The Big Interview - Sammy Rose, Greyhound Vet and Acupuncturist

It's hard to put a start date on the use of acupuncture in greyhound racing. A visit to a physiotherapist has been a regular thing for a long time. It is an important part of first finding any niggling injuries and then them being treated. My dogs all enjoy their spa days and recently they have been sent to Sammy Rose, a vet and acupuncturist for treatment.

Acupuncture in greyhound racing

While working on the greyhounds, Sammy told us that she "qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon 10 years ago from the University of Liverpool. I then went on to gain my Certification in Canine/Small animal and Equine Veterinary Acupuncture under the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists, ABVA. I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy and am currently working towards my MSc in Vet Physio, as well as undertaking my Advanced Veterinary Practice Surgical Certificate."

For most of that time, she has been working on acupuncture as well, mostly on horses, dogs and cats. When it comes to greyhounds, they benefit from a little more regular work. "For working and sporting dogs, weekly sessions are most beneficial to keep them at peak performance."

Watching Sammy work, it is clear that she takes a huge amount of pride in what she does. She is very in tune with the greyhounds, ensuring that they are calm and comfortable with every touch. Something that is important to her is offering an alternative to using too much in the way of medication. 

"I always use Acupuncture and Physiotherapy alongside conventional veterinary treatments, however, I pride myself in often being able to reduce the amount of oral medication needed long term. This will only benefit my patients by reducing the possible side effects on the internal organs from long term medication."

The key is for to learn as much about each of her prospective new patients before treating them for the first time. "During the first session, I will ask you for a complete medical history of your dog and this will include questions about husbandry and daily routine. I will also perform a full clinical examination, including a static and dynamic assessment of your dog. I will then explain my findings to you and discuss the treatment protocol I feel will benefit your dog the most."

There are about 40 greyhounds who are currently seen on a regular basis. A steady flow of them has allowed Sammy to know exactly what it is that they require if they are to perform to their best. 

She said "for working and sporting dogs, treatments may be similar due to the nature of the job that they perform. For example, racing greyhounds tend to hold tension through their lumbar muscles, glutes and hamstrings, but again every greyhound is assessed and treated as an individual and any injuries will also be addressed appropriately."

Often acupuncture is seen as a treatment for older dogs, those suffering from osteoarthritis and the likes. The work that Sammy Rose is doing with racing greyhounds starting to change the way that the treatment is thought about.

Benefits of acupuncture

1. Pain relief by stimulating the body’s own opioid release.
2. Increases blood and tissue circulation around the body, optimising organ function.
3. Aids in neurological and metabolic balance within the body, i.e. maintaining homeostasis; physiological and autonomic balance.
4. Has an anti-stress effect/is a mood-modulator by stimulating the release of oxytocin.
5. Reduces inflammation all over the body.
6. Promotes effective tissue healing.- Improves general wellbeing and demeanour of patients.
7. Helps athletes to perform at their peak.
8. Is a non-invasive treatment with no long term adverse side effects.