If you’re wondering whether the Italian Greyhound is the right pooch for you, you’re probably curious about the health of the breed and what conditions it is most susceptible to.
In this guide, we’ve looked closely at 10 of the most common conditions in Italian Greyhounds and given you some advice on what symptoms to look out for.
As with all other dogs, there are certain health conditions that Italian Greyhounds (Iggys) are susceptible to due to their genetics. However, they are considered to be generally healthy dogs that are less likely to develop serious health issues than many other breeds.
Italian Greyhounds can be prone to certain health issues. Understanding the potential health concerns specific to this breed is essential for any owner looking to provide the best care.
PRA is a common eye disease that Italian Greyhounds are susceptible to. This disease causes the retinas in the dog’s eyes to gradually deteriorate, which can cause dilated pupils and night blindness. It’s an inherited disease, and it can ultimately lead to full blindness.
This genetic disease is a disorder of the blood which prevents it from clotting properly. This can lead to excessive bleeding in affected dogs after cuts or surgery. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for the disease.
This health issue causes the dog’s thyroid gland to overproduce the thyroid hormone. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain and hair loss. It can be treated, but early diagnosis is key, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your Iggy to the vet as soon as possible.
This is one of the most common health concerns in Italian Greyhounds. It is caused by a bacteria known as periodontitis, which results in tooth loss, gum decay and chronic pain. If left untreated, the bacteria can also be released into the blood supply to the heart, which can cause heart disease.
To avoid this disease, you need to take great care of your Italian Greyhound’s teeth and make sure you brush them very regularly. As soon as their adult teeth emerge, you should begin brushing them.
This issue causes the hip joint in affected dogs to form abnormally during growth, which means it doesn’t fit snugly into the hip socket. This causes limping and pain and can lead to arthritis later in the dog’s life.
This is one of the less common health problems in Iggys, but they are still at risk of it. It results in epileptic seizures that seemingly have no cause, and that usually begin to happen when the dog is aged between 2 and 5 years old.
If the seizures are infrequent, then usually no treatment is needed, but for more serious cases, anticonvulsants are often prescribed.
This condition is fairly common in male dogs within the breed. It means that the testicles don’t descend fully, and dogs with this condition are more likely to develop testicular cancer.
Broken legs are very common in Italian Greyhounds due to the length and fragility of their limbs. Although fractures in the knee cap are relatively common, it is usually other areas of the leg, such as the thigh bone, that are at a greater risk of fracturing.
Allergies are very common in Iggys, and they can have severe allergic reactions to things like bee stings and anaesthesia. Insect stings can also cause secondary bacterial infections in dogs with severe allergies.
This condition may not look pleasant, but it’s actually not known to be dangerous. It causes the dog to inhale rapidly and make gagging and snorting sounds, but it’s nothing to worry about.
As with any dog, it’s important to insure your IG to help lessen the financial burden of any medical treatment it requires during the course of its life.
You should make sure you shop around and compare lots of different quotes so that you can find the most affordable option for you.
The average life span for an Italian Greyhound is 13 to 15 years. However, if you protect your dog’s immune system with the correct diet and generally keep your dog in good health, they may well exceed this.
Although Italian Greyhounds are more prone to the conditions that we’ve mentioned in this guide, they are considered to be very healthy dogs in general. If you give them the right love and care and take them to the vet regularly, your pooch should live a long and healthy life.
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