[forge]

I have a 12 month old regsitered ISDS Red & White border collie, who appears to be breathless and panting well before my other 2 year old border collie, it's not weather related as she was like it in the cold weather, she seems to lie down much more than my other collie (I appreciate that she is 12 months younger but this isn't quite right cant put my finger on whats giving me the nagging doubt. This is my 4th border collie and never noticed this sort of problem in any of the others at such a young age which is why I am wondering if she has an underlying problem.

She's fully inoculated etc and had all the checks as a puppy but I am considering taking her to the vets to get them to do a complete check over. She is fully insured but don't want to turn up with her at the vets like some neurotic owner

Any suggestions

Paulette

[doganjo]

Could be a heart problem - I would definitely go to the vet.  Experienced and knowledgeable owners are usually given a good deal of respect.

[piggy]

I would also take to the vets at least then you would know one way or the other.
I have always wanted a red and bred my black and white to a red with the hope of some red or other colour pups as cassies mum and grandmum were blue merle but we only got black and white but they do have a red tint in the sunshine,i kept 1 of the pups and have been told that she should carry the red gene but although shes 2 i dont feel shes quite ready yet to be a mum.

Please let us know how you get on.

[clumbaboy]

Hi forge,
         told you somebody would give you some advice, they are very helpful on here.
 :wave:clumbaboy

[doganjo]

It's now 4 days since you posted, Paulette.  Have you been to the vet yet.  I think you should.

[forge]

Ruby is booked into the vets on Friday so will let you know how we get on 

[doganjo]

Hope it's nothing more serious than a slight infection curable by ABs, but I was worried that it was her heart in a pup.

[forge]

Ruby has had a clean bill of health from the vet 

[doganjo]

So did he say why she was panting and lethargic.  A clean bill of health in my book means she can run and jump almost all day at that age.  My 7 month old Brittany pup is only panting when he has been running hard, and that's just on my own land as he doesn't get free running yet..

[warmglo]

The red & whites in particular are known to be a little more hyper/tense/nervy. Mine is like that, and seems to use a lot more energy a lot more quickly than the others. And skinny as you like. I changed her diet to one for working dogs 3 months ago and she has improved greatly.

[forge]

Ruby and her sister peg, (two year old tri-colour) had a lovely day at Barmouth beach. Got lots of new toys to play with. 

[forge]

Forgot to say, Ruby is fine, I think it's her just her personality as she tends to behave like a second dog in a brace. Cirlces right out and then lies down and watches Peggy tearing about. One of the local farmers who has working dogs had a look at her as well, and he said she could be a cracking working dog and in his opininon fit and healthy for a year old collie.

p.s. has mastered the art of collie pester power to play.

[Jackie]

I hope you are right and Ruby is fine cos a vet cannot diagnose heart problems properly just using a stethoscope.

If you, as a knowlegable owner, has a nagging feeling then trust it and push the vet

[doganjo]

appears to be breathless and panting well before my other 2 year old border collie, it's not weather related

This is what you posted, and I agree with Jackie.  I still think it's a heart problem.

[Hermit]

Red and whites are hyper!!!!! They are up all the time. I have a red and white that will run on the moor and bring every sheep back in a breath,but is too keen to pen and then a more sensible black and white takes over. Red and whites are well known to be over active too soon, many sheep folk wont even touch one. Do you see reds in dog trails??