Everybody knows the herding breeds, such as the Aussie, to be fit as fiddles. While this remains true, and Aussies are generally very healthy, there are certain health risks to watch out for. So, what are common health issues for Australian Shepherds?
While Australian Shepherds are relatively healthy dogs, there are a few health conditions they can be predisposed to. Some common health issues are:
In order for your Australian Shepherd to lead a long and healthy life, we have put together this guide with common health concerns for this breed.
According to the Australian Shepherd Club, Aussies are generally healthier than other dogs.
The Canine Health Information Center, as well as the Australian Shepherd Association, lists the following as the most common genetic health conditions for your adult dog Aussies:
This issue occurs later in your dog’s life when the thigh bone slips out of the hip socket due to it being worn out, i.e. from dog sports. Affected dogs suffer great pain when walking or running. Signs are limping or trouble standing, or weird sitting positions.
Painkillers usually help alleviate the pain. However, a complete surgical hip replacement is probably the only way to stop this issue.
While hip or elbow dysplasia is mostly an old age symptom, specifically for athletic dogs, it can also occur due to weight gain or can be inherited from the puppy’s parents.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is very common for Aussies and can lead to blindness.
The same goes for Collie Eye Anomaly, which is another hereditary health problem related to Aussies.
Your board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist can check your puppy for these issues and defects early on in life, so you can be prepared and know which treatment to undergo.
The Australian Shepherd dog can suffer from having fatal reactions to ordinary medications commonly bought at the pet store or commonly prescribed veterinary drugs to prevent issues such as heartworms.
If your dog has toxic exposure to any of these drugs, it can suffer significant brain damage, leading to mental dullness or, in severe cases, death.
Your Australian Shepherd dog might suffer from epilepsy, which is a drastic influx of electrical activity in the brain, that is not related to any direct cause, leading to shaking, tremors and extensive twitching or spasms. Veterinary medicine can be prescribed for your family pet should it suffer from this disorder.
While this disease is rare for cat breeds, it is the most common autoimmune disease related to bleeding disorders in dogs as well as in humans. Dogs suffering from VWD should not be used as breeding dogs.
It can cause extensive bleeding of a wound and prevent the wound from closing completely. In severe cases, dogs might also start bleeding from their nose, gums or other sensitive areas without an injury as a cause.
You can DNA test your Aussie puppy to find out if it suffers from this disease and seeks veterinary advice.
Australian Shepherds encounter any of these diseases very rarely. Therefore insurance might not be necessary. Insurance usually comes in handy when expensive and immediate treatments are required in case of accidents.
On top of that, not all of the above-listed health issues will be covered by insurance as some also only occur as your dog ages or are identified as genetically related and are therefore not insurable.
The best way to find suitable insurance is to do your research and find a platform that will compare several pet insurance quotes for you to find the one that seems best for you and your furry friend.
Given that they receive a well-balanced diet, as well as enough exercise and mental stimulation, Aussies will live a full and happy life for about 13 to 15 years.
As mentioned, compared to other pets, Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs.
Most of the conditions purebred dogs can suffer from will be screened by breed clubs and therefore prevented from being inherited by your Aussie puppy. Therefore it is vital to ensure you get Australian Shepherd puppies from a reputable breeder.
The American Kennel Club recommends providing your Australian Shepherd puppy with an active lifestyle. They are meant to be herding dogs and deserve to be with active families to avoid weight-gain-related illnesses and lead a perfectly normal life.
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