Cardigan Welsh Corgis are a generally healthy breed, but they are susceptible to some health conditions, including intervertebral disc disease, and such eye problems as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA is an eye disease. This disease in Cardigans usually has an early onset and can be determined by two years of age. Most Cardigans affected with PRA will be blind by three years of age. This is a seriously debilitating disease.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an onset typically between 7 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The disease is chronic and progressive, resulting in paralysis.
Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD)
vWD is a bleeding disorder common to many breeds and can be avoided by a simple genetic test. Although Pembrokes are subject to this disorder, Cardigans are not.
Links
Kennel Club (UK) CWC Recommended Health Tests
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
University of Pennsylvania (PennHip)
OptiGen (PRA Eye Disease Information and Testing)