NSW SA QLD
Health Information for Irish Wolfhounds
Though the Irish Wolfhound is a healthy and strong dog, with certain illnesses they can deteriorate rapidly and it is important you consult a vet quickly. It is better to check, even if it turns out to be a false alarm.
You are always within your rights to get a second opinion and to talk to your breeder about veterinary advice you receive.
Because giant breeds can be rare, some vets may not have seen a lot of Irish Wolfhounds at their practice. Breeders have usually experienced the type of illnesses common to Irish Wolfhounds, and their advice can be invaluable.
There are certain protocols around general anaesthetic for an Irish Wolfhound and a recommended age to desex them, for example. Through no fault of their own, some vets may not be aware of some health characteristics of your giant companion. Irish Wolfhounds can be particularly stoic, even when they are suffering badly, so if you can learn and observe your dog's habits, it is more likely you will recognise when he or she is in distress.
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We also recommend that you consider Pet Insurance. Please note that the information provided on this page is a guide only, to assist you when you consult your veterinarian. Always consult your vet if you are concerned about your dog's health.
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You may like to join:
The Irish Wolfhound Health Group UK on Facebook and bookmark The Irish Wolfhound Health Group website.
Please don't forget that this is a United Kingdom site, so names of drugs and drug availability may differ in other countries.
Another useful site for health information is:
The Irish Wolfhound Club of America's Health and Longevity information.
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It is strongly recommended that you show information specific to Irish Wolfhounds when you first start visiting your vet surgery with your new puppy. You could also save or print out medical details to store in a folder that you think might be important one day, so you can take them with you when your dog is unwell. When you are stressed with a sick dog it is hard to remember what to tell the vet.
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There is a link to each of the topics below:
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Australian Summers are hot and your wolfhound is descended from dogs that roamed Ireland, often in snowy and icy conditions. Please do not exercise your dog in the heat of the day, make sure there is always water available, and if they look at all heat stressed, provide fans or turn on air conditioning. Avoid strenuous exercise on hot days and if you live in an area prone to bushfire, you need a proper evacuation plan for your dog. Never leave a dog unattended in the car on hot days, even for a few minutes.
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Is an extreme emergency that needs veterinary attention. You can usually avoid this condition if you read up on how you manage your Irish Wolfhound's eating, drinking and exercise.
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Bone Cancer is a known cause of death for many Irish Wolfhounds, particularly as they age. One of the hardest thing as an owner is deciding when is the appropriate time to stop medical intervention for your dog. It is important to have honest discussions with your vet.
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One day, you might be horrified to notice a large fluid swelling on the elbow of your Irish Wolfhound. Don't panic. It should disappear again over time and should never be drained unless the fluid becomes infected. You can help your dog by providing supportive bedding and trying not to let them lie on concrete or tiles. However in Summer especially, you might find they favour those cool tiles!
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Some drugs are not appropriate for the Irish Wolfhound, and your vet may not even be aware of this if they have not treated a lot of sighthounds. Print off the notes on this link for your vet to keep in a file.
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Irish Wolfhounds have exceptionally deep paw pads, so it's important that you check them regularly to make sure nothing has become embedded. Some grass seeds are very sharp and can cause serious damage. Also keep the hair growing in their pads short as a build-up of dirt can form hard sharp lumps. Australia experiences a lot of rapid plant growth, especially during Spring and Summer, so make paw checks a weekly habit.
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Irish Wolfhounds have long and strong tails and at some stage you may even sport a bruise when they wag their tail with joy to greet you. Their tail can wag so hard against walls and door frames that you may suddenly see splashes of blood everywhere and think your house looks like a crime scene! Try to manage greetings in an open space where they can't damage their tail and seek your vet's and breeder's advice if the tail looks damaged or the wound keeps reopening.
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Heart Disease is another common cause of death for Irish Wolfhounds. It is helpful to get your dog's heart checked regularly so that any cardiac symptoms can be identified early.
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When you buy an Irish Wolfhound puppy, you will notice ethical breeders talk about the importance of a liver shunt test. Breeders know how distressing it is if the circulation of the liver is not working correctly. The puppy becomes very unwell and is unlikely to survive into adulthood. You must ask your breeder for a written copy of the liver shunt test by a vet when you purchase a puppy in Australia. It rings alarm bells if a breeder does not have the test and you should avoid buying from anyone not willing to give their litter this test.
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Pneumonia is also a medical emergency in your deep chested giant. Go straight to the vet. There is a pneumonia treatment protocol for Irish Wolfhounds that your vet needs to know. Study the video on the link to this topic to see what an Irish Wolfhound looks like if it develops pneumonia.
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