Health Issues
Border Collies are generally very fit and active dogs, having the ability to do what
they have been bred for, that is work stock. Even though some of today's Border
Collies don't work they channel their energy and intelligence into many other
activities including obedience, agility, tracking, showing and being an ever-so-active
pet and member of the family.
Any breed of dog, including the Border Collie, will suffer occasionally from illnesses
and diseases that affect all breeds, but there are a few diseases of which Border
Collie owners and breeders should be aware, and then manage, to prevent them
from becoming an ever-increasing problem. If owners and breeders address these
issues and share information it can only help in keeping the Border Collie the
wonderful dog that we know today. The following information is only a summary of
the details available for each of the diseases mentioned and some reasons as to
why it is necessary to be aware that such problems exist within our chosen breed.
List of hereditary diseases:
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis - C.L. Carriers & C.L. Pedigrees
Hip Dysplasia
Collie Eye Anomaly
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
Osteochonditris Dissecans
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (C.L.)
**************************************************************************
C.L. is a disease that affects the cells of the body, and in particular the nerve cells.
C.L. is not contagious but it is inherited by a simple recessive gene in the same way
that coat colour is inherited. The disease will only manifest itself in dogs which
have inherited the recessive gene from both parents. Other offspring of a litter
containing an affected dog can either be carriers or clear.
C.L. is characterised by the accumulation of ceroid lipofuscin, a waxlike lipid waste
product of cell metabolism. This substance accumulates in the tissue cells of the
body. In the brain there is limited room for storage of waste products and, as an
estimate, at somewhere between 18 and 22 months of age, sufficient waste product
has accumulated to begin compressing and destroying healthy brain cells. At this
time the dogs display changes in behaviour, deteriorate rapidly and are usually
euthanized. Confirmation of the disease is performed by brain biopsy. This can
also be used to identify affected pups at approximately 7 months of age. Further
research is needed to develop a DNA test to identify carrier animals.
There have been approximately 36 cases in Australia of C.L. affected (clinically
proven) Border Collies since the first case was diagnosed in 1980. When
compared with the number of puppies produced during this time, it can be seen that
this disease is very rare in the breed. At this time there are 30 published known
carrier dogs. Carrier dogs can only be identified when they have produced affected
offspring and the owners have given permission for the details to be published.
There are other carrier dogs in the gene pool but as yet these have not produced
affected offspring and therefore are not known at his time. There are some known
carriers whose owners have not permitted the dogs' name to be published.
Prospective breeders of Border Collies should be aware of the need for very careful
selection of breeding animals to ensure that known carriers are not mated together.
The majority of Border Collies today will have known carriers in a seven-generation
pedigree. However when you have this information you can make decisions to
ensure that you have one parent with relatively clear lines, or a small number of
carriers well back in the pedigree of both sire and dam.
Research continues at the University of New South Wales to locate the gene
responsible for the disease so that puppies and adult dogs can be screened for the
disease and determine if they are carriers or clear. The State Breed Clubs raise
funds and donate it to assist funding this ongoing research.
C.L. Carriers - C.L. Pedigrees
Hip Dysplasia (H.D.)
Unlike other breeds the Border Collie does not usually show physical signs of H.D.
Border Collies can appear normal and have good movement, but on examination by
x-ray clearly show that they are affected by H.D. to varying degrees. Border Collie
breeders have been known to say that their lines are clear and that they have no
problem with H.D. but unless they have all their breeding stock x-rayed and scored,
this statement may not be true. If breeders have been scoring all breeding stock an
offspring for many generations and the scores are low, for example less then 5,
then they may consider that they have a reduced chance of producing a severely
affected animal.
All breeders at a minium should x-ray all breeding stock and submit all films for
scoring. The importance of submitting all x-rays for scoring, no matter how bad
they appear, is to get a true breed average. What has happened in the past is that
x-rays that definitely show a moderate to severe problem are not necessarily
submitted for scoring and therefore the score is not included in the data. We
therefore end up with a breed average that is not necessarily a true reflection of the
degree to which Border Collies are affected by HD.
For example you have a dog that has received a total score of 13 but because only
moderately affected dogs' x-rays have been submitted for scoring the breed
average is 9, and therefore your dog may not be recommended for breeding
because it exceeds the breed average. However if all x-rays were submitted the
breed average may be 15 and therefore your dog would be suitable for breeding.
