Rough and Smooth Collies: health-screening sources

Key facts

CCA statement

12 October 2022 [source]

Genetic topics

CEA, PRA-rcd2, MDR1 and DMS [source]

Clinical eye evidence

Separate from DNA status [source]

The source covers Collies rather than Border Collies

The Collie Club of America’s October 2022 statement addresses the Rough and Smooth Collie context. It discusses eye examination before placement and genetic testing or appropriately documented ancestry clearance for CEA, PRA, MDR1 and DMS. The document links the Collie Health Foundation’s educational resources and research. It should not be treated as a Border Collie checklist merely because the breeds share part of a name. The complete statement is more informative than its short online list, because it explains why clinical examination and genetic information appear together.

CEA genetics and the eye examination are complementary

CCA explains that the CEA DNA test establishes genetic status for the tested mutation, while examination records the clinical appearance and degree of eye involvement. The genetic result alone does not describe the full clinical severity of an individual’s eyes. PRA-rcd2 is another named inherited retinal condition rather than an interchangeable CEA test. OFA likewise distinguishes an observed eye phenotype from a genotype and describes CAER as screening rather than a comprehensive ocular investigation. Keeping those distinctions visible prevents a single clear result being used as a claim that all eye concerns were excluded.

MDR1 and DMS need their actual result terminology

The statement discusses MDR1 medication sensitivity and DMS risk information. Supply the treating veterinarian with the original laboratory result; do not turn a general health guide into a home drug-selection or dosing table. DMS testing also requires its own interpretation rather than being compressed into the same normal/carrier labels as every simple recessive test. The Collie Health Foundation provides condition-specific resources for this reason. A useful dossier contains the puppy eye report, the exact genetic assays, supported ancestry-based statuses where used and the individual’s permanent identity. These records support expert decisions without guaranteeing that a dog will remain free of eye, skin, muscle or medication-related problems.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Rough and Smooth Collies parent-club health statement (opens in a new tab)
• Collie Health Foundation: Health 101 (opens in a new tab)
• OFA: Companion Animal Eye Registry scope (opens in a new tab)

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