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Old English Sheepdog - Health Characteristics

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Health disorders that may affect Old English Sheepdogs include cataracts, deafness, diabetes mellitus, lymphedema, microphthalmos, and retinal dysplasia.

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Potential Hereditary Defects and Disorders

Hereditary disorders that may possibly affect Old English Sheepdogs include the following:

• Cataracts: May or may not be visible until two months of age. Juvenile cataracts may develop up to 6 years of age and heredity is the usual cause.
• Deafness: in one or both ears
• Diabetes Mellitus: May surface as early as 2-6 months of age. Characterized by high blood sugar, excessive thirst (polydipsia) and urination (polyuria).
• Lymphedema: Swelling and pitting of the legs, usually hind legs, caused by abnormally developed lymph vessels.
• Microphthalmos: Failure of the eye globe to grow to normal size. May lead to blindness.
• Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Abnormal functioning of small, hairlike processes in the respiratory system, leading to pneumonia.
• Retinal Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the retina, which may lead to blindness.
• XX/XY Chimeras with Testes: Males have no external testes or scrotum.