HEALTH

Italian Greyhounds are small but mighty, versatile and hardy. IGs are long-lived, with many living into their late teens! Like any breed, they do have specific health concerns. With the advancement of veterinary medicine, we can test for many conditions that can affect dogs.

Familial Enamel Hypoplasia (FEH) of Italian Greyhounds

Autosomal recessive amelogenesis imperfecta (ARAI), also known as familial enamel hypoplasia (FEH), is an inherited genetic disorder of tooth enamel that occurs in Italian Greyhounds.  It is characterized by enamel pitting and tooth discoloration; often teeth are unusually small, pointed and prone to increasing gaps between teeth with age. Testing is done by a mouth swab.

Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma (PCAG) in Italian Greyhounds

Primary closed angle glaucoma (PCAG) is a hereditary disease that results from a rapid build-up of pressure in the eye, which causes loss of optic nerve function and retinal ganglion cell loss. The onset of this condition is sudden, painful, and if left untreated will lead to blindness. The average age of dogs at diagnosis is 3.9 years. Testing is done by a mouth swab.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) 

PRA is characterized by progressive degeneration of the photoreceptors in the retina that leads to blindness. On average PRA in Italian Greyhounds is diagnosed at 6.5 years of age. Testing is done by a mouth swab.

Patellar Luxation

The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, either in a medial or lateral position. Dogs can be affected by the time they are eight weeks of age.  Although the luxation may not be present at birth, the anatomical deformities that cause these luxations are present at that time and are responsible for subsequent recurrent patellar luxation. Patellar luxation can be considered an inherited disease. Testing is done by a simple exam by the vet.

Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Some IGs may be predisposed to a type of thyroid disease called autoimmune thyroiditis. This disease occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can be a sign of autoimmune thyroiditis. However, autoimmune thyroiditis can also be a symptom of other disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. This is one of the reasons why getting an accurate diagnosis for hypothyroidism is so important. Testing is done with a simple blood test.

 Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease 

LCP is a disorder of hip joint conformation in dogs. It is most often seen in miniature and toy breeds between the ages of 4 months to a year. LCP results when the blood supply to the femoral head is interrupted resulting in death of the bone cells. When blood flow resumes, the femoral head is subject to remodeling and/or collapse creating an irregular fit in the socket. This process of bone cells dying and fracturing followed by new bone growth and remodeling of the femoral head and neck, can lead to stiffness and pain. LCP is believed to be an inherited disease. Testing is done with x-rays.

Leg Fractures

IGs are known for their slender, sleek bodies, and this includes those long legs! Breaks are more common in young growing dogs, but can occur at any point in a dog's life. Falls from height, bad landings, roughhousing, and various acrobatics can result in fractures. In most cases, surgery is required to repair fractures in IGs, including metal plates and screws. However, with good care, an IG will heal and recover, and be back to acrobatics within a few months.

For information on health issues, and testing, please visit The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals