Scientists have identified around 900 different genetic diseases in dogs, and Australian Shepherds are no exception. Each breed group is more or less prone to certain diseases, and Australian Shepherds are one of them. However, Australian Shepherds are a fairly robust breed, generally not prone to any severe diseases. In general, breeders – like Autumn Creek Aussies – strive to obtain a population free of genetic diseases for which dogs can be tested (this is, on average, 5-7 diseases). However, of course. there are lines and individual dogs that can be affected by genetic diseases or be carriers of them.
Almost all diseases are the result of heredity, that is, they are passed on to offspring from ancestors (both immediate – father and mother, and distant great-great ancestors). But it is necessary to distinguish and understand that not everything is always so simple and transparent: in addition to genetic factors and predisposition, diseases can also arise as a result of external factors (for example, injuries, improper feeding, poor growing conditions, etc.).
Let’s divide all dog diseases – including Australian Shepherds – into 4 conditional groups:
1. Genetically Testable Diseases
Diseases that can be genetically tested are a limited list of diseases that are inherited from parents to offspring. Since many of these diseases may never manifest themselves, a genetic test gives us a clear picture of whether a particular dog’s DNA contains a mutant gene or is completely clear.
Genetic testing of animals is a health check of breeding producers and their offspring using DNA testing. Almost all breeders already have tests on their animals involved in breeding work, and build their breeding program based, among other things, on the results of the tests.
DNA tests are designed for diseases that are passed down from generation to generation, from parents to offspring. This is called an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.
For the disease to manifest with this type of inheritance, the mutant copy of the gene must be inherited from both parents. In other words, the mutation manifests itself only in the homozygous state (only when both copies of the gene are damaged). If the mutation is in the heterozygous state, and the mutant allele is accompanied by a normal functional one, then the autosomal recessive mutation does not manifest itself, but such a dog is a carrier of the disease.
In the United States, various tests for various genetic diseases for dogs are available in specialized laboratories. There are some that are designed specifically for certain breeds. So, there is no point in testing your Healthy Aussies Puppies for each of the available tests. Like any other breed, Australian Shepherds have a number of diseases to which they are predisposed. These are the diseases that must be tested for.
There are several genetic tests available for Aussies in Dade City, Florida:
- PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- CEA – Collie Eye Anomaly
- HSF4 – Hereditary Cataract
- DM – Degenerative Myelopathy
- MDR – Drug Intolerance
2. Diseases Detectable by Medical Examination
There are other diseases that can occur in any breed of dog – luxating patella, knee or elbow dysplasia, dry keratoconjunctivitis, congenital deafness and many others. As a rule, these diseases are also passed on to offspring from relatives, but there is no way to understand from whom exactly, because there are no genetic tests for these diseases.
While seeking healthy Creek Aussies Puppies For Sale, it’s necessary to have knowledge that, although the availability of genetic tests may not be possible for all conditions, you can go with specific veterinary examinations to detect certain diseases. Modern veterinary medicine gives us the opportunity, for example, to undergo an annual eye examination (ECVO) by an ophthalmologist; to pass the Schirmer test for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS); to take X-rays of the elbows (ED) and hips (HD) for dysplasia; to check for deafness there is a BAER test.
You must understand that a manual examination or images do not guarantee the dog’s complete genetic health. The reason is that the animal may be completely healthy, but pass on some disease to its offspring.
3. Diseases Without Detectable Markers
This is probably the largest list of diseases. It includes such common diseases as epilepsy, intervertebral hernia, any type of myositis (muscle inflammation), hemophilia (blood clotting disorder), almost all neurological diseases and gastrointestinal diseases.
Unfortunately, breeders are not protected from the occurrence and presence of such diseases in dogs: you cannot diagnose these diseases because they do not always have clinical signs, they cannot be detected during a medical examination, and there are no genetic tests for them. These diseases may not make themselves known throughout the dog’s life, and then suddenly appear in adulthood or not appear at all. This is the insidiousness of these diseases.
Let’s take epilepsy as an example. It has not been studied in either humans or dogs. There is no way to detect it with a test or examination, there is no treatment, there is no complete picture of the genetics and nature of this disease. Epilepsy is caused by a single mutation in several genes, sometimes associated with external factors (e.g., trauma).
4. Environmentally Induced Diseases
The last group of diseases are acquired. These are any kind of ailments and deviations that were caused by external factors (poor growing and feeding conditions, poisoning, excessive loads, injuries, and much more).
For example, improper feeding can result in allergies and gastrointestinal upset. Head trauma can result in epilepsy. loss of vision, and impaired coordination. The most common are the consequences of a tick bite and previous piroplasmosis. Due to untimely or unqualified treatment, dogs develop kidney, liver, and/or heart failure, and seizures.
Don’t be shy to ask your breeder if their sires are tested and if they have health certificates. Don’t believe it if a breeder tells you that they don’t have the ability to genetically test their dogs or puppies. Autumn Aussies In Florida makes sure that they’re all set to be in perfect health when your loveable pup arrives. We ensure that your pup will have a complete checkup, age-appropriate vaccinations, tests, and microchipped. Contact Autumn Creek Aussies to start spending happier moments with your healthy Aussies puppies right from the start!
