Greyhound First Aid

Summer is here and soon we will be outside a lot. AND our greyhounds will be there with us enjoying the nice weather. We think it’s a good time to consider what you would do if your hound gets injured or sick. Often, we don’t think about this until it becomes necessary. And when something happens, we often don’t have the presence of mind to know what to do immediately.

Before going further, please take the time to look in your phone book and find the phone numbers of veterinarians who are located close to you. Post those numbers someplace where they are easily accessible. (This past holiday, we had two hounds that needed vet care and both were located in areas where most of the vets were closed and no emergency services were available.) You may want to call those vets in your area to find out what their hours are and if they take emergency cases.

If you have emergency vet services in your area, please keep the phone numbers handy and learn exactly where they are located in case you need to get there right away. You can find the names of all of the emergency vets that we know of in our area by going to our web site and clicking on our Greytlinks page.

Before you do anything else, check to make sure that all of your vet records are up to date and in one place in case you need them in a hurry. Your adoption folder may be the best place to keep all of your records in one place. Also, make copies of your records and keep a set in your car in case your dog gets sick away from home. Keep copies of any medication that your hound has to take in case you run out while on vacation.

If you want to prepare for an emergency, you can put together a first aid kit that has essential items right in one place. In fact, if you are going to prepare a kit, why not prepare two kits and keep one in your car? It may be one of the best decisions you ever made!!!

What do you put in a greyhound first aid kit? We can help! Listed below are some things that we think would be a fairly complete kit with all that you’ll need. You don’t have to have it ALL but what you have ready to use in case of an emergency could mean the difference between life and death someday. WE HOPE NOT ever, but it always pays to be prepared. Many of the items we suggest you may already have in your home and you can collect. The rest of it can be purchased without great expense. Here’s a list:

GENERAL ITEMS:

• waterproof foil rescue blanket
• wooden tongue depressors
• small magnifying glass
• medium to large scissors
• small (cuticle style) scissors
• travel water bowl
• small towel and washcloth
• latex gloves
• hand sanitizer
• muzzle
• extra collar
• zip lock bags (small and large)
• tweezers (several types)
• eye dropper or oral dose syringe
• rectal thermometer for dogs
• copies of vet records
• suture kit
• pencil and notepad
• instant ice pack
• safety pins or clips
• Thera Paw boot(s) or baby socks
• extra six foot leash
• sharp sterile knife or blade

STERILE BANDAGES AND DRESSINGS:

• vet wrap (2 and 4 inch widths)
• self-adhering athletic bandage - 3 inch width
• self-adhering athletic bandage - 6 inch width
• Telfa, sterile, non-adherent pads (various sizes)
• waterproof tape
• finger sleeve bandages (for happy tail)
• sterile elastic bandage - 2 inches by 4 yards
• hypoallergenic porous tape
• roll of cotton
• gauze sponges (various sizes)
• square gauze pads (various sizes)
• cotton swabs
• cotton balls
• liquid bandage (from vet – Facilitator brand)
• unscented disposable diapers

ORAL MEDICATIONS (check with your vet for correct dosages):

• Pepto Bismol tablets
• Benadryl (25mg. for allergies/insect bites)
• Immodium tablets or
• kaopectate tablets
• low dose buffered aspirin
• Pedialyte
• Rymadil
• Rescue Remedy
• extra prescription medications

WOUND CLEANING SOLUTIONS:

• alcohol swabs
• artificial tears
• hydrogen peroxide - 1% solution
• small bottle of spring water
• Betadine solution (Povidone-iodine 5%)
• ear cleansing solution
• sterile eye wash
• sterile saline spray or solution

TOPICAL MEDICATIONS:

• Ynamite all natural wound salve
• Granulex spray (for treating open wounds that don’t require stitches)
• eye lubricating ointment
• hydrocortisone cream
• bag balm ointment or petroleum jelly
• EMT salve
• triple antibiotic ointment

If you are planning to put together a first aid kit to carry in your car, don’t forget to add a “squawker,” the call that they use at the track to train the dogs to return.  They are a little expensive, but they are worth the money if your dog gets loose.

Since we are on the subject of health emergencies and first aid, don’t forget that your greyhound will not do well in heat. Don’t leave your dog outside on hot days for too long or expose him/her to a lot of sun.

If you plan to take your hound to outdoor events this summer, always be vigilant and pay attention to how they are handling the heat. It doesn’t take much for them to suffer from heat exhaustion (which could really make them sick!). They could even suffer seizures!

