Ive put this in the breeding section, not because im necessarily planning to breed but i thought it would get the best responses here.

Im wondering whether someone could tell me the necessary health tests required for a border collie..I know obviously hip scoring and BAER  but am more interested in the eye testing and dna tests available at the moment and how to go about getting them done..and vague idea of cost would be good.

thanks for your help

Hi, good question, lots of tests for collies and a good way of checking if you need them all is via the website anadune which offers, for KC/ISDS dogs a brilliant range of information on genetics and family trees.

You're right hip scoring is essential really, elbow scoring is optional unless there's a 'history' of problems in your line.  These depend on the size of dog and the vet involved but also add in the cost of the panel to score it.

BAER is for hearing and some breeders do this, perhaps another 'optional' at the moment.

Critically important is a CEA DNA test which can be done in America or Australia - to test the status of your dog - clear, carrier or affected.  Optigen in America do this.  Depending on your dog's breeding you may also wish to consider TNS testing (in Australia) and CL testing (America).  Whilst first cases of TNS were in Australia there have been english only breeding dogs found to be carriers - indeed it's believed that this disease was around a few years ago without a diagnosis.

You should also have the dogs eye tested for general eye conditions including PRA and also to pick up colombomas (not always associated with CEA)

The latest test to hit collies is for glaucoma - via a gonioscopy test done by the eye specialist along with the general eye test.  This is a one-off test to check drainage angles and propensity for glaucoma.  Again it may be worth checking with anadune to check susceptability but again it may not just be in australian lines (came to light about a year ago from an Australian dog imported into UK)

Hips, elbows, eye test, gonioscopy should be done after your dog is one year of age.  DNA tests for CEA, TNS and CL can be done at any age.

For CEA, TNS and CL it's important that carriers and affected dogs (well CEA, TNS affected are unlikely to last that long and it's important not to use CL affected dogs for breeding) should only be bred to clear dogs - there should be enough of these in border collies other breeds may not be so fortunate.

Temperament is also important, it's critical to know the dogs in your dogs pedigree to check for compatibility with potential breeding partners.

Optigen have lists of clinics available and these usually offer postal participation (you'll need blood collection by your vet for this).  Not sure how you do the TNS apart from it's Dr Wilton in Australia!  Both places offer CL and CEA too - one blood sample will be enough for all tests.

Epilepsy is the main condition for which there's currently no test, unfortunately.

You should check hip scores of close relatives and their progeny - not just your own dogs the genes are complex and so far aren't actually identified, so dogs may have a propensity for HD even if their own scores are good it just means that if the 'wrong' genes come together you get HD

Hope this helps - there's a lot to consider.

Hi for a border collie it is DNA testing for CEA,CL and TNS Eye testing for PRA and Gonioscopy
The eye test and the  Gonioscopy need to be carried out by a BVA eye panellist details can be found Here
The easiest and cheapest way to get the DNA for CEA and CL tests done is to join one of the 20/20 clinics details of the next ones are listed at the bottom of this page  At the one in February run by Val Tiller DNA testing forTNS will most probably be available also but if you contact her direct she would be able to confirm it.
I must mention that some breeders are now also doing the MDR-1 dna test aswell details Here

Funfastquick you do know your stuff.
Nice to welcome on board a complete newbie that knows about collies :) :)
Lea :) :) :)

I think they are working on a DNA test for EIC I'm not how far they have gotten with it  ,they came out with one for Labradors last year                                                                Conducted by:  Ned E. Patterson, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM
University of Minnesota



Samples needed from purebred Australian Shepherds and Border Collies that have exhibited an episode of collapse during exercise.


  
Sample type:  blood preferred



Other requirements: Completed questionnaire (provided by UMinn)
Pedigree


Contact:  Eva Furrow, VMD
University of Minnesota
C339 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals
1352 Boyd Ave.
St. Paul MN 55108
612-624-5322

Hi Lea, thanks, not really a complete 'newbie' as have been on champdogs a while (as a breeder) but just ventured into the forum boards :-)
I have 6 collies - my  oldest collie is 10 - so very interested in the breed, health etc.  Also have a GSD and shelties and compete in agility with my dogs.  It's good that people are interested in finding out what needs doing :-)  Most people just have a litter without thought to health etc...

Hi, thanks everyone for the quick and informative replies!

Breeding her is a faint possibility in the very distant future as she is only 7 months, but id like to get the tests done regardless of whether i decide to breed or not as i think its always good to know what lines are carrying etc.

I will definately get the DNA tests done probbaly early in the new year now, and then once a year old will follow with all the other tests.

thanks again.

Were her parents not DNA tested?

no they werent.

OK  was just trying to find out if you needed to do them all. Good Luck

Thankyou for your help :)

Re the DNA test for CEA, if you can't get to a clinic (they're not always that close, depending on where you live), Optigen are doing 'discount' days, in November, I had to find information for my vet (!!) on Friday and think they start this week for a week, you'll have to check on their site (web addy below), there's a 5% discount for completing your order online.  If your pup is registered with the ISDS then you need to make sure you follow the extra instructions for them - given on the site.  I had my crowd done earlier in the year and think saved about £15 per dog on one of these discount days - that saving paid for the vet fee, shipping and some nice treats!!  You can either send samples to the States or to Holland - the vet will sort the sample collection and packaging for you.  Look on the Optigen site:  http://www.optigen.com.  Gives full details of the tests, costs, and ordering.
If you're only thinking of breeding as a possibility in the future, you might like to look at which tests you really need to do and which you need to do earlier rather than later.  I started off with the hip score first, at between 12-18 months ... if hips not good, that rules out breeding.  If ok, you can take it from there ... my dogs are working dogs so I was keen to score sooner rather than later.  Scoring generally takes around 6 weeks, DNA results I got back within 14 days.
Eye testing I think is about £35 now, this is really important to do before breeding, even if you have DNA clear for CEA, you need to check for PRA and general eye health.  DNA test for CEA I think was around £70, on the discount day and with 5% online discount, and then vet fees and postage on top, that I think was around £45 for 3 samples.  My last hip score, earlier this year, was £95 vet (x-rays) plus £40 BVA (for scoring).  Add more if you're also elbow scoring, presumably another £90 for a 2nd plate? and an extra BVA fee.  Other DNA tests I think you're looking towards the £100 mark, which is why I say think about what you need and start off with what you need first - to ensure all my breeding dogs were ok re health tests has cost me around £1,200!!!  Admittedly not all spent in one go, but a serious undertaking to do it properly.  Hope this helps.

Thanks for that..She will be hip scored definately when shes a year old as all my dogs have been as i compete in agility i like to know what their hips are looking like.

I'll have a proper look at all the info given, today- like i say, shes only 7 months, so plenty of time :)

the tns costs 88 aussie dollars, im looking at having my 5 month old boy done as its the only next test i need doing, the converter reckons its about 49 pounds,last time i took my sample to the post office with all the posting details and sent it for about £7, plus you have the charge for taking the blood drops too, ( i say drops as thats all it is for the tns test.) which i think my vets charged me £6 per dog