Widely famous as one of the favorite dogs of the Queen, Corgis steal everyone’s attention with their distinctive appearance and outgoing personalities. Originally bred to herd cattle, sheep and horses, the Welsh Corgi (Pembroke Welsh Corgi) is an active and intelligent dog breed. Easy to train and eager to learn, Welsh Corgis are great with children and other pets, and you can find them in four different colors and coat markings. However, like any other dog breed, Corgis are also prone to certain health issues. If Corgi health issues are spotted in time, they can be successfully treated.
Are Corgis prone to health issues?
As a pet parent, you certainly want only the best for your Corgi. However, sometimes we can’t predict or affect the development of certain health issues.
Welsh Pembroke Corgis are a pretty healthy breed overall, but like all pups, they may be more prone to certain health issues. Not every furry friend will experience all or any of these conditions, but it’s always good to stay informed if you have a Corgi. If you’re in the market for a new addition to your family, we recommend finding a trustworthy breeder who can provide proof that the pup’s parents have been screened for potential health concerns. With this particular breed, it’s important to make sure that the pup doesn’t have hip or elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand disease, and that an ophthalmologist has given their eyes the thumbs up.
What are the most common Corgi Health Issues?
Hip dysplasia in Corgis
Hip dysplasia in Corgis is an inherited condition that causes abnormal development of the hips, where the bony, rapidly growing part of the hip is “loose,” meaning it’s not securely attached to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other supporting tissues. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by certain factors such as rapid growth due to improper nutrition, obesity, injuries from jumping or falling, as well as walking on slippery surfaces (try to avoid having your dog walk on hardwood floors, as this can damage their joints and contribute to hip dysplasia). To be extra kind to your furry friend, we recommend keeping an eye out for these symptoms and talking to your vet if you have any concerns.
Some Corgis may show symptoms such as limping or pain in one or both hind legs, while others may not show any symptoms at all. As a dog ages, it may develop arthritis. The condition can be diagnosed through hip X-rays, and in consultation with your vet, you’ll know what the best form of treatment is for your furry friend – it could be medication and even surgical intervention. Corgiss with dysplasia should be excluded from further breeding. If you notice any signs of discomfort in your pup, we recommend reaching out to your vet for guidance on how to help them feel better. Remember, your furry friend deserves to live their best, pain-free life!
Cataracts in Corgis
This disease causes opacity of the eye lens, which results in poor vision. Your Corgi’s eye will be blurry, making it difficult for them to see clearly. Cataracts usually occur in old age, but they can sometimes be removed surgically to improve vision.
Cutaneous asthenia in Corgis
Otherwise known as “Ehlers-Danlos” syndrome, dermatosparaxis, or dominant collagen dysplasia, this is a condition that causes a defect in the connective tissue, making it fragile, loose, and stretched. Blood vessels are also affected, leading to the formation of excessive bruises and bleeding blisters.
Cystinuria in Corgis
Cystinuria is a condition in which high levels of a protein called cystine are excreted in the urine, which can lead to the formation of stones. This Corgi health issue usually occurs in males. If you notice any of these health problems in your Corgi, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your furry friend deserves to be happy and healthy, so it’s essential to keep an eye out for any potential health issues and address them promptly.
Degenerative myelopathy in Corgis
This is one more Corgi health issue that represents a progressive degeneration of the nerve and supporting tissue of the spinal cord in the lower back. This causes a hind leg weakness, lameness, and eventual paralysis, and is often misdiagnosed as a spinal disc disease.
Epilepsy in Corgis
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is often, but not always, hereditary. There are idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsies. You will recognize seizures by your dog’s unusual behavior, running fast as if being chased, stumbling, and hiding. Characteristics of a partial seizure are freezing, throwing the head back, vomiting, whole body convulsions, inability to swallow, resulting in the appearance of white foam around the mouth. During a larger seizure, the dog loses consciousness.
Seizures can last from a few minutes to 48 hours. When it comes to a shorter seizure, the dog will behave normally afterward, while in the other case, it will be disoriented and agitated. Seizures are truly terrifying and stressful to watch, but the long-term prognosis for idiopathic epilepsy is good, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately to start appropriate therapy as soon as possible.
Intervertebral Disc Disease in Corgis
This is one of the most common Corgi health issues. Due to their long backs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are prone to rupture spinal discs. This may be due to genetics, improper movement, or falling/jumping onto furniture. Back problems include the inability to rise on the hind legs, instability, weakness, paralysis, and sometimes loss of bowel control.
When you are holding your Corgi, it is important to always support its front and hind legs. If this problem occurs, treatment may involve keeping the dog in a crate (for movement) and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as surgery to remove problematic spinal discs, and even placing the animal in a dog wheelchair. Some owners have found that taking their pets to a chiropractor with experience working with dogs can help. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately to receive a timely diagnosis.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Corgis
This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness due to the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. This Corgi health issue was discovered long before dogs began showing any signs of blindness. In the early stages, affected dogs lose their night vision, and later, as the disease progresses, their vision during the day.
However, with the use of their other senses, these dogs can lead perfectly happy lives, just help them and try not to change the arrangement of furniture often, so they can get used to the existing environment. Any responsible breeder will have confirmation from an ophthalmologist, and if such a disease appears in an individual, such dogs will not be further bred.
Von Willebrand disease
Another health issue that affects Corgis is this inherited disorder. It can cause mild to moderately severe bleeding, as well as prolonged bleeding time. So, the main symptom is excessive bleeding after injury or surgery. Other symptoms include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding during tropical heat, prolonged bleeding after a female dog gives birth, or bleeding in the stomach and intestines.
It is usually detected in dogs between three and five years old and there is no cure, with the only current treatment being blood transfusion from healthy dogs. Research is ongoing for new treatments, including some medications. It can be controlled with medications that include cauterization, wound healing, transfusion before surgical intervention, and avoiding certain medications. Most dogs with von Willebrand disease can live normal lives. Affected dogs should not be further bred, and a veterinarian will diagnose them based on a test.
Retinal dysplasia in Corgis
This is an abnormal enlargement of the retina. Sometimes, retinal detachment occurs, leading to blindness.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with pulmonary hypertension is a congenital defect of the vascular system. When the ductus arteriosus (a blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery) remains open after the birth of the puppies, a large amount of blood goes to the lungs. It is usually detected during a veterinary examination of puppies and is a rare form of PDA. PDA can be surgically corrected.
Wrapping up- Corgi health issues and how to keep them under control
We hope that this blog post has been informative and helpful for all the Corgi lovers out there. While Corgis are incredibly adorable and loving, they do come with their own set of health issues that need to be addressed. By keeping a watchful eye on their weight, providing them with a balanced diet, and ensuring they get regular exercise, we can help prevent a lot of these health problems from developing.
It’s also important to keep up with regular vet visits and keep an eye out for any signs of potential health issues. By staying proactive and addressing health concerns early on, we can help our furry friends live happy and healthy lives.
Remember, a healthy Corgi is a happy Corgi! So, let’s all do our part to ensure that these lovable pups get the best care possible. Whether you’re a seasoned Corgi owner or a new Corgi parent, we hope that this post has provided some helpful insights into how to keep your furry friend healthy and happy for years to come.