Whippet health problems

Whippets are medium-sized dogs who love staying cosy, whatever the weather, by curling up for a cuddle with their pet parents!

Although whippets are highly intelligent, and tend to be fantastic to train, you’ll likely have to pay extra attention to building their recall skills – thanks to their high prey drive. Additionally, your whippet’s gentle nature might mean they’ll feel anxious in loud, bustling environments, so it’s essential to help them develop confidence by introducing them to new experiences gradually.

Your whippet’s soft, short coat should be brushed a couple of times a week, but their legs and paws ought to be checked daily, in case of hidden injuries.

Explore our whippet breed guide for more information about these cuddly dogs!

Potential health conditions linked to the whippet breed

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in whippets, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by whippets. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your whippet for more information.

Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.   

Don’t forget to visit our dog first aid guides to discover the basics of canine first aid.

Progressive retinal atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy, or ‘PRA’, describes an inherited, progressive eye condition that worsens over time, and tends to affect certain dog breeds more than others – including the whippet. PRA involves the deterioration of the retina, the part of the eye responsible for vision, though doesn’t cause pain.

Most dogs with PRA develop symptoms gradually, so the first signs of the condition could be poor vision at night. For instance, whippets with PRA might accidently walk into objects while out walking at dusk or refuse to go for a walk when it’s dark outside.

Sadly, dogs with PRA will eventually lose their sight entirely.

Vets who are trained in ophthalmology should be able to confirm a PRA diagnosis by examining the back of a whippet’s eye. Sometimes, however, whippets with PRA might also develop cataracts, which can make it difficult for vets to assess the health of their retina.

While there is ongoing research into the effectiveness of certain therapies to treat PRA, unfortunately, there’s currently no treatment for this condition. Although, the slow progress of PRA means many whippets adjust well to their changing vision. Additionally, vets can offer advice about adapting a dog’s home environment and exercise routines, to allow whippets with PRA to enjoy a good quality of life.

Mitral valve disease (MVD)

Mitral valve disease, commonly known as ‘MVD’, is a condition affecting one of the four valves of a dog’s heart. Each of these valves open as the heart beats to allow blood through, then close to prevent blood from leaking. When one of these valves (the mitral valve) thickens and causes blood to leak backwards, it forces the heart to work much harder to pump blood around the body.

Due to being a degenerative disease (that worsens over time), MVD develops in stages (A, B1, B2, C) and can eventually progress to heart failure. The most common symptoms of MVD in dogs can include a heart murmur, coughing that’s worse at night, and breathlessness or panting.

Vets tend to use several diagnostic tests to confirm MVD in dogs, including:

• Ultrasound scans and X-rays.
• Blood tests.
• ECG (electrocardiogram).

Treatments for MVD in dogs could involve weight management, medication, and surgery.

Immune mediated problems

In dogs, ‘immune mediated problems’ describe a range of health conditions caused by a malfunctioning immune system.

A dog’s immune system is designed to protect them from harmful infections, though unfortunately, if their immune system isn’t working properly, it can attack the body’s normal cells. So, immune mediated problems lead to disease and inflammation, resulting in conditions like immune mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) and immune-mediated polyarthritis.

Symptoms of immune mediated problems can vary greatly and may mimic signs of other conditions, meaning that whippets could experience a range of symptoms, including anaemia, joint pain, and fever.

Due to the huge number of conditions that fall under the umbrella of immune mediated problems, vets usually perform many different types of tests before they can provide a diagnosis.

Once they’ve diagnosed your whippet as having a specific immune mediated problem, your vet will develop a treatment plan specific to that condition.