Cane Corso Health Issues: What Every Owner Needs to Know
The cane corso is a majestic, powerful breed known for its athleticism, loyalty and guarding instincts. While generally a robust and healthy breed, the cane corso can be prone to certain hereditary and developmental health issues that owners need to be aware of. By gaining an understanding of these potential problems, cane corso owners can take important steps in prevention and get prompt treatment if any issues arise. This will help ensure their cane corso companion lives the longest, healthiest life possible.
Hip Dysplasia – A Common Concern in Large Breeds
Hip dysplasia is an uncomfortable and potentially crippling condition where the hip joint develops abnormally as a puppy grows. The ball and socket of the hip joint fail to fit together smoothly, leading to grinding, inflammation and eventual loss of joint function. Hip dysplasia is hereditary and more common in large-boned dogs like the cane corso who experience rapid growth spurts as puppies.
Signs of hip dysplasia usually appear when a cane corso is between 6-12 months old. Symptoms include reluctance to exercise, limping, "bunny hopping" gait, difficulty rising and climbing stairs, and groaning when getting up or lying down. Hip dysplasia is progressive and can eventually lead to severe pain, arthritis and lameness.
Responsible breeders have breeding stock screened for hip dysplasia and only breed dogs certified to have healthy hips. This helps reduce the risk of puppies inheriting the condition. Owners should also be cautious about exercise during their cane corso puppy‘s growth phase. Avoid strenuous activity that puts undue stress on the joints. Step-like exercises or jumping to catch a ball can exacerbate hip dysplasia. Steady, moderate exercise is best until growth plates have closed, usually around 18 months of age.
If hip dysplasia develops, treatment depends on severity. Mild cases may be managed with weight control, joint supplements, anti-inflammatories and low-impact exercise. More advanced cases may require surgery. Surgical options include hip replacement, femoral head ostectomy (FHO) and double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO). The goal is to restore pain-free mobility so a cane corso can still live an active, happy life.
Keeping Obesity at Bay
Cane corsos have hearty appetites and can be notorious chowhounds. They may eat beyond their body‘s needs and beg for tablescraps and treats with those soulful eyes. However, overfeeding a cane corso and allowing them to become overweight has serious consequences. Obesity puts excess strain on the joints, exacerbating orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia and arthritis. It also increases risk of other problems like diabetes, respiratory difficulty, heat intolerance and heart disease.
Prevention is key when it comes to obesity. Puppies should be kept lean and not overfed during the growth stage when they need carefully controlled nutrition. Adult cane corsos should be fed a balanced, breed-appropriate diet with quantities tailored to their age, build and activity level. Avoid free-feeding and carefully measure out portions. Limit treats and avoid feeding from the table. A cane corso should have defined musculature and a tucked abdomen – you should be able to easily feel their ribs but not see them. Weigh-ins and body condition scoring at annual vet visits will help catch any upward trend early on.
Of course, diet is only one part of the equation. Cane corsos also need sufficient exercise to maintain a healthy body condition. A minimum of 45-60 minutes per day of moderate activity like brisk walking, hiking or playing is necessary for this athletic breed. Avoid intense exercise in hot weather and provide plenty of water. Mental stimulation with training and puzzle toys is also important. A well-exercised cane corso is more likely to maintain a healthy weight and less likely to develop behavior issues related to boredom and pent-up energy.
Entropion and Ectropion – Eyelid Abnormalities
The cane corso‘s facial skin and eyelids should be assessed by a veterinarian at an early age. This breed can inherit eyelid abnormalities like entropion and ectropion. With entropion, the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes and facial hair to rub painfully against the cornea. This can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring and impaired vision if not corrected. Ectropion is the opposite problem, where the lower eyelid droops outward, exposing the delicate conjunctival tissue. This can cause chronic dry eye, inflammation and infection.
Puppies with severe entropion causing corneal damage may need surgical correction at an early age. Puppies with mild entropion or ectropion may be re-evaluated at 6-12 months of age when teething and growth is complete. If abnormalities persist and are causing problems, surgical correction of the eyelids can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmology specialist. The earlier these issues are identified and addressed, the better the long-term prognosis for comfortable, healthy eyes.
Idiopathic Epilepsy – A Seizure Disorder
Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure disorder that can be inherited in cane corsos. Epilepsy causes sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain, leading recurrent seizures. Seizures may be localized, causing facial twitching or limb paddling, or generalized with loss of consciousness, full-body rigidity, rhythmic jerking and loss of bowel/bladder control. Seizure onset is often between 6 months to 5 years of age. Frequency and severity of episodes can vary.
If you witness your cane corso having a seizure, try to remain calm, move any hazards out of the way, and time the episode. Seizures are not usually life threatening unless a single seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or multiple seizures occur in a short timeframe. Contact your veterinarian immediately if this occurs. For any first-time seizure, a full diagnostic workup including labwork and possibly advanced imaging is recommended to rule out other potential causes like toxins, trauma or a brain tumor.
