What diseases are English Shepherds prone to?
English Shepherds are prone to some diseases and health issues, including:
- Hip dysplasia: This is a common condition in many dog breeds where the hip joint doesn’t fit into the hip socket properly. It can lead to arthritis and discomfort.
- Elbow dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia involves a malformation of the elbow joint, which can cause lameness and pain.
- Eye issues: Some English Shepherds are prone to eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, or Collie eye anomaly (CEA).
- MDR1 gene mutation: Also known as multi-drug resistance 1 or P-glycoprotein deficiency, the MDR1 gene mutation is a genetic condition that affects the dog’s ability to metabolize certain medications, including some heartworm medications, sedatives, chemotherapy drugs, and others. This mutation can lead to serious adverse reactions when the affected dog is exposed to specific drugs.