Azawakh Breed Maintenance
The book on Azawakh grooming would be a short one. Their short coat doesn’t need anything more than a weekly going-over with a bristle brush or rubber grooming mitt. Bathing isn’t usually necessary either — often dirt can be brushed out once it’s dried.
Azawakh Health Risks
The Azawakh is generally considered a healthy dog. However, there are certain diseases that are more likely than others to occur over the course of the Azawakh lifespan. These include:
- Hypothyroidism
- Seizures
As some of these medical conditions are hereditary, it’s important to only deal with responsible breeders who carry out screening on their animals and remove genetic carriers from the breeding pool.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a disease that tends to affect medium-to-large breeds — similar to that of the Azawakh size — aged between the ages four and ten. It’s caused by an underactive thyroid, leading to a hormone imbalance and a slower metabolism.
The symptoms of Hypothyroidism are quite general, which can sometimes make it difficult for vets to settle on a diagnosis — weight gain, lethargy, a dull coat and itchy skin are often seen in dogs suffering from the disease.
Once a vet is confident that it’s Hypothyroidism causing these symptoms, they will usually prescribe hormone replacement supplements. These will usually have to be taken for the rest of the dog’s life and regular monitoring will be required.
Seizures
The Azawakh is more prone to suffering from Seizures, too. The main symptoms are brief episodes of uncontrolled jerking movements, momentary loss of awareness and loss of consciousness.
Left untreated, these incidents can become more frequent and serious, so it’s important to seek veterinary guidance after you’ve seen your dog suffer from a seizure. Despite this, your vet might find it difficult to land on an exact cause and may require further descriptions from future seizures to accurately diagnose.
Treatment for epilepsy doesn’t begin until multiple seizures have occurred or they’re so severe that treatment is warranted. If vets are sure that Epilepsy is the reason behind the seizures, medication can be prescribed (usually oral Phenobarbital, Potassium Bromide, or Gabapentin). This is to be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life.
A solid pet insurance policy will have your back when your dog’s exhibiting worrying symptoms — use Wag!’s online comparison tool to sift through the best options
What To Feed an Azawakh
You might not guess it from their slim build, but Azawakh dogs sure work up an appetite after their daily run-arounds. Parents should look for a top-quality dog food with high protein levels for muscle growth and repair, not to mention replenishing energy levels. This Azawakh food should also include vitamins and minerals to help their body function well.
Don’t worry, Azawakh weight gain is unlikely to be a concern providing they’re exercised enough. Your vet will be able to offer advice on the optimum weight of your pet.
Still unsure what Azawakh food to serve up? Our partner Dog Food Advisor is an expert in this field, so look to its list of the best recipes available to buy today.
