Cane Corsos are a big dog breed with many characters, but unfortunately, Cane Corso has some common health problems. This Italian dog breed was created to serve as a watchdog. They fall under the larger class of molossus dogs, also called molossers.
Molossers were named after Molossi, a Greek woman who was said to have raised giant dogs similar to Mastiffs. A Cane Corso may also be named as an Italian Mastiff.
Cane Corsos were probably much bigger than the dogs we see today. They were used in battle to assist the troops in charging through opposing lines. They were later utilized for farming, hunting wild boar, and protecting henhouses and farms, among other things.
These dogs have a short coat that might be grey, black, fawn, or red in color. They may be quite caring and affectionate toward the people they trust if they have the correct owners.
Owners should discuss bloat and other common health concerns of Cane Corso’s dog with their veterinarian for better health. To guarantee that your Cane Corso puppy is healthy, please ensure the breeder has undergone the OFA’s required testing before taking it home.
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Cane Corso Common Health Concerns And Problems You Need To Know
Regarding Cane Corso’s health issues and problems, this dog is no different from other big breeds in that larger dogs are more susceptible to health issues than smaller dogs.
Some Common Health Concerns And Problems of the Cane Corso breed are below.
- Bloat
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cherry Eye
- Entropion and Ectropion are two eye disorders that may be unpleasant
- Cancer and allergies are some of the common health problems
This article will highlight various health risks of the Cane Corso, including more general cancer and allergies. It will include information on symptoms, treatment, risk factors, and prevention.
Bloat in Cane Corso dog
Bloat, sometimes called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus dog (GDV), is a disease in which a dog’s stomach fills with air or fluid and twists. GDV first manifests as “simple bloat.” Simple bloat occurs when your pet’s stomach is overflowing with gas or food and rapidly swells. This is not a life-threatening situation and may pass on its own.
However, if the Cane Corso’s health worsens, the stomach may twist and block the blood supply to the other organs, resulting in organ failure. GDV is the medical term for this illness, and a bloated dog in this state should be sent to the vet immediately.
Cane Corso Bloat Symptoms
- Distended abdomen
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Constipation
- Drooling too much
- It’s hard to stand on one leg.
- Breathing hard
Treatment of bloat in Cane Corso dog
With minor bloat, pain medicines may still alleviate the symptoms. Surgery is recommended if it has inverted.
As a result of the obstruction of blood flow, surgeons have to untwist the stomach. Gastropexy is a surgery that connects the stomach to the abdominal walls to avoid GDV.
A large amount of gas, food, or liquid is swallowed simultaneously. Bloat may be prevented in many methods, some of which are listed below:
- Feeding dogs more regularly but with fewer portions of food.
- Not allowing your dog to consume a large amount of water at a time.
- Avoid exercising an hour before or after eating.
The other most common health issue in Cane Corso’s dog is Hip dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia in Cane Corso
When it comes to Cane Corso’s health concerns and issues, Hip dysplasia is a painful skeletal disorder that is more frequent in big dogs. It affects dogs of all ages and may cause osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Cane Corso Hip Dysplasia
- The dog is unwilling to exercise.
- A restricted range of motion
- Stiffness
- The legs on the back are twisted.
- Jumping, sprinting, or climbing stairs is difficult.
- Gait irregularity
- Muscle atrophy in the back legs
- Front shoulder muscular growth to compensate for weak back legs
Hip Dysplasia in Cane Corso Treatment
Depending on the harshness of the condition, hip dysplasia may be treated medically or non-surgically. Non-surgical therapies include the following:
- Diets for weight loss
- Exercising on hard surfaces is restricted
- Supplements for the joints
- Inflammatory medicines
There are also various operations available to treat hip dysplasia. They are selected based on the dog’s age.
Double pelvic osteotomy (DPO): In dogs under ten months, this procedure includes cutting the pelvic bone to enhance mobility.
Femoral head ostectomy (FHO): This pain treatment procedure includes removing the hip joint ball to reduce friction and discomfort. It may be done on both young and old canines.
Total hip replacement (THR): The whole hip joint is replaced with a metal implant, enabling the dog to move properly again. This procedure is only carried out on fully mature canines.
Cherry Eye in Cane Corso
All dogs have third eyelids that are located in the eye regions. The nictitating gland, which generates tears, is located in that eyelid. Cherry eye is a hereditary eye condition in which the nictitating gland prolapses, causing a bloated red mass to form in its stead.
Cherry eye is not inherently harmful, but it may lead to various issues. Cherry eye exposes the eye to secondary infections and produces dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), which may lead to blindness. Cherry eye is a bad health condition of Cane Corso dog.
Symptoms of Cane Corso Cherry Eye
- In the corner of the eye, there is a red oval swelling
- The dog is pawing its face or rubbing its paws on the carpet
- Excessive weeping
- Eye tissue that is inflamed
- Squinting
Cane Corso Cherry Eye Treatment
Antibiotics may be used to treat cherry eyes in Cane Corso at first, but surgery will ultimately be required.
There is considerable disagreement over how to treat the cherry eye in big dogs. Cherry eye is often treated by stitching the swollen gland back into place, a process known as “tacking.” Imbrication, often known as “pocketing,” is a novel procedure in which tissue is placed over the gland to hide it up. Breeders may choose to have the gland completely removed.
