Collie eye anomaly is an inherited pet health condition that affects many different herding dogs. This condition occurs on pets, when chromosomes that determine the eye's development are mutated. Typically, this condition affects both eyes; however, in some cases, it may be worse in one eye than in the other.
How Collie Eye Anomoly Affects Your Pet
When left untreated, Collie eye anomaly can lead to several serious eye disorders. This is mainly because the choroid is underdeveloped and cannot absorb light or nourish the retina properly. Some of the most common conditions associated with Collie eye anomaly include retinal detachment, microphthalmia, enophthalmia, anterior corneal stromal mineralization, retinal folds, and partial or complete blindness.
Common Symptoms of Collie Eye Anomoly
Unfortunately, there are often no symptoms of Collie eye anomaly until the disease has progressed and become a serious problem. Additionally, there are also several stages of the disease, and some symptoms are more noticeable than others. However, some of the warning signs you will want to look for are as follows. Common Symptoms of Collie Eye Anomaly: Shrunken Eyeballs, Eyeballs that are Sunken in Their Sockets, Cloudy Films Covering the Eyes, Irregular Folding of the Retina's Layers, Retinal Detachment, Unable to Recognize Familiar Objects and People, Difficulty Navigating Surroundings, Hesitancy to Navigate Stairs or Jump On/Off Furniture, Lesions on the Eyes and Bloodshot Eyes.
Treatments for Collie Eye Anomoly
Collie eye anomaly is a condition that cannot be reversed; however, there are some treatments that can minimize the effects of the disease. For example, surgery can help in cases where there is a coloboma, which is a hole in a part of the eye. In this situation, your veterinarian may choose to use laser surgery to repair the hole. Additionally, cryosurgery can help to prevent retinal detachment or any additional deterioration. Depending on your pet's condition, surgery may be able to help reattach the retina as well. As with any other genetic disorder, spaying or neutering is encouraged for affected pets.
Breeds Affected
As stated previously, Collie eye anomaly is an inherited pet disease, and it occurs most often in herding breeds of dogs. In fact, the condition is known to affect as many as 97 percent of all Collies in the U.S. and Great Britain. Breeds that are known to be vulnerable to Collie Eye Anomaly: Smooth or Rough Collies, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Lancashire Heelers, Border Collies, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and mixes involving any of the above breed.
Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.