Common Diseases and Disorders
The following diseases or disorders have been reported in the Irish wolfhound:
Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.
Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately.
Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.
Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious heart condition that results in a large, thin walled heart muscle.
Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia of the heart. Can be asymptomatic or associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Pyoderma refers to deep skin infections.
Von Willebrand's disease is a disorder that results in the inability to clot blood. Affected animals will bleed extensively following trauma or surgery.
Osteocondrosis of the shoulder (OCD) is congenital problem that causes degenerative joint disease of the shoulder joint.
Lateral patellar luxation is a disorder affecting the kneecap.
Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that typically arises in the bones of the limbs, or the appendicular skeleton.
Wobbler's syndrome is a malformation of the spine in the neck leading to weakness, staggering and potential paralysis.
Elbow hygroma, a fluid filled swelling of the elbows.
Life Span
The life expectancy of the Irish wolfhound is approximately 6 to 8 years.
We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.
