Common Diseases and Disorders
In general, the Italian Greyhound is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:
Juvenile cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. You may see a cloudy, white color in the pupil, which is normally black. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.
Vitreous degeneration - is a disorder of the eye that results in loss of vision.
Cryptorchidism is a disorder in which only one testicle descends.
Epilepsy is a disorder resulting in seizures.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate, leading to blindness.
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that develops when the pressure within the eye increases which can lead to blindness.
Corneal dystrophy is a primary, inherited, bilateral (both sides), symmetrical condition of the cornea that is not accompanied by corneal inflammation or systemic disease.
Drug reactions to "Thiopentone" can occur. It is recommended that this drug not be used in this breed.
Pinnal alopecia - is a thining of hair around the ears that can coour with age in some dogs.
Color dilution alopecia - Hair loss, loss of pigmentation and inflammation of the hair folliclaes may occur in some areas of the skin.
Life Span
The average life span of the Italian greyhound is approximately 12 to 15 years.
We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.
