Corgi Health

[Pammy]

Hi. Totally new to the forum and I joined basically because Corgi owners know better than vets (most of the time)..so I decided to ask here.
Dee - our 4 year old Corgi (male) tri-colored, came from a pet store (yeah, we know or think he was inbred) - but he has major coat problems, shaking while standing, cannot go up steps AT ALL .... he is not the size of a normal Corgi either.

WE love him and he lives in our "man room" - he he, it's carpeted and he has like 2 big screen TV's and it's a huge double room. We carry him up steps and down steps and basically where he cannot go.

He did have major aggression issues earlier on but that has ceased but he isn't the friendliest (but so much better all around).

We did Thyroid testing - came back fine.
The vet has no idea on the "shaking" ...... but it seems his little legs can't hold his body and we feed him in the a.m. and then a little at night..... so it's not "over feeding" him in anyway......

He seems happy but he trips alot though and it breaks our hearts.

The coat issue - it's horrible. I recently switched to a better food and that is helping but his hair comes off in chunks. We shaved him to make him more comfy in the summer (although his rooms are AC and so nice for him)....

I'm just asking what everyone thought?

Please no critizing about the Pet Store buy.... in my opinion we saved this guy. All of his sisters were returned for aggression issues .... but they were larger in size too - I remember picking him because he was the only tri-colored one in the litter. She had the whole family of pups there. We got him passed his food and temper aggression after months of socializing and disciplining - but it took time and effort and love.



Pam

[taflar]

Hi. Totally new to the forum and I joined basically because Corgi owners know better than vets (most of the time)..so I decided to ask here.
Dee - our 4 year old Corgi (male) tri-colored, came from a pet store (yeah, we know or think he was inbred) - but he has major coat problems, shaking while standing, cannot go up steps AT ALL .... he is not the size of a normal Corgi either.


Inbred is not necessarily bad. Just depends on what your goal is. Inbreeding is a tool that breeders, (yes even reputable breeders) use at times. It has it's pros and con's like everything else.

Undersize is not uncommon either. However, in his case it might have something to do with his other conditions.

We did Thyroid testing - came back fine.

Did they do a thorough test? Did they test for T4? Some vets don't test for T4.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=449

The vet has no idea on the "shaking" ...... but it seems his little legs can't hold his body and we feed him in the a.m. and then a little at night..... so it's not "over feeding" him in anyway......

Has he been tested for diabetes? Maybe his sugar levels are off. Might be he's not diabetic but maybe hypoglycemic? (Sugar levels too low.)

The coat issue - it's horrible. I recently switched to a better food and that is helping but his hair comes off in chunks. We shaved him to make him more comfy in the summer (although his rooms are AC and so nice for him)....

IMO, if there is something wrong somewhere, his coat won't improve until his health is better. His body isn't going to put energy into his coat until his body needs are taken care of first.

Is there a vet college near you? You might consider taking him there for a diagnosis. Sounds like there is definately something not right with him.

Peggy


Pam[/QUOTE]

[Kassie]

Welcome Pammy, you've come to a place full of good folks and info. I too would check into the vet school thing if there is one anywhere near you. They have so much knowledge.

Corgis do blow their coats once a year or so, if it's only coming out in clumps like in the spring or so. My girls are still blowing coat this year.

Best of luck to you, sounds like you're doing a lot of the right stuff to take care of your little friend!+PUP+

[Jespah]

Peggy certainly has a lot of experience with Corgis and I agree with what she has said. The coat is the last thing I would be worried about now, as said, it will probably come back on it's own if the root of his problems can be addressed. It may all come out or shed before a better coat comes in. be careful with him outside and the sun, in case of burning.

Has he always had these issues? How long have you had Dee?

You are obviously trying to help him out by coming here - and that's a good thing, I hope we can help in some way.

Deb
Administrator

[MVons]

If there is no vet college, then check the emergency room vet or get a referral from them. Here they diagnose quicker than Vets in the area because they get the tough cases (if it is during the week not weekend) and more importantly they have the expensive equipment that a vet's office doesn't have handy.

Did they do any x-rays to check the back?