Experienced in Greyhound Care
The veterinarians and nurses at Shirley Veterinary Centre are experienced in greyhound care. We also work with greyhound rehoming organisations and assist with de-sexing and health care checks.
These breeding and care services are of course available to other dog breeds.
Common Health Concerns
The greyhound is an elegant and gentle breed for the most part. They have been bred for short bursts of high speed running, they have a strong prey drive and are known to chase moving objects, which is why they are used for racing. A racing greyhound is an amazing animal athlete! They also make great companion animals, and many retired greyhounds are happy as wonderful pets.
Greyhounds do well with humans and many other animals but due to their instinct to chase and kill, care needs to be taken around smaller animals. Greyhounds need regular exercise so a daily walk is recommended, even better if you have access to an off leash area where they can run freely. They have short fur and range in colour from black through reds, blues, parti-colours and brindles to pure white. This means they also require minimal grooming. Their lifespan is around 10 to 14 years old.
Some health concerns with Greyhounds include:
- Limb fractures (due to high speed running mostly)
- Corns
- Dental disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Tail injuries
- Malignant hyperthermia
- Greyhound Neuropathy
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Primary lens luxation
Other less common diseases and conditions include:
- Hyperhomocysteinaemia
- Hypertension
- Onchodystrophy
- Thigh baldness
- Polyarthritis
- Meningoencephalitis
- Growth plate fractures
- Ischaemic stroke
- Osteosarcoma
- Cutaneous haemangiosarcoma
- Chronic superficial keratitis (pannus)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Hyperthermia and rigid paralysis after exercise
- Cutaneous vasculopathy
For breeders, some of these conditions can be detected with DNA testing. Please speak with our vets if you would like to know more about this or have any other questions about your current or future planned greyhound(s).
Other Services Include
- Semen collection, evaluation and storage
- Artificial insemination, both fresh, surgical and trans-cervical
- Pregnancy care, ultrasound and emergency C-sections
- Radiology
- Ultrasounds
- Emergency treatment
- Caesareans
- Vaccinations
- And more!
Please note: Breeding services are available for all dog breeds.