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THE CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP |
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The Cairn Terrier is generally a robust and healthy breed, but
dogs, like humans, do inevitably sometimes suffer from ill health. What the Health Group does: The Cairn Terrier Health Group (CTHG) monitors the wellbeing of the
breed by collecting and storing information on any diagnosed cases that occur
throughout the full life of Cairn Terriers in the UK. This is the only way to try and
ensure the future health of our wonderful breed. What can you do to help us: It is therefore very important that owners
report any health issues to our data collection. We would also appreciate if you
could forward any veterinary reports regarding any conditions that your dog
has together with the pedigree to our co-ordinator. What we can do to help you: Advice from the CTHG is always at
hand, either via email or by telephone, but don’t forget to also contact the
breeder of your Cairn – he or she will no doubt want to be informed and offer
support. The Best Little Pal: The Cairn Terrier Health Group
wishes you many Happy and Healthy years with your new friend and please don't forget to keep us informed! Contact details: Margaret Shopland – Chairperson: Tel: 01487 840037 Email: cherrycrackcairns@hotmail.co.uk Jennie Fairweather – Secretary: Tel: 01869 322996 Email: ockcairns@yahoo.com
Chris Roberts – Co-ordinator/Treasurer: Tel: 01283 712498 Email: cthealthgroup@aol.com Jane Metcalf-Sault – Adviser. Tel:01543
683565, Email: jane.metcalf-sault@ntlworld.com
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CAIRN
TERRIER HEALTH GROUP REPORT 2018 The yearly report has traditionally started with Sincere Thanks to
owners, who have been in contact during the year with welcome updates or for
help and advice. This year my Thanks is somewhat tainted with sadness,
because this is my last report due to my retirement from the CTHG. I will of
course still very much appreciate hearing about the dogs I have followed,
some very long term. Help is always still at hand. My very first Health Report had the
following statement “The Cairn Terrier is luckily a typically robust and
healthy breed, but vigilance is necessary to ensure that it remains that
way”. Those words are, in my opinion, as relevant now as then. There are
however some, who claim that the breed has so many health problems. This is
not an opinion shared by the many Vets I talk to. They generally think it is
a breed without many health problems. Cairns can of course suffer ill health,
just like other dogs and humans too, but they are spared multiple hereditary
problems affecting so many breeds. The liver diseases Porto Systemic Shunt
(PSS) and MVD and eye condition Ocular Melanosis (OM) still appear to be the
only diseases of certain heritable nature and where cases have been
repeatedly reported. It seemed like a step forward, when quite some years ago
by now, the KC agreed to add both Bile Acid testing of puppies and Yearly Eye
testing as recommendations for Assured Breeders. Swab samples have been forwarded
to research for both conditions and the AHT sequenced the DNA from a Cairn
with OM and this has also been made available for research. Let’s hope DNA
tests will soon be available! I have also, in previous Health Reports,
mentioned a variety of reported conditions, but this list has got most
together in one place: Addison’s disease; Advanced retinal
degeneration and optic nerve atrophy; Bladder cancer; Bladder stones; Corneal
ulcer; Cushing’s disease; Diabetes; Endometriosis with anaemia; Epilepsy; Granulomatous
colitis; Hip dysplasia; Hydrometra; Hypothyroidism; Immune Mediated
Meningitis; Iris melanoma; Ischemic myelopathy; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
(KCS); Kidney disease; Liver cancer; Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation;
Myasthenia Gravis; Nasal carcinoma; Osteosarcoma; Pancreatitis; Parvo in
fully vaccinated pup; Polyarthritis; Renal failure/PLN; SARDS; Steroid
Responsive Meningitis Arteris (SRMA); Testicular cancer; Vestibular Disease. If that list looks scary, then it must
realised that most of the diseases are only represented by a single reported
case. The cancers were in elderly dogs. Added to the list could also be two
of the most common conditions all vets treat pets for, namely Obesity and
Skin problems, the latter often found to be caused by harvest mites or
visiting fleas. The KC has organised a yearly Breed Health
Coordinator Seminar for a long time now and I have sometimes, in the Health
Report, included information from talks given that year. Dr Mike Starkey is
oncology specialist at the AHT (the only canine cancer research centre in UK)
and he was mentioned 2015. He was yet again one of the speakers at the 2018
Seminar and gave an excellent presentation including ongoing DNA research and
treatment options. Cancer affects 1 in 4 dogs and is the most common cause of
death in dogs over the age of 10. It was also stated that most types of
cancer affect most breeds but a few breeds are more susceptible to certain
cancers. Such susceptibility is believed to be inherited, if multiple dogs in
different generations of multiple families are affected by the same cancer
and the incidence is significantly higher (Odds Ratio >1.0) than in most
