while my son was showing our sheltie in 4-h at our state fair some women came up to us and wanted to pet our shelties. she proceeded to say that although shelties are cute she would never own one. she said all the shelties she has known either died of kidney problems by the time they are 7 years old, or they end up with crippeling arthritis. I never knew that shelties were prone to kidney problems. my breeder never mentioned it, and I havnt read about it in any of my sheltie books. Its got me a little worried beacause i do have an almost eight year old sheltie. she has always been healthy, but she is starting to develope arthritis. I believe that is more due to the fact she came from a byb. So my question is... is kidney problems and arthritis common in shelties?
sheltie health problems?
- Thread starter JessicaR
- Start date
Hi JessicaR-
First off, I'm offended by the lady's backhanded compliment at your Sheltie. I don't think it was needed at all.
Ok, off my soapbox.
As for arthritis and kidney problems-a lot of "working" dogs do suffer from arthritis and hip dysplasia, more so than other non-working dogs, it seems. It's just part of getting old. Just like us. Hip dysplasia is common in Shelties. Kinda like a genetic fault. But you can find a genetic fault in any animal. Not just dogs by byb get health problems, even champion show dogs can have them. I'm sure other people here can help more than I, but wouldn't worry too much about it unless I started seeing signs of distress in your dog. I would listen to my vet (and the wonderful people here) before I would that lady at the 4-H fair. If that was the case, I wouldn't own any animal because of potential health problems and possible genetic defects.
On the plus side, arthritis and hip dysplasia can usually be treated with an OTC supplement. I've even heard of people whose Sheltie has severe arthritis or hip dysplasia and surgery was recommended by the vet doing just well on above mentioned hip and joint supplement found at any pet store.
I understand your concern for the health of your furkid-I'm a complete worry wort myself and I'm pretty certain I'm paying the notes on my vet's new shiny car.
You're doing everything right and like I said before, I wouldn't worry about that lady-she is missing out on something wonderful. There's no bond quite like the one we share with Shelties. 
Hope this helps!
First off, I'm offended by the lady's backhanded compliment at your Sheltie. I don't think it was needed at all.
Ok, off my soapbox. As for arthritis and kidney problems-a lot of "working" dogs do suffer from arthritis and hip dysplasia, more so than other non-working dogs, it seems. It's just part of getting old. Just like us. Hip dysplasia is common in Shelties. Kinda like a genetic fault. But you can find a genetic fault in any animal. Not just dogs by byb get health problems, even champion show dogs can have them. I'm sure other people here can help more than I, but wouldn't worry too much about it unless I started seeing signs of distress in your dog. I would listen to my vet (and the wonderful people here) before I would that lady at the 4-H fair. If that was the case, I wouldn't own any animal because of potential health problems and possible genetic defects.
On the plus side, arthritis and hip dysplasia can usually be treated with an OTC supplement. I've even heard of people whose Sheltie has severe arthritis or hip dysplasia and surgery was recommended by the vet doing just well on above mentioned hip and joint supplement found at any pet store.
I understand your concern for the health of your furkid-I'm a complete worry wort myself and I'm pretty certain I'm paying the notes on my vet's new shiny car.
You're doing everything right and like I said before, I wouldn't worry about that lady-she is missing out on something wonderful. There's no bond quite like the one we share with Shelties. Hope this helps!
graydawntreader
Forums Enthusiast
I think it would depend largly upon how good an owner someone is. If they don't feed them things that are bad for them etc.
It could also be that her Shelties came from bad breeders. Not sure if the chances kidney problems and arthritis are increased or not when you buy from a bad breeder. Dogs from good breeders can still have health problems, even genetic ones, but there's less of a chance of that happening when you buy from a good breeder.
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Shelties are prone to certain health defects, but I wouldn't count arthritis and joint problems in there. In my experience, ALL breeds of dogs are prone to arthritis and joint problems ... it comes with age! Of course, some breeds are more prone to hip/elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, etc. but Shelties are not at the higher end of the risk scale. Just average.
Issues that Shelties are prone to are epilepsy, thyroid problems, eye issues such as Collie Eye Anomaly, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy, von Willebrands, and various skin/coat issues.
Issues that Shelties are prone to are epilepsy, thyroid problems, eye issues such as Collie Eye Anomaly, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy, von Willebrands, and various skin/coat issues.
right now pepper is on glucosamine. her hips are fine its her left front leg, but the vet said its not to bad yet.
