Health issues in Toy and Minature Australian Shepherds

All breeds have the possibility of health problems. Some problems are more specific to certain breeds.

Eye problems, hip dysplasia, drug interactions and seizures are the main four that can be a problem for Miniature Australian Shepherds.  Please visit Australian Shepherd Health Genetics Institute for details.

MULTI-DRUG SENSITIVITY in Toy Australian Shepherds and Miniature Australian Shepherds

The problem is due to mutation in the multi-drug resistance gene (MDR1). This gene encodes a protein, P-glycoprotien, that is responsible for pumping many drugs and other toxins out of the brain. Dogs with the mutant gene can not pump some drugs out of the brain as a normal dog would, which may result in abnormal neurological signs. The result may be an illness requiring an extended hospital stay or even death. Toy Aussies and Mini Aussies can be tested by your veterinarian, to determine if they carry this mutation.

PROBLEM DRUGS 

Drugs that have been documented, or are strongly suspected to cause problems in Toy Aussies and Mini Aussies with the MDR1 mutation:

• Ivermection (antiparasitic agent) Heartguard
• Loperamide (Imodium; over-the-counter antidiarrhea agent)
• Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
• Vincristine (anticancer agent)
• Vinblastine (anticancer agent)
• Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
• Digoxin (heart drug)
• Acepromazine (tranquilizer) used for neutering/spaying
• Butorphanol (pain control)

For more information about MDR1 in Toy and Miniature Australian Shepherds, please visit the Washington State University site.

Hip Dysplasia in Toy and Miniature Australian Shepherds:

Hip Dysplasia is a terrible genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce, leading to pain and debilitation.

No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. There are multiple environmental factors such as caloric intake (over weight), level of exercise, and weather that can affect the severity of clinical signs and phenotypic expression (radiographic changes). There is no rhyme or reason to the severity of radiographic changes correlated with the clinical findings.

There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any
arthritic radiographic changes that are severely lame.

For more information about hip dysplasia please visit the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals