What is the normal platelet count for a Greyhound?

Normal Greyhound platelet counts are 80,000-200,000/µL, while the standard canine range is 175,000-500,000/µL. This means a Greyhound with 120,000 platelets is perfectly healthy, even though it would be flagged as dangerously low for other breeds.

Greyhound Health Guide: Anesthesia Sensitivity & Unique Bloodwork

Q: What is the lifespan of a Greyhound?

Greyhounds typically live 10-14 years. They're generally healthy dogs but have unique physiology that affects anesthesia, drug metabolism, and bloodwork interpretation. Always use a vet familiar with sighthounds for anesthesia procedures.

Q: Why is anesthesia different for Greyhounds?

Greyhounds have very low body fat (only 16% vs 35% in other breeds) which affects how anesthetic drugs are distributed and metabolized. They're sensitive to barbiturates (thiopental) and take longer to recover from certain anesthetics. Their liver processes drugs differently. Always ensure your vet uses sighthound-appropriate anesthesia protocols.

Q: Why do Greyhounds have different bloodwork values?

Greyhounds have naturally different blood values than other dogs: higher red blood cell counts and hematocrit, lower platelet counts, lower white blood cell counts, lower thyroid (T4) levels, and higher creatinine. These are NORMAL for Greyhounds but would be flagged as abnormal using standard ranges. Always tell your vet you have a Greyhound so they interpret results correctly.

Q: Are Greyhounds prone to cancer?

Greyhounds have elevated rates of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), which is unfortunately common in large breeds. They're also more prone to hemangiosarcoma. Watch for limping that doesn't improve, swelling on legs, and unexplained lethargy. Early detection matters.

Q: Are Greyhounds prone to bloat?

Yes, like all deep-chested breeds, Greyhounds are at risk for GDV (bloat), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists. Feed smaller, frequent meals, avoid exercise after eating, and consider prophylactic gastropexy. Know the signs: unproductive retching, distended abdomen, restlessness.

The Greyhound Health Profile

Greyhounds are unique dogs with physiology built for speed. This affects everything from anesthesia to bloodwork interpretation:

Anesthesia sensitivity: Low body fat affects drug distribution and recovery
Unique bloodwork: Standard reference ranges don't apply
Cancer risk: Elevated osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma rates
Bloat risk: Deep chest predisposes to GDV

Major Health Considerations

Parameter	Standard Dog	Greyhound Normal
Hematocrit (PCV)	37-55%	50-65%
Red Blood Cells	5.5-8.5 M/µL	7.4-9.0 M/µL
Platelets	175-500 K/µL	80-200 K/µL
White Blood Cells	5.5-16.9 K/µL	3.5-6.5 K/µL
Creatinine	0.5-1.8 mg/dL	0.8-2.4 mg/dL
T4 (Thyroid)	1.0-4.0 µg/dL	0.5-1.5 µg/dL

Parameter

Standard Dog

Greyhound Normal

Hematocrit (PCV)

37-55%

50-65%

Red Blood Cells

5.5-8.5 M/µL

7.4-9.0 M/µL

Platelets

175-500 K/µL

80-200 K/µL

White Blood Cells

5.5-16.9 K/µL

3.5-6.5 K/µL

Creatinine

0.5-1.8 mg/dL

0.8-2.4 mg/dL

T4 (Thyroid)

1.0-4.0 µg/dL

0.5-1.5 µg/dL

Essential Care for Greyhounds

Priority Health Steps

✓

Always identify as Greyhound
To every vet, every visit

✓

Request sighthound bloodwork ranges
Don't accept standard ranges

✓

Ask about anesthesia protocol
Before any procedure

✓

Know bloat emergency signs
Minutes matter with GDV

Retired Racing Greyhounds

If you've adopted a retired racer, they may have additional considerations:

• Dental disease is common (racing dogs often have minimal dental care)
• Tick-borne diseases should be screened (Ehrlichia, Babesia common in FL dogs)
• May need time to adjust to home life, stairs, glass doors
• Corns on feet are common—watch for limping

Emergency Signs:

Unproductive retching or distended abdomen (bloat)
Sudden collapse or pale gums
Prolonged recovery from anesthesia (over 4-6 hours)
Limping with swelling on limbs
Severe weakness or inability to stand

Understand Your Greyhound's Unique Bloodwork

Upload your Greyhound's bloodwork for AI-powered analysis using sighthound-appropriate reference ranges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lifespan of a Greyhound?

Greyhounds typically live 10-14 years. They have unique physiology affecting anesthesia and bloodwork. Always use a vet familiar with sighthounds for procedures.

Why is anesthesia different for Greyhounds?

Greyhounds have very low body fat (16% vs 35% in other dogs), affecting how anesthetic drugs are distributed and metabolized. They're sensitive to barbiturates and may need longer recovery monitoring.

Why do Greyhounds have different bloodwork values?

Greyhounds naturally have higher RBC/hematocrit, lower platelets, lower WBC, lower T4, and higher creatinine. These are NORMAL for the breed. Standard ranges will flag healthy Greyhounds as abnormal.

What is normal platelet count for a Greyhound?

Normal Greyhound platelets are 80,000-200,000/µL (standard range is 175,000-500,000/µL). A Greyhound with 120,000 platelets is healthy, not thrombocytopenic.

Are Greyhounds prone to cancer?

Yes, they have elevated rates of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and hemangiosarcoma. Watch for limping that doesn't improve, swelling on legs, and unexplained lethargy.

Are Greyhounds prone to bloat?

Yes, their deep chest increases GDV risk. Feed smaller, frequent meals, avoid exercise around mealtimes, and know the signs: unproductive retching, distended abdomen, restlessness.

Greyhound Health Guide

Unique Physiology: Tell Every Vet