Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is an inherited disease that affects several dog breeds. It can also be referred to as choroidal hypoplasia (CH) due to the fact that the choroid layer of tissue is thinner in dogs suffering from the disease. This layer of tissue is responsible for supplying nutrients and blood to the retina.  With insufficient blood flow the choroid does not develop properly and can often lead to retinal detachment and subsequent blindness. The disease can present itself in both a mild and severe form with symptoms varying between affected dogs. Dogs with a mild form of the disease can show thinning of the choroid and may maintain normal vision. Dogs with a more severe version of the disease can have additional eye problems leading to significant vision loss and potentially complete blindness. Although both mild and severe forms of CEA are associated with the same mutation (NHEJ1), predicting disease severity is difficult.

• Aussiedoodle
• Australian Shepherd
• Bearded Collie
• Border Collie
• Boykin Spaniel
• Collie
• English Shepherd
• Hokkaido
• Lancashire Heeler
• Longhaired Whippet
• Miniature American Shepherd
• Miniature Australian Shepherd
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
• Rough Collie
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Silken Windhound
• Smooth Collie
• Toy Australian Shepherd

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop CEA nor pass this mutation to their offspring. B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop CEA and will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average. C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with CEA which can result in a range of symptoms from vision impairment to complete blindness.

This disorder, also known as ‘gray collie syndrome,’ is characterized by a reduced number of neutrophils which drops dramatically in a cyclical pattern, usually about every 10 to 12 days. During the time of a low neutrophil count, there is an increased susceptibility to infection. Affected dogs develop clinical signs such as fever, diarrhea, joint pain, or other signs associated with eye, respiratory, or skin infections. They are also prone to bleeding episodes. This is a serious genetic disorder in which affected puppies are smaller and weaker, with a noticeable pale gray or pinkish/gray or beige color. These puppies rarely live beyond a couple of days and when they do survive, they are susceptible to a number of infections. With proper treatment they can be kept alive, but few have lived beyond 2 to 3 years of age.

• Border Collie
• Collie
• Rough Collie
• Smooth Collie

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop CN nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop CN but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with this disease and which results in a reduced white cell count and increased susceptibility to infection.