Corgi Electronic Handout Summary

Introduction: Understanding Your Corgi

• Corgis are known for their:
  • Outgoing, friendly personality
  • Being excellent companions, family, or working dogs
  • Sensible watchdog capabilities
  • High trainability and eagerness to please
  • Devotion, loyalty, and protectiveness
  • Small yet sturdy build
  • Athleticism and agility
• Challenges with Corgis include:
  • Prone to overweight without regular exercise
  • Heavy shedding; requires regular brushing
  • Tendency to herd, including children
  • Potential for bossiness and overprotectiveness without early socialization
  • Need for mental stimulation to avoid barking and chewing
  • Territorial behavior towards cats and other dogs
  • Willful if not led by strong leadership

Health Considerations

• Back Problems: Prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
  • Symptoms: reluctance to move, hunching, pain
  • Treatment: rest, medication, possible surgery
  • Prevention: weight control, use of ramps/steps
• Bleeding Disorders: Von Willebrand disease
  • Diagnostic testing recommended before surgeries
• Cancer: Common in older dogs, early detection is key
  • Importance of regular checkups and maintaining a healthy weight
• Degenerative Myelopathy: Affects hind legs, no cure
  • Early diagnosis and treatment possible with DNA tests
• Dental Disease: Affects 80% of dogs by age two
  • Preventative care includes regular cleaning
• Eye Injuries: Due to bulging eyes; avoid head-out-window rides

Preventative Care and Routine Maintenance

• Infections: Vaccinations against common diseases like parvovirus, rabies, distemper
• Kidney Stones: Regular testing due to higher risk in corgis
• Obesity: Leads to several health issues; avoid overfeeding
• Parasites: Regular testing and preventive medication necessary
• Spaying/Neutering: Benefits include reduced cancer risk and population control
• Routine Care: Balanced diet, exercise, dental and coat care
  • Weekly brushing of coat, thrice-weekly dental brushing
• Warning Signs: Vomiting, weight changes, lumps, lethargy, behavioral changes, etc.
  • Immediate veterinary contact if symptoms appear

Health Evaluation Schedule

• Puppy to Adolescent (up to 17 human years):
  • Regular exams, vaccinations, parasite checks, socialization
• Adult (18-39 human years):
  • Exams, organ health evaluations, DNA tests for specific diseases
• Senior (40+ human years):
  • Exams, senior health evaluations, cancer/glaucoma screening
  • Twice-yearly exams recommended for early detection and budget-friendly care

Conclusion

• Maintaining a schedule of regular veterinary visits and being proactive with home care are essential to keeping your corgi healthy and happy.
• Contact Northwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital for more guidance and support.