Australian Greyhound Working and Sporting Dog Veterinarians (AGWSDV) Conference 2022

_{Image (L - R): Dr Barbara Backhoy from Langwarrin Veterinary Clinic, and AVA's National Manager of Special Interest Groups Jeffrey Wilkinson}

There were record numbers of attendees at the Australian Greyhound Working and Sporting Dog Veterinarian’s (AGWSDV) 2022 Conference, held on 6 – 7 October, with veterinarians coming from all over the country to learn about the latest innovations in working and sporting dog practice.

“This was the first face-to-face we’ve had in three years, and the turn-out we’ve had has been absolutely wonderful,” said Dr Ray Ferguson OAM, Conference Convenor.

Topics covered spanned several disciplines including anaesthesia, behaviour, ophthalmology, surgery and more. There were practical recommendations including greyhound specific drug doses, as well as updates about fibrinolysis, reproduction and greyhound medicine. While there was a focus on racetrack work, there was also a heavy emphasis on treating retired greyhounds, which nowadays are often rehomed through official Greyhound Adoption Programs (GAP). Since general practice companion animal veterinarians often see readopted ex-racing greyhounds, this has real-world applications for all veterinarians – not just greyhound vets.

^{Image: specialist surgeon Dr Adrian Wallace leads a case-based discussion on orthopaedic issues in greyhounds.}

“This conference brings together a whole heap of very topical subjects, including orthopaedic, behavioural and regulatory, to keep our Australian greyhound vets, and our overseas greyhound vets, up to speed with their continuing education,” said AGWSDV president Dr Chris Boemo.

There was also a key focus on ethics and welfare, with robust discussions about the ethical and behavioural considerations of topics such as amputation and post-injury rehabilitation. Delegates came from all parts of the industry, including “younger vets, jurisdictional vets, as well as treating vets … It’s a good mix of people all pushing in the one direction to maintain the welfare of these dogs,” Dr Ferguson said.

The social aspect was well-received, with delegates having long-awaited catch ups over lunch.

^{Image (L - R): Dr Philip Morrison from Vetora, Dr Phillip Stammers from Mooroopna Veterinary Practice and Dr Brian Vale from Vale Veterinary and Consultancy Services.}

^{Image (L - R): Dr Alicia Fuller, Greyhound Racing NSW's General Manager of Greyhound Development and Advocacy, and Dr W. Anthony Thomas.}

^{Image: Wally Bozzer from Austvet Endoscopy} 

^{Image: Paul Storen from Minitube}

^{Image: the Greyhounds as Pets (GAP NSW) display}

The first day of the conference was rounded out by the presentation of an award to Dr Ferguson. President Dr Boemo presented the award.

^{Image: The AVA's Jeffrey Wilkinson congratulates Dr Ray Ferguson OAM on his award.}

Dr Ferguson founded and was the inaugural president of what was then known as the Australian Greyhound Veterinary Association (AGVA) SIG, and has since devoted much of his career to the industry. For his services, both to the SIG and the wider industry, Dr Ferguson OAM received lifetime honorary membership to the AGWSDV SIG. He is looking forward to heading up to Far North Queensland soon for a long-anticipated fishing trip.

Overall, the 2022 AGWSDV Conference was a huge success. Delegate Dr Aaron Lewis, from the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission said the conference was an “excellent opportunity for a small but widely dispersed industry to meet and exchange ideas as we navigate the modern world of veterinary science.”

See below for a video of Dr Ray Ferguson receiving honorary lifetime membership of the AGWSDV SIG.