Hip Dysplasia

The most common orthopedic problem in dogs is hip dysplasia, a condition of the hip joint in which the bones are not properly formed. It results in a loose hip socket to thighbone connection causing hip pain and lameness ranging from mild to crippling.

Hip dysplasia is genetically transmitted, although environmental factors such as excessively rapid growth and excess weight gain in puppies can make the problem worse. The disease can be diagnosed by x-ray, which are normally taken at 24 months of age (or earlier if a problem is suspected). The film is sent to The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), where it is read by three specialists who rate the quality of the hip joint conformation as excellent, good, fair, or dysplastic (ranging from mild to severe).

Responsible breeders routinely x-ray their breeding stock and use only adults that are certified free of hip dysplasia. If you are buying a puppy, you should ask for and receive certification that both parents of the puppy have normal, disease-free hips.

Hereditary eye defects

Aussies can inherit a number of eye defects which impair vision in varying degrees or cause complete blindness. They include ocular coloboma, iris coloboma, juvenile and senior cataracts, detached retina, persistent pupillary membrane, progressive retinal atrophy and distichiasis.

Responsible breeders do everything possible to produce normal-eyed puppies, which includes annual eye exams of all breeding adults, and using only dogs who are certified to be normal by a board-certified ophthalmologist. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) is a registry that monitors eye problems in all purebred dogs and which also provides certification of normal eyes.

Responsible breeders have their litters of puppies examined by an ophthalmologist before placing them in new homes. Puppies' eyes can be examined as early as 6 weeks of age, thus ensuring new buyers that they are receiving a puppy who has normal vision. When you buy a puppy, documentation of both the sire's and dam's most recent eye exams should be included in the information your receive as well as a written guarantee stating that the puppy is free of hereditary eye defects at the time you purchase him.

Other hereditary problems

A few Aussies have other hereditary diseases including epilepsy, thyroid dysfunction, heart disease, elbow dysplasia, a familial tendency toward cancer, and allergies resulting in serious skin problems. These health conditions cause a great deal of suffering and medical expense. Needless to say, dogs with family histories of such health problems should never be used for breeding purposes. Before you buy a puppy, ask the breeder if such diseases have appeared in relatives of the puppy's sire or dam. A responsible breeder will know which problems crop up in their bloodlines, how to test for it, and how to plan breedings to reduce the frequency of occurrence.

Spaying and neutering

The suffering caused by pet overpopulation is overwhelming, yet, much of it could be avoided by spaying and neutering. Living with a spayed female is more pleasant for you -- no messy heat cycles or midnight visits from neighborhood males, and your female pet will have a decreased risk of mammary cancer and uterine infections. Neutering your male discourages "wandering," marking of territory with urine, may soften aggressiveness and reduces the risk of prostate infections and cancer.

Won't children miss the chance to witness the miracle of birth? Chances are, they'd miss it anyway, because most litters are born late at night or when people are not watching. However, schools and libraries offer excellent films and books on the subject.

If you've ever tried to find good homes for your pet's babies, you know how difficult it can be. And if you do find homes, are you sure the animals will still be loved and cared for when their cuteness wears off? How many of them will go on to add to the overpopulation problem by having litters of their own? If you're unable to find a home for just one of your pet's offspring, raising the kitten or puppy for one year will cost more that the price of spaying the mother.

Remember -- almost 37,000 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies are euthanized every day. Be part of the solution -- spay or neuter your pet.

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