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Regular Care:
* 7, or at least 3 times weekly: brush teeth- read why
* 1 time weekly: bath - read how
* 2-4 weeks depending on natural wear: clip/ dremel nails
-read how
Medical Care:
* Annual: exam and booster shots preventing distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, rabies, & parvovirus
* Annual: dental exams & cleaning until 7+ years
* Every 6 months: dental exams/ cleaning after 7 years
Monthly At-Home Check Up:
* Run hands over skin, look for scabs, lesions, ticks, fleas, lumps, or rashes
* Check ears for odd smells, rashes, bugs, swelling, discomfort, or redness
* Examine mouth for swollen gums, bleeding, and tooth discoloration
* Look at paws for cracks, bleeding, and between pads for any changes, make sure toenails are at comfortable length
* Check genital areas for any changes, discharge, or injuries
* Gently feel abdomen- are there any lumps or tender areas?
Signs you may need veterinary care:
* He vomits frequently or vomits blood
* He loses weight rapidly (dogs get diabetes too!)
* He breaks any bone
* There's suspicious eye discharge
* He stops eating
* He gains weight rapidly (dogs get diabetes too!)
* His stool has mucus or blood
* There's a decrease in muscle tone or mass
* Decrease in energy- also with elderly dogs
* Iggy /pet is lethargic
The information above is not in attempt to diagnose or treat any ailments your dog might have, but merely to educate one on what to look out for. None of the information above indicates or determines any medical illness or condition but is meant only to be helpful in stressing the importance of regular medical care for animals. I am not a vet, or a vet tech, nor do I have any training with animal health, the above information is gathered from other educational resources, if in need of sources, please email me here. If in question of anything regarding your animals health, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Thank you!
1) They're Fragile
My dog, Bella, is under 2 years old and has already broken her leg once and her tail twice! These dogs are very agile and powerful, but can easily break a limb. Sometimes, even doing the most simple thing can be dangerous- like jumping off your bed. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't let them on the bed, or carry them everywhere- just as long as you realize they are fragile animals.
If your IG seems to be limping, or has obviously broken a limb, stablize the dog immediately and take him to the vet. Don't let the IG walk on the limb.
Broken tails are harder to treat. Sometimes, the vet will need to rebreak the tail after it's already been broken and healed a bit. For this reason, most people simply opt to have a broken tail heal on its own. Usually, a kink will be formed in the tail when it's broken.
2) Small Dogs Have Teeth Problems
Small dogs often have problems with dental hygiene, specifically periodontal disease. If your IG isn't brushed regularly or taken to the vet for cleanings at least once a year- he could develop very serious problems.
Most people don't really pay much attention to their dog's teeth, because they think it's not really that serious. But with IGs, it is.
Not only do they get foul breath (!) but also can develop heart problems and nutrition problems if they end up with rotten teeth.
Try to start brushing at late puppyhood. The earlier they learn to put up with you brushing their teeth, the better.
3) PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
PRA is a condition that affects many dog breeds, but particularly those with bulgy eyes. Some IGs have bulgy eyes, others are recessed a bit more. Either way, this breed is prone to this condition. Basically, PRA is the degeneration of cells in the retina. Eventually, it will lead to blindness. This usually develops later in life, when the dog is at least 5 years old, and usually later.
If your IG becomes more hesistant to do certain things, like going up and down stairs, leaving your bed at night, and chasing things- these may be early signs of PRA.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for PRA, one your dog has it, you must let the condition runs it's course. It is genetic, so a responsible breeder will no longer breed a dog if he knows it has PRA.
Thankfully, dogs do adjust to loss of sight very well. (We just hate to think our sighthounds can't see!) And, it doesn't cause them any pain.
4) Epilepsy
Unfortunately, epilepsy is yet another condition IGs are prone to. Not all deveolp it, and epilepsy does tend to be a genetic disease as well.
