Every dog parent’s dream is to spend as much time as possible with their furry best friend. This can weigh heavily on a person’s decision to adopt a particular breed, as unfortunately, not all dogs are created equal when it comes to health issues and lifespan. Genetics play a major role in this, though a healthy diet, exercise, and regular checkups with the vet are not to be overlooked. Here, we go over the common health issues of the Italian Mastiff or Cane Corso, a magnificent breed that has an intimidating appearance but also shows incredible loyalty to their owner.
The 5 Common Cane Corso Health Issues
1. Bloat and Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)
Cani Corsi are prone to bloat due to their large size and deep chest. In severe cases of bloat, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) occurs when the dog’s stomach fills with gas and then twists. This is an extremely serious and painful condition. Without medical attention, the dog can die in less than a few hours. You must immediately take your dog to the nearest veterinarian if you think that they are suffering from GDV.
If your Cane Corso is showing any of the following signs, take them to the vet immediately. Every minute counts.
- Non-productive retching
- Abdominal distension
- Restlessness
- Excessive drooling
- Enlarged abdomen
Treatment for bloat may include medication, immediate surgery, and lifestyle changes, depending on the severity of the condition. Your veterinarian will determine the best treatment for your Cane Corso.
2. Idiopathic Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures with no identifiable underlying cause. Seizures can take many forms and are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the dog’s brain.
- Loss of consciousness
- Convulsions with stiffening and paddling movements
- Involuntary urination or defecation
- Excessive drooling
There is no cure for idiopathic epilepsy, but it can be managed with anti-seizure medication to relieve the dog’s symptoms and reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of seizures. The treatment must be administered for life.
3. Hip Dysplasia
Like many large breed dogs, the Cane Corso can suffer from hip dysplasia, a developmental disease of the coxo-femoral joint. As a consequence, quite frequently the hip joint develops osteoarthritis, which leads to difficulty in walking and a gradual loss of muscle mass.
It is a painful condition that starts to develop during the growth phase, but dogs can show signs later in time.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease, and various external factors have an impact on its development, including nutrition and rapid weight gain as a puppy.
It’s not always easy to spot the early signs of hip dysplasia in dogs. However, here are a few obvious ones:
- Lameness or stiffness in the back legs
- ‘Bunny hopping’ when running
- Signs of pain
- Reduced muscle mass in the hindlimbs
- Reluctance to exercise
- Difficulty or stiffness when standing up
Treatment depends on the severity, the age, and the response to different therapies. However, early diagnosis of the disease followed by appropriate surgical and medical management can enable the affected dog to lead a normal, healthy life.
Reducing strenuous physical activity and ensuring that your dog maintains a normal weight can also help reduce joint pain.
4. Eye Problems
Although not quite as roly-poly as some other mastiff breeds, the furrowed brows and loose skin around the eyes of the Cane Corso can predispose them to some eye problems including:
- Third eyelid gland prolapse (aka ‘cherry eye’)
- Entropion (eyelids rolling inwards)
- Ectropion (eyelids rolling outwards)
These conditions usually require surgical correction, and dogs with this sort of conformation should be removed from the breeding pool as they are likely to pass the condition to their offspring.
5. Skin Problems
The loose skin and rolls of the Cane Corso, particularly around the nose, can be a prime spot for pyoderma (skin infection) to form. Moisture trapped in the folds of the face can result in inflamed skin which can become infected with bacteria or yeast (or both).
If your dog has prominent skin folds, it’s important to pay particular attention to these, ensuring they stay clean and dry. Talk to your vet about the best way to manage these to reduce the risks of those folds becoming a problem.
Another skin issue that can sometimes plague the Cane Corso are ‘hot spots’, which is a term used to describe focal pyoderma. These can form anywhere on the body, and are most common during warm, humid conditions.
The best way to prevent these is to use a soothing shampoo when needed, and make sure the skin is dried thoroughly after bathing or swimming.
Conclusion
The Cane Corso is a wonderful breed known for their loyalty and protective instincts. Although these beautiful big dogs are generally hardy, they are not immune to certain health issues. Fortunately, with proper care and regular check-ups with their veterinary team, a Cane Corso can be a healthy and happy companion for years.
Featured Image Credit: OlesyaNickolaeva, Shutterstock
The 5 Common Cane Corso Health Issues
