Scottish Deerhound health problems and costs
The health issues a real source ties to the Scottish Deerhound, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.
Last updated: October 2026 · 20 sources · see sources
Health problems linked to the Scottish Deerhound
| Condition | What it is | Related costs |
|---|---|---|
| Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)Named by: AKC breed page [1] | The heart muscle weakens and the heart gets bigger, so it pumps poorly. Some dogs show no signs until heart failure. [2] | Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [3] |
| 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. [4] | Stomach emergency (owner bills): $550–$1,750 [5] Hospital and ICU, median invoice: $1,261 (typical $505–$4,177) [6] |
| 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. [7] | Cancer treatment (owner bills): $3,000–$10,000 total [8] Biopsy (owner bills): $170–$400 [9] |
| Bladder stonesNamed by: AKC breed page [1] | Minerals in the urine form stones that irritate the bladder or block urine flow. A pet straining to pee with nothing coming out needs a vet right away. [10] | Urinary blockage and bladder stones (owner bills): $850–$4,200 [11] |
| Liver shuntNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1] | A blood vessel bypasses the liver, so toxins aren't filtered out. Signs often show in young dogs, and surgery can correct many shunts. [12] | Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [13] Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [6] |
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: Finally, owners can educate themselves about the breed's problems such as osteosarcoma, dilated cardiomyopathy, cystinuria, surgery-related issues (Factor VII deficiency, slow drug metabolism, delayed bleeding, and hyperthermia), liver shunt, and GDV/gastric or splenic torsion/bloat so problems can be avoided or identified and treated as early as possible, which greatly improves outcomes, in many cases.
[1]
Health screening
The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Cardiac Exam, Coagulation Factor VII Deficiency - DNA Test, Bile Acid Test, Delayed Post-Operative Hemorrhage (DEPOH) - DNA Test. [1][14] 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 1 DNA health test for the Scottish Deerhound, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [15] One health test costs $58 there. [16]
What to budget
For a giant dog like the Scottish Deerhound, a typical vet bill runs $350 – $1,373 (median $607). [17]
Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Scottish Deerhound at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,500. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 8–11 years and you get roughly $7,000–$16,300 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. [17][18] 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. [19] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [20]
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 Scottish Deerhound?
Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are dilated cardiomyopathy, bloat, cancer, bladder stones and liver shunt. That doesn't mean every Scottish Deerhound will get them.
How much are vet bills for a Scottish Deerhound?
Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For giant dogs, a typical vet bill runs $350 – $1,373 (median $607).
Should I get pet insurance for a Scottish Deerhound?
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 Scottish Deerhound breeder do?
The national breed club recommends: Cardiac Exam, Coagulation Factor VII Deficiency - DNA Test, Bile Acid Test, Delayed Post-Operative Hemorrhage (DEPOH) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.
How long does a Scottish Deerhound live?
The AKC lists a life expectancy of 8–11 years.
Related
This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.
Sources (20) — tap to show
- AKC – Scottish Deerhound breed page (with the national breed club)
- VCA – Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
- VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- VCA – Bloat (GDV) in dogs
- VetReceipt – Dog Vomiting & Stomach Emergency Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
- VCA – Lymphoma in dogs
- VetReceipt – Dog Cancer Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- VetReceipt – Dog Biopsy Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- VCA – Bladder stones in dogs
- VetReceipt – Dog Urinary Blockage & Bladder Stone Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- VCA – Portosystemic shunt in dogs
- VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
- OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
- UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Scottish Deerhound DNA tests
- UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
- VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
- ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
- NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
- RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost