Dr. j.e. dillberger, chairman

health and genetics
2011 Deerhound Health Survey Results – Part 3
results of our most recent health survey, Table 2. Factor VII Test Results in
199 Hounds
testing and adverse reactions to anesthesia, Test Results
the terms “male” and “bitch” when designating dogs of a particular sex, and the terms “hound” or “Deerhound” when referring to dogs of either or both sexes.
immediately obvious that a hound’s sex does not influence its Factor VII genetic status. Factor VII results are similarly distributed in 3.Serum bile acid testing for liver shunt,4.Urine nitroprusside testing for Factor VII gene is relatively uncommon in the Deerhound population. The results represent 398 Factor VII genes, as each of the 199 hounds has two copies of the gene. Negative hounds had two normal genes, carriers had Table 1 (at the end of this column) presents a one normal gene and one mutant gene, and Thus, there were 321 copies of the normal gene and only 77 copies of the mutant gene in most common health tests are those required for CHIC certification: Factor VII testing, echocardiogram, and urine test for cystinuria. mutant Factor VII gene is uncommon within the Deerhound population. One possibility is cystinuria are discussed in some detail in the hound’s chance of successful y reproducing, so that the gene has been “weeded out” of the population over successive generations. Deerhound is more likely to be tested for Factor VII genetic status than to have had any affects a dog’s reproductive health. However, other kind of health test. The Factor VII test it is possible that a mutant gene could reduce results were provided for 199 Deerhounds, a hound’s chances of reproducing if breeders
and the results are summarized in Table 2. were using genetic testing to exclude carrier and affected dogs from the breeding pool. There is no way to know how often this happens, although I hear about it anecdotal y. If this practice does account for the low effect from anesthesia, either suspected or Deerhound population, then the strategy may confirmed. If the answer was yes, the survey be relatively widespread. Whether or not this asked the person to specify the anesthetic is a wise strategy is hard to say, since it is associated with being a carrier or affected Tables 5A and 5B (at the end of this column) Table 4. Adverse Reaction to
Anesthesia?
No. of Responders
provided for 92 Deerhounds, and the results demonstrate very clearly that cystinuria is a trait that affects only males. None of the 34 As you can see, a male’s cystinuria test result strongly influences his likelihood of developing cystine stones in the urinary tract. A male that tested negative had only a 7% chance (3 in 44) of developing cystine stones, confirmed. If the answer was yes, the survey but a male that tested positive had a 79% asked the person to specify the drug and chance (11 in 14) of developing stones.
Table 3. Cystinuria Test Results in
Tables 7A, 7B, and 7C (at the end of this 94 Hounds
Test Results
Table 6. Adverse Reaction to Drug?
No. of Responders
experienced an unpleasant side effect from a vaccine, either suspected or confirmed. If the answer was yes, the survey asked the person to specify the vaccine and describe the circumstances. The survey also asked about vaccine failure.
included a vaccine against leptospirosis. experienced an adverse reaction to a vaccine, and three dogs were reported to have had a leptospirosis component, and the dog was vaccine fail, while 167 dogs were reported to have had no problems with vaccines. Thus, the incidence of vaccine reactions was 6% and foods, grasses, and dust that began within the incidence of vaccine failure was 2%.
two weeks of vaccination, but the vaccine was not specified. And final y, two dogs vaccine. In two of those dogs, the only effect reportedly got Lyme disease “after vaccine,” was “minor lab value anomalies,” but the but the person did not specify whether or not third dog had confusion and weakness in the the vaccine given was against Lyme disease.
receiving a combination puppy vaccine that The tables at the end of this column contain a lot of detail, and I expect that most people will not read them now. They are published here for future reference, so that the details of the various adverse reactions to anesthetic agents and drugs are available in case they are helpful for anyone whose dog has a similar problem in the future.
Dr. John E. Dillberger, P.O. Box 2118, Nashville, IN 47448-2118 (812) 988-6175
Table 1. Overview of Health Testing for Deerhounds
“Yes”
“No”
Type of Testing
Received
Table 5A. Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia: Difficult Induction or Recovery
Reaction
Anesthetic
Circumstances
All of my Deerhounds go through an excitement phase, no matter how slowly an injectable induction agent is administered, whether ketamine/diazepam or propofol is used, and with or without premedication. There are no deleterious consequences, just thought it might be worth mentioning. That reaction is VERY rare in other breeds.
Kept under anesthesia for 5 hours (!) for a prescrotal urethrostomy. After he came round, he was in terrible shape. He screamed and screamed in a most harrowing way and had to be held tightly. The screaming didn't abate for half an hour— and probably wouldn't have abated at al had the vet not given him a huge dose of butorphenol to kill the pain and make him drowsy. It took 3 days for him to be able to stand up unassisted. Panic, crying, disorientation on waking up, final recovery OK 2 times, third time was death—DIC after spay during C-section, but also difficulty waking up; don't know if anesthetic Dog bloated (not torsed) and got torbugesic after decompression. Seemed to be hal ucinating, was very agitated, confused, and high heart rate for nearly a day. Cyst removal & teeth cleaning. Slow to revive, then had periods of distress and disorientation for approximately 12-16 hours after bringing him home.
Unspecified Hard to wake up from anesthesia.
Experienced difficulty waking after C-section. Vet determined slight overdose of pain medication. Disoriented and weak-legged for 3 days.
Came out of anesthesia prematurely and roughly at beginning of intrauterine fertilization. Procedure stopped. Anesthetic Table 5B. Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia: Other Reactions
Reaction
Anesthetic
Circumstances
Spayed fine at 5 with torbutrol, but when used at 9 to try to take an x-ray, she had a reaction, hyperthermia, which vet reversed. The dog survived.
