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