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THE CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP |
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CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP REPORT 2011
Another year has gone by with continued good contact between owners and the Health Group. The Cairn is of course generally a very healthy breed, but it is important that it will remain that way. Health monitoring is vital to achieve this, so all information is gratefully received. Many Thanks to those who submit case histories and updates !
The UK Cairn Terrier Symposium did take place on Saturday 16 July, the day before the Joint Cairn Terrier Clubs’ show. Professor Steve Dean did contribute to the discussion on health issues, which naturally dealt mainly with Porto Systemic Shunt and Ocular Melanosis.
It was most encouraging to receive the message from the Kennel Club that new additions have been made to the Assured Breeder Scheme (ABS) for our breed. It is now strongly recommended that ABS breeders use the following health screening schemes : BVA/KC/ISDS Eye scheme on breeding stock and Bile acid testing of puppies.
Reported cases this year include 1 each of : Diabetes; Epilepsy; Granulomatous colitis; Hip dysplasia; Hydrometra; Hypothyroidism; Ischemic myelopathy; Renal failure/PLN. Liver and eye cases are listed separately.
Owners often seek advice on conditions that are not exactly qualifying as ‘disease cases’ but are nevertheless of great worry to them. This also sometimes happens towards the very end of an old, much loved Cairn’s life. The aim of the Health Group is to offer help and support whenever possible, so don’t hesitate to contact us !
Porto Systemic Shunt (PSS), or Liver Shunt, also included is Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD). Many more
breeders are now bile acid testing their Cairn litters, but it still only amounts
to around 5% of registered litters. One reason for this is of course
that the majority of litters are bred by non-
1 case of, and 1 suspected of, MVD has been reported. 2 puppies were found to have abnormal bile acid values and are being monitored. 1 case of congenital PSS has been diagnosed in a dog as old as 5 years. The latter shows that the condition certainly can be hidden for a long time and in a seemingly healthy dog !
Ocular melanosis (OM), or bilateral secondary glaucoma. It appears to have been ‘a good year’ on this front, with no new cases reported. Previously unreported cases have however come to light and cases reported on earlier are still being followed. Yet another dog did sadly have to lose an eye and its remaining eye is now under threat. It must be stressed that this condition is progressive and not congenital. Regular eye testing, at least every two years, of breeding stock is therefore most important. The condition falls under Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. The test results are sent to the BVA where they are collated. Schedule B results are however not sent to the KC computer base and will therefore not appear on the KC’s Mate Select.
The yearly, subsidized Eye Examination resulted in 17 examinations and the session organized by Dawn Inett in 4 examinations. 1 result from a private consultation has also been added. No evidence of OM/APD was found.
Many Thanks to those who have given generous donations to the Health Fund !
Maud Hawkes BSc(Hons)Animal Science Tel: 01623 812856 email: msascience@onetel.com
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Latest news from the Health Group – June 2009
Health Form DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Real time health recording became a requirement for all breeds, when the KC Breed Health Plans were introduced 2009. Our breed is of course one step ahead, since health monitoring has already been undertaken from the mid 1990s. It was however decided that the health reporting could be made more efficient with the aid of a Health Form to accompany all puppies (and re-homed older dogs), when they go to their new owners. The Cairn Terrier Health Group’s form is now ready for launch and will be available to download for printing on the clubs’ websites. Breeders without downloading/printing facilities can order their forms from Sonia White, Tel: 01844 292501, email: kervaig@aol.com
Liver Shunt (PSS)
The research at the University of Utrecht to establish the inheritance of this disease, and thereby enable the development of a DNA test, is progressing well. This work can however only be speeded up with the submission of more DNA samples from affected dogs and their close relatives. DNA swabs from the UK have therefore been sent to Utrecht for some time now. It is vital that everybody, unfortunate to breed a puppy or own a dog with PSS, helps the research along by submitting buccal swab samples ! It is a very simple procedure and the swab kits, together with all the necessary instructions, are available from Maud Hawkes, Tel: 01623 812856, email: msascience@onetel.com
Many more breeders are now also using bile acid testing on their litters and this is good news indeed. It must however be pointed out that when the single test is used, then this would best be done on a post prandial sample. Discussions with Federico Sacchini (IDEXX) and Dr Jackson (Glasgow Veterinary School) have confirmed that the post prandial test is sufficient when looking for liver shunt.
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The Cairn Terrier Health Group Posted October 2008
The time of the year is fast approaching for the Health Report to be prepared. It is therefore important that any new case reports or Test results reach us before mid-November. Please send details of the Cairn(s) involved to Maud Hawkes, Holmlea, Moorhaigh Lane, Pleasley, Mansfield, Notts, NG19 7QF. All information will be held in strictest confidence and please remember that only with your help can we keep ourselves informed on the general health of the breed and whether any condition needs further monitoring. |
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CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP Posted - 29/02/08
The Cairn Terrier Health Group monitors and records health conditions in the breed.
The Cairn is an active, hardy and game little dog with a life span of approximately 12 to 15 years. But like all living creatures some of them will on occasion have a health problem. If your Cairn develops a Health problem then the Cairn Terrier Health Group would welcome your report. It is important to the future wellbeing of the breed that any conditions that may become frequent are noted early.
When reporting a condition, please send a veterinary report and copy of pedigree of the Cairn involved to Maud Hawkes, who will deal with all data on health conditions. Information can be send to her at msascience@onetel.com or cases discussed on telephone 01623 812856. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Two conditions in the breed are of special concern to the Health Group. These are Liver Shunt (PSS) and the eye condition Ocular melanosis. It has to be stressed that cases are far from common, but it is important to try and ensure that it remains that way.
LIVER SHUNT - (Portosystemic shunt; PSS) Though there is no test for liver shunt at the moment, research is being carried out in many countries. Hopefully in the future a DNA test will become available and then Breeders will be able to carry out their breeding plans with the hope of eliminating the chance of breeding a liver shunt puppy. The bile acid testing of puppies is the only action available to Breeders at this time. The Cairn Terrier Health Group strongly recommends that Breeders use this test on their litters. This will give Breeders the confidence that they have done everything to avoid the heartbreak of a Pet Owner having the terrible experience of an ill puppy. If you have had your litter bile acid tested, then please send your results and copy of pedigree to Maud, msascience@onetel.com or to Maud Hawkes, Holmlea, Moorhaigh Lane, Pleasley, Mansfield, Notts, NG19 7QF. Telephone 01623 812856.
OCULAR MELANOSIS
This is a hereditary eye condition caused by Abnormal Pigment Deposition (A.P.D.). It is advisable to test regularly to enable early detection. Such testing will also reveal any other eye condition the dog might have been unfortunate to develop.
The Health Group subsidises (in conjunction with the Joint Cairn Terrier Clubs) an eye testing session each year at one of the shows held by a Breed Club. This year the eye testing will be organised by the Cairn Terrier Association. Details will be advertised later in the year.
The members of theGroup are happy to advise on any queries you may have concerning the health of your Cairn Terrier!
Contact Maud Hawkes msascience@onetel.com or telephone 01623 812856. Yvonne Catto birselaw@ycatto.freeserve.co.uk or telephone 0131 449 2790 Sonia White kervaig@aol.com or telephone 01844 292051
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