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Collie - Specific Wellness Program |
 Dermatological Conditions
Muzzle Folliculitis/Furunculosis
About the condition:
- Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicle, which may appear as small bumps on the muzzle.
- Although the primary cause is not thought to be due to infection, a bacterial infection may also occur.
How to detect this condition:
- An exam is recommended to diagnose this condition.
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
About the condition:
- Early signs of this condition may include de-pigmentation and/or redness of the nose. The nose, which normally appears scaly, may appear very smooth. Later signs may include crusting and ulceration.
- Exposure to the sun may aggravate this condition.
How to detect this condition:
- Monitor your pet's nose for any of the above signs.
Familial Canine Dermatomyositis
About the condition:
- This is an inflammatory disease of the skin and muscles usually found in young Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs. Signs of this condition include crusting and hair loss on the face, tips of the ears and tail, and front surfaces of the legs. These signs usually are aggravated by heat and sun exposure.
How to detect this condition:
- Evaluation of family history and littermates; in addition, a skin biopsy may be indicated.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Lymphocytic Plasmacytic Colitis
About the condition:
- This is a gastrointestinal disease caused by inflammatory cells of unknown origin. This is one cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
How to detect this condition:
- Signs include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, change in appetite, and/or weight loss.
- An endoscopic biopsy of the lining of the stomach and/or intestinal tract is required for diagnosis.
Hematological/Immunological Conditions
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
About the condition:
- This condition causes mild to severe anemia (occurs when there are too few red blood cells present in the bloodstream to carry enough oxygen through the body) which can have very serious consequences for the overall body function and well being of your pet.
How to detect this condition:
- A complete blood count (CBC) can determine whether your pet is within the normal ranges.
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in Collies, but instead lists those that we have found to be most common at Hillside Animal Hospital. Please let us know if you have further questions regarding these or any other conditions.
Wellness Recommendations
We recommend six month wellness exams for the life of your pet since they age so much faster than humans do. Frequent visits allow us to discuss recent changes, detect potential problems, tailor diagnostic recommendations, and initiate therapy that will benefit your pet long term.
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Your Pet's Age in Years
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1
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Collie
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14
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61
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66
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93
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Numbers within the chart are your pet's age in human years
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Juvenile
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Adult
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Senior
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A series of wellness consultations and vaccines are required as a puppy develops. Problems can be addressed early based on a breed's disposition. Early findings may dictate the path of future wellness.
The primary wellness consultation is scheduled for routine vaccines, the first line of prevention. The second wellness consultation is meant for vaccine boosters and basic wellness blood work. Wellness blood work is essential in early detection and treatment of medical conditions. Each consultation allows us to spend time with you to discuss any changes that may have occurred as your pet ages and make recommendations accordingly. Factors such as size, sex, age, lifestyle, and breed will dictate a patient's recommendations. Radiographs may be recommended for some patients as baseline evaluations for future comparisons.
Adult wellness blood work includes a basic chemistry (8), a complete blood count, and a heartworm test. We recommend evaluating wellness blood work annually for the lifetime of the pet.
With senior patients, each wellness consultation is for routine vaccines and boosters, along with a physical examination. Changes for seniors can be subtle, so maintaining a healthy senior pet requires an owner's observations along with twice a year physical examinations to evaluate these changes. The doctors recommend annual comprehensive wellness blood work and urinalysis for all of our seniors. Doctors rely on blood and urine tests to provide important information about a pet's health to determine appropriate therapy. Radiographs may also be recommended as these changes occur to again ensure appropriate therapy.
Senior wellness blood work includes a comprehensive chemistry (25), a complete blood count, thyroid hormone level, urinalysis, and a heartworm test. Depending on medications, some prescriptions require frequent blood monitoring in addition to routine wellness.
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FAX: 480-551-1738
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