Greyhounds ROCK Fredericksburg to help cure canine cancer

FREDERICKSBURG — Greyhounds from as far away as Connecticut gathered for a benefit event at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center last weekend.

The retired track dogs were not here to run, but rather to help Ohio State University’s race to find a cure for the devastating cancer that plagues the breed.

The fourth-annual Greyhounds ROCK Fredericksburg event derived its name from greyhounds Ricky, Orion and Crooke. The event held in their memory has grown from a simple dessert party to a full-fledged educational seminar.

Forty-four percent of Greyhounds lose their life to cancer, and of those 50 percent die from Osteosarcoma. OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program is spearheaded by Dr. C. Guillermo Couto, DVM, founder of Veterinarians for Retired Racing Greyhounds, and is the recognized leader in Greyhound cancer research and treatment.

Sessions conducted Saturday included Living With Osteosarcoma, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Riding on the Greyhound Underground Railroad.

The Osteosarcoma session was an emotional class for attendees and speakers.

Rhonda Morey’s dog was afflicted with Osteosarcoma and had almost every adverse side effect that can be encountered from the disease and the treatment. She explained that her family was devastated by the diagnosis, but then reality set in as they realized they had no idea how to deal with the treatment. Morey demonstrated the use of a sling to help support your dog as it learns to walk as a tri-paw. But she allowed that one of the most important bits of information she received was how to keep blood from dripping around the house following surgery.

“I was advised to get a tight fitting dog tee shirt and place a sanitary pad under the drain from the wound,” she said.

Although amputation followed by chemotherapy is an accepted course of treatment, Osteosarcoma can quickly metastasize to the lungs. Some dogs are not candidates for amputation or chemotherapy because the cancer has already spread. Even for those that undergo the protocol, life expectancy is usually only about one year.

Morey’s dog Bodie lost his battle with cancer. But she lauded Internet support groups such as Circle of Grey, Hope for Hounds, and Greytalk, for providing tips on post surgery care as well as emotional support. As devastating as this journey is, there is however a bright, shining symbol of hope. For at the other end of the spectrum there is Bosha.

Barabara Heisey’s eight-and-a-half-year-old Greyhound was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in the fall of 2005. And after amputation and follow-up chemotherapy, he is still cancer free. But perhaps Bosha’s remarkable recovery is due to his uncommon presentation. Unlike other Greyhounds, he never had any lameness, pain, or swelling prior to his pathological fracture.

The seminar concluded Saturday evening with a dessert party. Dr. Liliana Marin, DVM, OSU’s Greyhound program coordinator gave the keynote presentation that addressed palliative and curative treatments. She provided information in the latest studies and told the attendees, “Adriamycin has shown promising results post amputation.”

She updated the group on the program’s new website with current Greyhound health information, a recently launched quarterly newsletter, and educational programs. OSU provides a list-serv for Veterinarians for Retired Racers; free consultations and educational programs for Greyhound owners and veterinarians; and free chemotherapy for retired racers with cancer.

A portion of vendor sales, the group’s dinners at Foster’s Grille and Uno Chicago Grille, and proceeds from a raffle and silent auction were donated to the OSU program.

For more information, visit hartwoodroses.com/GRF/index.html.

Marty van Duyne is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.