other breeds. Dr Tom Lewis, KC Quantitative Geneticist,
did also give a talk on Genetic Diversity and Effective Population Sizes,
reported on earlier. It really did come to my mind when reading the KC
registration figures for the last decade. The registered number of puppies
has drastically gone down from 1,946 registered 2008 to 589 in 2017 (the 4th
Qtr for 2018 not yet published but the 3 Qtrs showed 431 so the total for the
year not likely to be better than in -17). The total for the 5 years 2008 –
2012 is 7.265 whilst the total for 2013 – 2017 is 4.100. This really
illustrates the recent decline and is, I believe, the greatest threat to the
breed. Which brings me back to that talk on Genetic Diversity. Dr Lewis had
pointed out that our breed had reached a genetic bottleneck some time ago but
had slightly recovered. This registration trend can easily again have a negative
effect on genetic diversity but could be counteracted by breeders making use
of more males (less concentration on Popular Sires), welcome wisely chosen
Imports and, above all, try and promote the breed so more puppies can be bred
and find good homes. Enthusiastic and friendly owners out and about with well
socialised, friendly and happy dogs can attract new fans. Participation in
various obedience type or agility activities, like we have recently seen at
Crufts, can also attract positive attention. Cairns will certainly never be
‘handbag dogs’, but they are small enough to suit people of all ages and life
styles. They are happy enough to partake in whatever activity the owner
enjoys but don’t have demands on much exercise, they are typically healthy and
long lived and they are great with children – what’s not to like? Fashion in
dogs has, as we know, drastically changed, but hopefully the Cairn can win
back some of its previous popularity. The BREEDERS are custodians of this lovely
breed and only they can really affect its future health. I have previously,
possibly repeatedly, pointed out the importance of keeping long-term contact
with puppies produced, since it is the only way to find out if a problem
crops up in a breeding program. If it happens, then the thinking cap has to
be put on and the program changed. It has to be remembered that sometimes
conditions, that are not actually breed problems but of familial nature, can
emerge and have to be remedied. The OWNERS can also help by remembering to keep
the breeders informed about how the puppy they bred is getting on in life. New contact for information is Jennie
Fairweather, email: ockcairns@yahoo.com Tel: 01869 322 996 Sincere
Thanks to a benefactor for the generous donation of £100 to the Health Fund!
Enough from me now. I wish Happy &
Healthy lives to all Cairnites and Cairns! Maud
Hawkes BSc(Hons)Animal Science |
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CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP REPORT
2017 Many Thanks to owners, who again
have kept us informed or asked for advice! It has also been welcoming to
receive updates on cases earlier reported on, especially nice to hear when a
previously diagnosed dog is still doing well. Please continue to report on
problems or ask for information if needed. The assembly of data, collected by
the Cairn Terrier Health Group (CTHG), has been somewhat delayed due to ill
health, but the work is still in progress. The internet connection is not
very reliable here, so a ‘phone call can often get quicker result. Answering
machine is in place and I return your calls, if a message is left. KC PEDIGREE HEALTH SURVEY 2014 &
DATA COLLECTION The Survey was discussed in the 2016
Health Report and it was pointed out that the response had been rather poor
and somewhat limited in reported conditions. Further analysis was undertaken
and published by the KC this year. This did show that cases of ‘Enlarged
Heart’ were deemed as above average. This is a rather vague description and
the ages of the dogs are missing. The heart is an organ that tends to wear
out with old age, in both man and ‘beast’, and Cairns usually live to ripe
old age, so that missing information could be relevant. No such cases have
been reported to CTHG, so it would be most welcome if owners of affected dogs
would notify us! It is in the nature of questionnaires that
collected data easily can be somewhat skewed. Another, and probably more
reliable, method would be to gather information directly from the veterinary
surgeries. This was indeed realised, about a decade ago, at the Royal
Veterinary College, where Dr Dan O’Neill and his team started a project
called VetCompass (short for
Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System). Disease information now is
received directly from quite a large number of veterinary surgeries all over
the country. VetCompass produces a profile of illnesses affecting all types
of dogs, but do also run 2-year studies on specific breeds in turn. The
breeds, so far included, have been those with perceived problems. The Cairns
are not included in that group, because they are regarded as typically
healthy dogs. I have however been in communication with Dr O’Neill about
possibly doing a future study on our breed. We are therefore on the waiting
list for the following year and then we have to see what eventuates. GIVE A DOG A GENOME, UPDATE It was mentioned, last year, that
the breed had been entered for this project at the Animal Health Trust (AHT).