Every kind of therapy has advantages and disadvantages. Gland removal may result in chronically dry eyes that need lifetime care with eye drops, but many Cane Corsos are already prone to this. Dry eye, if left untreated, may result in blindness.
Tacking is only effective 25% of the time and may need to be repeated. If the stitching comes undone, the dog’s eye may be scratched. Repeated tacking may disfigure a Cane Corso’s face and create suffering with each subsequent procedure.
How to Prevent Cherry Eye in Cane Corso dogs
Unfortunately, the cherry eye cannot be ignored. The best you can do is ensure that prospective puppy parents have tested their eyes by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation before adopting.
Risk Factors of Cherry Eye in Cane Corso dogs
Cherry eye is a hereditary condition determined by your dog’s lineage. It is most common in young canines, up to two years.
Entropion and Ectropion in Cane Corso
Entropion is a state in which the eyelid rolls in on itself, causing the dog’s lashes to scratch at the corner repeatedly. Ectropion is the inverse of entropion in that the dog’s eyelid moves outwards, exposing the delicate lining to harm.
Both entropion and ectropion may be inherited or acquired. Inherited entropion/ectropion is inherited, while an eye injury produces acquired entropion/ectropion. Common Health Issues and problems in Cane Corso
Symptoms of Cane Corso Entropion
- Squinting
- Keeping the eye closed
- Eyelids that are inflamed
- Excessive tear production Eye discharge that may color the fur beneath the eyes brown
- Scratching the nose
Symptoms of Cane Corso Ectropion
- The lower eyelid is sagging
- Eyelids that are inflamed
- Excessive crying
- Eye discharge may discolor the fur around the eyes
How is Cane Corso Ectropion treated
Both entropion and ectropion are treated with two corrective operations: removing the section of the eyelid that is rolling inward or outward. Two procedures are performed instead of one to prevent taking off too much and having the dog acquire the opposite ailment.
Caring for your Cane Corso’s health
You’ll need to keep your Cane Corsos busy because they’re a working breed, and their history suggests that they’ll need to work. On walks with the family, they’ll have plenty of time to run about and have a good time.
Socialize
The Cane Corso is a big and powerful dog breed. It’s essential to be taught using positive, reward-based training from a young age to avoid leaping up or yanking on the lead.
Because of their size, they’re best suited to people with prior experience with dogs and are bred to work closely with them. If you feel that your pup needs additional assistance with training, you take him to a professional dog trainer.
As a puppy, you’ll need to educate your Cane Corso to a wide range of people and events. This should be done to help them become happy, self-confident adult dogs.
As with any dog, you should never leave your Cane Corso alone for more than four hours. To ensure that your kids feel comfortable being left alone, you should begin teaching them this concept early.
Cane Corso needs exercise to be healthy
Cane Corsos are very energetic dogs that need much activity to be healthy and happy. Every day, your Cane Corso will need at least two hours of exercise.
This should include a couple of longer, vigorous walks (or maybe a jog) with time to play off-lead someplace safe. On top of that, they’ll get the opportunity to participate in many brief training sessions throughout the day. Puzzle games are ideal for Cane Corsos’ health.
Grooming of Cane Corso dog
Cane Corsos are relatively low-maintenance because of their short coats. Dead hair may easily be removed with a weekly brushing. Like any dog, they shed and will do so more in spring and fall, so remember you may need to vacuum a bit more then.
Dogs with Cane Corso coats are notorious for drooling while not requiring much upkeep for their fur. It may not be the best option for those who find drool unappetizing! Any Cane Corso owner should always have a drool cloth in their pocket or purse.
A family of Cane Corsos and their young ones
Every dog is unique, and even within a single breed, there may be huge variations in behavior. Owners of Cane Corsos often comment on how easily the breed fits into their household. All dogs should be adequately trained and socialized to understand their roles in the family.
Having a Cane Corso around little children is not recommended because they might be injured if the dog accidentally knocks them down. Adult households, and older teenagers familiar with the breed, are ideal for these dogs.
Your Cane Corso will require plenty of good socialization experiences from an early age to make sure they’re happy with other dogs in parks. Socialism will reduce the health risks of the cane Corso dog.
Your Cane Corso may be OK with other pets if they’ve grown up with them, but you should constantly monitor them.
Food health issues in Cane Corso dog
If you want to minimize the health risks of the cane Corso dog, it is essential to check the feed of your furry friend. Overweight or underweight dogs need to be fed a comprehensive and balanced diet.
Your vet will advise you how much your dog should be eating. Dog food that is commercially accessible, complete, and of acceptable quality should be fed to a healthy Cane Corso in two meals each day.
If you give your dog a special reward or use goodies for training, remember to take this into account and lower their daily allotment. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their calories, or they might imbalance their diet.
It would be most excellent if you aimed to feed your pet simultaneously each day to get them into a habit. Remember to allow a space after eating and before exercising.
Conclusion
The Cane Corso has health issues, mainly if you don’t purchase from a reputable breeder. A predisposition for stomach torsion (bloat), hip dysplasia, eye problems such as entropion or ectropion, demodectic mange are included in it.
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Author Bio
Dr. Adnan is a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine who loves all animals. He shares his home with two dogs and three cats and spends most of the time with them when he is not busy treating the animals.
