Italian Greyhounds are sensitive, easily intimidated sighthounds that dislike cold and wet, so owners may report shivering, burrowing under blankets, or reluctance to toilet outdoors; they’re often described as clingy and can be vocal or anxious with separation, and their strong chase instinct can trigger sudden bolting. For intake and rooming, expect a dog that does best in a warm, quiet space with gentle, minimal restraint and secure door control/leashing. Because their slender limbs are vulnerable to injury from jumps or falls, any sudden non‑weight‑bearing lameness, obvious limb deformity, or intense pain after a fall should be escalated immediately.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Italian Greyhounds can be very sensitive to cold and stress, so shivering or resisting going outside can be typical for the breed. We’ll place your dog in a warm, quiet room and use gentle handling; please keep them leashed at all times as they can bolt when startled. If your dog yelped after a jump/fall and now won’t put weight on a leg or a limb looks bent, this may be an emergency—please come in now or proceed to the nearest ER. Otherwise, we can arrange a same‑day visit to assess comfort and safety.
Italian Greyhounds have very fine, slender forelimb bones and are over‑represented among toy breeds for distal radius/ulna fractures from seemingly minor jumps; sudden non‑weightbearing, a visibly bent limb, open wounds, or intense yelping should be treated as an emergency. The breed also has documented genetic susceptibility to progressive retinal atrophy (adult‑onset vision loss), is reported among dilute‑coat breeds for color‑dilution alopecia (cosmetic hair loss in blue/fawn dogs), and—like many small breeds—is predisposed to patellar (kneecap) luxation and early periodontal disease; these are typically chronic issues to monitor during routine care.
Front desk script: Italian Greyhounds have fragile lower leg bones. If your dog suddenly won’t bear weight, is crying out, or the leg looks bent or bleeding, this is an emergency—please come in immediately or go to the nearest ER. We’ll also note breed‑linked risks we monitor over time (genetic eye disease/PRA, kneecap laxity, dilute‑color hair loss, and early dental disease) and can schedule routine checks for those concerns.
Italian Greyhounds are affectionate, quick, and delicate toy sighthounds that need gentle handling, daily leash walks, and safe, fenced sprint time; they chill easily and usually need a sweater in cold or wet weather. Common owner concerns: they’re prone to dental disease (plan regular dental checks), have fine limb bones typical of toy breeds (avoid high furniture and rough play), and may develop eye issues. Keep nails short and use a harness for better control on walks. Seek emergency care now for sudden non‑weight‑bearing or a limb held at an odd angle, severe eye redness/pain, collapse, breathing trouble, or uncontrolled bleeding.
Front desk script: They’re a small, sensitive sighthound—great with gentle families but fragile—so advise leashes outdoors, no high jumping, and a coat in cold weather. We recommend routine checkups with dental assessments; call us the same day for new limping, behavior changes, or eye concerns. If your dog won’t use a leg, has a deformed limb, or has a very painful red eye, direct the client to an emergency hospital immediately.
Expect frequent calls for: sudden front‑leg non–weight bearing or limping after a jump/landing (toy breeds like Italian Greyhounds are prone to distal radius/ulna injury); intermittent hind‑leg “skipping” gait suggestive of patellar instability; dental concerns in small breeds (bad breath, loose teeth, or suspected retained baby teeth) leading to early cleanings/consults; broken or bleeding nails; thin‑hair/bald patches on ears/thighs or in dilute coat areas (often cosmetic); cold intolerance questions; and routine wellness/preventive care. Keep triage non‑diagnostic and focus on visit type and timing.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Italian Greyhounds can be delicate. If the leg looks bent, the paw dangles, or your dog refuses to bear weight after a jump, this is an emergency: please head to the nearest ER now. If there’s limping but the paw touches down, or a broken/bleeding nail, we recommend a same‑day appointment; for dental odor/loose or baby teeth, or non‑itchy bald patches, we can schedule the next available doctor consult. We’ll note sighthound/anesthesia considerations for the veterinarian and any cold‑sensitivity concerns.
Italian Greyhounds have a very short, single coat with minimal shedding; routine coat care is light (quick weekly brush/wipe and occasional baths), but regular nail care is often the bigger need—offer technician nail-trim visits if owners don’t do this at home. Their thin coat provides little protection from cold or sun, so set expectations for weather-appropriate protection and discuss sun safety with the veterinarian. Watch for non-urgent, breed-associated patchy hair thinning in blue/fawn dogs (possible color dilution alopecia)—book a routine skin consult or dermatology referral. Escalate same day if skin is red, blistered, or oozing after sun exposure, or if paw pads show blisters/raw redness with reluctance to walk.
