Cane Corso Health Issues: What Every Owner Should Know
Cane Corsos are strong, loyal, and built to work. But like all large breeds, they have specific health issues you need to know before you bring one home.
The good news: most of these are preventable or manageable if you buy from a breeder who health tests their dogs. The bad news: if you don’t, you could face $5,000+ vet bills and heartbreak.
Here are the 7 Cane Corso health issues we see most in Ohio and how to avoid them.
1. Cane Corso Health Issues Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is the #1 issue in Cane Corsos. It happens when the hip joint doesn’t form correctly, causing pain, arthritis, and lameness.
Symptoms: Trouble standing, bunny hopping, reluctance to run, stiffness after rest.
Prevention: Only buy from parents with OFA Good or Excellent and PENNHIP scores. Avoid overfeeding puppies and limit jumping before 18 months.
We explain how we test for this here: Cane Corso Health Testing Guide.
2. Elbow Dysplasia another major Cane Corso Health Issues
Similar to hips, elbow dysplasia is a malformation of the elbow joint. It’s painful and often requires surgery.
Symptoms: Limping on front legs, swelling around elbows, not wanting to play.
Prevention: OFA elbow testing on both parents is mandatory. Normal rating only.
3. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)
Bloat is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Cane Corsos are high-risk due to their deep chest.
Symptoms: Unproductive retching, swollen belly, restlessness, pale gums.
Prevention: Feed 2-3 meals per day, use slow feeders, no exercise 1 hour before/after meals. Know where your emergency vet is.
4. Entropion and Ectropion
Entropion is when eyelids roll inward. Ectropion is when they sag outward. Both cause eye irritation and infection.
Symptoms: Red eyes, squinting, excessive tearing, pawing at face.
Prevention: Breeders should have OFA eye exams done by a veterinary ophthalmologist annually.
5. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
DCM is a heart condition where the heart muscle weakens and enlarges. It’s silent until it’s advanced.
Symptoms: Coughing, fatigue, fainting, reduced stamina.
Prevention: Annual cardiac exams by a board-certified cardiologist. Ask for OFA heart clearance on parents.
6. Demodectic Mange
Young Cane Corsos can get demodectic mange if their immune system is weak. It’s not contagious but looks awful and itches badly.
Symptoms: Patchy hair loss, red skin, usually on face and legs.
Prevention: Low stress, proper nutrition, and genetics. Dogs with strong immune systems rarely get severe cases.
7. Idiopathic Epilepsy
Some Cane Corsos develop seizures between 1-3 years old with no known cause.
Symptoms: Seizures, disorientation, drooling.
Prevention: Ask breeders if epilepsy exists in their lines. Ethical breeders track this and won’t breed affected dogs.
How to Avoid Cane Corso Health Issues
You can’t eliminate risk, but you can cut it by 80% with one step: buy from a breeder who does full health testing.
Ask for this before you pay a deposit:
- OFA Hips, Elbows, Heart, Eyes certificates for both parents
- PENNHIP scores if available
- 2-Year Genetic Health Guarantee in writing
If a breeder can’t send these in 60 seconds, walk away.
See the health testing we do on our dam Gia here: Gia’s OFA and PENNHIP Results.
Final Word
Cane Corso health issues are real, but they’re not a mystery. The breeders who cause problems are the ones who skip testing and hope for the best.
Do your homework now, and you’ll get a dog that runs, plays, and protects you for 10+ years without chronic pain.
Want to see puppies from health-tested lines? Check our current litter here or text 216-243-7463. We send full OFA proof before deposits.
For more on testing standards, visit OFA.org and AKC Cane Corso Health Page.
