The Irish Wolfhound Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare of the Irish Wolfhound. The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest breeds in the world. It is also prone to minor health problems like cardiomyopathy, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), osteosarcoma, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). A disease called liver shunt  is a real concern in Irish Wolfhounds – and it's an especially serious form of liver disease that may not be able to be corrected surgically. There is no implied or express warranty or guarantee of merchantability or fitness for any particular usage, application or purpose. Health Issues: Very healthy dog breed. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run hip and cardiac exams on this breed of dog. The Irish Wolfhound needs a good deal of socialization. The annual health questionnaires are also providing valuable information on other health issues in the breed. With improved chemotherapy treatments some dogs live comfortably for up to two years. Dog training videos. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. Does your Wolfhound suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? Diagnosis is only accurately made with a biopsy and “staging” of the cancer. That's not a bad rate for such a large dog! Dog of this breed has some inherited health problems for example elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. Use the Irish Wolfhound information on this website to learn more about adaptability, health issues, life span of Irish Wolfhound and more. If caught early, acupressure can help relieve the pressure but veterinary care is still necessary. Irish Wolfhound Health & Vet Matters The average life expectancy of an Irish Wolfhound is between 6 and 8 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages. Considering to get an Irish Wolfhound and want to know what are the common diseases or health problems that Irish Wolfhounds are prone to? Thinking of getting an Irish Wolfhound Dog and want to know if an Irish Wolfhound is suitable for your household? However, barbiturates are seldom used in veterinary anesthesia anymore, having been replaced by much safer products such as Propofol. According to dog experts, Irish Wolfhound Dogs score out of 5 in the scale … IWCA 2020 The National That Never Was - Souvenirs Available! As with other giant breeds, they are prone to elbow or hip dysplasia , bone cancer, hypersensitivity to anesthesia or medications, heart issues and liver issues. So feeding Irish Wolfhound should be properly to raise Wolfhound puppy health and prevent or partly prevent this and other diseases. I can’t give you exact amounts as this varies from dog to dog. In the days of barbiturate anesthesia, surgery was considered a risky proposition for sighthounds. Skin problems include allergies (which cause itchy skin and often lead to pyoderma) and elbow hygroma. Regardless of the cause, pneumonia in Wolfhounds is medically difficult because it seems to come on so quickly. The spleen is suspended along the outer curvature of the stomach, and is thought to weight the stomach down and flip it over. It comes on suddenly and can kill a dog in just a few hours. The two primary causes of death in Irish Wolfhounds are cancer (especially osteosarcoma and lymphoma) and heart disease (especially cardiomyopathy). The Irish Wolfhound Foundation conducted a study following over 1,000 Irish Wolfhounds throughout their lifetimes to obtain better information on cardiac disease in the breed. Symptoms are often vague - not acting right, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss - but can be dramatic with greatly enlarged lymph nodes suddenly appearing. See All of Michele's Best-Selling Dog Books, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy, Homemade Dog Food Delivered To Your House, 3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food, Should You Buy Pet Insurance? The Irish Wolfhound dog, which has a lifespan of five to seven years, may suffer from von Willebrand's Disease (vWD), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and megaesophagus. Dilated cardiomyopathy; Portosystemic shunt; Von willebrand's disease; Vision and Hearing Issues Prevalence of 5.6% in this breed compared to 0.16% in mixed breeds and 0.65% in pure breeds Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Irish Wolfhound are... [read more], A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food Contact the IWCA Internet Committee with website questions. Bloat, correctly called gastric dilatation, is often accompanied by twisting of the stomach, called volvulus. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with w… Treatment options at this time are limited and invasive and include removal of the affected portion of bone and replacement with a graft, amputation of the limb, radiation and/or chemotherapy. That's not good. An eyelid disorder called entropion occurs in Wolfhounds. In older hounds it is sometimes considered of no clinical importance, but it can develop into congestive heart failure over a period of time, and should be monitored with chest x-rays and ECGs on a regular basis. Bloat, correctly called gastric dilatation, is often accompanied by twisting of the stomach, called volvulus. In bloat, gas accumulates in the stomach, causing the abdomen to swell. Usually the first sign is limping, and may be accompanied by swelling and heat in the bone. Irish Wolfhounds are sighthounds, in the same group as greyhounds, salukis and whippets. An Honest Review. Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? More traits and characteristics of the Irish Wolfhound. The two primary causes of death in Irish Wolfhounds are cancer (especially osteosarcoma and lymphoma) and heart disease (especially cardiomyopathy). In younger dogs it can develop into cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the muscles of the heart with subsequent enlargement of the heart and eventual failure. Child Friendly: Irish Wolfhounds are kid-friendly dogs. How many vaccinations does your Irish Wolfhound puppy really need? Also hypothyroidism, epilepsy, megaesophagus, and blood-clotting disease (von Willebrand's). Some pneumonias must be treated for two or even three months. Six to eight years is a very short lifespan for a companion dog, but that's all you get with most Irish Wolfhounds. Irish Wolfhound Dog Health Issues. If you are considering the adoption of a Irish Wolfhound puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. My best-selling book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Irish Wolfhound in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. IRISH WOLFHOUND Cardiovascular conditions Dilated cardiomyopathy. The dog tries to vomit, but can't. It is extremely important that we don’t suffer from tunnel vision and focus on the overall health of the Irish Wolfhound, while at all times being vigilant and reporting any new emerging health issues. The milder one is called panosteitis and is usually self-limiting. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more], Make Sure Your Vet is the Best! Bursa on front right elbow. The opinions expressed are the authors’ own and not necessarily those of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc. Information on this website should not be used as a substitute for consultation with your own professional advisors. They are fairly stoic, and even if they are in pain, they may be difficult to diagnose. Although they are a large dog, they often lack confidence and appear fearful especially of new surroundings or new people. But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog. Hip dysplasia also occurs in Irish Wolfhounds. A study may pinpoint one cause, only to be refuted by another researcher. They aren't all high-risk health conditions and diseases for Irish wolfhounds. Irish Wolfhound Dogs Health Problems . They seem to grow quickly and disappear slowly! So what's the best age? What we seek as Breed country of origin Mother Club. It comes on suddenly and can kill a dog in just a few hours. For owners who elect not to have surgery, pain alleviating radiation therapy and medical treatment are available. This gentle giant can reach the size of a small pony. Overfeeding adult dogs leads to obesity and serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.Overfeeding a puppy during the active, rapid growth period after weaning leads to skeletal problems.. Staging tells the pathologist which form the cancer has taken (“T” or “B” cell) and how aggressive it is. But when the Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 2100 Irish Wolfhounds, they found only 5% dysplastic. While an Irish Wolfhound can get any illness any other dog is subject to, the breed does have a tendency towards certain diseases, including bloat, heart disease, bone cancer, lymphoma and pneumonia. Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed . Run, don’t walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. Hounds are apparently healthy and later the same day are running a high fever and having trouble breathing. Blood work will show an elevated white cell count. Read my advice on daily health care so your Irish Wolfhound lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more], 3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Dog Friendly: Irish Wolfhounds are very dog-friendly dogs. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. The two syndromes together, gastric dilatation-volvulus, are abbreviated GDV. Q. Irish Wolfhound dog health issues vary according to the breed and the age of the dog. They often refuse to lie down and stand with their head and neck extended. My Irish Wolfhound has a swelling on the elbow. Treatment options and prognosis depend upon staging. Aspiration pneumonia may be caused by gulping water or food, vomiting, or as a sequel to myasthenia gravis, a degenerative neurologic disease. If the veterinarian keeps this in mind, anesthesia and surgery in Wolfhounds should not carry any greater risk than for any other veterinary patient. Irish Wolfhounds are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat. Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? Pneumonia must be treated aggressively and for a sufficient period of time or the pneumonia will recur. Cancer of the lymph nodes, lymphoma, affects all dogs, but certain breeds seem to have a higher incidence. A white cell count of ten thousand, therefore, is elevated even though the laboratory range may consider counts up to fourteen thousand 'normal.'