If you are going to be out for any length of time, make sure there is lots of shade, plenty of water, and take things easy. If you are hot, they are REALLY hot! Use a spray bottle of water to cool your hound down as well as a cool damp cloth for wiping paws. They sweat through their feet so cool water on their feet will make them feel good and cool them down! Please have fun and be careful!!!

Rainbow Bridge - SWD Houdini (Hattie)

October 1, 2007 - May 21, 2012

We are always sad to report the loss of a dog.  However, this loss is very heartbreaking because Hattie was so young.  She was only four years old.  She became ill several weeks ago and got continually worse over time in spite of numerous vet visits and extensive testing.  She ended up spending time at the emergency vet as the vets there tried to get her temperature down and get her stabilized. But in spite of all of the efforts on the part of all of the vets, it was determined that Hattie was seriously ill and her adopter, Bruce, made the terribly heart breaking decision to let her suffering end.


We all know Hattie well as she was a big part of our volunteer force.  She spent many hours at meet and greet events and other special events winning over people to greyhound adoption.  Everyone in our group loved Hattie as she had such a funny and pleasant personality.  She was a huge part of her family as well.  It goes without saying how much she meant to Bruce and his family. This has been a very emotionally hard time for everyone. But we do know one comforting fact - Hattie had a wonderful and loving home.

Even though she went far too soon, she knew she was loved deeply. We will all miss Hattie but we know that she was the center of the universe in her home.  Rest in peace sweet girl.

Event - YARD SALE!!!!!

It's spring and it's YARD SALE TIME!

If you like yard sales, get ready for a "REALLY BIG" yard sale! Our volunteers have been collecting items for several weeks and we have to say that we now have enough to call this yard sale extraordinary! We have all been filling a large hauling trailer to the brim! And we are still collecting more!


Our yard sale will be held at the home of Jo and CL Long at 6794 Stonewall Court West Adamstown, Maryland. The yard sale will run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Jo and CL live along a major route in Maryland and lots of traffic will be available to lure in customers to buy, buy, buy.


This is a major fund raiser for our group. It will also be a chance for people and hounds to get together. Jo and CL have a beautifully landscaped yard (nearly three acres of level grass!) that hounds will LOVE! We will have a number of x-pens and resting places under trees for all hounds that wish to come along with their adopters while the sale is going on. We will also have hounds looking for their forever homes; come out and meet them!

Unlike other typical yard sales, there will be a huge assortment of new items as well as collectibles. Here is a partial list of items that are available for sale:

Furniture
Electronics
Many new and slightly used tools in boxes
Antique farm related items
Antique Tools
Dog crates
Many like new small kitchen appliances (all work)
Books
Many video tapes and CDs (children's)
Many many new dog related items

If you would like to donate any items to the yard sale, it's not too late! Just call Jo at 301-874-5911 and you can make arrangements to drop items off at the trailer. Some of our items will be priced, but most will be available to buy for whatever donation one wants to give. If you want to donate items the day of the sale, please bring them by.

All sales benefit Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, Inc. Come out and have a good time, meet our hounds and get a GREYT bargain!

Rainbow Bridge - WTD Mello (Xena)

June 23, 2005 - May 11, 2012

We are sad to report that our group has lost another greyhound to osteo. Laura and Arne Borsum had to let their beloved Xena go to the bridge after a short bout with cancer. Xena was only seven years old. She had been limping but her vets did not know exactly what the problem was. She had been treated for pain but did not do well. An MRI finally diagnosed the cancer and it was determined that it was in a place and severe enough that there was nothing more that could be done.


Xena's vet came to their home and Xena was surrounded by the people she loved in the home she knew as she crossed the bridge. Also, one of our volunteers, Megan, was there for support. Laura and Arne are neighbors of Megan. Megan introduced them to greyhounds and they adopted two dogs from our group. Megan was always there to help throughout their ordeal.

Xena's pain is over and she is running pain free. She had a home where she was loved so much.  Rest in peace with the angels sweet girl.

Events - Grapehounds Virginia

Grapehounds-Virginia kicks off in three days in Leesburg-Virginia!

Please plan to be with us for the weekend ...or for the day! You don't even have to be a wine taster to love this event! If you are a wine lover, there are six wineries and a new custom wine glass waiting to welcome you and your hounds!

Here's a taste of what's to come!

Food, music, vendors, beautiful wineries, and hundreds of greyhounds in springtime Virginia!
Sounds like a Grapehounds event!

A huge vendor tent opens at noon on Friday this year at Lost Creek Winery, filled with vendors from as far away as Illinois, Arkansas and Vermont.  This year there are some new vendors who have never before been to a greyhound event!

