Dog health

Greyhound health problems and costs

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

Last updated: October 2026 · 15 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 3 health issues to plan for: inherited eye disease, heart disease and bloat. A typical vet bill for a large dog runs $308 – $1,224.

Health problems linked to the Greyhound

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Inherited eye diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]Breed clubs ask for regular exams by a veterinary eye specialist to catch inherited eye problems before they cause trouble. [2]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [3]
Heart diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [5]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [4]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [6]
Bloat (GDV)Named by: AKC breed page [1]The stomach fills with gas and can twist. It is a life-threatening emergency that usually needs surgery right away. [7]Stomach emergency (owner bills): $550–$1,750 [8]
Hospital and ICU, median invoice: $1,261 (typical $505–$4,177) [9]

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: Other disorders that can occur include cardiac and eye conditions. As are most deep-chested breeds, the Greyhound is susceptible to bloat and gastric torsion, a sudden and life-threatening enlargement of the stomach that is sometimes accompanied by twisting. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Greyhound Polyneuropathy - DNA Test. [1][5] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 2 DNA health tests for the Greyhound, including X-Linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Greyhounds; Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [10] One health test costs $58 there. [11]

What to budget

For a large dog like the Greyhound, a typical vet bill runs $308 – $1,224 (median $640), and surgery, when needed, runs $541 – $3,903. [12]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Greyhound at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,500. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 10–13 years and you get roughly $8,800–$19,700 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. [12][13] 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. [14] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [15]

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 Greyhound?

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

How much are vet bills for a Greyhound?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For large dogs, a typical vet bill runs $308 – $1,224 (median $640).

Should I get pet insurance for a Greyhound?

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.

What health tests should a Greyhound breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Greyhound Polyneuropathy - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Greyhound live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 10–13 years.

Greyhound breed guideHeart disease (mitral valve disease) in dogsBloat (GDV) in dogsVetmedin (Pimobendan)Vet visit costMRI, CT and ultrasound cost

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

Sources (15) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Greyhound breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. OFA – Eye certification
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. OFA – Cardiac disease
  5. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  6. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  7. VCA – Bloat (GDV) in dogs
  8. VetReceipt – Dog Vomiting & Stomach Emergency Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  10. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Greyhound DNA tests
  11. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  12. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  13. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  14. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  15. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost