Afghan Hound Health Problems and Raising an Afghan Hound Puppy to be Healthy

The most common health problems in Afghan Hounds:

Hypothyroidism is probably the major concern in Afghan Hounds – depending on whose statistics you believe, from 12% to 40% of Afghan Hounds may have low thyroid levels.

Cataracts are another serious concern, especially when they appear under a year of age because these early cataracts often lead to blindness. Corneal dystrophy and cherry eye are other eye diseases that occur with some regularity in Afghan Hounds. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma, and retinal dysplasia have also been reported.

Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are not as common in Afghan Hounds as in most other large breeds – but they DO occur more frequently in Afghan Hounds than in other sighthounds. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 5800 Afghan Hounds and found 6% dysplastic. That's not high for a large breed, but compare it to Borzois and Salukis at less than 2%, and, Greyhounds, Ibizans, and Pharaoh Hounds at less than 3%. In addition, when over 100 elbow X-rays were evaluated, Afghan Hounds were rated as 7% dysplastic. Again, this is higher than similar sighthounds.

As with all deep-chested breeds, Afghan Hounds are at higher-than-normal risk for the emergency gastrointestinal syndrome called bloat.

Allergies cause itchy skin and can lead to bacterial infections (pyoderma). The long folded-over ears with all the hair in the ear canals are prone to ear infections.

Other health issues that occur in Afghan Hounds include blood-clotting disease (von Willebrand's) and laryngeal paralysis.

Because of their low body fat, all sighthounds are extra sensitive to anesthetics and require an experienced vet who will follow a special Greyhound Anesthesia Protocol.

Sighthounds REQUIRE open space to run. A sighthound who can't stretch his legs and gallop off-leash will not develop proper muscle tone for good health. However, the area in which they run must be enclosed. One of the leading causes of death in sighthounds is being hit by a car. These dogs are chasers with sharp eyesight, strong prey instincts, and a one-track mind. If they spy something moving in the distance, their instincts will kick in and they will NOT respond when you call them.