Collie Issues
Collie dogs like all dog breeds, do have some issues and problems that need to be acknowledged, understood and managed. Now if you are not that familiar with Collies – do not panic. This breed is resilient and any actual or potential Collie issues that may arise, fade into comparison when one looks at the positive benefits of owning one of these wonderful dogs.
If Superman had a dog there is a good chance it would have been a Collie! They serve and they protect: They are great rescue dogs, guides for the blind, movie stars, bred to protect, excellent hunters, and to top that off they are courageous and easy to train! There is a lot to love about Collie dogs.
That said, there are some Collie issues, and indeed some potentially serious Collie health issues, that need to be understood:
- Collies are prone to allergic and sometimes fatal reactions to certain medications and compounds. These are associated with drugs that are used in treating common problems in most dogs. Its a fact that around 1/3 of all Collies are affected by some drugs. This often leads to intoxication and seizure – and in some instances death.
- A common Collie issue is that of eye diseases. The most prevalent one being ‘Collie eye anomaly (CEA). Others include Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and abnormalities in coloring or pigmentation of the central layer of the eye lining.
- Epilepsy (its a blanket statement for ‘seizures’) are something that can affect Collies.
- Bloating is another Collie issue that needs to to taken very seriously. The best advice here would be to buy a bloat kit (around $30) and use it in an emergency situation until a veterinarian can treat your dog.
- Grey Collie Syndrome (Canine Cyclic Neutropenia) is a blood disorder that is present in some Collies from day one. Usually any puppies that are small or weak are prime candidates for this. Puppies rarely survive this disease. The color of these puppies is usually pale gray or beige color generally speaking. If Collies survive , it is generally because of medication/treatment. Most do not live past 21 years.
- Herding and/or nipping is another Collie issue to look out for. Because Collies were bred for herding sheep, it is their natural inclination to herd ANYTHING. This can end up being the kids! Good news is that with the right training its easily overcome. The nipping is a result of the herding and nipping at the heels and hoofs of sheep
- ‘Collie nose’ is another one to watch out for. This is an autoimmune disease and can be a real Collie issue to manage. Some of the most practical advice I found was applying sunscreen to your Collies nose and ensuring a balm like petroleum jelly was used to keep the nose from drying out.
Of course there are any number of other more generic dog issues that are not Collie specific. The key here is to understand your Collie and know how to manage problems as they arise.
Collie issues are generally quite manageable. A genetic test may put your mind at ease somewhat if you are concerned with some of the above medical conditions. This is done with a simple cheek swab and will not hurt your dog at all.
