Shetland Sheepdog Health Guide
Back to Shetland Sheepdog OverviewUnderstanding the health profile of the Shetland Sheepdog helps owners make informed decisions about screening, insurance, and preventive care. Like many pedigree breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to certain hereditary and acquired health conditions, most notably Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Hip Dysplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). With attentive care, most Shetland Sheepdogs can be expected to live 12–14 years. Smaller breeds often enjoy longer lifespans but can be prone to dental disease and patellar luxation; regular dental care and weight monitoring are particularly important.
Conditions Affecting Shetland Sheepdogs
- Category: Orthopedic Typical onset: 1-2 years Est. treatment cost: £1,500-£6,000
Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where the hip joint doesn't develop properly, causing the ball and socket to not fit together correctly. This leads to joint deterioration, pain, and arthritis over time.
Key symptoms: Difficulty rising · Reluctance to jump · Bunny-hopping gait · Loss of thigh muscle · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment - Category: Eye Typical onset: 3-8 years Est. treatment cost: £0 (management only)
PRA is a group of hereditary diseases causing progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina. It leads to night blindness first, followed by complete blindness. There is no treatment, but DNA tests exist for many forms.
Key symptoms: Night blindness (early sign) · Reluctance to enter dark rooms · Dilated pupils · Reduced daytime vision · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment - Category: Eye Typical onset: Birth Est. treatment cost: £200-£1,500
CEA is a hereditary congenital eye defect affecting collie breeds. It ranges from minor choroidal hypoplasia (mild, no vision loss) to colobomas, retinal detachment, and intraocular haemorrhage causing blindness. Severity does not worsen after birth.
Key symptoms: Choroidal hypoplasia (pale areas in retina) · Colobomas (holes in retinal structures) · Retinal detachment · Intraocular haemorrhage · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment - Category: Dermatological Typical onset: Under 6 months Est. treatment cost: £400-£2,000/year
Dermatomyositis is an inherited inflammatory condition affecting the skin and muscles. It begins with skin lesions on pressure points and the face in young dogs and can progress to generalised skin disease and muscle atrophy causing difficulty eating and walking.
Key symptoms: Skin lesions on face, ears, and legs · Muscle wasting, especially of masseters · Difficulty eating in severe cases · Scarring and pigmentation changes · +1 moreFull details, symptoms & treatment
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