Italian Greyhound Health Guide
Back to Italian Greyhound OverviewUnderstanding the health profile of the Italian Greyhound helps owners make informed decisions about screening, insurance, and preventive care. Like many pedigree breeds, the Italian Greyhound is prone to certain hereditary and acquired health conditions, most notably Patellar Luxation, Epilepsy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). With attentive care, most Italian Greyhounds can be expected to live 14–15 years. Smaller breeds often enjoy longer lifespans but can be prone to dental disease and patellar luxation; regular dental care and weight monitoring are particularly important.
Conditions Affecting Italian Greyhounds
- Category: Eye Typical onset: 3-8 years Est. treatment cost: £0 (management only)
PRA is a group of hereditary diseases causing progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina. It leads to night blindness first, followed by complete blindness. There is no treatment, but DNA tests exist for many forms.
Key symptoms: Night blindness (early sign) · Reluctance to enter dark rooms · Dilated pupils · Reduced daytime vision · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment - Category: Orthopedic Typical onset: 4 months - 6 years Est. treatment cost: £1,500-£3,500
Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of its normal groove in the femur. It can be medial (inward) or lateral (outward) and ranges from grade 1 (occasional slipping) to grade 4 (permanent dislocation).
Key symptoms: Intermittent skipping on hind leg · Sudden leg lifting · Bunny-hopping · Hind limb lameness · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment - Category: Neurological Typical onset: 1-5 years Est. treatment cost: £500-£2,000/year
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs, characterised by recurrent seizures. Idiopathic (genetic) epilepsy is the most frequent form in young to middle-aged dogs with no underlying structural brain lesion.
Key symptoms: Generalised seizures (paddling, loss of consciousness) · Focal seizures (facial twitching, fly-biting) · Post-ictal confusion · Sudden falling · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment
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