Ventral comedo syndrome is commonly seen in adults of either sex. It most likely results from the frictional, pressure-point contact of their deep chests and thin skin with hard surfaces. Treatment, if warranted, includes a topical keratolytic shampoo having antibacterial activity.

Hypothyroidism does occur in the breed but is less common than predicted on the basis of laboratory results of thyroid function tests (see below). Affected dogs typically have weak race performance, infertility, poor and sparse hair-coat, and lethargy.

Other conditions that appear to be prevalent in the greyhound include: lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (inflammatory bowel syndrome), enter-itis from Salmonella or E.coli spp, epilepsy, mega-esophagus, tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis or ehrlichiosis (see below), chronic internal para-sitism, osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, psycho-genic polydipsia, hermaphroditism, cryptorchid-ism, chronic gingivitis and dental problems, shyness, highly sensitive nature, and easily stressed. Generally, however, greyhounds are sweet natured and make good companions.

Drug metabolism differs in this breed especially with respect to their handling of barbiturates which should not be given. Prolonged anesthesia and prolonged excitement phase during recovery are seen even with ultrashort-acting thiobarbiturates. Practitioners working with greyhounds use a variety of alternative anesthetic protocols. Anesthetized greyhounds may also develop persistent (malignant) hyperthermia, and post-anesthesia agitation and hyperventilation are seen. The latter risk is reduced by administering intravenous fluids during anesthesia. Other drugs which are best avoided in greyhounds include organophosphates, potentiated sulfonamides, and certain anthelmintics.

Blood profiles. With respect to routine hematologic and blood chemistry analytes, healthy greyhounds typically have higher packed cell volumes, red cell and hemoglobin concentrations, and may have low-normal white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and von Willebrand factor level (e.g. PCV 53.0 ± 4.3%, WBC 8430 ± 1860 / µl, platelets 207 ± 38 x 103 / µl, vWF:Ag 73 ± 28%; n=34). Furthermore, compared to other canines, they can have relatively low alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol values, and mildly high creatinine with high normal BUN and phosphorous concentrations.

Thyroid function testing. Greyhounds and the other sighthound breeds typically have basal concentrations of thyroid hormones significantly lower than other breeds (at or even below the lowest limits of the adult normal reference ranges, although cTSH concentrations are similar to those of nongrey-hounds). The appropriate diagnosis of hypothyroidism in these dogs may be difficult to make, especially during the immediate post-adoption period when the animal may be in less than optimal health and is undergoing the stress of relocation and adjustment to a pet home. However, clinically evident hypothyroidism exists in a subset of these dogs and is responsive to thyroid supplementation. The dosage of replacement levothyroxine needed for hypothyroid sighthounds is typically about one-half of the twice-daily dosage given to other dog breeds (i.e. 0.1 mg per 20 lbs. body weight BID). Post-pill test values should ideally be within the lower half of adult dog reference ranges at 4-6 hours after the morning medication.