Eyelid Abnormalities

The Cane Corso is a breed of mastiff and thus has eye problems common to its other molosser relatives. The most common defects are entropion, ectropion, and glandular hypertrophy (“cherry eye”)

Entropion 

Is the inward curling of the eyelid so that the lashes scratch the cornea and cause irritation and eventual scarring and ulceration. It occurs when the eyeball is too small for the socket and the lids roll in toward the eye. Symptoms include red, irritated eyes, tear stains on the face, and constant watering of the eyes. Entropion is hereditary (a dominant autosomal gene) and usually affects the lower lid, but the upper lid may also be affected. One or both eyes may have the condition. Surgery is required to correct the lid and save the cornea from scarring.

Ectropion

Is the opposite of entropion and involves the lower eyelid rolling out, exposing the sensitive tissues beneath. The exposed tissue of the 3rd eyelid often becomes inflamed and infected, causing a condition known as “exposure conjunctivitis.” Dogs (especially those with heavy facial wrinkles) are either born with it, or it may occur as the result of an injury or scarring from previous surgical procedures. The sad look of the Basset Hound, Bloodhound, and the Saint Bernard is due to this condition. Often in the correction of entropion, some degree of ectropion occurs. Ectropion may even occur in conjunction with entropion where the upper lid rolls in while the lower lid droops down. Though unattractive, ectropion is not dangerous to the dog’s health unless infection occurs.

Cherry eye

Is when the gland of the 3rd eyelid becomes inflamed, swollen, and protrudes from the lower lid, the condition is known as glandular hypertrophy. It is often referred to as “cherry eye” due to its resemblance to the fruit. It can occur in one or both eyes and usually occurs in dogs under one year of age. It can be quite frightening to a pet owner when seen for the first time. The most successful treatment is to remove the gland. Surgically reposition the gland and tacking it down often is unsuccessful and many times the gland has to be eventually removed.

If somebody tells you they don’t have Entropion, Ectropion or Cherry eye in their lines, it’s either a lie, or ignorance, or great luck (and I’d love to get their contact info so that we can use Entropion, Ectropion or Cherry eye-free lines to improve overall health in Cane Corso). One breeder can’t fix it. And even a dozen breeders won’t be able to fix this problem. Entropion, Ectropion or Cherry eye has been in this breed all along.

Gastric Torsion (“Bloat”)

Bloat is a serious, life threatening condition of large breed dogs. While the diagnosis is simple, the pathological changes in the dog’s body make the treatment complicated, expensive, and not always successful. Large, deep-chested dogs that usually eat once a day and are in the habit of bolting food, gulping air, drinking large amounts of water immediately after eating, and exercising vigorously after eating are more prone to bloat than others. Simple gastric distention can occur in any breed or age of dog and is common in young puppies that overeat. This is sometimes referred to by laymen as pre-bloat. Belching of gas or vomiting food usually relieves the problem. Clearly, prevention is wisest. Feed two meals daily and discourage rapid eating. Do not allow vigorous exercise for two hours after a meal. Symptoms include looking back at the stomach and signs of obvious pain. The belly will look swollen. Immediate surgery is required to save the dog’s life by untwisting the bowls and relieving the pressure caused by gas buildup.

Demodex Mange

Demodicosis is a condition seen in both dogs and cats and is caused by different species of Demodex mites. It is interesting to note that Demodex mites are found on the skin of all normal animals, including people, and usually exist in small numbers within the hair follicles. Demodex mange is therefore not considered contagious since all animals have these mites. Animals are not born with these mites but acquire them from their mothers in the first few days of life, during the nursing process. If Demodex mites are present on all animals, why do some animals develop demodectic mange and most do not? Animals with Demodex mange may have an inherited or acquired immune defect that fails to keep the numbers of mites in check. The result is a mite population explosion which not only crowds the hairs within the hair follicles and results in bacterial infections, but the mites produce other substances that then compromise the immune system and perpetuate the infestation. The proliferation of mites is therefore an effect, rather than a cause of the condition. Our attention should always be focused on the cause of the immune deficit rather than merely how to get rid of the mites. In young animals, which are most commonly affected with Demodex mange, the condition likely reflects an inherited incompetence of the immune system. However, emotionally trying situations (i.e., shipping) and hormone fluctuations (i.e., first heat cycle in females) in growing dogs can cause an outbreak of Demodex mange. These temporary stresses to the immune system, once removed, return the dog to good health. There are two forms of Demodex mange, localized and generalized. Localized demodicosis only occurs on the face and the front legs or toes in small patches. This type of mange can be stress-induced as in the examples mentioned above. Generalized demodicosis occurs all over the dog and is considered the most serious form as it signals a true problem with the animal’s immune system. Symptoms of Demodex mange include red, itchy patches where the hair is missing. A skin scrape is done by the vet to check for the presence of mites. Treatment for both forms of Demodex mange involves dipping the dog with Mita ban, although holistic treatments are also available.

PATELLAR LUXATION

The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, either in a medial or lateral position.
Bilateral involvement is most common, but unilateral is not uncommon. Animals can be affected by the time they are eight weeks of age. The most notable finding is a knock-knee (genu valgum) stance. The patella is usually reducible, and laxity of the medial collateral ligament may be evident. The medial retinacular tissues of the stifle joint are often thickened, and the foot can be seen to twist laterally as weight is placed on the limb.
Patellar luxations fall into several categories:

• 1-Medial luxation (toy, miniature, and large breeds)

• 2-Lateral luxation (toy and miniature breeds)

• 3-Lateral luxation (large and giant breeds)

• Luxation resulting from trauma (various breeds, of no importance to the certification process)

Numbers 1-3 are either known to be heritable or strongly suspected.

In some dogs, the patella luxates (dislocates) out of this normal groove. The consequence of this luxation is an inability to properly extend the knee joint. As well as the lameness caused by the mechanical deficiency of the affected knee, there are varying degrees of pain and osteoarthritis.