Jethro, the forgotten star of the staying ranks, returns to the track this Thursday night after undergoing revolutionary stem cell treatment.
The Group 1 winning former Tasmanian suffered a wrist injury after finishing close up second to Miata in the 2012 Solo Bold Trease. A series of setbacks has since restricted him to just one start – finishing last in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel in February – and now approaching 3½ years of age his career was in limbo.
“He just wasn’t responding to conventional treatment,” said trainer Kel Greenough.
“It was a persistent problem and we just couldn’t get enough fitness into him without it flaring again. It really looked like that would be the end of his career.”
However a meeting with the developers of the potentially revolutionary stem cell treatment gave the leading mentor new hope to get his star back on the track.
“(Sandown vet) Alistair Smith was good enough to speak to the developers of the treatment and give it a go. It really was the last roll of the dice for the greyhound, and I had to be sure in my own mind that I’d done all I could to get him back to the track.”
While the technique has been in use in thoroughbred racing for some time, it’s still relatively new in greyhound racing. Alistair Smith, who runs the Sandown Veterinary Clinic, has been a leading force in introducing it to greyhound racing.
“The technology has come a long way in a relatively short time,” said Smith.
“Basically, stem cells are cultivated and injected directly into the affected area. The stem cells then integrate into the tissue into which they were injected. This helps to reform the damaged tissue, scar tissue is reduced, the chances of re-injury reduced and the healing processes should occur quicker. The procedure is fairly straight forward in that it’s done by injection, avoiding the need for invasive surgery and the potential associated risks.”
While best suited to recurrent or chronic tendon and cartilage injuries, Smith believes the technology has the potential to treat an even wider range of injuries.
“We’re already seeing the development of specific ‘types’ of stem cells which could see even better results across a wide range of soft tissue injury. As technology improves and becomes more current, we can expect the prices of such procedures to come down too. When the technology first became available, we were looking at greater than $1500 for a treatment. Now, it’s around $700.”
As for results, Greenough couldn’t be happier.
“Jethro’s responded brilliantly, you wouldn’t even know he has had a problem. After a few days it was like we had a new dog, full of energy to the point where we had to keep him on a lead so he wouldn’t do himself any damage.”
Just three months after receiving the hi-tech treatment, Jethro is again ready to compete under the bright lights and the pressures of city racing. While Jethro still has some work to do to get his fitness back to the point of competing with the best stayers in the country, Greenough has no doubt the procedure has been a success.
“I couldn’t be happier with the results so far, so much so that I’ve had another of my greyhounds, Odie For Now, receive the same treatment for a similar injury and he’s back trialling as well as he ever has. I really think this treatment has the potential to prolong the career of many racing greyhounds.”
Could Jethro return to his former heights and claim another Group 1 title?
“He trialled well after the races a couple of Sundays ago and went very well. He still has a bit of work to do before he gets back to full fitness, but you never know!”
For more information, contact the Sandown Veterinary Clinic on 9547 6666.
