With some dog breeds, they’ve got the unfortunate deal in life where they’re more prone to health issues or their lifespan is limited. When it comes to health, Irish wolfhounds tend to have a number of health concerns, and they only live for around six to ten years.
Let’s look at the Irish wolfhound and how susceptible this breed is to health issues.
With this type of breed, there are a number of health problems that owners of this dog should be aware of. Some giant breeds are going to be prone to problems because they’re a lot larger than average, especially older dogs of the breed.
There are a couple of health issues that can be traced back to genetics. Some are a combination of genetic predisposition and the environment that they live in.
What common health problems could be found with this breed? The Irish Wolfhound Club is a great source of up-to-date information, including potential health issues you may have regarding this dog type.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are two health concerns that are fairly common in most dogs with rapid growth. They’re developmental disorders that can lead to the development of arthritis and degenerative joint disease. They can be treated with medication to ease the pain and inflammation caused by the bones not sitting in the joints properly.
A liver shunt can occur when abnormal connections form between one portal of a vein and another vein, which allows the blood to shunt or bypass the liver. This can be caused by a birth defect. Surgery is the best way to help combat this health issue if it occurs.
Autoimmune thyroiditis is where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. A prescription for thyroxine is often required to help combat this problem.
As a primary bone tumour, it usually occurs in the limbs. It can also develop in the bones of the skull, spine or ribcage. With surgery and a course of chemotherapy, this is the best approach for treating this issue.
When it comes to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy is a primary design of cardiac muscle. This leads to a decreased ability to pump blood around the vascular system. Unfortunately, this is a health issue that’s irreversible for the most part and can only be helped with medical therapy to slow down and improve the quality of life of the dog.
There are a number of other common health problems that this breed can have, including von Willebrand’s disease and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Yes! It’s a must for any dog that you insure them so that they’re protected, should something happen to them. There’s nothing more disheartening than not having health insurance and something happening to your dog, whereby you can’t afford the costs of the medical care required.
Even if it’s the basic insurance, it’s better than having none at all.
When it comes to choosing the best insurance for your Irish wolfhound dog, it’s worth knowing these helpful tips to ensure you get the best deal and coverage for your money:
You can seek veterinary advice to find the best insurance cover for your dog.
It’s a shame that some dogs have a fairly short lifespan in comparison to other dogs. The average lifespan of this dog breed is between 6 and 10 years. It’s very little, considering some dogs average around 15-16 years.
This can be difficult for some dog owners to deal with, and as such, you may want to carefully consider whether or not this dog is the right breed for you. However, it’s six to ten years of love and affection that you’ll get from this breed.
If you’re thinking of getting this type of dog, it’s important to be aware of all the health concerns that come with this breed and how it could affect the insurance that’s made available to you. Despite their health concerns, they love dogs that are worth the investment.
Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.