Choosing an Australian Shepherd

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Choosing an Australian Shepherd

By: April Metroulas

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Common Diseases and Disorders

In general, the Australian Shepherd is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that develops between the ages of 2 to 5 years.

Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately. Without enough thyroid hormone, illness can occur.

Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

Coloboma is an eye condition resulting from the congenital absence of an ocular structure.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

Heart disease occurs when the valves of the heart no longer function appropriately which may ultimately cause heart failure.

Ivermectin toxicityis caused by a genetic abnormalities which causes some dogs to be sensitive to the drug Ivermectin, a commonly used parasitic drug. This drug should be used with caution in this breed.

Urolithiasis is a condition affecting the urinary tract resulting in the formation of bladder stones.

In addition, although these occur infrequently, the following disorders have also been reported:

Umbilical hernia a condition in which abdominal contents protrude through the abdominal wall at the area of the umbilicus

Allergic Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the skin caused by allergies

Dwarfism is a deficiency of growth hormone (GH), which is normally secreted by the pituitary gland.

Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) is a congenital birth defect caused by a blood vessel that normally closes after birth, but remains open resulting in the passage of extra volumes of blood into the lungs.

Congenital deafness present at birth in some dogs.

Life Span

The life span of the Aussie is approximately 12 to 13 years.

We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

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Choosing an Australian Shepherd

Choosing an Australian Shepherd

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