IRISH WOLFHOUND

Cardiovascular conditions

Dilated cardiomyopathy

• Prevalence of 5.6% in this breed compared to 0.16% in mixed breeds and 0.65% in pure breeds
• Believed to be familial or genetic

Atrial fibrillation

• High frequency (10.5%) in this breed
• Often asymptomatic
• Ventricular premature complexes may also be seen in this breed

Dermatological conditions

Callus dermatitis/pyoderma

Endocrine conditions

Hypothyroidism

Gastrointestinal conditions

Gastric dilatation-volvulus

Congenital portosystemic shunt

• Breed predisposition

Haematological – immunological conditions

Immunodeficiency syndrome of Irish Wolfhounds

Von Willebrand’s disease

• Possibly inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
• Common in this breed in the UK

Musculoskeletal conditions

Increased anteversion of the femoral head and neck

• Conformational abnormality

Shoulder osteochondrosis

Lateral patellar luxation

• Also known as genu valgum
• May be inherited

Neoplastic conditions

Primary bone tumours (most commonly osteosarcoma)

• Breed predisposition

Neurological conditions

Cervical vertebral malformation (wobbler syndrome)

• Breed predisposition

Ocular conditions

Entropion (usually lateral lower lids)

• Breed predisposition; polygenic inheritance likely

Eversion of the cartilage of the nictitating membrane

• Breed predisposition; possibly inherited as a recessive trait

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected

Multifocal retinal dysplasia with liquefied vitreous

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suggested

Generalised progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Inheritance suspected

Micropapilla

• Congenital condition