The Border Collie is a herding dog bred to safeguard the vast livestock herds of the rugged border regions of England and Scotland. More than 300 years of perfecting the breed have resulted in one of the most intelligent, energetic, and loyal four-legged companions we can have. Sadly, genetic herding abilities are not the only hereditary traits these dogs possess. Certain Border Collie health issues, such as the Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and hip dysplasia, plague the breed and diminish their quality of life.
The usual Border Collie lifespan is between 12 and 15 years, but according to the American Border Collie Association (ABCA) Health and Genetics Committee’s report, nine genetically linked diseases can lower that average.
Luckily, with Maven Pet’s health monitor, prevention is better than cure becomes more than just a quote. It gives you the tools to monitor your dog’s health in real time and catch any signs of discomfort your dog may be feeling.
In this article, we break down all the most common health issues in Border Collies, offer prevention and care tips, and more.
Top 5 Border Collie Health Issues and How to Monitor Them
To help ensure your pup leads a healthy, active life, it’s vital to understand Border Collie health issues and monitor them proactively. Here’s what you need to know about the most common Border Collie health issues and symptoms.
1. Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
CEA is a hereditary condition that affects the development of the eye, and in some cases, it can lead to partial or total blindness. It’s caused by a genetic mutation that’s often detectable through early DNA testing. Most breeders go to a veterinary ophthalmologist while their puppies are between 6 and 8 weeks of age for that early screening. Vets usually look at the retina to see if it’s detached, any areas of the eye that have been thinning, or for any holes in the eye’s structure, called colobomas, which can cause partial or complete blindness.
If your Border Collie has CEA, you might notice these symptoms:
- Subtle changes, like cloudiness in their eyes
- Behavioral clues — hesitation in dim light, bumping into furniture, or reluctance to explore unfamiliar spaces.
According to ABCA, the incidence rate for CEA is less than 2.5%, second only to hip dysplasia, which we’ll cover in the next section. Sadly, CEA can’t be cured or treated, making prevention even more important. That’s where the Maven Pet smart collar comes into play.
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Health Monitor
#1 Vet-recommended pet monitor! Tracks activity, rest, respiratory rate, water intake, scratching and other health indicators 24/7
This tool helps you spot early changes in your dog’s activity, such as reduced confidence in movement or avoiding new environments. With its app, you can log visual changes or symptoms like squinting and share that information directly with your vet. It’s an easy way to stay on top of your pup’s health and give it the support it needs.
2. Hip Dysplasia
Few dog breeds can match the agility and love for movement that Border Collies possess. Regrettably, hip dysplasia is one common orthopedic issue that can prevent them from enjoying those long walks and ball games.
This condition occurs when the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, causing the joint to grind instead of moving smoothly. The symptoms you’ll start to notice include:
- Discomfort
- Reduced mobility
- Nighttime restlessness
While hip dysplasia can be hereditary, factors like rapid growth, excessive exercise during puppyhood, or obesity can increase the risk of your collie getting stuck with this disease.
The Maven Pet Health Monitor can be your biggest ally in ensuring pet wellness. It helps track these changes and catch hip dysplasia early. It also monitors activity levels, helping you notice gradual decreases in mobility that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Additionally, it tracks nighttime restlessness, a key indicator of joint discomfort, and compiles data over time to give you a clear picture of your dog’s health.
3. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most dangerous diseases that can affect Border Collies. It’s a neurological disorder that causes unpredictable seizures.
The common symptoms of epilepsy in dogs are:
- Sudden and uncontrollable shaking or trembling
- Excessive drooling during an episode
- Loss of consciousness or confusion afterward
It’s a very disturbing site to witness for any pet parent, but not all hope is lost. The key to a full and happy life for a puppy with epilepsy is monitoring. With Maven Pet’s tracker, you can catch that restlessness or notice unusual activity patterns that might signal a seizure is coming or has just happened. You can also use the app to log details about each episode, which is incredibly helpful when working with your vet to create the best care plan for your dog.
4. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a joint condition that often affects growing Border Collies, typically between 4–9 months of age. It happens when the cartilage in the joint grows at a different pace than the bone beneath it. Fast growth is the usual culprit, but genetics and nutrition play a part in it as well. In fact, since males can grow up to 22 inches and 55 pounds, they are twice as likely as females to develop it.
The shoulder joint is the most commonly affected area, but OCD can also appear in other joints, like the elbows, hocks, or stifles. In some extreme cases, it even shows up in multiple joints at once, making even the simplest of movements a nightmare to your dogo.
Some of the symptoms to watch for are:
- Limping or stiffness after exercise
- Swelling in the joints
- Hesitation to use the affected limb
- Pain when the joint is touched
A simple X-ray can give a clear look at what’s happening inside the joint and help diagnose the problem. However, a true lifesaver when it comes to tracking the early signs of OCD is Maven Pet’s Health Monitor. It keeps an eye on your pup’s activity levels and can spot changes, like a reluctance to move or favoring one leg, that might indicate joint pain. The app lets you log symptoms like limping or stiffness, giving your vet a full picture of your dog’s condition before taking that X-ray in the first place.
5. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is another disease that can lead to blindness. It is caused by the deformation of the tissue in your dog’s retina.
The symptoms can include:
- The dog’s inability to see in the dark
- Gradual vision loss
- Increased clumsiness
Pet parents with a Maven Pet Health Monitor can easily track these changes in their dog’s behavior and log them in an app so that the vet can then analyze the data and start treatment.
Prevention and Care Tips for Border Collies
Proactive care is how dog owners keep their Border Collies happy and healthy. Here are some tips on how you can prevent these issues and ensure your pup thrives:
- Schedule regular veterinary check-ups — Regular visits to the vet are crucial for monitoring your Border Collie’s eye health, joint function, and neurological signs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends you take your dog to the vet for examination at least twice a year. Early detection of issues like Collie Eye Anomaly or hip dysplasia can make treatment more effective.
- Provide a high-quality diet — A balanced diet supports overall health and mobility. Consider adding joint supplements, such as glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids, to promote joint health and reduce inflammation. Following guidelines from renowned vets and experts and taking the Association of the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)-sanctioned foods is a great start.
- Exercise your Border Collie regularly — Nothing maintains your Border Collie’s energy levels and prevents obesity (which puts extra strain on joints) like good-quality exercise. Opt for activities like herding games, agility training, or long walks on soft surfaces to protect their joints.
- Use Maven Pet for proactive monitoring — Maven Pet helps track your dog’s activity, sleep, and symptoms, giving you real-time insights into their health. It’s perfect for catching early signs of issues like reduced mobility, nighttime restlessness, or changes in behavior that can indicate severe underlying conditions.
Why Monitoring Matters for Border Collies
Border Collies are full of energy and sharp as a tack, so any change in their behavior or activity can be an early sign of something wrong. Maven Pet makes it easier to stay ahead of these issues. It tracks their activity to spot dips in energy, monitors nighttime restlessness that could mean discomfort, and lets you log symptoms to share with your vet. With real-time alerts, you can act quickly, keeping your Border Collie happy, healthy, and living their best life — because they deserve nothing less.
Conclusion
Border Collies are brilliant, energetic, and endlessly loyal, which is why staying proactive about their health is so important. The more you know about Collie Eye Anomaly, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy, the faster you can catch potential issues early and give your pup the necessary care.
That’s where Maven Pet Health Monitor comes in. It’s like having an extra set of eyes on your dog’s well-being. By tracking their activity, rest, and symptoms 24/7, it helps you spot changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Plus, it makes sharing detailed information with your vet easy, so you can work together to keep your Border Collie thriving.
Check out Maven Pet today and see how it can help you give your Border Collie the long, healthy life they deserve.
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