Front desk script: Italian Greyhounds are low-maintenance for coat care but often need regular nail trims—we can book quick technician nail-trim appointments as frequently as you prefer. Their thin coat offers little protection from sun or cold; your veterinarian can advise on safe sun practices and weather protection. If you see blistered or oozing skin, or paw pad blisters/reluctance to walk after hot surfaces, we should see your dog today. Gradual patchy hair thinning in blue/fawn dogs isn’t an emergency—we can schedule the next available skin consult.
Italian Greyhounds are toy sighthounds with very slender forelimb bones and a known predisposition to distal radius/ulna fractures after minor jumps or falls—triage any sudden non–weight-bearing lameness, visible limb deformity, or yelping after a jump as urgent and route for same‑day imaging or direct ER if we cannot see them promptly. Small breeds develop dental disease earlier; plan dental evaluation/cleaning around 12 months and recurring as advised. Italian Greyhounds are sighthounds with documented differences in anesthetic drug metabolism—flag the breed in the chart and schedule a pre‑anesthetic consult/labs before any sedated procedure (dental, spay/neuter, imaging). Intermittent “skipping” hind‑limb gait can indicate patellar luxation seen in small breeds; book a routine exam if mild/occasional, but escalate to same‑day if persistent pain or continuous lameness.
Front desk script: Because Italian Greyhounds have very delicate forelimbs, if your dog is suddenly not using a leg after a jump or the leg looks bent, this could be a fracture—please come in now; if we can’t see you within a few hours, proceed to the nearest emergency hospital. For wellness and dental care, small breeds benefit from a dental exam and cleaning around 12 months; I can schedule that and note the breed for anesthesia planning. For any procedure needing sedation, we’ll book a pre‑anesthetic consult and labs. If you’re noticing a brief ‘skip’ in a back leg, we’ll schedule an exam; if the lameness is constant or painful, we’ll see you same day.
Lifecycle notes for Italian Greyhounds (IGs): Puppies (to ~12 months) need visits every 3–4 weeks through initial preventive care and growth checks; coach families on safe handling and avoiding jumps/falls because toy-breed IGs are prone to distal radius/ulna fractures—if there’s a sudden yelp, non–weight-bearing, marked swelling, or limb deformity after a jump, keep the pup still and call for same-day/emergency evaluation. Adults (1–7 years) typically come yearly for wellness, with a strong focus on dental assessments/cleanings and year‑round preventives; owners often ask about cold intolerance and safe, enclosed exercise. Seniors (~8+ years) shift to twice‑yearly exams with screening labs per DVM guidance, plus closer monitoring of heart sounds/murmurs, dental status, weight/appetite, mobility, and behavior changes.
Front desk script: For IG puppies, we’ll schedule checkups every 3–4 weeks until the initial series is complete and review safe at‑home handling to minimize jump/fall injuries. If your IG suddenly cries out and won’t use a leg after a jump or you see obvious limb deformity, please keep them as still as possible and call us now so we can triage a same‑day or emergency visit. For healthy adults we book annual wellness; for seniors we prefer every 6 months with added dental and heart/mobility check‑ins.
At check-in, note that Italian Greyhounds are small sighthounds with delicate limbs and poor cold tolerance; ask owners to keep them leashed/carried, lift onto scales/tables, and bring a sweater or blanket in cooler weather. Set expectations that small breeds commonly need regular oral health check‑ins and professional dental evaluations over their lifetime (the doctor will advise on timing). Add a chart flag: “Sighthound—anesthesia considerations; DVM to discuss if any sedated/anesthetized procedure is planned.” If a recent jump/fall is followed by non–weight-bearing, visible limb deformity, or sudden swelling/pain, instruct owners to come in immediately and call on the way—this is an emergency.
Front desk script: “Thanks for letting us know she’s an Italian Greyhound—these little sighthounds can be sensitive and have fine limbs, so we’ll help you lift her and keep her warm today. Because small breeds often build tartar quickly, our team will check her teeth at every visit and the doctor can discuss when professional dental care might be needed. If she ever jumps and won’t use a leg or a limb looks crooked, please come straight in and call us on the way—that’s an emergency.”
Italian Greyhounds are toy sighthounds with a few front‑office watchouts: plan early dental prophylaxis (aim for the first professional cleaning around 12 months, then per DVM guidance), flag “sighthound” in the chart and route any procedure to a pre‑anesthesia consult, offer annual ophthalmic screening/referral (CAER) if breeding or if owners report squinting or vision changes, use extra care with their fine long limbs (avoid high jumps on‑site), and if an owner reports a sudden loud yelp with non‑weight‑bearing or a visibly bent limb after a jump, direct them to emergency care immediately; keep them warm at visits and remind owners these dogs are cold‑intolerant. ([aaha.org](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2019-aaha-dental-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/preventing-periodontal-disease/?utm_source=openai))
Front desk script: For Italian Greyhounds, we recommend starting a dental‑cleaning plan around 12 months; we can review teeth at your wellness exam and get that on the schedule. Because sighthounds can have unique anesthesia considerations, we’ll book a pre‑anesthesia consult and same‑day labs before any procedure. If your IG ever cries out and won’t bear weight or a leg looks bent after a jump, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital immediately. If you’re planning to breed or notice squinting/vision changes, we can arrange a CAER eye screening referral.