The more Border Collies that are x-rayed and scored the better idea we have
concerning this disease and the less likely it is that we will breed affected animals,
and so improve the breed overall. Other breeds are undertaking such control
measures through their club regulations.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
CEA refers to an inherited abnormality in the development of the retina, optic nerve
and choroid. These are all structures at the back of the eye involved with vision.
CEA is a multigenetic trait, is present at birth and does not change with age. If is
strongly recommended that puppies 6 to 10 weeks are tested for CEA by a
specialist eye vet (ophthalmologist). There are varying degrees of abnormality with
CEA. It can affect one eye or both; from a mild case where vision may be reduced,
to severe CEA with retinal detachment and total loss of vision.
Just because an animal is mildly affected, one cannot assume that progeny will not
have a sever case. The same may be said of dogs that hold clear eye certificates.
They may carry CEA, and produce carrier or affected offspring. To produce
affected offspring both parents must either be carriers or affected.
Testing for CEA and other eye disorders involves no pain. It is performed using
eye drops that dilate the pupil so that the ophthalmologist can examine the eye.
Annual eye examinations are recommended to detect any abnormalities or the eye,
but testing for CEA is only required once.
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) AND Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
These two diseases are becoming more apparent in the Border Collie. Both require
further research into their causes, diagnosis, management and their impact on the
breed. TNS was recognized in Border Collies about 8 years ago in New Zealand
and Australia. Puppies aged between 6 weeks and 7 months have a range of
symptoms including lameness, chronic diarrhea, fevers and loss of appetite. The
pups also persistent bone and gastrointestinal infections. The bone marrow of the
affected dogs identifies that neutrophils are not released into the circulation.
Consequently, the bone marrow becomes clogged with neutrophils - a state called
myelokathexis. It is thought the condition has a genetic basis, as there seems to be
some familial correlation in the pedigrees of affected dogs.
OCD is a degenerative disease involving the joint bone and cartilage. It is
characterised by partial or complete detachment of a fragment of bone. It is caused
by the interaction of a number of factors including a genetic predisposition as well
as environmental conditions eg. over-supplementation.
Conclusion
Nothing will be achieved by condemning fellow breeders if dogs are identified as
carriers or affected with any of the above disorders. Instead, congratulate them on
first testing and then publicising the results. These individuals are showing a
responsible attitude and are helping to control hereditary diseases before they
become a major problem.
Border Collies are generally very fit and active dogs, having the ability to do what
they have been bred for, that is work stock. Even though some of today's Border
Collies don't work they channel their energy and intelligence into many other
activities including obedience, agility, tracking, showing and being an ever-so-active
pet and member of the family.
Any breed of dog, including the Border Collie, will suffer occasionally from illnesses
and diseases that affect all breeds, but there are a few diseases of which Border
Collie owners and breeders should be aware, and then manage, to prevent them
from becoming an ever-increasing problem. If owners and breeders address these
issues and share information it can only help in keeping the Border Collie the
wonderful dog that we know today. The following information is only a summary of
the details available for each of the diseases mentioned and some reasons as to
why it is necessary to be aware that such problems exist within our chosen breed.
List of hereditary diseases:
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis - C.L. Carriers & C.L. Pedigrees
Hip Dysplasia
Collie Eye Anomaly
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
Osteochonditris Dissecans
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (C.L.)
**************************************************************************
C.L. is a disease that affects the cells of the body, and in particular the nerve cells.
C.L. is not contagious but it is inherited by a simple recessive gene in the same way
that coat colour is inherited. The disease will only manifest itself in dogs which
have inherited the recessive gene from both parents. Other offspring of a litter
containing an affected dog can either be carriers or clear.
C.L. is characterised by the accumulation of ceroid lipofuscin, a waxlike lipid waste
product of cell metabolism. This substance accumulates in the tissue cells of the
body. In the brain there is limited room for storage of waste products and, as an
estimate, at somewhere between 18 and 22 months of age, sufficient waste product
has accumulated to begin compressing and destroying healthy brain cells. At this
time the dogs display changes in behaviour, deteriorate rapidly and are usually
euthanized. Confirmation of the disease is performed by brain biopsy. This can
also be used to identify affected pups at approximately 7 months of age. Further
research is needed to develop a DNA test to identify carrier animals.
There have been approximately 36 cases in Australia of C.L. affected (clinically
proven) Border Collies since the first case was diagnosed in 1980. When
compared with the number of puppies produced during this time, it can be seen that
this disease is very rare in the breed. At this time there are 30 published known
carrier dogs. Carrier dogs can only be identified when they have produced affected
offspring and the owners have given permission for the details to be published.
