Collie Eye Anomaly
Named for its high prevalence in Collie dogs, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) is more correctly termed choroidal hypoplasia. The choroid anchors the retina to the underlying structures and supplies it with oxygen and nourishment. CEA is a developmental disease of the choroid.
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Signs and symptoms
CEA can cause no observable visual impairment to complete blindness depending on the severity of the disease. Dogs with poor vision will often act hesitant on stairs, bump into doorways or walls, and be disoriented if furniture is moved.
CEA can be identified by an ophthalmologist when a puppy is 6-8 weeks of age. There are other genetic and environmental factors that likely contribute to the severity of the disease. -
Diagnosis
A consult with a veterinary ophthalmologist is the ideal way to diagnose CEA. When the specialist examines the back of the eye, they can visualize the thin, pale, and nearly transparent patches of the choroid. In severe cases, they can identify a coloboma, which is an outpouching of the retina.
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Treatment
There is no treatment for CEA, although surgical intervention can help mitigate the signs of the disease in severe cases. If surgery is not an option, lifestyle changes can be made to help blind dogs adapt to their condition. In mild cases no treatment is required.
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What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- In severely affected dogs, keeping furniture in the same location, making sure they are on a leash in unfamiliar territory, and training them to understand verbal commands are some of the ways to help them at home.
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Genetic Information
This mutation was first identified in the Collie.
It is important to note that both mild and severe forms of CEA arise from the same autosomal recessive mutation in the NHEJ gene, and that dogs with mild CEA can produce pups with severe CEA.
Gene names:
NHEJ1 (Intron 4) ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
recessive
Citations:
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Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
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Australian Cattle Dog
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Australian Shepherd
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Bearded Collie
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Border Collie
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Boykin Spaniel
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Collie
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English Shepherd
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Hokkaido
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Australian Kelpie
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Koolie
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Lancashire Heeler
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Windsprite
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McNab
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Miniature/MAS-type Australian Shepherd
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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
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Shetland Sheepdog
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Silken Windhound
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Welsh Sheepdog
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