The Greyhound is a breed that has long been used for racing, in part due to its natural affinity for running as fast as possible, but also due to its temperament and how easy they are to train to race. Most Greyhounds that participate in racing on a professional level almost always tend to be pure-bred, and like with any pure-bred animal, it’s prone to a number of ailments, disease, and disorders that can hamper the animals ability to race.
Greyhound trainers and breeders are well-accustomed to managing these disorders, making sure that their animals are as healthy as possible so that they aren’t forced into early retirement. But no matter what precautions are taken, it’s very common for Greyhounds to develop these problems, especially later on in their lives. Here we will look at some of the more common sicknesses that Greyhounds suffer from as a breed.
Eye Disease
There a condition that Greyhounds can develop that’s known as Pannus, and they are, in fact, one of the few breeds around that suffer from this specific eye disorder. If it developers within the animal and is not treated quickly, it can very often cause them to go blind permanently, so it’s a fairly serious condition that a breeder or trainer will always be on the look out to. It usually begins when the dog is between two and five years old, and when it starts, the edges of the corneas will become more pigmented, appearing similar to freckles in some ways. There is no cure for the disease, although modern treatments can reduce the progress of the disease.
Bloat
One of the most common health issues that plagues not just Greyhounds, but any dog breeds that are medium to large, bloat may not seem that serious at first, but it can quickly progress to sometimes become deadly, and should be treated as quickly as possible
Greyhounds seem to suffer from bloat more often than other breeds, and it’s caused when gas and air enters the stomach of the animal, forcing it to expand. This can in turn lead to gastric torsion after the stomach twists around on itself, which can cause a disruption to blood flow. When this occurs, the animal can deteriorate in a very short amount of time, going from perfectly okay to dead in just a few hours.
Fortunately, it can usually be prevented by feeding the animal at a higher level off of the floor, and if it does occur, there is a medical procedure that a vet can administer to fix the problem, although a breeder might need to play a few games at https://canadiancasinosites.net/roulette/ to pay the bills. It it happens, it’s vital to get the dog to a medical expert as quickly. Another preventative procedure can ensure that the problem does not happen in the future.
Bone Cancer
Arguably the most serious of all the health issues that affect Greyhounds, bone cancer is one that strikes often and can be extremely aggressive. The breed has a much higher rate of bone cancer than other breeds of dogs, meaning that it needs to be watched for constantly. Once cancer has been detected, it’s a race against time to administer the necessary treatment to either slow the cancer down or eliminate it altogether.