Kelley is my second Border Collie to be dual registered both with the ABCA  and AKC. She joined our household in May 1998 after I decided that one Border Collie wasn't enough. When we got Kelley she was to be a companion for Newt, my first Border Collie. That seemed to be a good idea when we brought her home until Newt wanted nothing to do with her. Gosh, pack dynamics sure do throw a wrench in getting more dogs.

Kelley is

Thank you Anne for the LOVELY card.

Unfortunately, not long after getting Kelley we discovered she has CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly). Kelley's breeder didn't take the time to have her parents eyes checked before planning her litter. I had no recourse and was even looked down upon by her breeder for having Kelley's eyes checked at all.

I only went through with the eye check because our local kennel club was having an eye clinic. I didn't suspect any problems at all. Dr. Peiffer declared Kelley's eyes as a Grade 3 case of CEA. We were told that her eyes were the worst he had ever seen and wanted to photograph them for a textbook. I never followed through with that because of the distance we would have had to travel for the session.

We had Kelley spayed shortly after finding out that bad news. I've learned a hard lesson about always asking the breeder if they do the necessary checks to ensure healthy litters. The important thing to me is that CEA does not hamper her from enjoying life.

Wheeee...I found a stick!!

Collie Eye Anomaly

CEA was first discovered in the Border Collie at a percentage of 7% in British dogs during 1984. This prompted the ISDS  (International Sheepdog Society), to start screening for CEA  along with CPRA (Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy). Australian Shepherds are also affected by CEA although no other breeds currently exhibit symptoms. One positive about CEA, it is not progressive and will not hinder the dog from enjoying a full life. It would go unnoticed without a qualified (Ophthalmologist) Vet's thorough examination. CEA has been recorded as producing six characteristic lesions, though not all of them will be present in just one dog. 

 

Staphyloma, coloboma, ectasia: which include poorly developed or thin areas usually in the fibrous layer known as the sclera (white) of the eye in the back and sides, and which may develop slight bulges or balloon out at the weakened area. Choroidal hypoplasia and chorioretinal changes: which refer to abnormalities in the pigmentation or coloring of the choroid or central layer of the eye's lining. These changes include dilated or excessive pigmentation in spots or patches. Merles may have patches of diluted pigment, but this may be connected with dilution of coat and not with CEA. Retino/vascular diseases: which include undeveloped, partially developed, malformed, and even missing blood vessels of the eye. These vessels are responsible for nourishing the eye.  Retinal detachment: when the retina - the area responsible for sight - detaches from the wall of the eye. This may occur in a tiny area, or throughout the entire retina. Areas of detachment will cause blind spots. Dogs with severe retino-vascular abnormalities are more prone to detachment and hemorrhage, especially if they receive a kick to the head while working stock, or their blood pressure rises during strenuous work in hot weather.  Hypoplasia of the Optic Nerve: when the optic nerve itself is poorly developed and undersized. This particular defect is found most commonly in dogs with long, narrow show Collie type heads, though not always.  Corneal Dystrophy: which is classified by some Ophthalmologists as a separate disease, but is commonly associated with CEA and may be manifestation of the disease. It occurs in adult animal, often after stress. Opaque spots appear on the surface of the cornea, possibly due to restricted blood flow.

CEA is a polygenic recessive trait and it is likely caused my several gene pairs. It doesn't follow the simple Mendelian ratios. Test breedings of affected to nonaffected have not proven successful in establishing whether an individual dog is clear. The best and ONLY method of preventing the propagation of affected Border Collies is to spay or neutered those who show as being positive for CEA. Then do NOT breed from either parent or littermates. You cannot tell who carries the genes or who does not. Copyright (c) 1999 by Janet E. Larson.

Whaaat!?

Kelley would like to introduce you to her Canadian 
friend Teena and "four of the grrreatest Border Collies" 
at Tails a Waggin'.

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