The short answer
Get an MDR1 test and make sure every vet knows the result before prescribing. Ask for an eye exam, and a von Willebrand test before any surgery. Learn what a seizure looks like. Report weight loss despite a big appetite. If your Sheltie is a mostly white merle, have its hearing tested. Price pet insurance in your first week.
MDR1: tell every vet
The MDR1 mutation makes some dogs dangerously sensitive to certain common medications. Washington State University lists about 15% of Shetland Sheepdogs as carrying it. A cheek-swab test gives a clear answer once; keep the result in your dog’s file and tell every new vet or emergency clinic, and check with your vet before giving any parasite or anti-diarrhea product.
Browse adoptable Shelties
Ask the rescue whether the dog has had an MDR1 test, an eye exam or any seizures.
See Available Shelties →Eyes
Collie eye anomaly, an inherited defect in how the back of the eye develops, is listed by VCA Animal Hospitals for Shetland Sheepdogs. Many dogs have mild changes that never affect daily life, while severe forms can lead to retinal detachment. Genetic tests exist, and an eye exam shows how your dog is affected.
Bleeding and the blood
Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs, and VCA names the Shetland Sheepdog among affected breeds. Many dogs never bleed on their own, but surgery or dental work can bleed more than expected, so ask about a test before any planned procedure.
Epilepsy, digestion and hearing
Shelties are on VCA’s epilepsy list. A seizure that will not stop, or several close together, is an emergency.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, in which the pancreas stops making digestive enzymes, is listed by VCA for Shelties. Weight loss despite a big appetite and large, pale stools are the signs; lifelong enzyme replacement manages it.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals names the merle Shetland Sheepdog among dogs whose coat pattern raises the likelihood of congenital deafness. A BAER hearing test gives a clear answer for a mostly white merle.
The first vet visit after adoption
Ask for an MDR1 test, an eye exam, a von Willebrand test before any surgery, a body condition score and baseline bloodwork, which also gives a thyroid reference point. Mention any seizure history in the rescue’s notes. Bring the rescue’s records.
Price pet insurance the same week. Every Canadian provider excludes conditions documented before enrolment, and epilepsy and eye disease are easier to cover before diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Sheltie health issues?
MDR1 drug sensitivity, Collie eye anomaly, von Willebrand disease, epilepsy, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and deafness in mostly white merles.
Should my Sheltie be tested for MDR1?
Yes. Washington State University lists about 15% of Shetland Sheepdogs as carrying the mutation, which can make some common drugs dangerous. A cheek-swab test answers it once.
What is Collie eye anomaly in Shelties?
An inherited defect in the development of the back of the eye. Mild forms rarely affect vision; severe forms can lead to retinal detachment. Genetic tests and an eye exam tell you where your dog stands.
Do Shelties have bleeding problems?
Some carry von Willebrand disease, an inherited bleeding disorder. Ask your vet about testing before any surgery or dental extraction.
Why is my Sheltie losing weight but always hungry?
That can be exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, especially with large, pale stools. A blood test confirms it and lifelong enzyme replacement usually restores weight.
Should I get pet insurance for a rescue Sheltie?
It is worth pricing in your first week. Canadian pet insurance excludes conditions documented before enrolment, and epilepsy and eye disease are long-term costs.
Sources
- Washington State University: Breeds Affected by MDR1: Shetland Sheepdog about 15%
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Collie Eye Anomaly: Shetland sheepdog named; genetic tests; retinal detachment
- VCA Animal Hospitals: von Willebrand Disease: Shetland sheepdog named; relevance before surgery
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Epilepsy in Dogs: Shetland Sheepdog named
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Shetland Sheepdog named; signs; lifelong enzymes
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals: Congenital Deafness: merle Sheltie named; BAER test
General information, not veterinary advice. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong with your veterinarian.
Related guides
New dog? Start with these care guides
Everything a new adopter needs to set up a safe, happy home.