Medical+and+Psychological+Issues

Disease and Sicknesses Corgis can get many diseases and sicknesses, probably no more than most dogs, but they can have many kinds of social disorders, genetic disease, and some environmental related issues. I will cover several disorders and disease such as dewpaw, small dog syndrome, and arthritis.

Social Disorders Corgis can have a couple different social disorders. These can cause Corgis to be hostile, shy, or constantly nervous. Here is one of the disorders, Small Dog Syndrome.  Small Dog Syndrome - This disorder is where a little dog is overly aggressive or yappy. When a large dog jumps up on a person or growls at people or other dogs this is seen as a problem because a big dog can knock someone over, and a large dog growling can scare guests. If a little dog growls people aren't afraid and they think it is "cute" or "harmless." Also, if a small dog jumps on a person people think that the dog likes them. This is actually a dominance issue and should not be ignored or encouraged. Dogs with Small Dog Syndrome (SDM) also tend to have space issues, they jump up on beds and couches which is all right as long as they realize its not their's. Also, the dogs can be nervous, and when consoled they see themselves as superior. Genetic Diseases Genetic diseases are passed from generation to generation, they can remain dormant for several generations then reappear in a new litter or single Corgi. There are many genetic diseases that Corgis commonly have, but I will cover the most well known and serious. Hip Dysplaysia - Hip Dysplaysia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket. It makes it difficult for the Corgi to walk and causes arthritis. In severe cases, it can cause crippling lameness. Hip Dysplaysia is also seen in humans, many kinds of dogs, and many other species such as cats. Dewclaw - This is a vestigial digit on the foot of Corgis. When the Corgi stands, the extra digit does not make contact with the ground. The problem with dewclaws is that if they catch on something and are ripped off, this can cause severe pain and the dog can get a serious infection. Von Willebrand Disease - This a blood coagulation disease. It causes easy bruising, regular nosebleeds, and bleeding gums. It can also cause internal bleeding, but it specifically causes heavy menstruation during the menstrual cycle and heavy blood loss during childbirth for females. It is seen in humans and other dogs as well as corgis.  Osteoarthritis - A common form of arthritis, it degrades cartilage and some bones. It causes stiffness, joint pain, and can be crippling. It is seen in many animals. Cataracts - One or both eye lenses become cloudy and sometimes can lead to blindness. Cutaneous Asthenia - Also known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis, and dominant collagen dysplaysia. It causes skin to be made up fragile, loose, and easily damaged. It also effect the blood vessels which causes bruising and blood blisters. Swimmer Puppy - Corgis are born with rib cages flattened from back to belly. Environmental Diseases Environmental diseases are disease that Corgis can become infected with or occur because of everyday habits like the amount they eat. Obesity - The dog becomes heavily overweight, but this can come from a gland problem as well as eating too much. Since Corgis have little legs, a heavily obese Corgi can develop serious back problems due to the great strain on its back which its legs cannot support. Degeneretive Myelopathy - Many experts argue if this disease is environmental or genetic, but I have chosen environmental. This disease starts off as simple clumsiness, it slowly transforms into the dogs rear legs becoming crossed under the dog's body. The dog loses most feeling and sensation in the rear legs and commonly the tail. Perception becomes altered and the dog oversteps and commonly trips. Sometimes (as seen in the picture to the right), the dog needs a sort of wheelchair to help it walk, as well as slowly stretching and bending the legs back into the normal position, slightly similar to modern day braces.

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