Border Collie Health Issues
The average Border Collie lifespan is 12-15 years, and they are considered a healthy breed. But, like all dogs, they can develop certain health issues throughout their life. Pet insurance cab be a good investment when bringing home a Border Collie puppy.
Hip Dysplasia
A common medical issue in Border Collies is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball of the hip joint does not fit correctly into the socket of the hip joint.
This results in constant rubbing of two bones against each other, leading to inflammation and pain for the dog. Over time, the inflammation results in arthritis.
When purchasing a dog from a breeder, ask for records to see if the Border Collie puppy’s parents were screened for hip dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or the University of Pennsylvania (PennHIP).
Epilepsy
Border Collies can be more prone to epilepsy, a seizure disorder. This commonly starts around 2-5 years of age and will usually require anti-seizure medications to help control the condition.
There is no known explanation as to why some dogs suffer from epilepsy, but the Border Collie, among many other breeds, is predisposed to this condition.
Pet parents must stay alert for signs of a seizure, which include:
- Paddling the limbs
- Falling over
- Becoming stiff
- Urinating or defecating inappropriately
- Unusual behaviors such as abnormal jaw movements, excessive drooling, staring into space, etc.
Collie Eye Anomaly
Border Collies can also experience a genetic eye disease called Collie eye anomaly.
Collie eye anomaly can cause malformations of the eyes, which can result in vision defects or blindness. The eye disorder is present from birth and is usually detected by the time a Border Collie puppy is 5-6 weeks old.
There is genetic testing for this defect, but Collie eye anomaly has very few treatment options. Therefore, it’s important to find a responsible Border Collie breeder who tests for this genetic condition and takes proactive measures to keep their dogs healthy.
Multidrug Resistance Mutation (MDR1)
Some herding breeds, including Border Collies, can have a mutation in a gene known as MDR1 (multidrug resistance mutation). An abnormality in the gene from birth can make affected Border Collies more sensitive to medications used commonly in veterinary medicine—such as certain medications or flea and tick preventatives.
Your veterinarian can easily test for this mutation with a simple blood test and recommend safe products and medications to use on your dog.
There are also cheek swab tests you can do at home as a part of a dog DNA test to see if your Border Collie has this genetic mutation.
