Health Issues

Though Shelties are a generally healthy breed when bred conscientiously, breeding animals MUST be tested to ensure health. It is by far best and desirable that breeding stock comes from a long line of tested breeding stock, to enhance the guarantee of genetic health. Genetic testing which is currently available for Shelties include that for Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), many eye anomalies, thyroid, and vonWildebrande's Disease (vWD), a devastating bleeding disorder very much like human hemophilia.

There are many other conditions for which tests are not currently available, conditions which can be fatal - autoimmune disorders, renal dysfunction, liver diseases, canine epilepsy, genetic heart defects. A breeder cannot test her breeding animals to know if they are carriers of these diseases, but she can certainly be aware if these diseases exist in the backgrounds of her pedigrees, if she simply does the extensive homework required to breed ethically and with the best for the dogs uppermost in her mind.

I would like to address several of these health issues:

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD): Hips should be x-rayed and certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) after age two years. There was a time, not long ago, when I believed that a 2-year certification was all that was necessary, but that thought has now changed. Given some recent developments that have come to light involving early detection in conjunction with alternative therapies as early treatment for potential hip problems, there is no question in my mind that preliminary x-rays at one year of age should be done on every sheltie, breeding, showing, performing, or not.

Eye Diseases & Anomalies: Eyes on all young puppies should be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist registered with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) between the ages of six and eight weeks. It is believed that at this young age the potential for developing SES (Sheltie Eye Syndrome, also known as Collie Eye Anomaly CEA), PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and other eye diseases can be detected, so early examination is essential. Since many of the common eye diseases do not then manifest themselves until the animal is older (four to six years for many), examination of breeding animals - dogs and bitches alike - should be performed subsequent to this early examination, at least every two years, for life. In this way, and this way alone, can breeders be certain their bloodlines are clear of these terrible and potentially blinding disorders.

vonWildebrande's Disease (vWD): vonWildebrande's Disease (vWD) is a devastating, many times fatal, blood clotting disorder not unlike human hemophilia. Too often, knowledge of the presence of this disease in your dog's system is unknown until the animal is injured, or undergoes surgery, and dies from sudden and uncontrollable loss of blood. Earlier, detection of vWD in your Sheltie was very difficult to achieve; the testing method used was unreliable, as it was affected by many variables including age, health, growth, stress, as well as the method used to draw, handle, store and ship the blood samples. Recently, a genetic labeling technique was developed for Shelties by VetGen, which makes detection of the presence (or absence, as the case may be) of the clotting factors involved with vWD much easier and more reliable. The VetGen test is a swab test for the mouth, and can be administered at basically any age, under any conditions. The results are guaranteed.

Other Heritable Problems: There are many other problems strongly suspected to be inherited, with no known 'markers' or ways to identify carriers until those carriers produce affected offspring. These problems would include early-onset hypothyroidism (occurring before age 6 years), diabetes, renal dysfunctions and diseases, kidney diseases, Cushing's Disease, heart problems, auto-immune problems (including Lupus, and a condition known as dermatomyositis and commonly called Sheltie Skin Syndrome While the thyroid problem need not be life-threatening and is easily and inexpensively treated, the thyroid affects the energy level, coat condition and general health of your Sheltie. The other diseases mentioned may pose dire (and sometimes fatal) problems from which breeders must carefully breed away. By knowing the ancestry, and knowing these problems have not shown themselves in the lines, by very careful breeding, it is hoped these problems can be avoided.

Heartworm Medications  Heartworm has become a national problem, and most veterinarians recommend protecting your dog with some kind of regularly administered
preventative medication. However, some Shelties, Collies, and related breeds have an unusual sensitivity to Ivermectin, the active ingredient in the popular monthly

heartworm preventative called  Heartguard. The monthly medication Interceptor was developed especially for these sensitive breeds. Its active ingredient is
milbemycin, which has been demonstrated safe for Shelties and their relatives. The daily heartworm medication Filaribits is also safe for these dogs, although some

concern has been expressed about possible liver damage connected with extra ingredient in Filaribits Plus.

Good Nutrition: Diet should be of a 'premium' nature and come highly recommended by folks who also use the diet. Do not decide on a diet based upon the wording of a package or the prompt of a salesman. Do the footwork, talk to other dog people using the diet before deciding what is best for your shelties. I feed my shelties some fruits and veggies along with Nutro Max, but this does not mean this diet will work best for you, too. Not everyone's dogs will do well on the same diet. If you are replacing your current diet with another, please allow at least three months' time before a decision is made on whether the new diet is good for your Shelties. Coat color and texture, energy levels, overall fitness and attentiveness, are items that most often will tell you if the food or diet you are feeding is working.

Small dog health problems: Tracheal collapse Not all small dogs suffer from this. but many do. It sounds like your dog is chocking on something, then going to throw up, but normally nothing comes up. Following is some information regarding the diagnoses and treatment.

KEY POINTS
· Tracheal collapse is most commonly seen in middle-aged, overweight, small breed dogs and is rarely seen in young, large breed dogs.
· Collapse typically occurs in a dorsoventral direction. Cartilage rings are weakened and become flattened, causing stretch of the dorsal tracheal membrane and prolapse into the lumen.
· The cervical trachea collapses on inspiration and intrathoracic airways collapse on expiration.
· Diagnosis is best made by visible inspection of the airway. Bronchoscopy also allows collection of airway samples.
· Tracheal collapse is an irreversible failure of the cartilage rings. Treatment revolves around control of upper and lower airway conditions that worsen clinical signs.
· Surgical placement of prosthetic rings is a viable treatment option for dogs with unrelenting signs of dyspnea and cough associated with cervical tracheal collapse.

Introduction
Tracheal collapse is commonly encountered in clinical practice as a cause of cough and airway obstruction in small breed dogs. It can also be seen rarely in young, large breed dogs. The etiology of tracheal collapse is unknown, but suggested mechanisms include congenital abnormalities, genetic defects involving failure of chondrogenesis, and acquired causes such as chronic small airway disease, degeneration of cartilage, trauma, or deficient innervation of the trachealis dorsalis muscle. Typically, collapse is in a dorsoventral direction with prolapse of a flaccid dorsal tracheal membrane into the lumen of the airway.
Recognition of tracheal collapse may be relatively straightforward clinically. Documentation of the degree of respiratory embarrassment, identification of predisposing conditions that might exacerbate coughing, and early intervention aid in appropriate patient management and will limit the onset of debilitating sequelae.

L R. Johnson
Dept of Med and Epidem, School of Vet Med, Univ of California, Davis, CA 95616-7837, USA
Waltham Focus, Vol. 11, 2, 3

None of these things need be a chore. All of it is for the betterment of the sheltie life that adorns your soul. No greater love, never too great a price.