Kennel Update

Its become apparent that there have been many trainers over the past few years and dozens of sudden deaths, but only a few

Have gone to press??

And the most worrying is that how many trainers have had these deaths but not reported them, due to being scared of closure of the kennels, which will lead to financial loss, but giving no thought

on welfare and restricting the spread of this disease

This incident has deeply upset me, I've trained  hundreds of greyhound over the last ten years and only had one death(from a twisted gut) whilst in my care, i have top class facilities

And a very proud record.

With only a few cases reported in the press, i think the GBGB should make trainers and owners more aware of how common this infection in greyhounds is, and hiding these deaths is no way forward to find a cure.

This is a horrid situation I've found myself in, at no fault of myself or my staff.

I would like to thank Monmore Green and Sheffield racing office, many of 

my owners for there support and hope the report from Richard Payne ( gbgb vet)

Will help the owners to deal with the

Dogs they owned which have died.

I would like to also thank the 3, (and only 3 trainers) who have rang me to offer support, i would like to stress

I have'nt got the plague and run a very clean, top class kennel facility

The Gbgb vet only temporally closed one kennel, and i could of ran dogs in the finals at Monmore today, but i chose to due to welfare of my dogs and other trainers dogs to close for the 7 days.

Its deeply frustrating and upsetting to find out that other trainers are not happy with the GBGB allowing me to trial my dogs at Sheffield on wednesday

I would like to stress, I'm a professional trainer and would not risk my dogs or other trainers  dogs

With a possible infection.

In fact dogs come first and will always come first in my eyes, 

Not financial gain.

I will make a decision on Monday, if i will run dogs in the trainers championship

I would not like to run my dogs and have them and my staff treated like they're lepers. 

Its true what they say there will never

Be unity within greyhound trainers!!

Maybe if the GBGB report how many greyhounds are dying with this infection, Trainers might look out for each other a bit more and hopefully

With advice from vets, we can get prevent more deaths.

Regards

Chris Allsopp

Dear Chris,

Some notes about CANINE HAEMORRHAGIC PNEUMONIA (CHP).

What we know:

1. It is caused by a bacteria, usually "STREP ZOO" to give it its short name.

2. It is triggered by various stresses such as minor infections, transport and racing.

3. It is not directly linked with kennel cough, as kennels with no kennel cough can still get CHP.

4. It is rapidly fatal and early treatment is essential to effect a cure.

5. Dogs can die within 6 hrs, so they can be normal at say 11pm but be found dead at 6am.

6. Since signs appear quickly and with little warning, the first case comes as a great shock to the trainer.

7. Treatment methods have been well-tested, and most vets will know how to treat it and which antibiotic to use.

8. The key to spotting cases is taking the dogs' temperatures, and checking that they are alert and eating.

9. Normally quarantine is for 7 days, with no dogs permitted on or off the kennels quarantine and isolation blocks.

What we don't know:

A. How the disease gets into a kennel, but it is thought there are carrier dogs.

B. How the disease jumps from dog to dog with no apparent contact.

c. Why we only see 1-2 deaths even in large kennels.

===

The GBGB investigates all cases of illness at a kennels which are reported, and many cases do not get into the press. Controls are put into place without much publicity, so generally the background work is not seen.

Overall there have been dozens of investigations over several years, and most are not due to CHP.

There is ongoing research by the Animal Health Trust into CHP, and the GBGB sends samples to them for testing. (Your samples went there).

In your case, you have done the correct things by reporting the cases, seeking early veterinary attention and requesting myself to attend to advise on disinfection, isolation and quarantine procedures.

I hope this helps you to answer the questions from your owners.

Kind regards

Richard

----------------------------------------------------

Richard Payne MA VetMB AdvCertVPhys CertEdVPT HonFIRVAP MRCVS;
Hon. Senior Fellow, University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science;
Lecturer in Life Sciences, University of Lincoln.

Phoenix Veterinary Services
Thurmaston, Leicester, UK.