Azawakh health: what owners should know

The breed is known to be predisposed to hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis, epilepsy, cervical spinal problems often called wobbler syndrome, and bloat. Like other sighthounds, Azawakhs have little body fat and may react differently to anesthesia, and some blood test values, including thyroid levels, can naturally differ from other breeds. Responsible breeders screen thyroid function, heart and eyes, and share information about seizures in their lines.

Choose a vet familiar with sighthounds if you can. Contact a vet promptly if you notice a seizure, weight loss despite eating, hair loss or lethargy, stiffness or pain when lowering the head, or an unsteady gait. Unproductive heaving combined with a distended stomach is an emergency at any hour.