Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Cardigan Welsh Corgi lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Corgi are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Cardigan will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Corgi be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Corgi? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Corgi suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Cardigan Welsh Corgi health problems
The most serious eye disease is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which strikes around age 2 and progresses to full blindness by age 3.
Fortunately, a simple DNA test is available for PRA in Cardigan Welsh Corgis, so you can find out at any time whether your dog has the disease, carries the disease, or is completely clear of it.
Other eye diseases reported in Cardies include cataracts, lens luxation, glaucoma, and eyelash abnormalities.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a deformity called chondrodysplasia, which stunts their leg growth and lengthens their back. This predisposes them to bone and joint problems, especially intervertebral disk disease, which can lead to paralysis.
But the most common orthopedic diseases in Cardigans are luxating patella (loose knees) and hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of over 2400 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and found 22% dysplastic. That's very high for this size dog. Elbow dysplasia occurs at a more modest 3-4% rate.
Epilepsy is a serious concern in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Blood-clotting disease (von Willebrand's) occurs, as well.
Allergies cause itchy skin and can lead to bacterial skin infections (pyoderma).
Immunoglobulin deficiency is a rare but serious immune system disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Cardigan Welsh Corgi in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website