I knew about them other health problems, but I never heard about kidney trouble. I just was wondering if anyone else had heard about them problems.
I feel its her loss for not wanting a sheltie, but then again she was telling me how she currently has 12 dogs, and that she breeds her poms, and shih tzu's togather. so I am glad she doesnt want a sheltie!
I knew about them other health problems, but I never heard about kidney trouble. I just was wondering if anyone else had heard about them problems.
I feel its her loss for not wanting a sheltie, but then again she was telling me how she currently has 12 dogs, and that she breeds her poms, and shih tzu's togather.
so I am glad she doesnt want a sheltie!elaine2004
Forums Enthusiast
Jessica, That women doesn't know what she's missing, her loss.
Yes all animals including the human are prone to illnesses. Because there is cancer , heart problems, stroke etc. that runs in your family does that mean you will refrain from haveing children, just in case someone inherits it. No of course not. That is why a good Breeder is very careful about who they breed with. They are attempting to improve the Sheltie breed as best they can. But then as the Garth Brooks song goes. Life is better left to chance. I could have missed the pain but then I would have missed the dance. This song we dedicated to our Sheltie Angel Jewel who died at the tender age of 10 years. She passed getting dental work done .
Yes all animals including the human are prone to illnesses. Because there is cancer , heart problems, stroke etc. that runs in your family does that mean you will refrain from haveing children, just in case someone inherits it. No of course not. That is why a good Breeder is very careful about who they breed with. They are attempting to improve the Sheltie breed as best they can. But then as the Garth Brooks song goes. Life is better left to chance. I could have missed the pain but then I would have missed the dance. This song we dedicated to our Sheltie Angel Jewel who died at the tender age of 10 years. She passed getting dental work done .
Ann
Moderator
Hi Jessica...I agree with Dayna's list. All dogs are prone to arthritis as they get older, as others have said. The school of thought now is to begin supplementing them at a younger age with a glucosamine/condritin supplement even if they don't show symptoms, which you are already doing. Kidney disease is definitely not on the list of things Shelties can be prone to, so I wouldn't lose sleep over that one. You know your dog, and you are the best judge when Pepper indicates she's not herself. The woman who badmouthed Shelties to you sounds like a real loose cannon. She doesn't deserve a Sheltie! 
Years ago, I did have a Sheltie who died of kidney disease at the age of seven. I had tried everything the Vet suggested and finally agreed to exploratory surgery. The Vet called me while my sweet little girl was still under anesthesia and told me her kidneys were so atrophied there was nothing that could be done. And at that time, I told the Vet I’d be there in a few minutes, but not to let her wake up. Although she didn’t know I was with her when she took her last breath, I knew it. BUT - she was poorly bred and to complicate matters, she had been born with heart defect which was surgically corrected at Texas A&M Vet School. In talking with our Vet, the general consensus was that the kidney disease was an anomaly and not that Shelties as a breed are subject to kidney disease. I think you can discount the comments made by that woman and I certainly wouldn’t worry about kidney disease being a problem for Shelties. Now I have a Sheltie from a very reputable breeder - and he has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy. You just never know. So what do we do? We love them in good times and in not so good times. And as others have stated - that woman doesn't know what she is missing!!
sheltiemom
Forums Enthusiast
I've had three shelties who have passed before they were 10 with kidney issues, but it was because of serious health issues (pyometra and General GME) that they came to me with. Before they came to me I have never had a sheltie with kidney issues. I also have had 5 with joint issues but one was a show dog, and 2 had broken legs that were never treated when they were broke and my FoxMan had ACL and now favors the one leg, and Fancee came to me so overweight and the rescue guy who had her kept her locked in a cage and never exercised her. All the issues each one of them came to me with and poor nutrition and lack of care caused them to have further problems before I could do anything to help. The ones who have passed with kidney problems taught me a lot and I am more vigilant regarding foods and such with my dogs now, and all my puppers with joint problems are gettiing glucosamine and plenty of exercise to help. The breeder I am friends with told me she has never had any issues with her dogs or their offspring regarding kidney or joint problems. I trust this breeder since she has been a breeder since 1972, is still in business, is an AKC judge and she brought the first sheltie to AZ back in 1968