There is a genetic syndrome in collies that can be deadly if not addressed. Some of our collies do not have the proper transport system in the brain to move chemicals back and forth between the brain tissue and the blood that supports the brain tissue. These collies are very susceptible to certain toxic drugs that enter the brain and cannot get back out. The dogs that do not have a proper transport system can become intoxicated, seizure and possibly die when exposed to certain drugs.
Among the drugs that can affect our collies are ivermectin and ivermectin sister drugs (the active ingredient in certain heartworm preventatives and ear medications), Imodium (an anti-diarrheal medication), and a number of the drugs used for chemotherapy. Exposure to these drugs in a large number of our collies can be fatal.
When dealing with the genetic makeup of our breed, APPROXIMATELY 35% OF OUR COLLIES ARE AFFECTED and will become intoxicated when exposed to those drugs listed above.
APPROXIMATELY 45% OF ARE COLLIES ARE CARRIERS OF THE AFFECTED GENES. These collies may or may not react to those drugs listed above. If they react it is usually not as severe a reaction as the affected collies. However, when two carriers are bred they can produce affected, affected carriers and unaffected non carriers.
APPROXIMATELY 20% OF ARE COLLIES ARE NOT AFFECTED AND NOT CARRIERS.
There is now a genetic test available to determine if your collie is affected, a carrier, or not affected. It is a simple cheek swab. Information on the test is in this newsletter.
By DR. CINDI BOSSART HEALTH CHAIR COLLIE CLUB OF AMERICA DIRECTOR COLLIE HEALTH FOUNDATION argentcol@aol.com 954-561-8777
FOR YEARS THERE WAS ONLY ONE TYPE OF HEARTWOM PREVENTATIVE TO USE. THAT WAS THE DAILY PILL THAT CONTAINED THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT, DIETHLYCARBAMAZINE (DEC). THIS PILL WAS CHANGED FROM A NOT SO EXCITING TABLET TO A CHEWABLE DAILY TREAT UNDER MANY BRAND NAMES, THE MOST POPULAR BEING, FILARIBITS.
IN THE EIGHTIES MONTHLY HEARTWOM PILLS HIT THE MARKET. THE FIRST WAS HEARTGUARD. THIS CONTAINED THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT, IVERMECTIN. THE NEXT TO HIT THE SHELVES WAS INTERCEPTOR, AGAIN A MONTHLY PILL, THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT BEING MILBEMYCIN. THEN CAME REVOLUTION. THIS WAS A MONTHLY TOPICAL PREPARATION THAT CONTAINED SELAMECTIN. THIS WAS APPLIED IN A LIQUID FORM BETWEEN THE SHOULDER BLADES. TO MAKE HEARTWORM PREVENTION EVEN EASIER THAN ONCE A MONTH THREAPY, FORT DODGE PUT OUT PROHEART 6. THIS WAS AN INJECTION THAT WAS GIVEN EVERY 6 MONTHS TO PREVENT HEARTWORM INFECTION.
UP UNTIL LATELY, DOGS THAT COULD NOT TOLERATE THE MONTHLY OR SEMIANNUALLY HEARTWORM PREVENTION, COULD ALWAYS OPT FOR THE DAILY FILARIBITS. NOW FILARIBITS ARE OFF THE MARKET. AT PRESENT THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR FILARIBITS.
I HAVE CHANGED ALL MY DAILY DOGS TO INTERCEPTOR SINCE THE NUMBER OF COLLIES REACTING TO THIS LONG TERM PREVENTATIVE IS LESS THAN WITH ANY OTHER PREPARATION.
THERE IS A COMPOUNDING PHARMACY THAT MAY BEGIN MAKING DEC. WHEN THAT BECOMES AVAILABLE, YOU WILL BE INFORMED IMMEDIATLEY.
DR. CINDI BOSSART HEALTH CHAIR COLLIE CLUB OF AMERICA DIRECTOR COLLIE HEALTH FOUNDATION argentcol@aol.com 954-561-8777