Unspecified Died of MH during short surgery for eyelid cyst, no barbiturates —sighthound-safe anesthetic, careful y monitored.
hyperthermia Unspecified Not sure of anesthetic.
(MH) Anesthetized once for testing procedure and body temperature spiked to 105+ in very short period, despite icing of support IV and close monitoring. We declined to every have him Unspecified Anesthetized for diagnosis purposes, and developed MH. Unsure Way overly sedated for transcervical AI; needed multiple doses of atropine to keep heart rate at 40bpm for several hours. (Experienced repro vet swore it was a "greyhound" dose.) Butorphenol Developed rapid atrial fibrillation after being given Torbugesic for Unspecified Developed rapid Atrial Fibril ation a couple of days post surgery.
Dog was very sensitive to opiates, and they made her very agitated. She was given them on a couple occasions, once post surgery, and once as a sedative before an echo, and needed a reversal agent.
Unspecified Received an epidural during torsion surgery. We believe she developed meningitis as a result of this procedure.
Table 7A.
Adverse Reactions to Drugs: Neurological and/or Behavioral
Circumstances
Treated for H. pylori, and about 2.5 weeks in, she had some neuro deficits, and became somewhat paralyzed. We eventual y realized it was metronidazole toxicity, discontinued the drug, and she recovered. After several weeks on the drug (to treat pneumonia), dog suffered a complete neuro-toxic event. Starting with inability to walk straight, roaching of back, nystagmus, followed by the inability to stand up or sit upright whatsoever. He nearly died & spent several days in the ICU at the emergency vet. Took several weeks for him to walk without stumbling.
Given for abscessed paw. Behavior became bizarre; personality changes, seemed disoriented, almost demented, almost Alzheimer-y. Returned quickly to normal on withdrawal of the drug. Dysphoric reaction to morphine, reversed with naloxone. Adverse reaction (mental) after using it successful y twice before. Treated for suspected neck pain with 50 mg, three times daily—lethargic, disoriented, walking into things. Did fine, later in summer, on a lower dose (50 mg once a day).
Increased heart rate, unsteady gait, confusion, anxiety, lasted about 2 days.
Given after a coursing col ision, after which had violent dreams and 25 mg given prior to scheduled vet visit. The dose I gave was 1/3 the dose prescribed by the vet, yet he experienced extreme lethargy, wobbly, partial y closed third eyelids for nearly 12 hours.
Wooziness and loss of coordination.
Treated for suspected neck pain over the summer, and had a (suspected) reaction Prescribed to help with skin condition. Caused lethargy, moodiness.
Suspected reaction to pred. Given several times; always got very depressed.
Table 7B. Adverse Reactions to Drugs: Gastrointestinal
Reaction
Circumstances
Dog was being treated for stomach problems. She fell and the senior vet in the practice saw her and decided to treat her for what he perceived to be a spine ailment. He gave her Deramaxx without looking at her chart. Within a few days she was bleeding internally and had to be euthanized because it could not be repaired.
Overdose of piroxicam (Feldene) from primary vet (at that time), resulting in GI ulceration (also acute renal failure).
Treated pain for a perineal hernia and the vet switched between 2 different NSAIDs without a break between. Dog developed tarry stools and was hospitalized for 2 days for supportive care and meds for the bleeding.
Could not be taken for Lyme disease; refused to eat while on it.
Two dogs have been treated with Metronidazole, and both had noticeable loss Anorexia to Baytril (believe prescribed in response to cut on foot). Some inappetance while on Abx of various types (e.g. amoxicillin, doxycycline, cephalexin, clavamox), which was managed by giving homeopathy (nux vomica) before meals, using flavor enhancers (e.g. Wysong PDG). Mild diarrhea was minimized with probiotics between dosings. Became fevered 1/2 day after having been dewormed with drontal, lost appetite, digestive system was "down " (vomiting, very different stool) for Table 7C. Adverse Reactions to Drugs: Other Reactions
Reaction
Circumstances
Overdose of piroxicam (Feldene) from primary vet (at that time), resulting in acute renal failure (also GI ulceration), resolved with ICU care. On maintenance dose of Deramaxx (50mg/day). Cephalexin was given for interdigtal cyst. Blood concentrations increased for urea (to 17.1 mg/dL; normal = 2.5 to 9.6 mg/dL) and creatinine (to 333 mg/dL; normal = 44 to 159 mg/dL) Saline solution given for 24 hours, and levels returned to normal after 3 days.
Severe respiratory distress within 10 min of Frontline application. After being assured by the Deerhound list that Deerhounds do fine on Frontline, we thought it was due to something else. When the next scheduled dose did the same thing, the vet, & we, said "never again". Given after a coursing collision, after which he experienced badly depressed Prescribed to help with skin condition.
Severe allergic reaction to Novo-Lexin (cephalexin) being given for dermatitis.
SMT-TMZ? Sulpha antibiotic. She had a staph infection because of the allergies. We weren't aware the drug was a sulpha. After ten days her skin/eyes went blood red. Rushed her to ER, she was very fortunate to survive.
Not symptomatic on very low doses, but normal doses caused vomiting and diarrhea. Dog died from hemorrhagic pancreatitis, suspected but not proven to be from Rimadyl.
Suspected reaction to pred. Was given several times, and each time would get some type of infection (respiratory, prostatitis, stomach).
Could not tolerate dissolvable stitches/sutures. Her body would simply expel

Source: http://www.deerhound.org/Health/Claymore_Articles/Claymore_Health_Survey_III_FINAL.pdf