Infertility in Collies

Judging by various international on-going discussions and seminar topics, it would appear that the last few years have seen a greater number of our Collies suffering from a variety of fertility problems. For some reason some bitches do not conceive; some re-absorb or abort their whelps; or there are neonatal deaths (‘fading puppies’). It appears that an increasing number of stud dogs suffer intermittently from low sperm counts or temporary sterility.

Apart from hypothyroidism, obesity, malnutrition and all manner of congenital defects which may affect fertility, there are also physiological problems, a variety of infections, and environmental factors which give cause for concern:

Stud Dogs - Some stud dogs may have defective sperm-producing cells (prostatitis, prostatic abcesses or cancers) and all are of major concern as they can cause infertility.
Overuse of stud work at a young age may lead to sterility
Hierachy amongst the dogs in a kennel (the under-dog may not mate his bitches)
Prolonged, high summer temperatures may cause fluctuations in sperm count and therefore be a cause of temporary infertility.

Fertility problems relating to both dogs and bitches - Dislike of one another; incompatible Blood Groups; infections; malnutrition; obesity; hypothyroidism; water supply; chemicals; and all manner of congenital defects.

Infections:
Canine Herpes Virus (CHV) - Antibiotics are not particularly effective against CHV, as they do not cure viruses, though they are useful in cases of secondary bacterial infections. Viruses tend to remain in the body, in a dormant condition, until stress factors cause infection to flare up again.

If you suspect a bitch may be suffering from Herpes, you should either have her blood-tested, vaccinated, or swabbed to determine the presence of CHV.

Brucellosis - Although fairly uncommon, dogs can be infected with Brucella canis, which causes disease of the reproductive tract of both dogs and bitches. Infection is transmitted by contact with infected animals or their carcases; semen; by the vaginal discharge of bitches (most commonly through mating); by contact with aborted foetuses; or through maternal milk supply. It may also be spread by contact with urine or other body secretions.

There is no vaccine available for Brucella canis and treatment usually consists of the prolonged administration of Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Doxycycline or Rifampin, though these may not always bring about a cure. The only prevention is to have all breeding stock blood-tested (especially advisable if a bitch has previously aborted a litter or given birth to still-born pups).

E Coli - Escheridia Coli bacteria are normally present in the large intestine (bowels) and reproductive passages of both dogs and bitches and known as ‘gut flora’. Under normal conditions they cause no harm and are required to assist with the processing of waste, vitamin K production and food absorption.

If E Coli bacteria get into other parts of the body they can cause illness in the form of peritonitis, urinary tract infections, fertility problems, food poisoning, diarrhoea, and Pyometra. An optimum level of vaginal bacteria is deemed harmless and should not prevent conception, though it seems likely that what is a ‘normal’ E Coli flora for one bitch, is perhaps an abnormal amount for another.

Many breeders prefer to routinely dose their bitches with a course of antibiotics over the mating and whelping time. However Doctors and Vets are now becoming worried about the over-use, and abuse, of antibiotics. Some breeders routinely have vaginal swabs taken from their bitches, before mating, and those which show abnormally high levels of E Coli will probably be prescribed Synulox or equivalent, whilst those who prefer to routinely treat their bitches without testing are worried because their vets are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics as a prophylactic.

Water supply, Chemicals and their possible effects upon fertility:

Exposure to oestrogens (which control female sexual characteristics) in the environment is thought to contribute to fertility problems in both humans and dogs. Residues from contraceptive pills and hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) find their way into the water supply, as do hundreds of oestrogen-mimicking chemicals used in both agriculture and industry, for example, pesticides, petroleum products, detergents and Phthalates in plastics (especially soft plastics like food wrappers and water bottles).

Pesticides such as DDT, Lindane, Dieldrin and Aldrin, are all harmful to living things and persistent residues of these chemicals may be stored in animal fat, inducing mild oestrogen-mimicking properties which could cause premature labour. It is believed that excessive exposure to organo-chlorides may cause a decline in sperm density and quality, therefore causing a reduction in fertility. Many organo-chloride pesticides have now been banned in the UK because of their toxic effects, though they can remain in the environment for up to fifty years.

Evidence has also been uncovered concerning agricultural chemicals that interfere with male hormones – the androgens. Since it is the balance of oestrogen and androgen that creates one gender or another, anti-androgens can therefore interfere with male development as effectively as excessive oestrogens. Anti-androgen chemicals have been linked to the occurrence of undescended testicles and sterility in males.

(See the full article in the 2007/8 edition of the International Collie Society Handbook)

Pat Hutchinson
Health Coordinator, EACA