Genetic Disorders in Corgis

What you need to know?

Genetically inherited diseases occur in Corgis like any other dog. Short-legs and long backs predispose them to spine and hip disorders. Maintaining your dogs’ correct weight and preventing them from jumping off of beds and couches can reduce hip and back issues. We suggest that you provide your dog with lots of exercise and work with your veterinarian to make sure that your Corgi does not get overweight. Our dogs receive OFA and veterinarian evaluations on their eyes, hips and elbows. Other inherited genetic disorders that occur in Corgis include DM, vWD1 and EIC.

DM - Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord. It begins around age 10 with weak muscles in the rear legs and progressively gets worse until the dog is paralyzed. Affected dogs inherit the gene for the disease from BOTH parents. Not all dogs who carry two copies of the gene actually develop the disease. Carriers are dogs with only one copy of the gene and can NOT develop the disease. Symptoms begin late in life around 10 years of age with an unsteady wobbly gait. As the disease progresses the rear legs become weak and eventually the dog is unable to walk. Responsible breeders test their adults and do not make matings which might result in puppies who could develop the disease. We test all our dogs for DM and plan matings so puppies do not develop DM.

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Clear	n/n	This dog does not have a copy of the DM gene. It will NEVER develop the disease and can not pass DM on to its offspring.
Carrier	n/DM	This dog carries both a copy of the normal gene and a copy of the DM gene. It will NEVER develop this disease but can pass the DM gene on to its offspring 50% of the time.
Affected	DM/DM	This dog carries two copies of the DM gene. It may be affected by the disease and will always pass the DM gene on to its offspring.

VWD1 - Von Willebrand's Disease

Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder resulting from a lack or reduced level of a normal blood clotting protein called von Willebrand factor (vWF). Disease presentation varies from asymptomatic to spontaneous hemorrhaging and prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, or giving birth. Furthermore, age of onset varies with some dogs only becoming obvious “bleeders” later in life. Without medical intervention, uncontrolled bleeding can result in death. Several genetic mutations that prevent the normal functioning of vWF have been identified. These mutations are associated with different clinical bleeding disorders known as vWD Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.

vWD Type 1 is the most common bleeding disorder among dogs and is present in several breeds. The disorder is characterized by a low concentration of vWF in blood. While vWD Type 1 can cause serious bleeding problems, it is generally less severe than the other two types of vWD and can be alleviated by treatment. A mutation in vWF (c.7437G>A) is associated with vWD Type 1. This disorder is inherited as a dominant trait with incomplete penetrance, which means that not all dogs that have the vWF mutation will present clinical signs of the disease.

Heading	Heading	Heading
Clear	n/n	This dog does not have a copy of the VWD gene. It will NEVER develop the disease and can not pass VWD on to its offspring.
Carrier	n/VWD	This dog carries both a copy of the normal gene and a copy of the VWD gene. It will NEVER develop this disease but can pass the VWD gene on to its offspring 50% of the time.
Affected	VWD/VWD	This dog carries two copies of the VWD gene. It may be affected by the disease and will always pass the VWD gene on to its offspring.

EIC - Exercise Induced Collapse

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and life-threatening collapse after intense exercise in otherwise apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs tolerate mild to moderate activity but will display signs of EIC after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise. The severity of EIC varies, some affected dogs continue to run while dragging their hind legs while others have progression of weakness from rear to forelimbs resulting in a total inability to move. EIC events are often accompanied by a dramatic elevation of body temperature, although unaffected dogs also exhibit elevated temperatures under the same exercise conditions. EIC episodes last from 5-25 minutes with a gradual return to normal with no apparent residual weakness or stiffness. Affected dogs show signs of the disorder as early as 5 months of age, which is typically when more strenuous training and activity begins. Dogs with EIC can lead full, productive lives with proper management. Owners of affected dogs should familiarize themselves with the types of activities that are appropriate for their dogs as well as specific triggers of EIC episodes.

Heading	Heading	Heading
Clear	n/n	This dog does not have a copy of the EIC gene. It will NEVER develop the disease and can not pass EIC on to its offspring.
Carrier	n/EIC	This dog carries both a copy of the normal gene and a copy of the EIC gene. It will NEVER develop this disease but can pass the EIC gene on to its offspring 50% of the time.
Affected	EIC/EIC	This dog carries two copies of the EIC gene. It may be affected by the disease and will always pass the EIC gene on to its offspring.

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