Our organization will also be vending at this event.  We will have new and unique items exclusively brought in for this event!  Some are one of a kind!
A Welcome Party will be held at North Gate Vineyards on Friday evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m for registered guests, with delicious food pairings from Gourmet Your Way! Saturday, the vendor tent will be open all day, along with food, music, and wine tasting.

If you can't come for the weekend, then get a friend and come for the day on Saturday!
 Bring your greyhounds and a toy, blanket or collar from any greyhound you have lost for a special Blessing of the Hounds by Rev. Susan Carol Roy at 3PM on Saturday.

Claudia Presto from the Greyhound Gang is flying in from Utah to do three seminars for the event! Chat with Claudia about your hounds...

Check out our full schedule at www.Grapehounds.com

There is still some hotel availability in Leesburg, but now is the time to reserve a room! Rates in the area are as low as $75 a night.

Although pre-registration has ended, you can still register at the event.  Registration includes a new Grapehounds stemless or stemmed glass, entrance to the Welcome Party, and wine tasting at six wineries.
All proceeds go to ten area greyhound adoption groups (including FFGR, Inc.) co-sponsoring the event.

For more information, go to our Calendar of Events on our web site.  We hope to see you there!

Diamond Pet Food Recall

http://diamondpetrecall.com/diamond-expands-voluntary-recall/


Diamond Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled several brands produced in its Gaston, South Carolina, plant as a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of customers and their pets. Please refer to the production code number on your bag to determine whether your product is affected by this recall. Please feel free to contact us at 866-918-8756 with any questions. Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any potential issues this may have caused customers and their pets. We will update this website continually so check back often for new information.

BRANDS AFFECTED BY RECALL

Costco, Kirkland Brand Dry Dog foods.
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
Country Value
Diamond
Diamond Naturals
Premium Edge
Professional
4Health
Taste of the Wild

PRODUCTION CODES

If your production code has a 2 or 3 in the 9th or 10th position AND an “X” in the 11th position, your product is affected by the recall. If the product you have does not include a 2 or 3 in the 9th or 10th position AND an “X” in the 11th position, your product is not affected by the recall, and you can continue to feed it as usual.

If you have any questions about this voluntary recall, please contact  Diamond Pet Foods at 866-918-8756.

Event - Hearty Pet Grand Opening

                  GRAND OPENING EVENT TO BENEFIT LOCAL RESCUES

Hearty Pet Sponsors Grand Opening Event, All Raffle Proceeds Benefits The Humane Society of Washington County and Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue

Hearty Pet is having an official Grand Opening for their retail store located at the Premium Outlets, Hagerstown in suite 727, on May 12th and 13th. There will be well over $3,000 of pet products to be raffled off throughout the weekend. All the proceeds from the raffled items will be split evenly between the Humane Society of Washington County and Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue from Boonsboro, MD.

Customers will have the opportunity to win their pets some goodies from brands like: Weruva, EVO, Innova, Worlds Best Cat Litter, The Honest Kitchen, Orijen, Acana, Canidae, Barkwheats, Wapiti Labs, Tiki Cat, Tropiclean, Fruitables, Wellness, Planet Dog, Earthbath, Fromm, Plato and many, many more! Raffle tickets will be available starting at 10am on May 12th. There will be multiple baskets up for grabs. They will range in value from about $30 to $1000! The cost of the tickets will start at $1. All winners will be contacted on Monday, May 14. They will also be announced via our Facebook page and email newsletter.

Hearty Pet will be offering 15% off store wide to all of our customers for those two days in celebration of our official Grand Opening! Amazing door busters will be handed out throughout the weekend as well as free refreshments for both four and two legged guests. (Yes, pets are welcome!) Several product demonstrations will be happening throughout the Grand Opening by representatives from several manufactures. The demonstration will help educate customers on the importance of feeding their pets high quality foods as well as the advantages of supplements and dental products.

Several contests will be held throughout the weekend as well. These will include best pet costume, best pet/owner look alike and cutest pet! Contest will start at 11am on May 12th. We will also have several games for kids such as guess how many pieces of kibble are in a bag of dog food, pin the tail on the dog, and we will even have a face painter present for part of the event! For full list of events and times, go to the Hearty Pet Retail Store Facebook Page or call the store. 301-791-7387.

This event is to support two amazing local rescues as well as promote shopping at a small, family owned and operated business. Hearty Pet offers a wide variety of high quality pet foods, treats, supplements, toys and chews. They have a very knowledgeable staff that is able to assist our customers in picking out the best products for their furry best friends!

Hearty Pet’s mission is to provide all pets with the best possible nutrition and care so that they can live a long, healthy, happy life!

We hope that you will join us for a wonderful event; thanks Hearty Pet!!