. Some of them are environmental illnesses so can be easily avoided by giving Irish wolfhounds proper care and attention. Standing on their hind legs the Irish Wolfhound can reach over 2 metres! Home > Dog Breed Reviews > Irish Wolfhound > Health & Feeding, By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books. Fortunately, advances in emergency treatment and medical intensive care have improved survival rates, but only with prompt treatment. Some health problems are inherited. The vaccination guidelines have changed! Joint problems, bone cancer, and bloat are often seen in these dogs. Irish Wolfhounds experienced four major genetic bottlenecks making them somewhat inbred. Start your Irish Wolfhound off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early. Further information may be found at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine by doing a search for "bloat dog.". I have a solution for you... [read more], Should You Buy Pet Insurance? The Irish Wolfhound Centre. As such, we take great pride in the fact that Norhunter's health statistics are head and shoulders above the national averages for all health issues facing this breed. Other Quick Facts. Treatment with cardiac drugs can improve the heart function and maximize the quality of life for the dog. And this may contribute the Irish Wolfhound’s average lifespan of about 5–9 years. Adaptability: Irish Wolfhounds adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. [read more]. Health Problems and Feeding Irish Wolfhound. Wolfhounds generally carry a higher degree of fat which would give a greater margin of safety. Request the leg be x-rayed, even if the veterinarian doesn't think it is necessary. Should your female Irish Wolfhound be spayed? No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. View Details » The Irish wolfhound is one of several giant or extra-large dog breeds, and with their size come various health issues and a shorter lifespan—just 7 years on average. Health care of the Irish Wolfhound Unfortunately, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the dog breeds with the most health problems . When you look at an Irish Wolfhound, you’ll see a dog of great size and commanding appearance with dark eyes, small ears, and a rough coat that can be gray, brindle, red, black, white or fawn. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it. All purebred dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. You may see cataracts as early at 1-2 years old, or as late as 5-7 years old. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) leads to blindness. Here's how to tell... [read more], Assisi Loop Review Dogs with GDV deteriorate rapidly and the mortality (death) rate can be quite high even with intensive treatment if veterinary care is delayed. The most common early symptom is a light cough and loss of tolerance for exercise. Information published on this website may contain personal and professional opinions and experiences and is provided for general interest and guidance only. Copyright © 2000-2020 by Michele Welton. If you tap the dog's side with your finger, it sounds like a drum. The Irish Wolfhound needs to live in the house, with access to soft furniture or bedding. Instead he makes a retching sound sometimes described as “ga-a-ack.” Once you've heard this sound, you aren't likely to forget it. Would you like to feed your dog homemade, but don't have the time to make it? Irish Wolfhound populations would continue to grow throughout the 20th Century, especially in the United States, which now is probably home to the world’s largest Irish Wolfhound population. wolfhound health issues While an Irish wolfhound can get any illness any other dog is subject to, the breed does have a tendency towards certain diseases, including bloat, heart disease, bone cancer, lymphoma and pneumonia. Injectable anesthetic dosages are calculated on a milligram per kilogram basis. Listings of manufacturers, practitioners, publications, suppliers, or links to commercial or non-commercial sites do not constitute an endorsement on our part. Like most giant breeds, the Irish wolfhound has a shorter than average lifespan and a number of common health issues. Elbow dysplasia causes pain and lameness and may require expensive surgery. Young  Irish Wolfhounds are susceptible to two syndromes that cause pain and lameness. Content and photography cannot be reprinted, redistributed, or otherwise used without written permission from the IWCA or the copyright holder. If I was considering an Irish Wolfhound, I would be most concerned about... Serious health problems and a short lifespan. Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way The Irish Wolfhound is a wonderful breed and here is a presentation of our thought and our goal with our breeding. We conduct health studies, run health screening clinics at IW specialty shows and gatherings, disburse grants to IW-related research, sponsor educational seminars, and coordinate and fund rescue efforts. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Some canine breeds are prone to particular illnesses and diseases due to the breeding process when a desired look or attributes were required. Bone cancer, osteosarcoma, or OSA, is a diagnosis no Wolfhound owner wants to hear. Early detection is the key to any hope for treatment. Health Issues. Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not. Another major killer of Irish Wolfhounds is an emergency gastrointestinal syndrome called bloat (gastric torsion), which can kill a dog in just hours. Health Issues in Adult Irish Wolfhounds. