Common Corgi Dog Health Issues

There is something so sweet and adorable about Corgis. Those brown eyes and ears too big for that face… to meet one is to fall madly in love. But like all dog breeds, Corgis have their own health risks they are prone to. If you’re considering bringing this pup into your life, keep reading to learn about the most common corgi dog health issues.

Common Corgi Dog Health Issues

To look at a corgi is to know why the Queen of England would be devoted to the breed. Do you know she owned more than 30 corgis throughout her life? 

Highly intelligent and loyal companions, corgis typically stand 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh around 30 pounds. The breed makes a wonderful family pet or sole companion for single owners.

All that aside, corgis do have some health issues they are predisposed to and it’s important pup parents are aware of them before bringing one of these sweet babies home.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is often thought to be a disease that plagues only large breeds, but that is not the case. Smaller dogs like corgis are prone to developing hip dysplasia, a genetic condition where the hip joints do not develop properly. The result is lameness in the dog. Over time, the abnormal joint can also develop arthritis, making mobility even harder and more painful.

Treating hip dysplasia depends on the severity of the case. In mild cases, pain relievers may be all it takes to help the dog’s quality of life. More severe cases require surgery, which can often cost $1,500 per hip. The prognosis after surgery is generally good and the dog regains mobility.

In older dogs where arthritis has taken hold of the joint, a total hip replacement may be in order to re-establish pain-free mobility. While it may sound dramatic, this surgery has proven to be successful in many cases, though the cost ($3,500 to $7,000 per hip) may be prohibitive to many pup parents without health insurance.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

This genetic disorder makes it impossible for the pup’s blood to clot properly. The result is excessive bleeding with an injury or during surgery. 

Luckily there is a test to see if your corgi pup inherited this disease. If they have, your vet will know to take special precautions during any necessary surgeries. 

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a neurodegenerative spinal cord disorder that causes the spinal cord to progressively deteriorate. Sadly, according to studies, 53.4% of corgis tested had degenerative myelopathy. Signs begin with weakness that starts in the back legs and progresses to the front legs. The disease can eventually lead to paralysis.

While there is no cure for the disease, daily physiotherapy can slow the progression. This treatment includes daily gait exercise, massage, hydrotherapy and passive joint movement. A typical 6-week treatment plan ranges from $1,750 to $2,250.

Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD)

IVDD is a disorder where the spinal disc protrudes into the spinal cord. This can lead to significant health complications, including paralysis if not managed properly.  Because of corgi’s long backs, corgis are more prone to developing IVDD, particularly overweight corgis. 

There are varying ways to treat IVDD depending on the severity of the case. Pain medication and surgery are two of the most common ways. Cost of surgery can range from $3,000 to $8,000.

Cataracts

Just like people can develop cataracts as they age, so can our pups. And corgis are one breed that seems to be particularly prone.  Cataracts describe an eye where the clear lens has become cloudy. The result is loss of vision and in some cases, full blindness.

The good news is, surgery can remove the cloudy lens, bringing the pup’s vision back. And the even better news is that surgery tends to have an 80% to 90% long-term success rate. Estimated cost for surgery ranges from $3,500 to 3,800 per eye or $4,200 for both eyes at the same time.

Does Pet Insurance Cover These Corgi Dog Health Issues?

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of common corgi dog health issues, it gives you an idea of some of the potential health risks, and costs to treat them. And that’s why many corgi parents are enrolling their fur babies into a pet health insurance plan. It helps them cover the costs of these common health issues so their savings account doesn’t take a hit.

When shopping for a plan, make sure you read the fine print to be certain the provider covers genetic disorders. 

If you want a simple way to choose the right pet insurance provider, take a look at the following list of companies, ranked 100% based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from real pet parents just like you!

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	14,565
4.9	Healthy Paws	7,502
4.9	Trupanion	60,422
4.9	Fetch	2,428
4.9	Lemonade	797
4.8	Nationwide	21,395
4.8	Prudent Pet	125
4.7	ASPCA	11,523
4.7	Hartville	164
4.7	PetPartners	111
4.7	Spot	5,869
4.6	MetLife	535
4.5	Pets Best	7,220
4.4	AKC	890
4.4	Figo	2,622
4.3	Pet Assure	12
4.3	Pumpkin	1,261
3.2	ManyPets	2,273

References:

1. https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=WCP
2. https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/pembroke-welsh-corgi
3. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pembroke-welsh-corgi/

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.