Common Diseases of Shelties

Sheltie is the common name for the Shetland sheepdog. Shelties are generally small- to medium-sized and can have a variety of fur colors. Energetic and excitable, they are also fiercely loyal, hard working and willing to please their owners. Shelties make wonderful pets due to their eagerness to please; however, these dogs suffer from common diseases that you should know about if you intend to get one.

  1. Dermatomyositis

    • Dermatomyositis is a common disease in shelties and is a disease of the connective tissue. In shelties it generally occurs between 4 to 6 months of age. Dermatomyositis, which is often misdiagnosed, can progress to affect the nervous system, at which point the animal may need to be euthanized. The disease is characterized by balding on the head, legs and the tip of the dog's tail. The disease is genetically transmitted and skips generations.

    Von Willebrand Disease

    • Another common disease in shelties is von Willebrand disease, a genetically transmitted bleeding disorder. In shelties, the disease is generally fatal to those dogs that carry it. The

      mutation occurs on a specific gene, called the "third allele," and conditions that affect this gene can be very severe. It is possible to test for the mutation -- this is important to find out whether your dog is a carrier or may possibly mate with a carrier. In this case, be careful with breeding selection as the disease is fatal.

    Collie Eye Anomaly

    • Collie eye anomaly is another common disease in shelties that is characterized by small or deep set eyes. In some cases, the disease causes the dog to be blind but in other cases it is more mild and the dog may experience only a small reduction in vision. It is a retinal anomaly that is present from birth and is visible bilaterally. There is no current cure for the disease in shelties; however, the disease does not progress to a worse state.

    Progressive Retinal Atrophy

    • Another common eye disease is progressive retinal atrophy. This disease does not appear until the sheltie is around 2 years old, at which time its retinas progressively deteriorate. The disease will eventually lead to total blindness. Both collie eye anomaly and progressive retinal atrophy are hereditary and can be tested for breeding selection purposes as both are generally autosomal recessive.