There are other carrier dogs in the gene pool but as yet these have not produced
affected offspring and therefore are not known at his time. There are some known
carriers whose owners have not permitted the dogs' name to be published.
Prospective breeders of Border Collies should be aware of the need for very careful
selection of breeding animals to ensure that known carriers are not mated together.
The majority of Border Collies today will have known carriers in a seven-generation
pedigree. However when you have this information you can make decisions to
ensure that you have one parent with relatively clear lines, or a small number of
carriers well back in the pedigree of both sire and dam.
Research continues at the University of New South Wales to locate the gene
responsible for the disease so that puppies and adult dogs can be screened for the
disease and determine if they are carriers or clear. The State Breed Clubs raise
funds and donate it to assist funding this ongoing research.
C.L. Carriers - C.L. Pedigrees
Hip Dysplasia (H.D.)
Unlike other breeds the Border Collie does not usually show physical signs of H.D.
Border Collies can appear normal and have good movement, but on examination by
x-ray clearly show that they are affected by H.D. to varying degrees. Border Collie
breeders have been known to say that their lines are clear and that they have no
problem with H.D. but unless they have all their breeding stock x-rayed and scored,
this statement may not be true. If breeders have been scoring all breeding stock an
offspring for many generations and the scores are low, for example less then 5,
then they may consider that they have a reduced chance of producing a severely
affected animal.
All breeders at a minium should x-ray all breeding stock and submit all films for
scoring. The importance of submitting all x-rays for scoring, no matter how bad
they appear, is to get a true breed average. What has happened in the past is that
x-rays that definitely show a moderate to severe problem are not necessarily
submitted for scoring and therefore the score is not included in the data. We
therefore end up with a breed average that is not necessarily a true reflection of the
degree to which Border Collies are affected by HD.
For example you have a dog that has received a total score of 13 but because only
moderately affected dogs' x-rays have been submitted for scoring the breed
average is 9, and therefore your dog may not be recommended for breeding
because it exceeds the breed average. However if all x-rays were submitted the
breed average may be 15 and therefore your dog would be suitable for breeding.
The more Border Collies that are x-rayed and scored the better idea we have
concerning this disease and the less likely it is that we will breed affected animals,
and so improve the breed overall. Other breeds are undertaking such control
measures through their club regulations.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
CEA refers to an inherited abnormality in the development of the retina, optic nerve
and choroid. These are all structures at the back of the eye involved with vision.
CEA is a multigenetic trait, is present at birth and does not change with age. If is
strongly recommended that puppies 6 to 10 weeks are tested for CEA by a
specialist eye vet (ophthalmologist). There are varying degrees of abnormality with
CEA. It can affect one eye or both; from a mild case where vision may be reduced,
to severe CEA with retinal detachment and total loss of vision.
Just because an animal is mildly affected, one cannot assume that progeny will not
have a sever case. The same may be said of dogs that hold clear eye certificates.
They may carry CEA, and produce carrier or affected offspring. To produce
affected offspring both parents must either be carriers or affected.
Testing for CEA and other eye disorders involves no pain. It is performed using
eye drops that dilate the pupil so that the ophthalmologist can examine the eye.
Annual eye examinations are recommended to detect any abnormalities or the eye,
but testing for CEA is only required once.
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) AND Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
These two diseases are becoming more apparent in the Border Collie. Both require
further research into their causes, diagnosis, management and their impact on the
breed. TNS was recognized in Border Collies about 8 years ago in New Zealand
and Australia. Puppies aged between 6 weeks and 7 months have a range of
symptoms including lameness, chronic diarrhea, fevers and loss of appetite. The
pups also persistent bone and gastrointestinal infections. The bone marrow of the
affected dogs identifies that neutrophils are not released into the circulation.
Consequently, the bone marrow becomes clogged with neutrophils - a state called
myelokathexis. It is thought the condition has a genetic basis, as there seems to be
some familial correlation in the pedigrees of affected dogs.
OCD is a degenerative disease involving the joint bone and cartilage. It is
characterised by partial or complete detachment of a fragment of bone. It is caused
by the interaction of a number of factors including a genetic predisposition as well
as environmental conditions eg. over-supplementation.
Conclusion
Nothing will be achieved by condemning fellow breeders if dogs are identified as
carriers or affected with any of the above disorders. Instead, congratulate them on
first testing and then publicising the results. These individuals are showing a
responsible attitude and are helping to control hereditary diseases before they
become a major problem.
| Health Issues |
| border collie puppies for sale |
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