Dog health

Saluki health problems and costs

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

Last updated: October 2026 · 18 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 4 health issues to plan for: mitral valve disease, hypothyroidism, bloat and cancer. A typical vet bill for a medium dog runs $239 – $1,107.

Health problems linked to the Saluki

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Mitral valve diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]A heart valve thickens and leaks. It often starts as a murmur and can lead to heart failure in older dogs. [2]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [3]
HypothyroidismNamed by: breed club screening [5]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 [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]
CancerNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Some breeds have higher rates of cancers such as lymphoma, bone cancer or hemangiosarcoma. Catching a new lump early gives the most options. [10]Cancer treatment (owner bills): $3,000–$10,000 total [11]
Biopsy (owner bills): $170–$400 [12]

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: Some may develop heart conditions such as valve disease or arrhythmia, and enlarged hearts are not unknown. Vigorous running and playing after eating can cause bloat, or gastric torsion (which is a life-threatening emergency and needs immediate intervention). [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Cardiac Exam, Thyroid Evaluation. [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 Saluki, including Saluki Encephalopathy (SE); Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [13] One health test costs $58 there. [14]

What to budget

For a medium dog like the Saluki, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482), and surgery, when needed, runs $264 – $2,106. [15]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Saluki at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 10–17 years and you get roughly $8,800–$23,100 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. [15][16] 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. [17] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [18]

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 Saluki?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are mitral valve disease, hypothyroidism, bloat and cancer. That doesn't mean every Saluki will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Saluki?

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 Saluki?

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 Saluki breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Cardiac Exam, Thyroid Evaluation. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Saluki live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 10–17 years.

Saluki breed guideHypothyroidism in dogsBloat (GDV) 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 (18) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Saluki breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Mitral valve disease in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. VCA – Hypothyroidism in dogs
  5. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  6. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work 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. VCA – Lymphoma in dogs
  11. VetReceipt – Dog Cancer Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  12. VetReceipt – Dog Biopsy Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  13. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Saluki DNA tests
  14. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  15. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  16. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  17. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  18. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost