Early detection leads to a happier pet and an easier, more affordable treatment plan. Your dog will appreciate the TLC they receive from living in a loving family home but are used to ripping down the racetrack, so youll need to make sure you find time for your dog to run! Osteosarcoma in dogs will require aggressive treatment to keep it from being fatal, which will usually require the amputation of the affected leg and chemotherapy. [email protected] He may even experience sudden paralysishe may drag his back feet or be unable to get up or use his back legs. If your Greyhound is affected, he may throw up tube-shaped portions of undigested food. If your dog has a seizure, carefully prevent him from injuring himself, but don't try to control his mouth or tongue. By insuring your Greyhound with PDSA youll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UKs neediest pets. Being curious and careless are also Greyhound traits. The disease is caused when the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. Of course, we cant cover every possibility here, so always check with yourCentral Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital medical team if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms. Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Needlenose live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We may also recommend a special diet as part of his therapy. Greyhounds have a number of idiosyncrasies that can increase the risk of anesthesia. They are the world's fastest breed of dog. They can make wonderful pets. Tartar build-up, bad breath, red gums, or broken teeth, Itchy skin (scratching, chewing, or licking); hair loss, Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping, Fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes, Scratching or shaking the head, tender ears, or ear discharge, Inability or straining to urinate; discolored urine, Cloudiness, redness, itching, or any other abnormality involving the eyes, Dry heaving or a large, tight, painful abdomen, Stiffness or reluctance to rise/sit/use stairs, Any abnormal shaking, trembling, or excessive involuntary tremors. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. We will describe the most common issues seen in Greyhounds to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. Brush her coat as needed, at least weekly. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Resource Articles 2022 GeniusVets. There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. It might be a good idea to have it done as a preventative measure should your dog encounter this serious Greyhound health issue. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays or a puppy tooth extracted, this would be a good timeits more convenient for you and easier on your friend too. Well clean your dogs teeth regularly and let you know what you can do at home to keep those pearly whites clean. This means your Greyhound is more at risk than other breeds. Glomerulonephropathy is an inherited disease that slowly damages your Greyhound's kidneys, causing them to fail, often at an early age. To maintain this rate, dont overfeed him and dont supplement with additional calcium. They are also often misdiagnosed as heart disease when none is present if the vet is unfamiliar with what is normal for a Greyhound. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. One of the best things you can do for your Greyhound is to have her spayed (neutered for males). The main thing with adopted race dogs is to maintain their weight. The have ultra-thin coats on top of their skinny frames that contain almost no body fat, so if you live in a cold climate area, make sure you have a sweater for your dog for when you go outside. If you see these symptoms, dont wait! Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an immune system disorder common in Greyhounds in which the intestinal lining becomes overrun with immune system cells called lymphocytes and plasmacytes. Wed also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppys parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line. She can have a high prey drive, so she needs to be leash walked and a sturdy fence is a must. This goes for both puppies and retired racing dogs you should be able to check on the history for reach. Toenail and pad issues are extremely common in racing Greyhounds. They can cover many miles very quickly and will ignore your recall if they are in the middle of a chase. While much of how healthy your dog is will depend on whether or not he is a retired racer, many health conditions are actually hereditary. This is because they quite literally have big hearts, and often have high blood pressure. Tags: greyhound health issues, greyhound problems, italian greyhound health issues. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. For thousands of years, Greyhounds have been bred to hunt by sighting and then outrunning their prey. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach through downward contractions. At first glance, you might think bloat is a minor condition and nothing to worry about. Tick diseases are usually easily treatable with antibiotics if caught early, so make sure to have your adopted dog tested right away just in case. There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs. There are many non-hereditary health risks that come along with adopting a retired racing dog. Because damaged kidneys leak protein, we may be able to diagnose this disease by annually testing your pets urine for excessive protein. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Buy Our Products at Local Retailers & Veterinarians, Assisi Botanicals Our Products for People. Call us at (512) 892-9038 or call an emergency clinic immediately! Early detection is critical! Among the more serious Greyhound health issues is Osteosarcoma, which is an aggressive form of bone cancer. If caught early enough, the dog could live on for some time after amputation, but if not, this form of cancer is almost always fatal. Receive 25% off your next order when you share your testimonial with us! Routine blood testingprior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Puppies can develop health issues even if they come from the healthiest of lines, but choosing a reputable breeder who is committed to proper breeding practices at least gives you the best foundation for a healthy dog. Commonly thought to be an inherited condition, Pannus typically starts to appear when the dog is around two to five years old. Among the more serious Greyhound health issues is Osteosarcoma, which is an aggressive form of bone cancer. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea is common, or symptoms may flare up suddenly and then improve again for a time. This sighthound is a popular racing dog bred for sprinting rather than endurance. Greyhounds are particularly prone to developing arthritis, but various treatments are available. Healthy Greyhounds may also have lower-than-normal thyroid readings, so your veterinarian should be familiar with Greyhound health anomalies. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. They make excellent house pets. Many older dogs have arthritis, and bigger dogs tend to have more pain and disability than smaller ones. Obesity can be a significant health problem in Greyhounds. Greyhounds also are known to be greatly stressed during trips to the vet or if they need to be hospitalized, which may also play into their sensitivity. