How To Keep Your Corgi Healthy: A Step by Step Guide To Common Health Problems
Life is full of adventure! Parks to explore, things to sniff, balls to chase! But in all that excitement it’s important to ensure you’re keeping your corgi in good health.
Your corgi, when properly cared for, should live for 10 to 13 years. That’s only a fraction of what us humans live, so make sure you fill them with love and happiness.
Here are the Top 5 corgi health issues that you should look out for in your corgi.
Your corgi, when properly cared for, should live for 10 to 13 years. That’s only a fraction of what us humans live, so make sure you fill them with love and happiness.
Here are the Top 5 corgi health issues that you should look out for in your corgi.
Top Corgi Health Problems
Back and Joint Pain
When you first get your puppy, they’re happy, smiling, and zooming around the room. But over time, they start to slow down – a little sluggish on runs, a little bit longer getting out of bed.
If that’s the case for your corgi, then they may have joint or back problems. Due to the corgi’s size and build, one of the first areas to develop problems is in their back, spine, and joints. This gets worse as they age. Common issues are:
Hip dysplasia: This is where the hip socket doesn't fully cover the ball of the upper thighbone. Hip dysplasia can cause damage the cartilage that lines the joint. It can also damage the soft cartilage around the socket of the hip join. This can make it difficult for your corgi to walk. Surgery is usually required to fix.
Ruptured discs: The spinal discs absorb shock (like an airbag or cushion) between the vertebrae (the large bones) in the spine. If these move to where they’re not supposed to, they can press on nearby nerves, which causes back paint in your corgi. Again, surgery is usually required to fix.
Degenerative myelopathy: This is a disease that can develop in your corgi’s spine. It will eventually cause paralysis in the back legs, making it difficult (or impossible) for your corgi to walk. This disease is triggered by a rogue gene in the corgi’s DNA, and a good breeder will be able to test for the risk of passing it on, before making the decision to produce puppies.
If that’s the case for your corgi, then they may have joint or back problems. Due to the corgi’s size and build, one of the first areas to develop problems is in their back, spine, and joints. This gets worse as they age. Common issues are:
Hip dysplasia: This is where the hip socket doesn't fully cover the ball of the upper thighbone. Hip dysplasia can cause damage the cartilage that lines the joint. It can also damage the soft cartilage around the socket of the hip join. This can make it difficult for your corgi to walk. Surgery is usually required to fix.
Ruptured discs: The spinal discs absorb shock (like an airbag or cushion) between the vertebrae (the large bones) in the spine. If these move to where they’re not supposed to, they can press on nearby nerves, which causes back paint in your corgi. Again, surgery is usually required to fix.
Degenerative myelopathy: This is a disease that can develop in your corgi’s spine. It will eventually cause paralysis in the back legs, making it difficult (or impossible) for your corgi to walk. This disease is triggered by a rogue gene in the corgi’s DNA, and a good breeder will be able to test for the risk of passing it on, before making the decision to produce puppies.
Obesity
It’s just one more slice of cake, you say to yourself. What’s the harm? Unfortunately, our bad human habits often follow through to our pets, and obesity is certainly one of those.
Yes, being overweight is not just a problem faced by us mere human mortals, it’s also one to look out for in our four-legged friends. Especially since corgis often give the appearance of being perpetually hungry (they’re tricksters, after all!).
Your corgi needs a balanced diet of about half a cup of dog food, twice a day. For bigger corgis, slightly more; for smaller corgis, slightly less. You can also add in some meat, but don’t overdo it. And make sure they get plenty of exercise. It’s easy for those pounds to pile up if they’re not being burnt off.
Obesity in corgis can lead to other health problems down the line, including joint and back pain, as mentioned before, so keeping an eye on the scales is very important for your little loved one.
Yes, being overweight is not just a problem faced by us mere human mortals, it’s also one to look out for in our four-legged friends. Especially since corgis often give the appearance of being perpetually hungry (they’re tricksters, after all!).
Your corgi needs a balanced diet of about half a cup of dog food, twice a day. For bigger corgis, slightly more; for smaller corgis, slightly less. You can also add in some meat, but don’t overdo it. And make sure they get plenty of exercise. It’s easy for those pounds to pile up if they’re not being burnt off.
Obesity in corgis can lead to other health problems down the line, including joint and back pain, as mentioned before, so keeping an eye on the scales is very important for your little loved one.
Eye Disorders
As your corgi starts to get older, you may notice they have trouble seeing. They may go bumping into things, or misstep when traversing difficult paths.
This is because corgis often develop eye problems as they age. The eye is made up of very delicate parts, that all must work together. If one thing doesn’t work, eyesight is severely compromised.
Here are a few ways it tends to manifest.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): With PRA, the retina of the eye starts to degenerate, and this leads to blindness. It comes in two forms: Generalised PRA and Central PRA – named after the area where the problem occurs.