Anticonvulsant medications can help reduce seizure frequency and severity. Finding the correct drug and dosage can take some trial and error and patience on the part of the owner. Regular monitoring of drug blood levels and screening labwork is important. Most epileptic dogs can be well controlled with appropriate treatment and lead happy lives. Open communication with a trusted veterinarian is key to successful management of this condition.
Demodectic Mange – A Skin Condition
Demodectic mange is caused by the overgrowth of a mite that normally lives in the hair follicles of all dogs. In a healthy dog with a strong immune system, this mite causes no problems. However, if the immune system is weak or immature, the mite population can proliferate and cause skin disease. Localized demodicosis can show up as patches of hair loss, redness and scaliness on the face and forelegs of puppies. This is usually self-limiting and clears up on its own. Rarely, generalized demodicosis affecting the whole body can develop in a dog with a severely compromised immune system.
Diagnosis involves analyzing skin scrapings under a microscope to visualize the characteristic cigar-shaped mites. Treatment includes medicated baths, spot-on mite treatments and oral medications in severe cases. Antibiotics may be needed to control secondary skin infections. Spaying females is recommended as hormone fluctuations can influence mite flare-ups. Reducing stress and feeding a high-quality diet to support immune function is also beneficial.
Bloat/GDV – A Life-Threatening Emergency
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), is a rapidly progressive medical emergency that cane corso owners need to be vigilant for. In this multifactorial condition, the stomach fills with gas and fluid, and can twist 180-360 degrees on its axis. This cuts off blood flow, sending the dog into shock and causing internal organs like the spleen to infarct. Bloat progresses rapidly and can be fatal in a matter of hours without emergency treatment.
Large breed dogs with deep chests like cane corsos are anatomically predisposed to bloat. Stress, gulping food, once daily feeding, intensive exercise after meals and having a first-relative with bloat are other potential risk factors. Symptoms come on suddenly and include unproductive vomiting, restlessness, distended "drum-like" belly and rapid shallow breathing. If you suspect your cane corso is bloating, rush them to an emergency animal hospital immediately.
Emergency treatment involves decompressing the stomach, correcting shock and performing surgery to return the stomach to its normal position. A permanent gastropexy, where the stomach is tacked to the abdominal wall, is performed to prevent future twisting. Even with prompt intensive treatment, up to 30% of dogs still die from this condition. This is why education and prevention are so important. Feed multiple small meals per day in a slow-feeder bowl, restrict exercise around meal times and minimize stress to help lower risk. Having your cane corso undergo a prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy can also help prevent this emergency condition.
The Importance of Health Testing and Preventive Care
One of the most effective ways to prevent or minimize hereditary health issues is to get your cane corso from a responsible, ethical breeder. Reputable breeders perform pre-breeding health screenings on their stock, including hip and elbow radiographs and eye examinations. They thoughtfully select mating pairs that have tested clear of problems to pass on favorable genes to their puppies. They are transparent about the health of their lines and stand behind their puppies with health guarantees. Avoiding unscrupulous breeders and pet stores who prioritize profit over health is key.
New owners should take their cane corso to a trusted veterinarian within a few days of bringing them home for a full examination. This is a chance to screen for any early abnormalities and to establish a relationship for ongoing care. Following a veterinarian‘s recommendations for vaccination, parasite prevention, nutrition and wellness screening is one of the best investments you can make in your cane corso‘s health. Many issues are more easily managed and have better outcomes when caught and treated early on.
Feeding your cane corso a complete and balanced diet formulated for their life stage and breed size will help keep them in optimal body condition. Avoid lower quality foods with cheap fillers and artificial additives that can trigger allergies and gastrointestinal upset. Don‘t fall for fad diets or home-prepared diets that aren‘t veterinary supervised as nutritional imbalances can cause problems. If you have any concerns about your cane corso‘s health or nutrition, make an appointment to discuss them with your veterinarian. As a breed prone to orthopedic issues, keeping a cane corso on the lean side and providing joint supplements can also help support their musculoskeletal health.
Conclusion
We all want our cane corsos to live the longest, healthiest, happiest lives possible by our sides. While it can be overwhelming or scary to think about the potential health issues this breed can face, knowledge is power. By educating yourself on conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, epilepsy, skin disorders and bloat, you can take proactive steps in prevention and be an advocate for your dog‘s health.
The foundation for lifelong health starts with finding a responsible breeder and working with a trusted veterinarian to stay on top of wellness care. Feeding a high-quality diet, keeping your cane corso at a healthy weight, engaging them in regular low-impact exercise and providing mental enrichment will help them thrive physically and psychologically. What a cane corso needs most is a devoted owner who will do their best to meet their needs. Together, you can overcome health challenges and enjoy many rewarding years of love and companionship.
