Do Australian Cattle Dogs have health problems?

1. Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an Australian Cattle Dog, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia, so you know what they will be able to handle regarding activities and exercise.

1. Progressive retinal atrophy: Australian cattle dogs may also develop Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness and persistent pupillary membranes, where remnant strands of fetal tissue cross over the iris.

1. Lens luxation: A type of dislocation that occurs when the support ligaments of the lens (a sphere-shaped area of the eye that focuses light on the retina) weaken or break. The weakening of the ligaments causes the lens to dislocate from its normal position. When the lens falls forward, it prevents proper drainage of fluid from the eye and can lead to glaucoma. The condition is also very painful and can cause blindness if the luxation is not surgically fixed.

1. Deafness: Cattle Dogs are also prone to congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness (CHSD), a condition present at birth and inherited through genetic factors that affect the sensory cells in the inner ear, leading to deafness. This condition can be unilateral (affecting one ear) or bilateral (affecting both ears), and female dogs are at higher risk.