Health issues to look out for

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Lovely

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Today, I had to rush my 12ish year-old kitty Charlie to the vet because one of his anal glands ruptured for the second time. The first time was a few years ago and it healed up fine. The vet thinks this will work much the same, but now I've got to change him to a higher fiber diet (which means all the cats because there is just about no way to get three cats to eat separately) and get them expressed regularly to be able to avoid surgery in the future.

Another of my cats Chance (of indeterminate age - I've had him 7 years and he was fully grown but badly emaciated) lost about 10 lbs and we are still trying to figure out what the issue is. He is very tall and was a healthy 22 lbs (seems rather large, but he was very muscular and the vet approved).

Anyway, all of that makes me worried about my pups having potential health issues. Obviously, we can't predict many things. But I could be a bit more prepared. Many of the things my cats go through are mostly because they were rescues (Chance was in an especially bad position, poor baby). And my dogs were bred by a knowledgeable and caring woman with an eye out for these things.

But, in your experience, what Sheltie health issues seem to be most prominent? Other than a good diet, regular shots, and exercise, what can you do to help them stay tip-top?

These are my first two dogs, so I think I'm just over-paranoid about doing a good job (and I joke about them being my children, but really they are). Also, though, I want to make sure there aren't big things I'm missing out on!
 
Shelties tend to be a pretty healthy breed. I haven't ever had health problems other than old age issues with previous dogs (heart murmer, cancer) and my dear little Kimba was poisoned by a neighbour who didnt like barking dogs. The only health issues in my current two are they get into everything as a pup and are too overactive.

The UK Kennel Club did a survey of breeders several years ago on health conditions of various breeds, including shelties. One interesting factor was Shelties are more likely to die from kidney problems than other breeds (17% vs 5%). Of course that is UK shelties, plus the sample size was relatively small (and their statistical analysis questionable) but its interesting. Here are the links if you want to read the full reports (they arent long)

All breeds http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1333/summaryresults.pdf
Shelties http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1624/hsshetlandsheepdog.pdf
 
I have had a total of seven shelties(not including my present ones). I lost one at 6 yrs old. He had Cushings disease which can be managed with treatment. Usually the dog can feel quite well for a long time but his went undiagnosed for some time. I kept taking him to my vet and telling him something was wrong and was told he was fine. I finally got a second opinion. He had also had a mast cell tumor removed from his eyelid at 2 yrs old. I was told then that the tumors could reappear anywhere including internally. They did- in his liver. The part of his liver that was not damaged by the untreated Cushings was filled with mass cell tumors. We could not help him. His brother(littermate) developed dry eye at about 10 years old, chronic anal gland problems at 11 and was put down with liver cancer at 12. Their sister(littermate) developed pancreatic cancer at 13 yrs old. All of the others also had some kind of cancer(liver,throat) but were very healthy until then and were 11+ yrs old when the cancer developed.
 
I have had 4 shelties. I think the problem I have noticed most is problems with their back legs as they get older. I am much more careful about not overfeeding them than I used to be. I think I may have let the first 2 get a little heavy, which would make the hip or leg trouble come sooner and get worse. Mine would try and eat until they fell over, if I let them.
 
Cancer and arthritis are the two main things to come to my mind.

The other thing about Shelties, that my vet told me, is that they generally have a very high pain threshold. Why more than other breeds, I'm not sure (I've always meant to research that, btw). Which means there might be a problem and you wouldn't even know it because they hide it so well. Regular vet exams are a must.
 
rear leg problems when older?

Crystal1 said:
I have had 4 shelties. I think the problem I have noticed most is problems with their back legs as they get older. I am much more careful about not overfeeding them than I used to be. I think I may have let the first 2 get a little heavy, which would make the hip or leg trouble come sooner and get worse. Mine would try and eat until they fell over, if I let them.
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Hi, I have a 12 year old male sheltie that has just started quivering in his rear legs. He does have arthritis and still jumps around but is slow on our walks. The quivering (shaking) is for only a very short time while we are out on our short walks and he drags behind me. He also scrapes his feet on the pavement, sometimes. What type of problems did you have with your shelties and their back legs? Is this normal? His rear legs creak and could he be in pain? What else should I do for him? He uses a ramp to get in bed with us. He is not overweight and I have had him on arthritis stuff for canines for several years. Thanks for your help.
 
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When my forever pup started with the arthritis, Glucosamine was the cure. You can get it at the vet or even the health food store (cheaper). Must like with humans.
 
Lucky had a problem, by sliding on ice going after a squirrel, then yesterday he did something again. The vet put him on rimylden (SPELLING?) I give him one dose (pill) only when he does something. The side effects of using this med all the time (I read), is suppose to be liver damage, so that is why I only give it to him, once. It really does help an ache or pain. Someone I know gave this pill to their dog all the time, and came up with liver problems, so I am cautious.

Be nice to read the vets handwritting!
 
Goldensable: I believe that the dogs had arthritis when they were older, too. The first one liked to chase cars, and occasionally got out of the house. When she was 6 years old I noticed a baseball size swelling on her thigh and took her to the vet. The vet said he believed she had been hit by a car, but the x-ray showed no broken bones. Shortly after that she began limping and was put on prednisone for the rest of her life. Prednisone doesn't bother dogs as much as it does people. The second dog was okay until she was about 10 years old. We started out with glucosamine and eventually had to put her on prednisone, but she lived without pain for about 3-4 more years. The other boy sheltie had heart problems early on, probably because he was too small. Right now I have Buddy, but he is only 7 1/2 months, and I'm going to keep an eye on his weight. When I walk him, I scream "EEeek" whenever I see a car and rush him to the side of the road and make him sit. I think my neighbors think I'm nuts. I'm hoping that he will become afraid of cars.

Be sure to check the list of foods that are not ok for dogs to eat.
 
Thanks to everyone posting with such great insight!

Caro, those are very interesting reports. Good thing half my major was math! I'm not sure if it does go for US pups as well, but it is quite good to be on the look out for these things and be aware of such issues. (And yes, their sample is sketchy.)

Fergusmom - My vet is very good about any concerns I have about my babies. It is the reason I switched vets just about a year ago. The old guy was very gruff with people, though nice to animals, but he wouldn't give advice, just judgments (like make a comment about weight, but not suggest ways to help). And... he always wore a tie from a rival school for the one in town (and of course, the University in town is my alma mater, so... not that I would hold it against his practice, just a little irked at the person). :P My vet now is great and will discuss diet, the issues of having three cats (and how to help their diet), and any other concern I have at length. I don't feel so on-the-clock.

BarbV, I didn't know about the high pain thing. My pap will squeak (very unmanly) at the slightest touches with which he is uncomfortable. This is probably best because of his size. For Shelties, this might be a blessing in disguise if they get mild arthritis in old age. The edge might be taken off. Like I mentioned earlier, my vet is great, so no avoiding behaviors on this end!

Goldensable, I was going to recommend what Barb did - Glucosamine. It does wonders for joints and I bet you could dissolve a tablet in some broth. I think I would call up the vet really quick and see if they could advise on dosing. With humans it can seem like a lot (a few pills a day depending on brands), but with a dog, that might not be good long term.

Sable, I hope Lucky feels better! I don't know about that medicine...

Crystal1 - your poor pup! I hope that being afraid of cars doesn't translate to being afraid of getting IN cars. Hope everything works out with Buddy.
 
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