Other Health Considerations – Health Miscellaneous
Eye Problems
As mentioned in the Health Testing section, ophthalmic examination is a requirement for CHIC status. Ophthalmic examination can detect a variety of congenital abnormalities, including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Collie eye anomaly (CEA), which also occurs in Shelties. These are discussed at the following links: https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/explanation-required-tests/,https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/explanation-elective-tests/, and https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/explanation-optional-tests/ .
Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal dystrophy is characterized by white to grey opacities (lipid deposits) in the superficial layers of the cornea of one or both eyes. The deposits usually do not cause a problem, but some dogs may develop painful, shallow erosions that require treatment. It is considered to be hereditary in some breeds. Since 2019, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists lists two types of corneal dystrophy: (1) Corneal dystrophy with “Breeders Option” and (2) Sheltie corneal dystrophy with a recommendation NOT to breed! Sheltie Corneal Dystrophy would prohibit a dog from receiving an OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) number.
OFA Eye Registry Report
Descriptions of ocular disorders in Shetland Sheepdogs and statistics can be found at https://www.ofa.org/diseases/eye-certification/blue-book . All abnormal findings are listed, and no dog names are included in these reports. Dogs receiving more than one examination in a given year are not listed more than once. The report summarizes eye examination findings from 1991 through the end of the most current complete year.
Important: To access the pages only relating to Shetland Sheepdogs, go to https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=SS then click on the orange “Download Reports “ tab toward the top of the page and then select “Bluebook” tab to download the information.
Musculoskeletal
Lateral luxation of the tendon of the superficial digital flexor (SDF) muscle – (hock injury)
The SDF muscle is one that is responsible for flexion of the hind toes. Its tendon is part of the Achilles’ or calcanean tendon group at the hock. Luxation of the SDF tendon causes intermittent hind leg lameness and swelling around the point of the hock. Injury may occur during vigorous activity such as herding or agility. Abnormal shape of the point of the hock (calcaneus bone) may be a predisposing factor [1]. Treatment for most affected dogs is surgical correction. (Two websites describing the condition and treatment: Repair of Repair of SDFT Injury 1 and Repair of SDFT Injury 2).
Shetland Sheepdogs and Collies are over represented in breeds with this condition. A 2020 report on from Sweden on surgical repair of affected dogs found that 14 of the 19 dogs were Shelties. [2]. A 2002 study of over 200 Shelties found that SDF tendon luxation in Finnish Shetland Sheepdogs was likely inherited as a simple autosomal recessive trait. [1]
Active research to identify possible causative genes is being done and more participation is needed. See: https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/musculoskeletal/ and scroll down the page.
Additional articles regarding this condition in Shelties can be found at: https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/health-references/#ortho .