Temperament: sweet, very sensitive, easily intimidated, and bonds closely; expect a clingy, quiet dog that responds best to soft voices and food rewards. Handling: keep the visit low-stimulus (quiet room), use minimal/consent-based restraint, support chest and hindquarters when lifting, avoid twisting/dangling limbs, provide non‑slip footing and a warm blanket (thin coat, gets cold). What matters most: toy-breed dental risk is high and these dogs are notably prone to forelimb (radius/ulna) injuries from seemingly minor jumps; if an owner reports a sudden non‑weight‑bearing forelimb, visible limb deformity, swelling, or a sharp cry after a jump/fall, escalate immediately—advise same‑day evaluation and alert the medical team now.
Front desk script: Italian Greyhounds tend to be very gentle and sensitive, so we’ll keep things calm and use light handling with plenty of treats. We’ll place non‑slip mats and a warm blanket to keep them comfortable. If your dog recently jumped or had a fall and is not using a front leg or seems very painful, please tell me right away so the doctor can see them urgently.
Newly adopted Italian Greyhounds are high flight risks that can slip standard collars—use a fitted martingale/no‑slip collar with a secondary harness/leash and control all transfers at doors, parking lots, and cars. As toy sighthounds with fine forelimb bones, avoid rough handling; support chest and hindquarters when lifting, and prevent jumping off furniture; sudden non‑weight‑bearing forelimb lameness or a sharp yelp after a minor jump can indicate a distal radius/ulna fracture—direct for emergency evaluation. They poorly tolerate cold, so provide warmth during transport/intake. Young toy‑breed puppies can develop hypoglycemia under stress or with poor intake; if an adopter reports extreme lethargy, tremors, collapse, or seizures, instruct immediate ER care. Flag the record for sighthound anesthetic sensitivity before scheduling sedation/dentistry or surgery. Many IGs are sensitive, may be slow to housetrain, and often have small‑breed dental concerns—set expectations for calm handling and early wellness/dental check‑ins.
Front desk script: Italian Greyhounds are quick, slender sighthounds and common flight risks—please use a fitted martingale collar plus a secure harness (two points of contact) and keep them warm during travel. If you notice sudden non‑weight‑bearing limping after a small jump, or if a young puppy becomes very weak, trembles, collapses, or has a seizure, go to the nearest emergency clinic now and call us on the way. We’ll note their sighthound status in the chart for anesthesia planning. Let us know about any falls, escapes, or mouth discomfort right away.
Italian Greyhounds are gentle, highly sensitive toy sighthounds that may be shy or easily intimidated with strangers; use a calm voice, minimal restraint, and allow the owner to stay close. Keep them securely leashed (strong chase/flight instinct) and seat them in a quiet, draft-free area; they chill easily, so offer a blanket/towel. Avoid high surfaces and jumping risks—these dogs have delicate forelimbs and toy-breed dogs, including Italian Greyhounds, are overrepresented in distal radius/ulna fractures after minor jumps or falls; move slowly, use non‑slip mats, and keep handling low to the floor. Escalate immediately if the owner reports a recent jump/fall with sudden non‑weight‑bearing lameness, yelping, or visible limb deformity.
Front desk script: Hi! Italian Greyhounds are very sensitive and can get chilled, so we’ll get you to a quieter spot and offer a blanket. Please keep [PetName] leashed and close to the floor so there’s no jumping. If you’ve noticed any sudden limping after a jump or a cry of pain, tell me right away so we can have the medical team see them urgently.
Italian Greyhounds are prone to forelimb (radius/ulna) fractures from even short jumps: any sudden non‑weight‑bearing lameness, intense pain/yelp, swelling, or visible limb deformity after a jump/fall should be treated as a suspected fracture—escalate to emergency immediately. Also escalate right away for breathing distress (rapid or labored breathing, blue/pale gums, inability to settle, collapse), seizures or fainting/collapse, uncontrolled bleeding/major trauma, or any eye injury. In puppies and very small IGs, red flags for low blood sugar (extreme lethargy, wobbliness/staggering, tremors, disorientation, seizures, or unresponsiveness) require same‑day or emergency evaluation. Straining to urinate with little or no urine is also an emergency and should be escalated immediately.
Front desk script: Based on what you’ve described, we need to escalate this to emergency care now. Please come to our hospital immediately (or proceed to the nearest 24/7 ER if after hours) and call us when you’re on the way so our team can prepare. Sudden non‑weight‑bearing limping after a jump/fall, trouble breathing, collapse/seizures, or a wobbly or unresponsive puppy are all emergency signs in Italian Greyhounds.