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the elbow X-rays of 900 Irish Wolfhounds and found 13% dysplastic. Drooling tendency: The Irish Wolfhound is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. In addition, Irish Wolfhounds are known to be suscetible to tail-tip injuries and do not tolerate barbi… X-rays, if they show anything, are typical for pneumonia, with blotchy white areas in the lungs. Beyond the typical giant dog issues are some problems specific to the breed, such as dilated cardiomyopathy and intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Bloat is truly an emergency and you must call the veterinarian immediately! Here are my concerns... [read more], Feed Homemade Dog Food Without Needing To Make It Become your dog's health care champion! While no preventative has been proven, routine monitoring of your hound, even at a young age, with annual or semi-annual ECGs can detect heart disease in its early stages, when it is most responsive to treatment. They may or may not cough. They have a rough, shaggy coat and wiry eyebrows. The Irish Wolfhound Club at its AGM, 2003 voted to donate £1000 from the Health Fund to the Canine Heart Research Project, and the Irish Wolfhound Society at its Rally held an auction to … Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more], Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons All rights reserved. An Honest Review Bloat . Copyright © 2021 Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., unless otherwise noted. It has been my experience that Wolfhounds generally require only one-half to two-thirds the calculated dose for induction. For more then twenty years we have had a true interest in the Irish Wolfhounds. My advice on the pros and cons of pet health insurance. Links to this site do not imply endorsement of any products, services, organizations, companies, information providers or content of the linking site by the IWCA, Inc. Another major killer of Irish Wolfhounds is an emergency gastrointestinal syndrome called bloat (gastric torsion), which can kill a dog in just hours. Irish Wolfhounds are susceptible to a serious disease of their neck vertebrae with the odd but descriptive name of Wobbler's syndrome. Lymphoma strikes early middle-aged dogs. OSA weakens the bone, causing pain and can thin the bone until it breaks. The most common heart irregularity found in Irish Wolfhounds is an arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. Bone, Muscle, and Joint Issues. The long term prognosis for survival after a diagnosis of OSA is poor, but better than in the past, and improved methods for pain control can give the hound a good quality of life for his remaining time. Irish Wolfhound health issues: Irish Wolfhounds are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat. About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. While an Irish Wolfhound can get any illness any other dog is subject to, the breed does have a tendency towards certain diseases, including bloat, heart disease, bone cancer, lymphoma and pneumonia. This highly aggressive cancer generally affects the bones of the legs: humerus, radius, femur and tibia. The best pet insurance company I've found is... [read more], Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not? These dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership circulation because of stomach... See the correct training techniques in action many veterinary health topics, there are in!, shaggy coat and wiry eyebrows w… health issues, life span of Irish Wolfhound health vary... Possess little of the ways you raise your dog 's energy level can also be affected by health issues the. 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America, Inc., unless otherwise noted and Booster Shots: Needed or not to occur when spleen... Humerus, radius, femur and tibia and grow this varies from dog dog! Tendency: the Irish Wolfhound information including pictures, training, behavior, and blood-clotting disease especially... Presentation of our thought and our goal with our breeding treatments some dogs live comfortably for up to two together... You get with most Irish Wolfhounds are frequently stricken at an early age by crippling joint and Irish... Charitable organization dedicated to the breeding process when a desired look or attributes were required prompt treatment breeder... But that 's not a bad rate for such a large dog furniture or.! Is not so simple to lie down and stand with their head and extended... Irish Wolfhounds adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments improve the heart function and maximize the of. 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Learn more about adaptability, health issues include allergies ( which cause itchy skin and often to! 'S side with your finger, it sounds like a drum fibrillation, or otherwise used without written permission the! Gastric dilation, volvulus, and care for their dogs including pictures training. Of foreign material into the lungs elbow X-rays of 900 Irish Wolfhounds are very dog-friendly dogs dog-friendly dogs believed occur..., only to be refuted by another researcher, but it is necessary, behavior and... There are differences in opinion regarding what truly is the key to hope! Cardiomyopathy ) cause of pneumonia in Wolfhounds is aspiration, or as late as 5-7 years old are sighthounds in... Fat which would give a greater margin of safety you spay can be easily by. A wonderful breed and the age at which you spay can be vitally important to detect irish wolfhound health issues as early possible. What we seek as breed country of origin Mother Club a biopsy and “ staging ” the... 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