Aussie Health
Vaccines
Every puppy we produce has been vaccinated age-appropriately before leaving our home. After consulting with our veterinarian, we now give boosters a bit later than we used to and farther apart - usually at 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Rabies vaccines should not be given earlier than 16 weeks of age, preferably 3-4 weeks AFTER the last Distemper/Parvo booster. We strongly recommend, after the puppy series of vaccines have been given, that boosters for viruses only be administered every 3 years if at all. We do NOT recommend yearly boosters! Immunity to the viruses that have been vaccinated against lasts for many years, if not for life! For more information check out Dr Jean Dodds' Vaccination Protocol.
Genetic Diseases and Testing
Aussies, like any breed, are plagued by some genetic health problems. Some of these can be combated by screening breeding stock with different kinds of tests and certifications, and carefully studying pedigrees. We are members of the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute's (ASHGI) 10-step Program. ASHGI has extensive information about Aussie genetic health.
Here are some of the more common health problems Aussies face:
Here are some of the more common health problems Aussies face:
Cataracts/Eye Diseases
Aussies are subject to heritable cataracts and eye disorders. Depending on the severity they can cause anywhere from little to no vision loss, to complete blindness, and often have an early onset. Genetic causes of eye diseases in Aussies include Hereditary Cataracts (HC or HSF4), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and others.
Dogs used for breeding should also have yearly eye exams and be certified by the OFA Eye Certification Registry (CAER). This replaces the former Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). There are genetic tests available for dogs with a family history of various eye problems to help breeders choose appropriate mates for their dogs.
Dogs used for breeding should also have yearly eye exams and be certified by the OFA Eye Certification Registry (CAER). This replaces the former Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). There are genetic tests available for dogs with a family history of various eye problems to help breeders choose appropriate mates for their dogs.
Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a malformation of the hip socket joint; in Elbow Dysplasia it is a malformation of the elbow joint. These conditions can be painful when severe can cause lameness and arthritis.
X-rays can be taken to look for abnormal formation of these joints at 2 years of age. The X-rays are then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to be evaluated and kept on record. Preliminary x-rays can be taken before 2 years of age to rule out severely affected or questionable dogs, with varying degrees of accuracy that increase as the dog gets closer to age 2.
X-rays can be taken to look for abnormal formation of these joints at 2 years of age. The X-rays are then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to be evaluated and kept on record. Preliminary x-rays can be taken before 2 years of age to rule out severely affected or questionable dogs, with varying degrees of accuracy that increase as the dog gets closer to age 2.
Multi-Drug Resistance
Multi-drug Resistance (or MDR1) is a genetic sensitivity to certain medications, such as Ivermectin (a product found in most heart worm preventatives) and Erythromycin, among others. Reactions include neurological toxicity, sedation, and more - including death. Because only certain man-made drugs cause a reaction, this is not a major concern for breeding dogs, but it is something worth working to breed away from (by breeding affected dogs to clear dogs when possible, for instance). We try to select away from the MDR1 mutation but since it's effects are easily avoided, it is lower on our list of criteria than diseases which cause pain or severely reduce quality of life. The rate of incidence in our breed is thought to be about 50% affected.
There are genetic tests for MDR1 from Washington State University and Animal Genetics Inc. The University also has a Problem Drug List that you and your veterinarian should both have if your dog is either a confirmed MDR1 carrier, or if their MDR1 status is unknown.
There are genetic tests for MDR1 from Washington State University and Animal Genetics Inc. The University also has a Problem Drug List that you and your veterinarian should both have if your dog is either a confirmed MDR1 carrier, or if their MDR1 status is unknown.
Autoimmune Diseases And Allergies
Autoimmune diseases are a large collection of disorders that are caused when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Allergies fall under the umbrella of Autoimmune disorders in that the immune system overreacts to harmless substances instead (foods, pollen, medications, etc). These diseases can range from being mild in their effects, to fatal. Environmental allergies in particular often cause extreme discomfort due to intense scratching and skin lesions. Unfortunately, most Autoimmune diseases do not have a definitive screening test, so breeders rely on knowledge of pedigrees and family histories to try to reduce the risk of producing puppies with an Autoimmune disorder.
Epilepsy
Primary Epilepsy, also called Idiopathic Epilepsy (idiopathic meaning "of unknown cause") or Inherited Epilepsy is a complicated and devastating disorder that strikes fear into all who know and love this breed. There is no genetic test for Epilepsy, as it seems to be controlled by a combination of many different genes and likely has an environmental factor. The diagnosis is difficult as it is essentially the exclusion of all other causes, requiring a list of tests to rule out other causes of seizures (of which there are MANY). Not every dog with seizures has Primary Epilepsy, which further muddies the waters when trying to determine the risk of a given family due to misdiagnoses. Breeders must rely on knowledge of their dog's family history to avoid this heartbreaking disease by trying to choose low risk mates for dogs with a higher risk. Nearly every Aussie pedigree today has been touched by Epilepsy, and it can sometimes seem to crop up "at random". Breeders must work together, sharing the pedigrees of afflicted dogs with each other and submitting DNA samples to those working on developing genetic tests for some of the genes involved.
