health problems

0

Obesity in Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Posted on by admin

Pembroke Welsh Corgis come from a long lineage of herding dogs, but today they are more known for being great companion dogs. The claim to fame of this breed is that they became favorites of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II of England during their time. With their endearing appearance, perhaps what a lot of people don’t realize is that Welsh Corgis are also extremely prone to obesity.

Obesity is one of the most common health conditions in dogs. In fact, about 25-40% of dogs today suffer from excessive accumulation of body fat. However, it is the Welsh Corgi genetic makeup and basic temperament that makes them most vulnerable to this nutrition-related health condition. Welsh Corgis are known for their exceptionally unique appearance. They often have stocky, elongated bodies but are paired with extremely short legs. Interestingly enough, their name attests to this fact.

The name “Corgi” translates to “dwarf dog” in Welsh. An average Welsh Corgi stands 10-12 inches high and weighs approximately 25-30 pounds. Welsh Corgis are extremely intelligent. This makes them easy to train but they can also be quite selective of the commands they obey. Just like any other dog, they need ample exercise and mental stimulation, or else they may develop a tendency to become lazy and disengaged. You must know that the primary causes of obesity are overeating and lack of exercise. When your Welsh Corgi ends up consuming more calories than it burns, obesity becomes a problem. Obesity in Welsh Corgis can create a chain reaction of health problems.

Generally, obese dogs experience difficulties in breathing and walking, which in turn makes them unable to tolerate exercise, especially during days with warm weather. And because Welsh Corgis have relatively large bodies for such small legs, excessive body weight can cause strain on their spine to create even more health problems such as arthritis. Of course, there may be other medical reasons for causing obesity in dogs such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease. When obese dogs become insulin resistant, they may end up overeating and drinking in excessive amounts. On the other hand, Cushing’s disease, in which the dog’s adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of hormones, makes them gain weight and experience fat-redistribution.

The best way to keep this problem in check is to pay proper attention to your Welsh Corgi and take it for regular check-ups to the vet. Whatever the cause of obesity is, remember that with enough patience and proper medical attention, health conditions can be conveniently addressed. However, bear in mind that prevention is always better than treatment. Keep your Welsh Corgi active and make sure that it gets the daily exercise that it needs. It would also be helpful to stick to a timetable and diet when it comes to your dog’s nutritional needs. With a little help and encouragement, Welsh Corgis can live long and healthy lives. Lea Mullins, a dog lover, has addressed issues related to Obesity in Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Obesity in Dogs has been a growing concern among all dog owners.

Obesity in Pembroke Welsh Corgis courtesy Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a puzzle showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com

0

Common Health Problems In A Welsh Corgi

Posted on by admin

While Welsh Corgis are great family pets, unfortunately they come with their fair share of health problems.

Particular care is needed to keep these dogs in shape and avoid over feeding them. Due to their short legs and long body they tend to gain weight easily which can pose a problem with their joints in the future. One good way to keep them in shape is swimming, as it doesn’t put pressure on their back or joints.

The Welsh Corgi is also prone to spinal problems due to the length of its spine, which can lead to early arthritis, particularly for those that are overweight. Biophysical stresses are a renowned problem for these breeds on their spine, which is directly related to the weight of an over-sized belly. This problem has lead to other secondary diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Unfortunately they are also predisposed to developing a disease called DM (Degenerative Myelopathy). A test for this has been developed and is available through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Further research is still being conducted as to why some Welsh Corgi’s develop DM and others don’t.

Pembroke’s in particular are at risk for hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease and other eye disorders.

Von Willebrand’s is a blood clotting disorder which is only detected by a DNA test. At the moment it is only eliminated by avoiding breeding carriers or affected Pembroke’s together. One parent must be clear to avoid the disease.

As for eye problems, both parents need to have passed CERF rating at least one year before breeding commences, to avoid such problems as persistent papillary membranes (PPM), retinal dysplasia or cataracts. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a common eye condition with Welsh Corgi’s among other breeds that have protruding eyes. This eye condition is characterized by the deterioration of retina cells which ultimately leads to a progressive loss of sight starting approximately around 5 years of age. Glaucoma is another eye disease that can lead to permanent blindness by predetermined genetics. Glaucoma is the excessive pressure inside the eye which can damage the eye’s internal structures. If glaucoma is not treated quickly permanent loss of vision or complete blindness is inevitable.

Hip dysplasia in these dogs is poly-genetic, where more than one set of genes may be involved. It is important to have as many ancestors tested as possible as well as a fair rating in OFA. This is the best way to avoid dysplasia, but unfortunately there is not a completed guarantee.

