Aussies are generally healthy dogs.

VACCINATION

Your aussies should be vaccinated for : canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, lesptospirosis parainfluenza. 

Check with your vet about rabies vaccination laws in your area.

WORMING

Puppies are wormed every two to three weeks, from two weeks until 12 weeks old, then monthly until six months old, and then every three months should be sufficient. If your dog likes to scavenge, if you live in an area with a high risk of infestation, or have young children you may need to worm your dog more regularly.

TICKS AND FLEAS

Be sure to protect your aussie against fleas and ticks with a suitable control treatment.

DISEASES

– Hip dysplasia (HD) : a combination of hip joint laxity and joint degeneration, is a multifactorial disease arising from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The disease is genetically predisposed but environmental factors including level and type of exercise, nutrition, and sexual sterilization have bearing on the development and progression of HD.

– Elbow dysplasia (ED) : may be the most unrecognized common health issue in Australian Shepherds.  Affected dogs may only show lameness occasionally, something easy to dismiss as a minor injury in an active breed.  A few affected dogs may not show signs at all. 

– Eye problems : not many things have as dramatic an impact on your dog’s quality of life as the proper functioning of his eyes. Unfortunately, Australian Shepherds can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful. An ophtalmologist  will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts, Collie Eye Anomaly and Progressive Retinal Atrophy are the 3 major eyes defects.

BE CAREFUL WITH IVERMECTIN !!!

Carrying even one copy of the mutation of the gene called Multi-Drug Resistance 1 (MDR1) can make a dog sensitive to certain medications, sometimes to the point of serious neurological illness or death. 

Fortunately, there is an extremely accurate DNA test that will let you know whether your dog has this mutation.