Why is my Cane Corso limping?
If your Cane Corso is limping, it can have different reasons. Unfortunately, he can not tell you what is wrong with him, so in an emergency, a visit to the vet is the best solution. But in this post, I will try to give some reasons why your Cane Corso is limping and, if possible, solutions.
Like all large dog breeds, Cane Corsos are prone to HD (hip joint dysplasia) and ED (elbow joint dysplasia). Symptoms of HD or ED include limping, Stiffness in the joints, and difficulty standing up and lying down. But injuries after playing or running can also be the cause of why your Cane Corso is limping.
Reasons why your Cane Corso is limping?
There can be many different reasons why your Cane Corso is limping:
- Did you let him play with another dog in a meadow, and he hurt himself? When active dogs play with each other, it is not uncommon for them to run over each other in play. An injury can happen quickly.
- Maybe your Cane Corso stepped in a hole during the walk, and the blow caused a sprain, which is why he is limping now.
- Maybe your Cane Corso is limping because of an inflammation of the vision and the bursa. This can be caused by incorrect or excessive strain.
- Frequent stair climbing can be the trigger for limping. Climbing stairs is not always harmful. Slow stair climbing is positive since the muscles are specifically stressed and trained. The impetuous stair descent is dangerous if your Cane Corso gets a shock in the joints every time he sits down. Make sure that your Cane Corso walks slowly and controlled down the stairs.
- Limping can also be caused by serious injuries such as broken bones, torn cruciate ligaments, or torn vision and muscles.
- Is the claw torn, or does your Cane Corso have a tear in the bale? An insect bite may also be why he is currently limping.
- Sore muscles from too long car rides may be the cause of sudden limping. If your Cane Corso stands stiff and nervous for hours while driving and does not rest, it is a tremendous strain on the muscles.
- In Cane Corso puppies, limping can occur due to a growth spurt.
- In addition to injuries that can quickly occur daily, your Cane Corso may also have joint problems (HD/ED).
Are Cane Corsos prone to joint problems?
A likely cause of why your Cane Corso limps may be joint problems. These include HD and ED.
HD stands for hip dysplasia and is usually a genetic abnormality of the hip. The joints do not fit together correctly. A veterinarian can only detect HD through x-rays. However, it can be a sign if your Cane Corso is limping.
Even though hip dysplasia is essentially genetic, you still need to take care of some things as your dog grows to minimize or not overload the joints.
ED is elbow joint dysplasia, a growth-related disease of the elbow joint.
Like HD, ED is hereditary and may be why your Cane Corso is limping and in pain.
Avoid and prevent joint problems.
Although HD and ED are essentially genetic, you can try to avoid these conditions as best you can by taking preventative measures.
Puppies only from reputable breeders
Do not buy your Cane Corso puppy from a backyard breeder. If a breeder breed with already sick animals, the chances are higher that the puppies will also suffer from these diseases than if you buy from official breeders.
Avoid intense exercise during growth.
Avoid intense exercise, such as running, biking, agility, etc., for the first 1 to 1.5 years. Cane Corsos are fully grown at about 1 year and should not be fully loaded until then.
Before that, the muscles were not fully developed, and the stress on the joints is too high.
Extensive walks in nature are better. Moderate exercise over a more extended period slowly but surely builds up the necessary muscles so that he later becomes a great jogging partner.
Nutrition is important
Cane Corso belongs to the large dog breeds that grow very fast. In the first months, they gain size and weight faster than their joints and tendons develop.
Especially in the first year, he can be a bit too thin. So you should avoid being overweight with your Cane Corso and feed a little less. Then less weight will strain the joints, and the chances that your Cane Corso will grow old and stay healthy are better.
Of course, you must know how much a Cane Corso eats and then calculate the daily amount of food accordingly.
Our vet said we should “starve our dogs big” instead of counting on them already in the first months when they become huge and heavy. Which, unfortunately, far too many dog owners do.
Avoid overweight
Even if your Cane Corso is fully grown, you must ensure he does not get too fat. If your Cane Corso should be very small, he will not get bigger if you feed him more. Only fatter, and this hurts his joints.
Joint problems occur when there is too much weight on the joints. This is no different from us; overweight people also often have pain in their knees.
Avoid special movements
Movements like jumping or hastily running down stairs should be avoided as much as possible. Anything that involves any kind of a shock to the joints will end up having a negative effect and can be the reason why your Cane Corso limps.
Cure joint problems in Cane Corso
Unfortunately, no curative treatment for joint problems like HD and ED is available. Therapy can only relieve the symptoms and pain in your Cane Corso and slow down the progression.
Alternatively, implanting a new hip in your Cane Corso is possible. However, the cost is approximately $5,000 or more.
Measures to take when your Cane Corso is limping
Recognize possible injuries early enough and watch your dog closely.
During the daily walk, you always can do this. Has the gait changed?
Dogs have pain much earlier before it becomes obvious. They suffer silently and usually hide the pain.
You can answer the following questions and also give them as information to your veterinarian so that he can perform the examination more specifically.
- Does your Cane Corso set his leg correctly?
- Does he walk stiffly?
- Does he limp continuously or only in between?
- When does your Cane Corso limp? After he has been lying down for a long time or when the strain becomes more intense?
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If your Cane Corso is limping badly, you should take the following measures:
- First of all, be calm with your dog. Stress only triggers restlessness in your dog. You should also keep strangers away from your dog for the time being. Your Cane Corso can react aggressively to strangers depending on how strong his pain is.
- Rest is the order of the day. Until you know exactly why your dog is limping, you should avoid exertion as much as possible to avoid making it worse.
- Examine the leg and the paws. For example, is a claw torn, is the wolf claw too long and poking into the flesh? Is there an insect bite, redness, swelling, cracks, or cuts in the pads or between the toes?
- Palpate the joints and look for warm spots. Try to move the joints slowly and carefully and always pay attention to how your dog reacts,
- Make an appointment with your veterinarian and have your Cane Corso examined and treated.
Conclusion: Why your Cane Corso is limping?
The reasons why your Cane Corso is limping are endless. Even though Cane Corsos are prone to joint disease due to their size, it is most likely that he injured himself while running or playing, which is why he is limping.
@ Boguslavovna-depositphotos.com (Contributed image)