Maintaining the recommended weight of Welsh Corgi’s will ensure longevity and a healthy life. These breeds are known to live up to 12 – 15 years. So if you’re looking at having this breed, ensure you stick to a regular diet and exercise regime without over feeding, so you and your family can enjoy the company of your dog for many years to come.

Common Health Problems In A Welsh Corgi courtesy Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a lovely plate showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com

1

Should I Have My Dog Spayed Or Neutered?

Posted on by admin

Many people today are concerned about pet overpopulation.  They may choose to adopt a pet instead of buying from a breeder.  Even if they do obtain a dog from a breeder they may be interested in having their dog spayed or neutered.  Is this always a good idea?  Is spaying and neutering right for everyone?  Are there drawbacks?  If you do plan to spay or neuter your pet, what is the best age to have it done?

There are many positives to having your dog spayed or neutered, especially for the casual pet owner.  Primarily, you reduce the risk of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.  Many people today are not always aware when their female dog may be in “season.”  They may not take the proper precautions to prevent her from becoming pregnant.  It can take a surprisingly short time for a breeding to take place.  Even fenced dogs may become pregnant if you have a determined male nearby.  Dogs can escape from a yard or house for a brief rendezvous.  You may not even know that your dog is pregnant until shortly before she has puppies.  By then it’s too late to do anything but get ready for the whelping.

Spaying your female (and neutering your male) eliminates this risk.  You won’t have to find homes for unplanned puppies or care for them for several weeks while the mother nurses them.  Newborn puppies are virtually helpless and you would be responsible for their welfare until they are old enough to wean.  After that you would need to get their first set of shots before they go to their new homes.  It’s quite a daunting experience to try to raise a litter of puppies and find good homes for them.  If you are unsuccessful you would be responsible for taking them to an animal shelter where they might be put to sleep if not adopted.  For this reason alone, many people choose to have their female dogs spayed.

From a health standpoint, spaying also has certain benefits.  If you spay your female dog before she is 2 1/2 years old she has a significantly lower chance of developing mammary cancer than her unspayed counterparts.  Mammary cancer is one of the leading causes of death among unspayed females.  Spaying a female dog also removes the chance of ovarian cysts developing since the ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy.  You will also avoid pyrometra and uterine cancer.

Neutering your male dog has similar positive benefits.  Besides being unable to mate, your neutered male will probably have less or an urge to mark in the house.  Your dog will not have a risk of testicular cancer and the risk of prostate cancer is reduced.

There are, however, negatives about spaying and neutering.  Weight gain is often observed after spaying and neutering.  Spaying and neutering at young ages (before the onset of puberty and the beginning of the sex hormones) can mean that your dog never achieves the look of a mature dog.  Males, in particular, may lack muscle tone and mass their entire lives.  Spaying and neutering at young ages — before the growth plates close — may also stunt the growth of your dog.  On the other hand, some spayed and neutered dogs grow to be much taller than normal.  Spayed females may also become incontinent and have accidents in the house.  At least one study has shown that sterilized dogs are more likely to have problems with hypothyroidism.

In addition, while spayed and neutered dogs are less likely to get some cancers, they are more likely to develop others.  This is thought to be because they no longer have the beneficial effects of some necessary hormones in their bodies.

Neutering increases the risk of osteosarcoma in male dogs (bone cancer).  It increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma.  It triples the risk of hypothyroidism.  It increases the risk of orthopedic disorders.  And it increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations.

For female dogs, spaying significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer.  It doubles the risk of splenic hemangeiosarcoma.  It triples the risk of hypothyroidism.  It triples or quadruples the risk of persistent urinary tract infections.  It increases the risk of orthopedic disorders.  And it increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations.

That’s a lot of important health information to consider.  Having your dog spayed or neutered is not a slam dunk decision.  If you have a breed that is already prone to one of these conditions you should think carefully before having your dog spayed or neutered since you will be increasing the odds that your dog may develop a serious health condition.

Most pet owners will choose to have their dog spayed or neutered for the sake of convenience.  They won’t have to worry about unwanted pregnancies.  They won’t have to worry about their dog coming in season.  This is often a good choice.  But please consider all of the health ramifications of your decision.  Talk to people who have your breed.  Find out about common health problems and see what other people recommend.  At the very least, try to delay spaying and neutering until your dog is sexually mature so that you can avoid some of the worst of the potential health problems associated with spaying and neutering.

Should I Have My Dog Spayed Or Neutered? Courtesy of Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a license plate showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com