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Collie - Health Characteristics

Dog Breeds

Collies are generally considered a healthy dog breed. Potential hereditary defects and disorders that affect Collies include collie eye anomaly, deafness, dermatomyositis, hypersensitivity to ivermectin, microphthalmos, optic nerve hypoplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and progressive retinal atrophy.

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Potential Hereditary Defects and Disorders

• Collie Eye Anomaly: Multiple eye defects including coloboma of the optic disc
• Deafness: in one or both ears
• Dermatomyositis: Inflammation of the of the skin and muscles, probably caused by an abnormal immune system.
• Epilepsy: Seizures; convulsions
• Hypersensitivity to Ivermectin: a drug commonly used in prevention and treatment of heartworms
• Microphthalmos: Failure of the eye globe to grow to normal size. May lead to blindness.
• Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: Underdevelopment of the optic nerve in one or both eyes.
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A condition in which a fetal blood vessel does not close at birth, causing a heart murmur and leading to heart failure.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: producing progressive vision loss, ending in blindness.