Border Collie Dog Health

Border Collie has the natural duration is between 10 and 17, with a half life of 12 years.The average longevity of breeds of similar size are usually 12 to 13 years.

The main causes of death were cancer (23.6%), age (17.9%) and cerebral vascular afflictions (9.4%).

Common health problems

Hip dysplasia, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), and epilepsy are considered the main genetic diseases of interest to the race at this time. The CEA is a congenital, hereditary eye is the retina, choroid, sclera, and that sometimes affects Border Collie. In border collie, is usually a mild disease and rarely significantly impaired vision. There is now a DNA test for CEA and, through its use, breeders can ensure they do not produce offspring affected. There are different types of tests available, including hip OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and PennHip. The radiographs were sent to these organizations to determine a dog's hip and elbow quality.

Neuronal Ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a rare but serious illness, which is limited to show Border Collie. NCL results in severe neurological impairment and premature death, affected dogs rarely survive more than two years old. The mutation that causes a form of the disease found in Border Collies was identified by Scott Melville in the laboratory of Dr. Alan Sciences School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Wilton of the University of New South Wales. There is no treatment or cure, but a DNA test is now available to detect carriers and affected dogs.

Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) is an inherited disorder in which bone marrow produces neutrophils (white blood cells), but is able to effectively release into the bloodstream. Affected puppies have an impaired immune system and eventually die from infections that can not defend themselves. The mutation responsible for TNS was found in the English Border Collie working dogs, show dogs born in Australia and New Zealand, and are not tied to working dogs in Australia. This indicates that the gene is widespread and probably as old as the race. TNS was identified by Jeremy Shearman in the laboratory of Dr. Alan Sciences School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Wilton of the University of New South Wales. There is no cure, but a DNA test is now available to detect carriers and affected dogs.

Elbow dysplasia or osteochondritis, deafness and hypothyroidism can also occur in the breed. Dogs homozygous for merle gene are likely to have eye and / or hearing problems.