In people, epilepsy is quite treateable. But the vet's world isn't as advanced as it is for human doctors.
If your IG begins to have what look like seizures, get him to the vet immediately. There are certain medications that can help, but this is not a cureable disease.
5) A Few Other Conditions
There are a few other things that are a bit more rare, but can still affect the IG.
Osteoporosis affects many dogs. You will not see the signs of this until old age. But when your IG is a puppy, you will want to feed them food enriched with calcium so that they can prevent osteoporosis.
Cancer, lots of pets get cancer. We don't know how to cure it yet, and sometimes it seems like there's no way to prevent it. But exercise and a healthy diet- I'm sure- will help. Also, feel your dog regularly to lumps and growths, take him in often to get checked for growths. The earlier you catch it, the better.
1) IGs get cold!
The Italian Greyhound is a naturally thin, small dog that can weigh as little as 5 lbs and as many as 15 lbs. They are known to shiver in 70 degree weather! These dogs are not for all climates. You can have them in cold seasons, just be aware of their extremely THIN coat. These dogs, unlike a Husky or Golden Retriever, have only one coat, no downcoat. They may feel warm, but this is just because of the heat leaving their body.
To avoid an Italian Greyhound-Sicle, keep your dog hydrated and clothed! It may seem "froo froo" to dress your dog up, but if going out in the snow in winter, or high winds, or anything under 70 degrees, keep them in a sweater! These dogs do really well in warm, humid climates.
2) They Chase Cats & Play With Big Dogs
Think about the other pets you already have, or that you plan to get before adopting an IG. Sometimes, IGs do really well with cats, but they also are sighthounds, and naturally will chase moving objects.
Also beware of this: sometimes, your cat will be bigger than Iggy. This is something I didn't think of and now poor Bella has scars from mean old Luna to sport. Is your cat vicious? Sometimes they surprise you...
IGs seemingly never realize how small they are. I have seen many IGs fearlessly approach huge dogs and pick fights and play. They can easily get trampled if they rough house too much. (And some IGs are drama queens who will cry out when they're not really hurt). So watch out for the larger dogs, until you can trust them all to be nice and get along.
3) Pee Pee Pee, Poop Poop Poop
IGs are HARD to potty train. This is the #1 factor why I think IGs aren't as popular as one might imagine. Unlike your family lab, who would die before he let his bladder out on you carpet, the IG will go whenever and where ever he pleases- typically. Some IGs, SOME, will pick up on potty training quite quickly. But this is not at all common.
IGs have small bladders and aren't dependent. They are very hard to train to tell you when they need out the back door.
If you're going to commit to being an IG owner, you must take on this feat courageously and with patience.
I recommend crate training. Dogs are less likely to urinate and deficate in a small space they have to sit in. This teaches them to hold it. Immediately when returning home, let your dog out of the crate and straight to the yard where he can go. This works for most dogs, but isn't foolproof. Sometimes IGs refuse to go one minute, and next thing you know they're lettin' loose on your couch. Patience. Never scold the dog afterwards, he'll have no idea why you're scolding him. I also recommend puppy training pads, especially if your IG picks a certain area he always goes in.
Be consistent, and patient, and it will come in time.
But make sure you're prepared to take this on before adopting an IG.
4) IGs do Better in Pairs
Dogs are pack animals, and they do the best in groups. You can't always be there for them, and play with them. Sometimes, it's best for your pet to have a friend the same kind as him to play with, romp with, grow with, and especially learn with. I strongly recommend to all IG owners to consider adopting not only 1, but 2, IF the owner is completely committed to the demands of this breed.
I learned this through personal experience. Bella would tormet our cats all day, chasing them, grabbing them by their necks and dragging them along. She harassed them. Finally, we decided she needed a friend. We adopted Armani, and immediately- the tormenting and craziness stopped. She now had a friend to play with her: and who LIKED to play with her, because they were the same size, and had the same desire to be typical IGs.
More to come soon!!!