Choosing an Afghan Hound

Choosing an Afghan Hound

By: Dr. Becky Sweeney

Health Concerns

The following are health concerns and diseases that can be seen in some afghanhound dog:

  • Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

  • Corneal dystrophy causes the appearance of spots on the surface (cornea) of the eye. This condition usually occurs in both eyes and does not affect vision.

  • 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.

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious heart condition that results in a large, thin walled heart muscle.

  • Demodectic mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by a mite. Hair loss and itchiness are common.

  • Congenital chylothorax is a rare disease of Afghan hounds that can cause fluid to accumulate in the chest around the lungs.


  • Hereditary Afghan myelopathy is a degeneration of certain parts of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing pelvic limb ataxia.

  • Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately.

  • Nasal Depigmentation is a seasonal depigmentation of the hair over the nose area that can occur in this breed.

    Life Span

    The average life span for the Afghan hound is approximately 10 to 12 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

     
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