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. When it is time for a dental cleaning, surgery, or minor procedures such as suturing a wound, anesthesia is usually necessary. Make the most of your preventive abilities to help ensure a healthier dog for life. While it does very well on leash and doesn't require a lot of exercise, the Greyhound makes an excellent jogging companion. Cancer is a leading cause of death among dogs in their golden years. Greyhounds are one of a few breeds that are known to develop an eye condition called Pannus, which can lead to blindness if it goes untreated. To learn more about reward-based training for your dog, visit our dog behaviour page where you can pick up plenty of tips to help you and your canine companion better understand each other. Greyhounds are a healthy breed and have no genetic difficulties, unlike many other pure bred dogs. Just as humans can have extra teeth, usually called wisdom teeth, some breeds of dog can have extra chompers as well. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. If you notice any unusual eating behaviors or vomiting after eating, be sure to let us know. Greyhounds are a member of the Hound breed group. Your dog may retch or heave (but little or nothing comes up), act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position (front feet down, rear end up). Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. 208217 & SC037585, Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from. Our nutritional products are available for purchase worldwide. She has low grooming needs. Greyhounds love riding in cars and are very social animals; they want to be with you as much as possible and will enjoy learning all about their new world. For your canine friend, these parasites can cause pain, discomfort, and even death, so its important that we test for them on a regular basis. Exercise your dog regularly, but dont overdo it at first. Possessing a graceful, athletic body, a Greyhound at top speed is breathtaking. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Noses get into everything! If this occurs, surgery may be required to fix the problem. Unfortunately, dogs with megaesophagus commonly inhale bits of food while eating and can develop severe pneumonia. By knowing about health concerns specific to Greyhounds, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. This is not at all a declaration that you are more likely to get an unhealthy dog by adopting, it just means you will potentially be without any proof of having a healthy family line. For this reason, they must be kept on a leash unless they are in a fenced area, and must NEVER be placed on a cable-run or other type of tether. As with balding men, the hair gradually falls out and does not grow back. Greyhounds are more likely than other breeds to have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, which may occur independently or be caused by another disease. If we dont prevent or treat dental disease, your buddy may lose her teeth and be in danger of damage to her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints. Dont worrywell show you how! Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. The potential health problems that Greyhounds are prone to include: For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. For starters, you should do everything you can to look into your Greyhounds health history before you bring him home. But beyond that, what can you do? In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. Osteosarcoma is a. Pannus is like a suntan on your dog's eyeball. First vaccinations and booster vaccinations, 5 Star Pet Insurance* - from the vet experts. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Greyhound. They should also have addition confirmations from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) to certify that the dogs eyes checked out normal. Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. Greyhounds are just great, for many reasons: But put on the brakes, and think about these common traits: She is even-tempered, quiet, and has a low activity level indoorsan excellent housemate! Despite their athletic appearance and ability, they dont require a substantial amount of exercise. The symptoms to watch out for in your dog include drooling, an inability to purge, signs of pain, abnormal restlessness and pacing, pale gums and licking its lips. The showing of teeth is generally considered a smile, which is a common trait of the Greyhound. Both male and female Greyhounds are prone to genetically patterned baldness. Progressive retinal atrophy gradual deterioration of the retina of the eye. They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Healthy Greyhounds may also have lower-than-normal thyroid readings, so your veterinarian should be familiar with Greyhound health anomalies. It won't help him, and he may bite you accidentally! Because greyhounds have been raised in kennels, a careful introduction into a suitable home environment is a must for successful placements. Greyhounds aren't overly energetic, requiring about an hour of exercise daily. Information contained or made available through the Canna-Pet website is not intended to constitute or substitute for legal advice or veterinary advice. Address: 4434 Frontier TrailAustin, TX 78745. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. And more worrisome still is the fact that Greyhounds are much more likely than other breeds to bloat. The Greyhounds damaged nails and frequently cracked and broken paw pads can be soothed through foot soaks, and other therapies that aim to eliminate bacteria and fungus while promoting healthy paws. A bloated dog can encounter gastric torsion when its stomach twists in on itself, cutting off blood flow. If your friend has diarrhea or digestive upsets that are not explained by more common reasons, diagnostic tests, which may include intestinal biopsy, will be needed. Racing dogs are not required to be tested eye conditions and heart diseases, as breeders are only concerned with speed. You will know what to watch for, and we will all feel better knowing that were taking the best possible care of your pal. You should also provide ramps or steps for your pet from puppyhood on to prevent your dog from stressing his back by jumping on and off of the furniture. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Greyhounds that are prone to certain conditions. Feed a large-breed puppy diet rather than an adult or regular puppy diet. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Greyhounds are typically retired between 2-5 years old and their life expectancy is normally between 12 and 14 years. We know that because you care so much about your dog, you want to take good care of her. Whether you are a family looking for a playful friend, or an individual looking for a devoted companion, a well-mannered greyhound could be just the pet for you. Registered charity nos. The first sign of osteosarcoma is lameness, so dont hesitate to bring your dog to the vet if he develops a limp. For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section. Von Willebrands disease is a blood clotting disorder frequently found in Greyhounds. Greyhounds often have serious problems with their teeth, so youll need to brush them at least three times a week! You should still do everything in your power to ensure your Greyhound has a long, happy, healthy life. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. It typically afflicts middle-aged large and giant breeds like your Greyhound. Sometimes the dogs fur will also become coarse and brittle and even fall out, revealing tough, dark skin. Their puppies must pass heart evaluations and submit a blood sample before they can be given a CHIC number, however keep in mind that receiving a number is not a declaration of good health. We'll watch his eyes closely for early signs and start preventive eye medications if needed. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. The Hound group include breeds originally used for hunting either by scent or sight. Good nutrition and proper exercise are also very important to help reduce bone and joint problems as your pet gets older. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Greyhounds. 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