The stresses put upon the gentle greyhound go far beyond the physical exertions they demonstrate in the name of sport. Greyhounds have an upbringing like no other dog, housed, handled, fed and competed in a specific regime for a singular purpose.
Immediately post rescue
There will be both physical and mental stress affecting your greyhound. Recently rescued greyhounds are usually underweight, often with poor teeth, skin and coat and evidence of numerous injuries, sometimes one significant enough to have caused retirement. On top of having health issues to deal with, there's so much a greyhound has to learn about being a pet and not a commodity - mirrors, stairs, slippery floors, table manners, different dog breeds, playing with toys! Some greyhounds remain in kennels before being rehomed and some lucky ones get to learn the ropes of being a house dog through greyhound rescue groups and a network of foster carers. The rehoming process can be mentally very stressful for this sensitive breed.
Injury, arthritis and exercise in greyhounds
During its racing career a greyhound is likely to have experienced muscle trauma. Scar tissue forms as muscle heals and once an area has had a trauma, there is a greater likelihood of reinjury. Often carrying a myriad of old injuries and scar tissue, greyhounds will have lots of undetected muscle soreness and undoubtedly early onset arthritis.
Once rescued, greys experience a huge change in their exercise regime. Even short walks can feel like endurance work to a grey and the occasional sprint becomes something which they are not conditioned for. Coupled with the mental stress of rehoming the gentle greyhound is expected to cope with a lot.
Canine remedial massage and laser therapy for greyhounds
We recommend a quick visit to your vet for a health check with any recently rehomed grey and remedial massage with DogsBody Health to help make the transition just a little bit smoother. Remedial massage treatments can address areas of scar tissue and muscle soreness, help with pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and have a calming effect on the nervous system to relax and de-stress your hound.
Laser therapy is particularly suited to greyhounds as the treatment itself is not in the slightest bit uncomfortable. Any greyhound parent who has heard the greyhound scream of death will know that gentle, non-invasive teatments are often suited to a grey's sensitive nature.
Helping your greyhound live their best life
Both canine remdial massage and laser therapy will assist in your greyhounds arthritic pain and manage old injuries. Treatments are beneficial for all greyhounds, regardless of whether they are recently rescued or were rehomed a long time ago. Greyhounds deserve the very best in life after the terrible start they get and we hold a very special place in our heart for these wonderful dogs. Please contact us to make a booking - it'd be an honour to meet your long boi bendy snoot speed noodle.
