Borzoi

Borzoi Health Problems & Vet Costs

Breed-specific health conditions, expected vet costs, and prevention strategies for Borzoi owners.

$1,000 Expected medical
$0–$2,500 Cost range
low Risk tier
5 Known conditions

Conditions ranked by cost impact

Each condition's expected cost = probability of occurrence × average treatment cost. Sorted by financial impact to help you plan.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat/GDV)

●●●● life-threatening
$750 expected cost
Probability 18%
Age of onset 3–8 yrs
Treatment $550–$10,800
Treatment options
Emergency decompression and gastropexy $3,000–$8,000
Prophylactic gastropexy $400–$1,500
Prevention
  • ✓ Prophylactic gastropexy (especially for at-risk breeds)
  • ✓ Multiple smaller meals
  • ✓ Avoid elevated food bowls
  • ✓ Rest after eating

Emergency treatment covered by all plans. Prophylactic gastropexy may not be covered as preventive care.

Osteosarcoma

●●●● life-threatening
$250 expected cost
Probability 6%
Age of onset 5–10 yrs
Treatment $150–$10,800
Treatment options
Limb amputation $3,000–$8,000
Chemotherapy (carboplatin) $2,000–$6,000
Palliative pain management $100–$400
Prevention
  • ✓ No proven prevention methods
  • ✓ Early detection through limping investigation
  • ✓ Regular veterinary check-ups for large breeds

Covered by most comprehensive plans; pre-existing exclusions apply if diagnosed before enrollment.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

●●●○ severe
$0 expected cost
Probability 10%
Age of onset 4–9 yrs
Treatment $0–$800
Treatment options
Pimobendan $40–$100
Diuretics (furosemide) $15–$40
ACE inhibitors $20–$50
Cardiac monitoring (echocardiograms) $300–$600
Prevention
  • ✓ Annual cardiac screening for at-risk breeds
  • ✓ Taurine supplementation (emerging evidence)
  • ✓ Avoid grain-free diets (FDA investigation)

Covered by most plans as hereditary condition. Ongoing medication and monitoring costs accumulate significantly.

Hypothyroidism

●○○○ mild
$0 expected cost
Probability 9%
Age of onset 3–7 yrs
Treatment $0–$200
Treatment options
Levothyroxine (daily) $15–$40
Regular thyroid monitoring $60–$150
Prevention
  • ✓ No known prevention
  • ✓ Regular veterinary blood work for early detection

Covered by all plans. Low ongoing cost makes it less impactful on insurance value calculation.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

●●○○ moderate
$0 expected cost
Probability 7%
Age of onset 3–8 yrs
Treatment $50–$250
Treatment options
Antioxidant supplementation $20–$50
Environmental adaptation $50–$200
Prevention
  • ✓ DNA testing before breeding
  • ✓ Choose breeders who test for PRA

Covered as hereditary condition. Treatment costs are low since no cure exists, but diagnosis workup can be expensive.

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Frequently asked questions

What health problems do Borzois commonly have?

Borzois are predisposed to Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat/GDV), Osteosarcoma, Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), Hypothyroidism. The breed has a low overall health risk tier with $1,000 in expected lifetime medical costs.

How much do Borzoi vet bills cost?

Expected lifetime medical costs for a Borzoi total approximately $1,000. This includes treatment for breed-specific conditions, with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat/GDV) being the most likely expense.

Is a Borzoi a healthy breed?

The Borzoi has a low health risk rating. With 5 breed-specific predispositions, regular veterinary checkups and preventive care are important.

Should I get pet insurance for a Borzoi?

Given the Borzoi's low health risk tier and $1,000 in expected medical costs, pet insurance is optional but may provide peace of mind for unexpected emergencies.

Sources

Figures on this page are modeled estimates calibrated to published benchmarks (accessed 2026-07-21). Breed characteristics follow AKC breed standards. Full formula and inputs: our methodology.

See the full cost breakdown and insurance analysis:

Full Borzoi report Insurance analysis