Retinal dysplasia: This happens when the retina doesn’t develop correct. The retina is found at the back of the eye, and is made up of light-sensitive cells. When the light hits the retina, it transforms it into information for the corgis’ brain. With retinal dysplasia, this process does not occur as expected, which causes vision issues.
Lens luxation: The lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. It must be held the iris and the retina. When lens luxation occurs, the position of the lens is moved, which can lead to glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve), or even blindness.
If your corgi is having vision issues, we recommend getting them straight to a vet so they can check it out.
This is because corgis often develop eye problems as they age. The eye is made up of very delicate parts, that all must work together. If one thing doesn’t work, eyesight is severely compromised.
Here are a few ways it tends to manifest.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): With PRA, the retina of the eye starts to degenerate, and this leads to blindness. It comes in two forms: Generalised PRA and Central PRA – named after the area where the problem occurs.
Retinal dysplasia: This happens when the retina doesn’t develop correct. The retina is found at the back of the eye, and is made up of light-sensitive cells. When the light hits the retina, it transforms it into information for the corgis’ brain. With retinal dysplasia, this process does not occur as expected, which causes vision issues.
Lens luxation: The lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. It must be held the iris and the retina. When lens luxation occurs, the position of the lens is moved, which can lead to glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve), or even blindness.
If your corgi is having vision issues, we recommend getting them straight to a vet so they can check it out.
Skin Issues
When you spend a lot of time outside, there’s always a chance that you’ll come into skin problems with your corgi. Here’s the most common causes, and what to do.
Bugs: Fleas, ticks and parasites can all harm your corgi, with bites, itches and scratches. And they will get everywhere. Run all your corgis bedding through the laundry: blankets, beds, towels, everything. Vacuum through the house, and get a bug treatment for the whole space. You also want to be getting a bug removal product, preferably from your vet, for your corgi – and make sure you bathe them in flea shampoo. Flea collars can also come in handy.
Allergies: These can cause inflammation and dry red itch spots for your corgi. Allergies can be to irritants in the grass, the air, or even their food. It is best to check with your vet if your corgi is breaking out in an allergic reaction.
Hot spots: Due to their double coat, there’s a chance that your corgi can suffer from skin problems from heat. Bathe them to cool spots, and you may need to consider a cone for their head if they keep biting at them.
Most of these can be treated, with a bit of effort on your part, to keep your corgi happy and healthy.
Bugs: Fleas, ticks and parasites can all harm your corgi, with bites, itches and scratches. And they will get everywhere. Run all your corgis bedding through the laundry: blankets, beds, towels, everything. Vacuum through the house, and get a bug treatment for the whole space. You also want to be getting a bug removal product, preferably from your vet, for your corgi – and make sure you bathe them in flea shampoo. Flea collars can also come in handy.
Allergies: These can cause inflammation and dry red itch spots for your corgi. Allergies can be to irritants in the grass, the air, or even their food. It is best to check with your vet if your corgi is breaking out in an allergic reaction.
Hot spots: Due to their double coat, there’s a chance that your corgi can suffer from skin problems from heat. Bathe them to cool spots, and you may need to consider a cone for their head if they keep biting at them.
Most of these can be treated, with a bit of effort on your part, to keep your corgi happy and healthy.
Von Willebrand Disease (Type 1)
When your corgi goes through a bit of rough play or injury, there’s a chance they will bleed.
This is because some corgis inherit Type 1 von Willebrand disease. This is a blood clotting disorder caused by a lack of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the body, needed to slow and stop bleeding.
Common symptoms that may affect your corgi include: bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding from the mouth when losing baby teeth, prolonged bleeding after having any surgery.
While it’s usually manageable, in severe cases, it can lead to death. A veterinary surgeon can treat symptoms with a blood transfusion, but there is not dietary or hormone way of increasing production of VWF. While it cannot be cured, it can be managed. A good breeder will ensure that this trait is not inherited from its parents (or at the very least minimised).
If you corgi does experience high levels of bleeding, get it tested as soon as you can.
This is because some corgis inherit Type 1 von Willebrand disease. This is a blood clotting disorder caused by a lack of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the body, needed to slow and stop bleeding.
Common symptoms that may affect your corgi include: bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding from the mouth when losing baby teeth, prolonged bleeding after having any surgery.
While it’s usually manageable, in severe cases, it can lead to death. A veterinary surgeon can treat symptoms with a blood transfusion, but there is not dietary or hormone way of increasing production of VWF. While it cannot be cured, it can be managed. A good breeder will ensure that this trait is not inherited from its parents (or at the very least minimised).
If you corgi does experience high levels of bleeding, get it tested as soon as you can.
Final Thoughts
Be sure to get regular check-ups from your vet, particularly as you grow old together. Many conditions can be avoided through careful breeding by a qualified person. So don’t take any chance, and take care of your little loved one.