This Site Chosen By Microsoft As THE Afghan Web Link for Encarta Saluki Gazelle Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange

SALUKI (GAZELLE HOUND) BREED NOTES

SALUKI NOTES WEEK ENDING 9th OCTOBER 1998

Michael is away on a business trip. so Helen Williams is compiling the notes on his behalf:

As I promised in last weeks notes, I will continue the debate on vWD with an interesting letter from Anthea Akroyd-Hunt: She states:”I must apologise for the lateness of my reaction to your column in ‘Our Dogs’ concerning V.W.D and whether or not we have it within Salukis. I too have to be politically correct; suffice to say, that having myself lost a beloved bitch last year through a blood clotting disorder, I would think it totally irresponsible if we simply closed our eyes to the direct possibility that we could well have this condition within our lovely breed. I personally know of another owner who has a saluki in this country who is a ‘bleeder’ and also a relative of my bitch, abroad.

Knowing now the little I do of V.W.D. and its desperate consequences should an animal be afflicted, I would urge that every responsible owner have their hound tested for both it and thyroid, certainly before mating as a) if the condition is carried by either parent the puppies could perpetuate the problem. b) even minor surgery could kill. My own vet now aware of this condition will now only operate on non emergency cases in Dobermans if the have been tested.

To Show how insidious a ‘blood clotting condition’ can be- may I relate my own case? I had an apparently beautiful healthy little bitch whom I decided to breed from. Before mating she was blood, heart, lung etc. tested and given 110% good bill of health. (no blood problems at this stage).

The pregnancy was never right and resulted in an emergency caesarean when she then haemorrhaged and to save her life was spayed. There was a miracle recovery for her, but the puppies were put to sleep. Some 6 weeks later she developed appalling nose bleeds and believe me, nosebleeds in a dog are most distressing and almost impossible to stem. I was then informed of V.W.D.. She haemorrhaged at the test and then had a haematoma, to add insult to injury, the sample went in a incorrect phial and only a platelet reading was recorded which was virtually nil. So no, I cannot say she had V.W.D. as no further testing was possible due to the risk. However 6 weeks later her rib cage expanded beyond belief and she had bled internally and had to be put to sleep.

I feel I lost a beloved dog through ignorance..please let not others be lost. There is a very real possibility that we may well have a problem within our breed even if it is not actually V.W.D”

The Northern Saluki Open Show was Sunday, 27th September, 1998 and the judge was Mr Dave Barrett. BIS was Mrs A Faber’s Kasaque Huntress of Sufeina. RBIS was Mr & Mrs I Rogers’ Labakan Ikteer Takha, with Best Puppy to Mrs K Webbs Manzemar Mahdi. Best Veteran Mrs K Webb’s Classicus Hermes. Congratulation to all!!

Michael Williams (101547.503@compuserve.com)

GoTo SALUKI HOMEPAGE