Cane Corso is one of the most common breeds of dogs used for various purposes starting from guarding purposes to being family pets too.
However, just like any other dog, Cane Corso is also susceptible to certain health risks. And, if you own one, you might want to know about these health concerns in order to take better care of your Cane Corso and make sure that they don’t suffer even a bit.
To make this easier for you, given below is a list of all the health risks common to Cane Corsos.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus or Bloat
One of the most common health risks in Cane Corsos is Gastric Dilation Volvulus, also known as ‘bloat’.
In this health condition, your Cane Corso’s stomach might get filled with air or other fluids which causes it to twist itself. Keep in mind that initially, this condition isn’t serious as it just causes bloating in the stomach. However, if immediate care is not given, it may get serious.
As the condition worsens, the stomach might twist itself and cut off the blood flow to your dog’s organs. In this situation, emergency care is definitely required.
Symptoms:
- Swelling and pain in the abdomen
- Continuous pacing and panting
- Inability to do physical activities, like simply standing
- Excessive Drooling
Treatment:
At the initial stage, you can treat the bloat by simply feeding your dog smaller meals at regular intervals and only letting your dog drink a small amount of water at one time.
However, if things get serious, surgery becomes necessary.
Hip Dysplasia
Another common health risk involved with Cane Corso is Hip Dysplasia. It is basically a type of orthopedic problem related to the abnormalities involved in the hip socket that may lead to arthritis in joints too.
So, before it gets serious, you might want to know the symptoms and how you can treat them.
Symptoms:
- Resistance to exercising
- Stiffness in organs
- Difficulty in motion, like in jumping, walking, swimming
- Lameness in hind legs
- Gait irregularity
Treatment:
Some basic forms of treatments usually involve weight reduction diets, anti-inflammatory medications, joint supplements, and specialized exercise plans. There are many surgeries involved with hip dysplasia too.
Cherry Eye
The name might sound funny but the condition related to it is definitely not! As you may know, all dogs have a third eyelid beneath the eye. This eyelid contains the nictitating glands that produce tears.
In the case of Cherry Eye, your dog’s nictitating gland may give rise to a swollen red area. This can lead to infections as well as dry eye problems.
Symptoms:
- Excessive tears
- Inflammation in eye tissue
- Excessive squinting
- Reddish swelling in the eye’s corner
- Constant rubbing or pawing of face
Treatment:
At the initial level, antibiotics might be used to treat Cherry Eye. However, in most cases, surgery becomes necessary. You might have to consult your veterinarian to know more about this surgery.
Entropion and Ectropion
Other eye problems Cane Corsos are susceptible to include entropion and ectropion. In entropion, the eyelids of your dog might roll in on themselves whereas, in ectropion, the opposite happens. Here, the eyelids might roll out on themselves.
The cause of entropion and ectropion might be genetic or acquired.
Symptoms:
- Inflammation in eyelids
- Excessive squinting
- Excessive tearing
- Closing/shutting of eyes for most time
- Discharge from eyes
Treatment:
For both entropion and ectropion, corrective surgeries are required. Some ointments, as well as antibiotics, are also given initially. For more information, contacting a veterinarian is a must.
Allergies
Lastly, like any dog, Cane Corsos get allergies too. They might be allergic to anything, ranging from environmental factors to certain food items.
Symptoms:
- Nasal discharge
- Dryness in skin
- Inflammation
- Watery eyes
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Breathing issues
Treatment:
The best way to treat any allergies in your Cane Corso is by visiting a vet. They can prescribe proper medicines depending on the severity and type of allergy.
Final Thoughts
No dog is free of diseases. Similarly, even Cane Corso might have to face some. However, by staying aware of these diseases, you can easily protect your dog from them!
