8 Common Health Problems Seen in Border Collies

One of the keys to a long and happy life, whether human or animal, is to attend regular health check-ups to screen for the early detection of certain diseases and disorders. Because every breed is prone to some genetic issues, it’s important to stay well-informed and know what to look out for. Discover eight common health problems seen in border collies, including possible treatments. 

Do Border Collies Have a Lot of Health Issues? What is Their Lifespan?

Border collies are a generally healthy breed and can live between 12 and 15 years, on average. For a healthy collie, owners need to ensure their pup gets plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and a healthy diet. These dogs don’t get sick easily, but they are prone to several health problems, like epilepsy and hip dysplasia. Let’s discuss these further. 

The Most Common Health Problems in Border Collies

1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

These degenerative conditions can happen to any animal, but border collies have a higher-than-average chance of suffering from hip and elbow dysplasia. They are considered developmental disorders caused by the formation of lax joints, which can wear down bones over time. Treatment for these disorders can range from taking anti-inflammatories and getting your collie more active, to undergoing a total joint replacement. 

2. Collie Eye Anomaly

CEA, or collie eye anomaly, is an inherited eye disease that results in defects of some eye layers. While collies are predisposed to this congenital disease, other breeds, like sheepdogs, Australian shepherds, and some retrievers, can also inherit it. CEA can cause varying degrees of vision loss, including blindness. Unfortunately, this disease is not reversible, but laser surgery may be an option to reattach the retina if caught early enough.

3. Epilepsy

Idiopathic epilepsy is a hereditary disease common in border collies. It is a disorder that affects the central nervous system and causes seizures. This condition can range in severity, but most border collies live an average of two years following the onset of seizures, which is lower than other breeds. A vet may prescribe medications, supplements, and dietary changes to help control symptoms.

4. Multidrug Resistance Mutation

The multidrug resistance mutation, also referred to as MDR1 is a mutation that makes certain dogs more susceptible to the negative side effects of some medications. This mutation is common in herding dogs, especially border collies, where around 75% of collie purebreds are affected. MDR1 can affect which drugs your vet chooses to use and their doses, as well as monitoring for adverse problems.

5. Osteochondritis Dissecans

Occurring in collies and several other large breeds, osteochondritis dissecans is an inflammatory condition that pertains to diseased cartilage separating from bone. Border collies are more likely to experience this condition in the shoulder when they’re between four and nine months old. Most dogs go on to live full lives after undergoing surgical treatment to remove the flap and debride the area. 

6. Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome

IGS is a disorder only found in certain purebred dogs, like border collies. Vitamin B12 is not accurately absorbed through the gut, resulting in lethargy, malaise, and failure to gain weight. This syndrome appears between six and twelve weeks after birth, as all of the body’s B12 supply is depleted by this time. However, IGS is a manageable condition with regular B12 supplementation. 

7. Progressive Retinal Atrophy

As its name implies, progressive retinal atrophy is an inherited eye disease that causes the retinal tissue to atrophy. The disease progresses slowly, typically causing a dog to lose its night vision first before eventually leading to complete blindness. PRA can be diagnosed in puppies around two or three months or adults between three and nine years. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments for this disease.

8. Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome

TNS is a hereditary condition only found in border collies. In puppies with trapped neutrophil syndrome, bone marrow produces white blood cells but is unable to release them into the bloodstream. This disease causes an unsuitable immune system that cannot fight off infections, leading to death. Unfortunately, there is no cure and only so much treatment for TNS that it is almost always fatal within the first few months of life. 

Most Common Health Problems Seen in Border Collies: A Recap of the Top 8

Number	The Most Common Health Problems Seen in Border Collies
#1	Hip and elbow dysplasia
#2	Collie eye anomaly
#3	Epilepsy
#4	Multidrug resistance mutation
#5	Osteochondritis dissecans
#6	Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome
#7	Progressive retinal atrophy
#8	Trapped neutrophil syndrome