Mammary Tumors

I make it a point to regularly check the undersides of my older female wolfhounds’ abdomens and teats for any signs of mammary tumors. In my lineage, I've noticed a pattern with certain bitches appearing more prone to developing these tumors. Detected early, I have them surgically removed and biopsied, usually revealing benign or mixed cell types. I ensure these tumors are taken out, and thanks to this proactive approach, my bitches typically live to around 10 years without any cancer issues.

Make it a routine to check your females every month to catch any nodules early! If you notice a nodule that feels hard between your fingers, even if it's smaller than a marble, it's important to schedule an appointment with the Veterinarian. They will examine it, confirm its presence, and may schedule your female hound for minor surgery if needed. However, I usually do not sit and wait to see if it gets larger. I have it removed.

Ballyhara Kellyanne

On this surgery topic, it's crucial to first check out my insights on anesthesia for Wolfhounds. Many veterinarians who aren't familiar with Sighthounds mistakenly believe there’s no difference in how to sedate or anesthetize them compared to typical breeds. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. With Sighthounds, the saying, “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” is so applicable. It means that the veterinarian must step out of their usual comfort zone and into a different realm of diagnostics and care altogether.

As a devoted owner, you must stand up for your Wolfhound, as they are unable to advocate for themselves. Being informed is essential. You must familiarize yourself with specific medications and understand their sensitivities to sedation and anesthesia. This knowledge is crucial. Read more about all of this on my anesthesia webpage here on Ballyharairishwolfhounds.com.

For example, in any major surgery on a Wolfhound, unless you have tested for and have knowledge that your Wolfhound does not carry the Delayed Post-Operative (DEPOH) gene then the Veterinarian should administer either Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar®) or Tranexamic Acid, (Lysteda®) one hour before surgery via IV and then the Owner administers it orally every 8 hours afterward for five days. Many veterinarians are unaware of this issue and mistakenly believe that a pre-surgical coagulation panel, consisting of a combination of PT, PTT, and possibly von Willebrand factor testing, is sufficient. Again, they would be very wrong — instead, this could be a life-threatening mistake.

Many veterinarians typically administer Torbugesic as a pre-anesthetic to ease the anesthesia process. However, I do not permit this for my Wolfhounds due to their adverse reactions to opioid medications. They often experience respiratory depression, and one of my females even had a severe anaphylactic reaction that raised concerns about her tongue swelling and potentially choking her. As a result, all my Wolfhound records at the veterinary clinic are clearly marked with a "DO NOT ADMINISTER OPIODS" directive.

We administer propofol to induce sedation directly, and the hound is monitored constantly with EKG, PaO2, SpO2, and blood pressure. Even though propofol is a fast-acting agent with rapid recovery for most breeds -- it can be prolonged in Sighthounds. Mine can take a minimum of 30 minutes, even after minimal propofol induction, for a simple surgery such as removing a nodule. I also decline the typical pain relievers during the surgery and for the hound afterward.

Instead, depending on the surgical procedure (not to include a C-section), I have used Tramadol and Gabapentin in the past with good success, as well as Deramaxx as a pain reliever. An interesting side note about Tramadol is that if your hound has Kennel Cough, also known as Adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), then Tramadol is prescribed to relieve the coughing.

Years ago, I had one or more hounds who tolerated Meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, without any issues. However, everything changed with Ballyhara Kellyanne, who produced two litters for me. She had a shocking and severe reaction to Meloxicam. Since then, I’ve stopped using it in my bloodlines entirely, as her response panicked us, and her offspring could have inherited the same sensitivity. Similarly, I avoid using Rimadyl or Carprofen; I am aware that, in certain breeds, their side effects can include seizures, vomiting, black tarry stools, and jaundice.

If you notice a nodule on your hound, don’t hesitate to address it right away. It’s common for female dogs to develop several nodules on their mammary glands, so don’t be too alarmed if you find more than one. For the latest information on mammary tumors, be sure to check out the resources available from the AKC Canine Health Foundation, New Treatment Strategies for Canine Mammary Tumors.

Amicar and Post-Operative Bleeding in Irish Wolfhounds

Within the Ballyharaiws.com website, I have an entire section dedicated to  Irish Wolfhound Health Concerns along with Spay Neuter Concerns, in which both contain essential recommendations and precautions all Wolfhound owners should take BEFORE any elective surgery on their Sighthounds. You will find reports about the Greyhound and Scottish Deerhound authored by John Dillberger, DVM on the dangers of Post-Operative bleeding in Sighthounds and the drug that should be administered immediately following any surgery.

In the late 2000s, disproportionate cases of postoperative bleeding were taking place in Greyhounds one or two days after surgery in which affected dogs formed normal blood clots but then dissolved too quickly resulting in early deaths. Foremost, in the Greyhound studies, Blood Clotting Function was tested before surgery, and results were normal as were their Serum Chemistry Profiles and Complete Blood Cell Counts.

Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar) is a drug vital to Sighthounds most often when you least expect it such as after routine spay neuter surgery or more complicated operations in areas prone to more profuse bleeding. The drug prevents or treats delayed postoperative bleeding usually given every 8 hours for five days. Without having taken Amicar, I know of at least two Wolfhounds who, after surgery, one or two-days later "bled out" and died and their blood clotting tests, CBC, etc. were also normal.

According to the report, Gazehounds with high-performance circulatory systems have thick blood moving at high speed and under high pressure. Consequently, they have more frequent blood vessel damage and micro-clot formation. As a consequence these Gazehounds almost certainly have fibrinolysis systems that are hyperactive, putting them at risk for delayed
postoperative bleeding. The clots form but begin to dissolve far too early leaving the hound in jeopardy. Typically, the hound goes home with the owner, but complications begin approximately 24-36 hours later, and hounds have been found dead having bled-out.

The Board Certified veterinarian I spoke with explained that they believe it is a recessive genetic mutation which you CANNOT possibly know exists, regardless if "You have never had it before." Remember, each of your hounds do not inherit the same genes as the other another from each Parent. It is possible that one littermate may inherit such mutation associated with high-performance circulatory systems and another does not but one thing is certain, you can never be sure. Do not risk not using Amicar, otherwise, you could wake up one day to find your beloved companion has died.

Keep foremost in mind that Amicar is a SPECIALTY drug that most veterinary practices do not usually have in stock unless they are a specialty clinic. As such, Amicar MUST be ordered in advance and kept on hand at your local facility in case of an emergency such as Bloat surgery, and it is 3:00 in the morning.