The whole genome of a Cairn Terrier with Ocular Melanosis (OM) was sequenced
by May 2017. Communication from AHT
states that “The data will be added to the genome bank, and will begin
contributing to studies in other breeds immediately. In addition, the data
will be made available to other scientists for use in their studies, and your
breed has therefore made a vital contribution to genetic research affecting
the welfare of dogs worldwide.” This data has also been shared with Dr Simon
Peterson-Jones at Michigan State University, who is already doing research on
Cairn Terriers with OM. EYE CONDITIONS No new cases of OM have been
reported, but a new case of Suddenly Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome
(SARDS) has come in. I first mentioned it in the 2014 report, after which an
owner informed about other cases in the past. This really is such a strange
condition and the first signs, even before sight loss, can be increased
thirst and urination. Blood results can also be confusing and can easily
mislead a veterinary surgeon, who hasn’t come across this rare disease
before. Ordinary eye examination cannot detect degeneration of the
microscopic photoreceptors, so a specialist electroretinogram (ERG) is
needed. There is no treatment or cure, but most dogs can luckily continue to
live a happy life. It is probably more upsetting to the owners, because eyesight
is much more important to us humans than to dogs. They have thankfully got
other senses so well developed that it is beyond our comprehension. Yvonne
Catto has sadly decided to retire from her long-held post as Secretary &
Treasurer. She has been with the CTHG from the beginning and I will miss her
deeply. Thank You, Yvonne, for all your help and have a Happy Retirement!!! We
welcome Jennie Fairweather as the new Secretary & Treasurer. Sincere
Thanks to
a benefactor for the generous donation of £100 to the Health Fund! Maud
Hawkes BSc(Hons)Animal Science, Tel: 01623 812856 Email:
msascience@onetel.com |
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CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP REPORT
2016 Many Thanks to all the
owners, who have kept us informed during the year! Emails, letters and quite
a number of ‘phone calls have yet again been received. Some contacts have
been re documented case histories, whilst others have been about more general
concerns and worries. Notable cases
reported this year include Addison’s disease and Steroid Responsive
Meningitis Arteritis (SRMA); both autoimmune conditions. Portosystemic Shunt
(PSS) has sadly again been reported. Health report data are
typically dealt with on a generational basis for statistical purposes. This
is also the method used by the Kennel Club (KC) for the intervals of their
Health Surveys (see below). The end of spring 2017 marks the 10 years of data
collection made by the Cairn Terrier Health Group (CTHG) and the results will
be published, as soon as the data have been processed. It would be most appreciated, if any
information, you may have forgotten to report earlier, could be forwarded to
make the data as representative as possible! KC PEDIGREE BREED
HEALTH SURVEY 2014 The results of this
latest survey were published in the spring 2016 and can be viewed at
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/vets-researchers/publications-statistics-and-health-results.
The response to the 2014 survey was slightly better than to the 2004 one but
still rather poor. 300 live and 38
deceased Cairn Terriers were represented. Most dogs (198 dogs or 66%) were
not affected by a disease condition. The most common disease in live dogs was
lipoma and the two most common, equally represented, causes of death were old
age and hepatic(liver)tumour (median age for the latter 13.5 years). There
were strangely no cases reported as diagnosed with neither PSS/MVD nor Ocular
melanosis (OM), but they could of course be hiding under another umbrella. GIVE A DOG A
GENOME The Animal Health Trust
(AHT), together with the KC, launched this worthwhile project early in the
year. The aim is to get the genome sequenced for as many breeds as possible
to enable/facilitate future research. It can be of benefit not only to one
specific breed but also to other breeds involved in DNA analysis and
sometimes even in human mutation research (e.g. certain cancers). The KC was
subsidising a limited number of places, on a first come, first served basis.
The normal price for sequencing is £2000/dog, but the KC are now paying half
the cost. It was decided that the Cairn should have a place in this DNA
collection, so an application was made and accepted and £1000 were sent from
the CTHG. Comprehensive information, including on peer reviewed, published research,
also had to be submitted. It was most encouraging to be notified that the
researchers at AHT have decided to sequence the DNA from a Cairn with OM and
cooperate with other research done on the condition. Very good news since a
DNA test would be so much better than regular eye testing. Let us hope the
research bears fruit! EYE TESTING The CTHG has subsidised
several sessions of Eye testing this year and paid £840 towards these. It is
unfortunate that the BVA increases the cost so frequently, but regular
testing of breeding stock is obviously very important. Many Thanks to Yvonne
Catto for her invaluable help all these years ! Sincere
Thanks to a
benefactor for the generous donation of £100 to the Health Fund ! Maud Hawkes BSc(Hons)Animal Science Tel: 01623
812856 Email: msascience@onetel.com |
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CAIRN
TERRIER HEALTH GROUP REPORT 2015 Many
Thanks for keeping us informed during the year! Please continue helping to
keep our records updated, even with earlier cases you may have forgotten to
tell us about before. 2016 is the year of reckoning, when one generation has
been reached and all collected data will be calculated and compared with
results from other sources! The
latest KC Breed Health Coordinators Symposium did have two interesting talks,
worth reporting on: Dr
Mike Starkey, head of Molecular Oncology at AHT, gave a presentation on Canine Cancers. He confirmed, as
other oncologists have also stated, that the incidence of cancer (benign and
malign together) is somewhere between 1in3 and 1in4. This is actually roughly
the same risk as for human beings, so one should not be too surprised if ones
dog becomes ill with the disease. It is also the No 1 cause of death in dogs
over the age of 2 years old. Most cancers are due to sporadic mutations and
not to inherited gene mutations. Dr
Tom Lewis, KC Quantitative Geneticist, introduced just finished research on Trends in Genetic Diversity and Effective
Population Sizes. This is an extensive study covering all KC registered
breeds. The observed inbreeding coefficient (COI) for the Cairn Terrier has
been considerably higher than the expected one and was at its highest in the
1980s and 1990s, with a genetic bottleneck and loss of genetic variation.
