrhea can occur, excess salivation is common as well
• Signs are dependent upon how much of the plant was consumed

If you suspect your pet has eaten any part of these plants, please call your veterinarian immediately. Treatment will consist of inducing vomiting if it has been recently consumed. Hospitalization with fluid therapy may be indicated.

Electrocution

The holidays present another hazard to your pet that is often overlooked. The use of extension cords greatly increases over the holidays. Cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and birds love to chew on cords. Please make sure all cords are out of reach of your pets.

Signs to look for:
• Shorted out electrical devices
• Chewed cords

If you notice either of these, please check your pet for:
• Wounds often on the lips or gums
• Singed hair
• Pet pawing at mouth
• Excess salivation
• Lethargy
• Seizures

Please call your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the above.