Certificate in Greyhound Health, Injuries and Drug Analysis (Certificate, L6, 10 ECTS)

Week 1               Introduction to course; Anatomy of the greyhound

Week 2               Respiratory and Cardiovascular systems

Week 3               Digestive and Urinary systems

Week 4                Diseases and Conditions of the Young and Adult Greyhound

Week 5                 Greyhound Physiotherapy and Managing the Injured Dog

Week 6                The Healthy Greyhound and Signs of Ill-health

Week 7                 Medicines and the Greyhound

Week 8                 Surgical repair of injuries

Week 9                 Drug testing procedures

Week 10             Sports drug analysis and controls

Week 11             Anabolic steroids and modern developments in doping

Week 12             Caring for the sick and injured greyhound

Week 13             Positive analytical findings and follow-up procedures

Week 14             International anti-doping controls in humans and animals

Week 15             Caring for the older retired greyhound

Identify the common signs of ill health and injuries in a greyhound and explain when veterinary expertise/treatment is required

Demonstrate an understanding how to examine and evaluate the more common injuries of the Head/Neck; Forelimb; Hindlimb, Feet/Toes and Back.

Understand the different grades of muscle tear/injury.

Knowledge of the basic changes that occur in muscle fibres/cells following injury and thereafter during the repair process.

Knowledge of the basic science as to how individual forms of therapy (physiotherapy, ultrasound and laser therapies) work, what determines when to use them and understand their limitations as forms of treatment.

Understand the common conditions, how they manifest themselves and the corrective actions/preventative measures to be taken particularly in relation to hydration, dehydration and muscle cramping.

Understand basic differences between diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, helminthes(worms), protozoan parasites and fungi.

Demonstrate an understanding of and explain how to prevent injuries and the proper use of medicines such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and painkillers

Demonstrate an understanding of the proper use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory/painkillers from puppy to geriatric stages of life.

Identify and name the important external and internal anatomical features/organs

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System.

Identify the main bones, joints, tendons and muscles using standardised terminology.

Understand how the bony skeleton, muscles, tendons and ligaments and joints all interact to permit the smooth movement of the racing greyhound.

Identify the main bones and muscles which are subject to injury during racing.

Demonstrate an understanding of the physiology of bone.

Give a basic description of how bone develops from cells and grows and hardens.

Understand how fractured bones heal.

Demonstrate an understanding of the physiology of muscles.

Knowledge of basic muscle structure and what happens within fibres when muscles contract and relax.

Knowledge of causes of involuntary contraction of muscles (cramping).

Describe the various body systems and have a basic knowledge of the physiological functions of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary and musculoskeletal/neurological systems.

Demonstrate an understanding of the Respiratory System.

Name the various parts, describe how they are connected and function in delivering oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the bloodstream.

Knowledge of the unique anatomy of the larynx, bronchi/bronchioles and how this enhances the functioning of breathing.

The importance of the system in controlling a dog’s body temperature through the mechanism of panting.

Demonstrate an understanding of the cardiovascular system.

Knowledge of the production and functions of the components of blood: red/white blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Understand the circulatory system and function of the heart, blood vessels and lymph vessels.

Demonstrate an understanding of the Digestive System.

Knowledge of the functions of the teeth/mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas and large intestine.

Knowledge of how food is converted from its raw state when eaten to being digested in the stomach and small intestine through exposure to acids and various enzymes.

The importance of the liver in filtering nutrients that are absorbed into blood from the small intestine and also its role in breaking down sugars and fats into useful compounds.

Demonstrate an understanding of the Urinary System.

Understand the basic functioning of kidneys and the particular importance of an adequate intake of fluids by a racing greyhound.

Explain how and why therapeutic medications are administered to canine athletes and be familiar with the different canine regulatory approaches to drug control

Stimulants and Sedatives/Tranquillisers — Why they are used and the nature of the substances used; Other substances used.

Drugs which act on (i) the autonomic system, (ii) the cardiovascular system, (iii) the central nervous system.

Drugs which act on (i) the coagulation of blood, (ii) the gastro-intestinal function, (iii) the immune system and its responses.

Analgesics, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Antibiotics, synthetic antibacterial and antiviral drugs.

Antihistamines; Antimalarial and other antiparasitic agents.

Cytotoxic substances; Diuretics; Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts.

Local anaesthetics; Muscle relaxants; Respiratory stimulants; Sex hormones, anabolic steroids and corticosteroids.

Anabolic Steroids — Effects of anabolic steroids and the methodology for the confirmatory analysis of anabolic androgenic agents in racing animals:

Explain the greyhound sampling process and sample transfer to the laboratory as well as key concepts such as withdrawal times, reporting levels, action/decision levels, thresholds, screening analysis and confirmatory analysis

Detection and Analysis — An Overview

1. Sampling: Legal aspects; Chain of custody; A and B (i.e. split) sampling procedure; WADA procedures; Out-of-competition testing;
2. Sample Matrix: Urine; Blood; Hair; Saliva; Other matrices; Relative merits of different matrices.
3. Screening Methodologies: Extraction of prohibited substances from matrix; Solid phase extraction (SPE); Drug metabolites; GCMS and LCMS as screening techniques.
4. Confirmatory Methodologies: Legal and scientific requirements for a confirmatory method; GCMS and LCMS as confirmatory techniques.

Lectures – 15 weeks x 2.5 hours per week in a blended learning approach

Site Visits – 3 site visits during the duration of the program

Laboratory – 6 hours per module

Worksheets/Multiple Choice Question’s

Practical Evaluation

Interview

€1,000 -Students will contribute 25% of the fee, €250. 75% of the fee, equating to €750 will be covered by Greyhound Racing Ireland for eligible participants.