Dog health

Azawakh health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Azawakh, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 14 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 3 health issues to plan for: heart disease, hypothyroidism and epilepsy. A typical vet bill for a medium dog runs $239 – $1,107.

Health problems linked to the Azawakh

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Heart diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [2]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [3]
HypothyroidismNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The thyroid gland makes too little hormone, which can cause weight gain, low energy and skin problems. A daily pill usually controls it. [4]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [5]
Epilepsy (seizures)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Repeated seizures with no other cause found. Many dogs do well on daily medicine, but a long seizure is an emergency. [6]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [7]
Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [8]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Azawakhs are generally health dogs, and a responsible breeder will screen breeding stock for health issues such as hypothyroidism, seizures, cardiac problems, and autoimmune-mediated disease. [1]

Health screening

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Azawakh, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [9] One health test costs $58 there. [10]

What to budget

For a medium dog like the Azawakh, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482), and surgery, when needed, runs $264 – $2,106. [11]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Azawakh at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 12–15 years and you get roughly $10,500–$20,400 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [11][12] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [13] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [14]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Azawakh?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are heart disease, hypothyroidism and epilepsy. That doesn't mean every Azawakh will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Azawakh?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For medium dogs, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482).

Should I get pet insurance for a Azawakh?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

How long does a Azawakh live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12–15 years.

Azawakh breed guideHeart disease (mitral valve disease) in dogsHypothyroidism in dogsVetmedin (Pimobendan)MRI, CT and ultrasound costDiagnostics cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (14) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Azawakh breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. OFA – Cardiac disease
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. VCA – Hypothyroidism in dogs
  5. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  6. VCA – Epilepsy in dogs
  7. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  8. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Azawakh DNA tests
  10. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  11. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  12. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  13. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  14. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost