Pasterns

[Macha]

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after a hard weekend's racing, my whippet has a minor injury to one of his pasterns. He was limping again this morning but seems okay this afternoon (we are only doing short walks today).

I think my dog does have a tendency to strain his pasterns. Should I wrap them for running? I've seen some lurchers wearing brightly coloured "fast wrap" - but I don't know where to get it.

Should I give my dog any special treatment if he shows signs of minor strain/sprain? Should he be examined in case there is an underlying injury more serious than it appears? (under what circumstances would you say this type of limp warrants veterinary examination - if he seems to be in pain? if the limp lasts longer than usual?)

 

[sue greenwood]

You should be able to pick up the vet wrap from the vets or equine shops.Some pet shops supply it or you will get it on the internet.Varies in price. If your dog has hurt the tendons in its lower leg and foot it's best to get proffessional help.Pain wise kiddies calpol helps and they like it.

 

[Macha]

my dog seems fine now, but that's part of the question - should one see a vet anyway in cases of repeated strain even if the dog seems to recover quickly?

and will vet wrap help prevent this type of injury?

thanks for your comments

 

[sue greenwood]

my dog seems fine now, but that's part of the question - should one see a vet anyway in cases of repeated strain even if the dog seems to recover quickly?and will vet wrap help prevent this type of injury?

thanks for your comments

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I'm not certain either way.If you put a bandage on it every time you go out will it prevent the dog building up the strength to stop injuries on it's own. I think it should be used only as an aid if it injures itself. If you are talking about racing alone then yes by all means use them as it also stops their stoppers getting damaged too. My old boy hates having his legs bandaged so i put vaseline in large amounts on his stoppers. Hard ground does create a problem for some dogs with their feet so you may have to take this into account. Considering it's quick recovery i would hope it will be a problem that doesnt happen everytime it races. enjoy your dog and take it to the vets if it happens again he may be able to gve better advice.

 

[Macha]

I had to take Colleen (http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=33139 ) to the vet for vaccinations, so I brought the whippet along. The vet said to rest him for a few weeks, but noted that he showed no sign of pain. This veterinarian thought vet-wrap would do more harm than good as it tends to tighten and constrict the tendons. If using the wrap, she said to be sure to put padding between the wrap and the leg. I have noticed that horses with leg wraps do have padding under the wrap.

 

[Smiffy@VeronnaV]

"my dog seems fine now, but that's part of the question - should one see a vet anyway in cases of repeated strain even if the dog seems to recover quickly?"

In short, yes. Partly because you now have a legal obligation to do so!! (The Animal Welfare Bill), but mostly because it's your dog and there is clearly something wrong with it! Find yourself a good greyhound vet for when you have sporting injuries and take the dog along to that vet for advice and treatment of those types of injury. They are used by whippet racing people and all seem only too happy to treat the racing whippet. You could consider this money well spent as recurrent lameness would indicate that something is not quite right. How can you deal with it if you don't know what is causing the lameness? A greyhound vet will tell you how to treat, and for how long, how long the dog has to be rested, lead walked, brought back to fitness, and even how to do that! The difference between the pet vet and the greyhound vet is that if there is something wrong, then the greyhound vet will find it not send you away with advice suitable for the average pet dog! Pet vets are good at being pet vets, and greyhound vets are good at working with sporting dogs. Horses for courses!