Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cervical disc disease in Italian Whippets from owner survey
By Dell'Apa, Diletta et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2026·Anicura Tibaldi Veterinary Clinic, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cervical disc disease in whippets: Results of an online survey involving Italian owners and breeders.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Whippets can develop cervical disc disease (CDD), a condition affecting the neck that can lead to pain and mobility issues. In a survey of over 280 Whippets, researchers found that 7.2% of all Whippets and 29% of those older than 9 years had CDD. This suggests that older Whippets are particularly at risk. The study highlights the importance of health screenings for Whippets, especially before they participate in sports or breeding, to help identify potential neck problems early on.
People also search for: Whippet neck pain · cervical disc disease in dogs · senior Whippet health issues
Abstract
Whippet is considered quite a healthy breed. Nonetheless, the perception of some veterinary neurologists is that the occurrence of neurological diseases, especially cervical disc disease (CDD), is frequent in this breed. This study aimed to get information about the prevalence of the most common disorders and conditions affecting the Italian Whippet population, particularly investigating the prevalence of CDD and the perception of the problem by owners and breeders. Owners and breeders included in the Italian Sighthound Club register were invited to answer anonymously an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for breeder/owner and dog characteristics, and statistical association with the development of CDD were explored. Over 280 Whippets, the overall prevalence of CDD was 7.2% and 29% in Whippets older than 9 years. Whippets older than 9 years were overrepresented in the CDD group (P < 0.0001; O.R. 0.07; 95% CI: 0.02-0.22) compared with the CDD group. These findings confirm the hypothesis that CDD may be a challenging and more prevalent than expected disorder in this breed and health screening programs could be recommended to breeders and owners to assess cervical spine conformation, especially before sporting activity or breeding.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41619577/