A greyhound loving vet for Annandale

Our hospital at 10 Ramsay Road, Five Dock is about a 15 minute drive from Annandale via Parramatta Road. Inner West streets are full of greyhounds these days, and plenty of them live in Annandale's terraces, where their calm, gentle nature makes them wonderful city dogs.

At Five Dock Vet we absolutely love working with greyhounds. They truly are the most noble of dog breeds and they always know how to make us laugh. If you have recently adopted a greyhound, or you are thinking about it, we would love to meet your long legged friend.

Are greyhounds good dogs for a small house or terrace?

Often, yes. Despite being built for speed, most retired greyhounds are real couch potatoes who are happy with a couple of walks a day and a comfortable bed. They are generally quiet and gentle, although every dog is different. Greyhounds have very little body fat and short coats, so they feel the cold. A coat for winter walks and a soft, padded bed will keep them comfortable, and help protect their bony elbows and hips from pressure sores.

What should I do when I first adopt a greyhound?

We recommend bringing your new greyhound in for a health check within the first few weeks. At this visit we can:

• Give them a full examination and check their weight
• Look at their teeth, as many retired racing greyhounds have dental disease
• Check their feet for corns
• Make sure their vaccinations, worming and flea and heartworm prevention are up to date
• Check their microchip details have been updated to you
• Talk about diet, exercise and settling into home life

Why do greyhounds have different blood test results?

Greyhounds naturally have higher red blood cell levels and different kidney and thyroid values compared to other breeds. A vet who isn't familiar with greyhounds could mistake these normal results for disease. All of our vets and nurses know the normal values for greyhounds, so your dog won't have unnecessary tests or treatment.

Is anaesthetic safe for greyhounds?

Greyhounds need special care under anaesthetic. They have very little body fat, can be sensitive to some anaesthetic drugs, can develop electrolyte problems, and have an increased risk of bleeding after surgery and dental procedures. We use greyhound specific anaesthetic and pre-surgery protocols, and monitor electrolytes during surgery, to keep them as safe as possible.

What are corns in greyhounds?

Corns are hard, painful lumps that form on the pads of the feet, and they are very common in greyhounds and other sighthounds. A greyhound with a corn will often limp, especially on hard surfaces like footpaths. There are several ways to manage corns, and for dogs who keep getting them we can perform a surgery called flexor tenotomy, which takes pressure off the affected toe.