How the DNA tests for Collie Eye Anomally (CEA) Work
DNA testing for Collie Eye Anomally in the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, the Rough and Smooth Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, Bearded Collie. Old English Sheepdog, and many of the other herding breeds, as well as certain breeds in the other formally designated groups such as the working dogs and the sporting dogs, is the happy result of 21st century technology at work. Regardless of your dog's "value" as a pet, show dog, or breeding stock, the CEA test will, without any doubt, tell you about the health of your dog's eyes when the risk of CEA exists in the animal's bloodline.
Here's how it works. In coordination with the company who developed the test, Optigen, you make an appointment for your dog with your veterinarian. The vet draws a small blood sample, which is then labeled and mailed to Optigen. You will need to pay Optigen in advance and your vet will likely want payment for his or her services on completion of the exam and blood draw. The total cost is in the range of $250 US. Once the sample is received at Optigen it is processed and the results are sent directly to you at the address or email you specified.
The results will contain one of three possible outcomes.
1) Your dog is Normal. This is indeed happy news. Your dog does not even have the genetic material necessary to produce the eye disease Collie Eye Anomally. Regardless of the DNA status of the mate you choose for your dog, no Collie Eye will ever be produced - a true case of "it takes 2 to Tango."
2) Your dog is a Carrier. Well, as a breeding animal your dog now has at least one limitation -- he or she can only safely be bred to a Normal dog. But, good news for you: Your dog does not have and will never develop Collie Eye.
3) Your dog is Affected. There are two different scenarios possible here. The first, and more hopeful of the two, is that your dog may be a "go normal" -- a dog who is indeed affected with Collie Eye, but for whatever reason nature has spared your dog the blinding effects of Collie Eye. The genes that he or she carries are still unavoidable risk factors to any puppies your dog may produce. The second scenario, and more likely, is that your dog will become blind. Collie Eye causes blindness. Your dog should never be bred since he or she will certainly pass on the genes. Regardless of scenario one or two as the outcome for your dog, if the DNA test indicates your dog is affected, he or she should be neutered or spayed, without exception.
The DNA status of your dog is unchanging over time. You will not need to repeat the test later. Puppies produced by parents who are both Normal will not need to be DNA tested for CEA since neither parent carries the gene that produces the disease. Thus, there is no possibility of inheritance. These pups are referred to as "CEA Normal via parental Normal status"
