The short answer for an Italian Greyhound owner
Italian Greyhounds tend to be long-lived and delicate rather than heavily built, and the problems vets watch for in this breed follow that frame. Dental disease from crowded teeth in a narrow jaw, kneecaps that slip out of place, thin leg bones that break more easily than in sturdier breeds, and inherited eye conditions all appear more often here than in dogs generally. None of that means your dog will develop any of them, but it does shape what a sensible check-up looks for.
Teeth and jaw: the everyday risk in a narrow mouth
An Italian Greyhound fits a full set of teeth into a long, narrow muzzle, and that crowding leaves tight gaps where plaque collects quickly. Tartar, sore gums, and loose teeth can follow, and small dogs often keep eating through considerable mouth discomfort. Lift the lip weekly, look for brown build-up along the gumline and redness at the edges, and notice if chewing shifts to one side or kibble gets dropped. Note the date you first saw a change, because a slow build-up is easy to miss day to day but obvious in a written sequence.
Knees, hips and those fine leg bones
Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips sideways, is a familiar Italian Greyhound issue and may show as a brief skip or a hop on a back leg that then looks normal again. A hip condition that affects blood flow to the joint can appear in young dogs of this size and may show as hind-leg limping or reluctance to jump. The breed's slender legs also fracture more readily, especially from jumping off sofas or being dropped, so ramps, careful handling by children, and a harness on walks are practical protection, not fussiness.
Eyes, seizures and thyroid checks worth discussing
Inherited eye problems in Italian Greyhounds can include progressive retinal changes that reduce night vision first, lens clouding, and pressure problems inside the eye. Bumping into things in dim light, a cloudy or red eye, or obvious eye pain deserves a prompt vet call rather than watchful waiting. Some Italian Greyhounds develop seizure disorders, and thyroid underactivity is also discussed for this breed, so tell your vet about any unexplained episode of shaking, staring, or collapse, and about weight gain with a thinning coat, so appropriate blood work can be considered.
What to ask at your dog's check-up
Ask your vet to grade your dog's teeth and kneecap stability out loud at each visit, and to explain what change from last time would trigger action. Ask whether an eye examination is worthwhile given your dog's age and family history if you know it, and whether baseline blood work makes sense as your dog moves through adulthood. Bring your home notes on skipping steps, chewing changes, and any odd episodes, with rough dates, instead of relying on memory in the room.
When not to wait for a routine appointment
Call promptly for a leg held up after a jump or fall, a red or cloudy eye, repeated vomiting, a seizure, or a dog who suddenly will not eat. Those signs matter in any breed, but in a small, fine-boned dog who hides discomfort, waiting for a scheduled visit can let a fracture or eye problem worsen. Keeping your Italian Greyhound's vaccine record, weight history, eye findings, and these home notes together in KinsLe's Pet Passport lets any vet you see pick up this breed's story in minutes.