The skin and coat of a dog may show a slight change in appearance over its lifetime. However, significant changes in color and fur loss are signs of a serious problem. While most diseases are not breed specific, some are more prevalent in collies.
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Collie Nose
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Collie nose, which most often affects collies, changes the pigment in the dog's nose. The area becomes lighter colored and very sensitive to sunlight.
Black Hair Follicular
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Black hair follicular is a rare genetic disease which is more common among collies and other dogs with multiple colors of fur. The most significant visible symptom is the loss of only dark colored fur. Symptoms generally appear in puppies three to six weeks of age.
Localized Demodicosis
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Localized Demodicosis is a form of mange and can strike any breed. It generally appears in puppies and is localized to small sections of the body. It is caused by the demodex mite and will cause scaling of the skin and fur loss.
Generalized Demodicosis
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Generalized Demodicosis is a second, and more severe, form of mange. The demodex mite first causes small areas of scaling and fur loss, and then progresses to encompass a large area of the body.
Cushing's Disease
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Cushing's disease, found in most breeds including collies, is caused by an increase in corticosteroids, either by the body increasing production of corticosteroids or by continual therapy using them. Symptoms include hair loss, increased ease of bruising, and seborrhea or dandruff.
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