ALL our breeding dogs are full health tested: Hip Dysplasia (HD), Patella Luxation (PL), Eye examination for CEA, PRA, Cataract with excellent results and all have genetic tests for CEA!
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) – a genetic disease that affects Collies as well as other dog breeds. Also known as Choroidal Hypoplasia, this condition can lead to vision loss. The mutation affects the inner structures of the eye, such as the choroid, the retina and the optic disk.
The signs and symptoms of CEA vary from dog to dog. For some dogs, it’s not so bad, while for others, it can lead to vision loss due to holes or pits in different layers of the eye. Depending on the size and location of the holes, vision loss can be slight or total. CEA can also lead to retinal detachment.
Unfortunately, there might not be any warning until a dog starts showing symptoms of blindness. Fortunately, a thinning, poorly developed choroid can be detected early, in puppies as young as 5-8 weeks. Therefore, it’s important to have puppies examined early. The best way: make a genetic CEA test in an authorized genetic Laboratory! There is good news, though – for many dogs, the condition doesn’t worsen enough to cause vision loss at all.
Negative/clear – These dogs do not carry any copies of the mutation. Their offspring will not show CEA, but may be carriers
Carrier – These dogs carry one copy of the mutation and will not be affected by CEA. They can produce either normal or affected dogs, depending on the dog they are bred to.
Affected – These dogs carry two copies of the mutation and can be affected in different grades of severity. These dogs will always pass an affected gene to their offspring.
Definitely yes, under controlled conditions. Following discussion with the experts in genetics, it was recognised that controlled breeding from CEA Carrier dogs could be of benefit to the genetic strength of the breed while ultimately permitting eradication of the atypical CEA gene. Most all animal geneticists will point out that it is very bad for a breed’s health to "ban" a single gene characteristic as this can easily lead to unforeseen consequences. (Source: International Sheep Dog Society)