Racing Post Artical

[galty]

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Headlines on Yesterdays Racing Post front Page.

The NGRC are asking that nobody panics, but warns to be extra vigilant at this time as the NGRC take urgent steps to determine whether an unexplained cluster of deaths are the result of the UKs first case of equine flu crossing species into greyhounds. In America, equine flu has been reported to have caused a similar syndrome in greyhounds. However, the recent deaths in the UK show a number of similarities and the NGRC is working closely with the Animal Health Trust, and it is understood a post mortem

was being carried out last night in Newmarket on one of the early victims.

Barry O,Sullivan had all his runners at Crayford withdrawn for last night and this mornings meeting, with the track management referring enquiries to the NGRC. Apparently only a handful of kennels are affected at this stage, thought to be in the Kent Area. The severe illness in greyhounds is characterised by breathing difficulties and bleeding in the respiratory system which can be fatal in hours.

The NGRC are urging people to monitor and watch their hounds closely and report any cases of dogs being off-colour to their vets and area stipendary stewards.

Crayford last night took foot and mouth type precautions for their race meeting, with impregnated mats effectively disinfecting the greyhounds.

 

[posh totty]

thanks for posting!!! sounds very worrying esp for show people too :thumbsup:

 

[lillybet]

My step daughter races greyhounds at Yarmouth Stadium and she told us about this

Its a great worry as it could effect any hound including the Iggies

She will keep us updated so I will post any news

Lillibet

 

[clairej810]

This has apparently been in the USA for 2 years in horses and transfered to greys through horsemeat. It's now over here so far only in racing kennels - to the best of my knowledge, but I suppose it could spread to boarding, breeding or rescue kennels.

The Greyhound Data website has a bit more info on it and the NGRC website is releasing statements. It's very worrying though.

It's surprising it hasn't been on the news or anything like foot and mouth or bird flu have been.

 

[galty]

The NGRC and Animal Health Trust (AHT) investigation into the cause of recent deaths has identified a particular strain of bacterium called ‘streptococcus zooepidemicus’, a subspecies of bacteria commonly found in horses.

Given the association of cases known to have been in close proximity to horses, the Animal Health Trust has advised that current recommendations against feeding horsemeat (cooked or raw) and horse contact remain in place.

 

[kris]

im surprised as well that it hasnt received any publicity as if this disease does spread all dogs will be at risk not just greyhounds

 

[galty]

Released by the NGRC today

History

Following on from the first outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in Kent in February 2008, the

National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) and the Animal Health Trust (AHT) have investigated a

further eight reports of respiratory disease, involving ten kennels. Some have involved fatalities,

bringing the total to ten deaths from 63 greyhounds with kennel cough.

The severity of the disease has varied widely from mild ‘kennel cough’ (mild to moderate upper

respiratory disease caused by one or more pathogens) within a kennel, to cases where there has

been one sudden death but no clinical disease in the rest of the kennel.

From the kennels affected to date, eight have had kennel cough within the past month in various

areas of the country. The kennel cough in the affected kennels varied from just a few greyhounds to

many in the kennel affected. A proportion of these greyhounds have become very ill following

racing and special attention should be given to those recently returning from racing.

Risk factors

As more information has been gathered, it is now possible to see trends and possible links. These

links are not evidence for a specific cause, but do serve to highlight certain aspects of greyhound life

that may be risk factors for developing respiratory disease.

Due to the small sample size, the standard error is large, but the results can still be analyzed to

create basic guidelines.

Racing

It has been suggested that the high airflows at exercise physically drive bacteria into the lower

respiratory tract, and if the local immunity has been compromised (e.g. by kennel cough) then acute

pneumonia is more likely to occur, but such statements need to be validated by more detailed

research.

Movement

Transport and arrival at a new kennels is often linked with the appearance of respiratory disease. In

5/13 cases the greyhound had moved the same day, with signs appearing within a day of the

movement. Again, claims as to how movement impacts this infection will also need to be validated

by more detailed research.

Identification of the primary agent

In none of the cases could a primary agent be determined. Even though Str. zooepidemicus is

capable of being a primary pathogen, it is thought that in most cases there is a primary agent

responsible for damaging the mucociliary escalator. This needs to be coupled with some physical

stress in order for the secondary agent to colonize the lower respiratory tract. Unfortunately the

severity of the lung changes has precluded any investigation into the primary changes.

Further work is needed to attempt to identify the primary agents, which may well be the same as

those responsible for the kennel cough syndrome. The link, if any, with tonsillitis will also need to be

investigated.

Basic Guidelines

• Do not race or exert greyhounds that have even a mild cough

• Do not transport coughing greyhounds

• Maintain biosecurity

• Schedule regular deep cleaning

• Use seven day quarantine for new arrivals

• Monitor greyhounds after their quarantine as they mix with the rest of the greyhounds

• Monitor greyhounds for 3‐4 days after racing

• Seek veterinary advice immediately if there are any signs of illness or respiratory disease

Further advice and information will be released in due course.

 

[wild whippies]

Thanks Galty, I'd been checking occasionally for updates and was wondering what was going on. :thumbsup:

 

[daffydill]

surely most kennels adopt these policies ? we dont let any of our dogs even mix if we think theyre coughing. no way would they be transported either.