Medical Problems

Collie Eye Anomaly

Collies do have eye problems.
Estimates are that 95% of collies are carriers of, or affected with, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). CEA can, but does not always, cause blindness as the severity of the condition can vary. Most responsible breeders will know and check their puppies for the problem with a veterinary ophthalmologist. If you just want a pet, a grade 1 or 2 CEA (and even a grade 3) are just fine. Grade 3 and over should never be bred.

Grades 1 and 2 are still bred and shown, but breeders are making an effort not to breed any affected dog. Right now it is difficult to do with the high rate of affected and carrier dogs. CEA is the most common form of eye problem found in the Collie, both rough and smooth variety. It is also found in the Border Collie, and the Shetland (Sheltie) Sheepdog. CEA is a simple recessive, as shown by research, however a cluster of genes control the severity of CEA in an affected dog and that can complicate diagnosis. There is no correlation between CEA and sex, coat colour, type of coat (rough or smooth), or presence of the merling gene. Usually both eyes are affected, but not necessarily to the same degree. Those dogs with minor anomaly make fine pets and it is unusual for them to lose their eyesight.
Those that are more severely affected can lose their eyesight within a few years of diagnosis if the retina is detached by a blow to the head, or else they are born blind. These dogs usually do not make acceptable pets. (Although, I do know someone with a blind dog that is a happy well balanced animal. Providing he is kept to a predefined area, and he is with someone he trusts, he has no problems)

If a dog is "mildly affected", it is an affected dog and will always pass along CEA to it's puppies. So breeding two "mildly affected" dogs will never result in unaffected, or even carrier puppies. Breeding two apparently normal dogs may result in puppies with CEA if both dogs turn out to be carriers. If a dog ever produces a puppy with CEA, then that dog must be either a carrier or an affected dog itself.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA Details))

PRA will result in blindness. A well known and widely used stud dog in the '70s was found to be a carrier and did produce blind puppies. While the breeder now test-breeds all their stock available for stud services, PRA is present in a number of lines. Most reputable breeders who know or suspect that PRA is in their lines do test-breed. Since PRA in Collies is a simple recessive, it has been easier to control than CEA.

Nodular Granulomatous Episclerokeratitis (NGA Details)

(NGE) (Collie Granuloma), NGE is thought to be an immune mediated disorder in which a cellular proliferation occurs at the corneal scleral junction. This eventually causes damage to the cornea.
Many collies with "Collie Nose" also have NGE. Treatment is with anti- inflammatories or immunosuppressives.

Hip Dysplasia (HD Details)

Collies have low rates of hip dysplasia. Most breeders do not check or OFA their dogs. Collies and Boston Terriers are about equal in the number of hip dysplasia cases. It is still preferable to have the dogs checked before breeding.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD Details)

This causes the bones to "waste" as they form and grow.