Lurcher health problems

For a snuggly canine companion who adores curling up with you for a cuddle, look no further than the lovely lurcher!

Lurchers are known for being very clever – especially at finding innovative ways to steal food. So, if you’re owned by a lurcher, it’s essential to train them to listen to you, to avoid instances of toxic ingestion or garbage gut.

Since every lurcher’s origins will vary, due to the variety of breeds that could appear in their ancestry, their coat type is likely to differ from one dog to another. But, whether their coat is smooth or wiry, your lurcher should still be brushed daily, to allow you to check their legs and paws in case of hidden injuries.

Explore our lurcher breed guide for more information about these graceful dogs!

Potential health conditions linked to lurchers

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in lurchers, 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 lurchers. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your lurcher 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.

Paw or claw-related injuries

Although all dogs are at risk of paw and claw-related injuries, some dogs – like lurchers – are more prone to them than others. It’s believed that dogs who have long, fine limbs and a lack of fat in their paw pads tend to be sensitive to strains, corns, and dew claw injuries.

If your lurcher has suffered a paw injury, it may not be obvious straight away. So, it’s important to check your lurcher’s paws after every walk, to make sure there are no hidden injuries.

Your lurcher might let you know if they’ve hurt their paw, by limping, holding their paw off the ground, or repeatedly licking it.

While there are small paw injuries (like minor surface cuts) that are treatable at home, most other injuries (like a torn dew claw) must be assessed by a vet.

The treatment for a paw or claw injury will depend on the type and severity of it, though treatments could include anti-inflammatory medication, wound cleaning, and restricted exercise.

Gastric dilatation (GD)

Gastric dilatation, or ‘GD’, is more commonly referred to as ‘bloat’ and is a life-threatening condition that can impact lurchers.

Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, then twists – causing severe pain, while putting extra pressure on the lungs, spleen, and liver.

Symptoms of bloat include:

• Excessive drooling.
• Retching or gagging.
• Swollen stomach.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Restlessness and/or wobbliness.

If you suspect your lurcher is suffering from bloat, please rush them to the nearest vet immediately.

In cases of bloat, vets usually have to provide emergency treatment, which could include surgery, putting your lurcher on a drip, and giving them strong painkillers.

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that’s considered malignant, meaning cancerous cells grow in an uncontrolled way and spread to other parts of the body. In dogs, osteosarcoma is most commonly found in leg bones – though it can develop in other bones, like the jaw or ribs, as well.

Symptoms of osteosarcoma in dogs include:

• Limping that varies from mild to severe.
• Painful, hot, hard swelling on the leg.
• Weakened bones that can fracture.

The diagnosis of osteosarcoma in dogs might involve:

• Blood tests.
• Urine tests.
• X-rays.
• CT scans.
• Bone biopsies (taking samples of bone tissue).

Since each dog’s situation is unique, the treatments for osteosarcoma will depend entirely on their individual circumstances. However, osteosarcoma treatments in dogs can include surgery (e.g. leg amputation) and chemotherapy or radiation therapy.