Understanding Greyhound Health

Greyhounds are one of the oldest and most elegant dog breeds, renowned for their incredible speed and graceful appearance. Due to being bred for athleticism and sleekness, they’re one of the healthiest dog breeds. However, like all breeds, they come with their own unique set of health traits that owners should be aware of to provide the best care.  

Greyhound Blood: A Lifesaving Gift  

Greyhounds are known to be the ‘superheroes’ of the dog world. They’re exceptional blood donors, their blood often being in high demand for transfusions. This is due to their blood type being considered a universal type and suits most breeds of dogs. Due to their healthy blood profiles and large veins, they’re ideal candidates for blood donation. Their blood contains specific proteins that make it especially valuable for treating conditions like anemia and blood loss in other dogs. Retired greyhounds are frequently chosen for donations, and their gentle nature makes them perfect for the process. By donating blood, greyhounds continue to make a positive impact even after they retire. 

Occasionally some greyhounds face blood disorders. This includes conditions like Greyhound-specific anemia or thrombocytopathy (platelet disorders), which can result in abnormal bleeding, bruising or an overall weakened immune system.  

It’s essential for greyhound owners to stay vigilant for signs of blood disorders, which can include unusual bleeding or bruising, lethargy or weakness. Caution is advised as some blood levels in greyhounds are different to other breeds, such as their red blood cell count being higher than other dogs. Be careful when attending vet visits as this can often be forgotten about. 

Heart Issues in Greyhounds: Cardiovascular Health

Greyhounds are known for their gentle and sweet nature, and this could be because they have a larger heart than most dog breeds. Vets have done a study and most dogs’ heart sizes are between 8.5 to 10.6 vertebral heart size (VHS). However, greyhounds have a larger heart, with a range of 9.9 to 11.1 VHS, which is considered normal for the breed. It’s also said that their larger heart does not come from training and their racing days, as it occurs in both trained and non-racing greyhounds and stays larger even when they retire. Studies suggest that this trait is genetic, rather than acquired. 

Heart problems can occur in greyhounds. They often have mild heart murmurs and it’s not a cause for concern. A study in 2006 found that many greyhound blood donors had a mild heart murmur (grade 1-2/6) without any signs of heart problems when having tests. The study also discovered that greyhounds with murmurs had faster blood flow in the aortic valve compared to those without murmurs. However, these murmurs weren’t linked to any birth defects or serious heart issues. This means that these heart sounds are common and are usually just a breed characteristic, not a sign of heart disease. It's important for vets to keep this in mind to avoid misdiagnosing greyhounds and giving unnecessary treatment. Which can be common if you don’t go to a greyhound-savvy vet. It is important to know your greyhound's resting heart rate and to keep a regular eye on it so you can inform the vet of any changes.

Osteoarthritis: Mobility and Joint Health

This is the most common medical issue with elderly greyhounds - or any long-boned dog for that matter. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease and is a common condition among older greyhounds and can affect their hips and back legs. This is a factor to remember when they get older.  

OA can cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility, making it difficult for greyhounds to perform their usual activities. Any greyhound or sighthound can develop OA due to genetics, age or injury. You can try to avoid (or prolong) OA by making sure you keep up the regular walking to keep their joints and muscles working and weight management. We recommend you consult your vet if you feel your dog would benefit from joint supplements that may contain Green Lipped, Muscle Manganese and Glucosamine. Plus, you can enquire about physiotherapy or further medication.  

 Corns on Pads: A Painful Walk 

This is another condition that affects some greyhounds. Corns are thickened areas of skin that develop on the pads of the feet, usually on the pressure points where the dog’s feet make contact with the ground on their walks.  

The cause of corns in greyhounds is thought to be due to their long legs and slim build when they walk on hard surfaces such as the outside pavement or wooden flooring. You can try to prevent corns from forming by maintaining regular foot care by trimming nails, keeping paws clean and dry and minimising exposure to hard surfaces. You could also try using special balms that keep the pads soft. However, it’s important to not make the pads too soft as you want your dog to have some protection when walking outdoors.  

Treatments for corns are available, you can try home remedies, such as soaking paws in warm water with Epsom salts, applying soothing balms and wearing protective booties on walks. You can also consult the vet, and they may advise a surgical corn removal or tendonectomy.

Single Layer Fur: Keeping Warm

Unlike many dog breeds, greyhounds have a single-layer coat that is short, smooth and relatively low-maintenance. While this coat provides them with a sleek and aerodynamic appearance, it also leaves them vulnerable to skin issues. Without an undercoat to protect them, they can easily develop cuts or scrapes from playing too rough or walking into something.  

Additionally, the lack of a thick coat means greyhounds have less insulation in cold weather. This is why they’re known as one of the most fashionable dog breeds, as they will happily wear a fleece, snood or pyjamas to keep them warm at nighttime and on walks!  

Greyhounds are low-maintenance and don’t require many vet visits and attention. Hopefully, the above will help you to monitor and maintain your dog's health for a happy future. Your local adoption centre and vets are always nearby to advise you if necessary.