There has been moderate replenishment since the early 2000s with negative
rate of inbreeding and less extensive use of popular sires. Import of dogs
may also have helped a little. Estimated effective population size = 70.3 (if
below 50 the future of a breed may be at risk). Those wishing to read more
about the issue can find the information at
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/vets-researchers/publications-statistics-and-health-results/breed-population-analyses
Lungworm
(Angiostrongylus vasorum) This
potentially fatal internal parasite is a rather new problem in UK and was,
until relatively recently, confined to the southern part of the country. It
is however now spreading quite rapidly and cases have been reported as far up
as in Edinburgh. Location of reported cases can be found on
www.lungworm.co.uk to aid risk assessment. Foxes and dogs serve as definitive
host animals, but can not infect each other directly. Intermediate hosts, in
the form of slugs or snails, who have come in contact with infected faeces,
are needed for the parasite to spread. Dogs become infected through,
accidentally or on purpose, eating those slimy pests. It is therefore
sensible not to leave toys and water- and food bowls outside, especially
since it is suspected that also the slime can carry the infection. Faeces
should also be removed promptly. The
symptoms can be rather varied and include lethargy, chronic cough, exercise
intolerance, breathing problems and subcutaneous bleeding. Correct diagnosis
is not always made, especially since the condition is fairly new and not very
common. One little bitch, owned by Mr and Mrs Firth, almost lost her life due
to a severe infection. The condition had not earlier been found in the area,
so the local veterinary surgeon failed to diagnose it. The life of the bitch
was thankfully saved by referral to The Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital in
Cambridge, where they had prior experience of cases. Most tests for internal
parasites in dogs use faecal samples, but presence of this culprit has to
identified using a blood test, or SNAP test. Prevention
can be achieved by using a specific Advocate product or by using a product
containing milbemycin oxime every four weeks. DNA tests Somebody
asked, why no list of DNA tests for Cairns had been published by the CTHG.
The simple answer is, that there is no such list, because no relevant tests
have been found. Very many tests are now being offered from laboratories
around the globe and targeted at a great number of breeds. DNA tests can
indeed be a valuable tool to help dealing with important hereditary
conditions in a breed, but they are not a ‘quick fix’ to be used at random.
One first has to ask IF a hereditary condition, and based on reliable,
compounded information, is a problem in the breed? IF it appears to be
relevant to use a genetic test, one then has to make sure that the specific
test is accurate and has been validated for that specific breed i.e. one has
to look at the scientific publication behind a test. The same inherited
condition, e.g. PRA, can have a different mode of inheritance in different
breeds, so that one test does not fit all. Tests also have to be incorporated
in breeding programmes in such a way that the genetic variation is not
unnecessarily reduced. Time and space does not allow for more in depth
information on this somewhat complex topic, but I am more than happy to
discuss further on the telephone! Porto Systemic Shunt
(PSS), or Liver
Shunt; also MVD. The
number of breeders notifying about Bile Acid (BA) testing has not increased
and the Scottish breeders are still top of the leader board. 1
case of PSS has been reported – a 7 years old bitch, who is thankfully doing
well on conservative treatment. Ocular melanosis (OM),
Abnormal Pigmentation (APD). The
subsidized Eye examination was held in conjunction with the SKC show, with 8
Cairn Terriers being examined. 1
case of OM has been reported in a little bitch. She sadly had to lose one eye
but is fortunately coping very well. * Many
Thanks to Yvonne Catto for her invaluable help. Sonia
White, our fellow Health Group worker, did sadly pass away during the year.
She was a truly lovely person and is much missed. Sincere Thanks to a benefactor for the generous
donation of £100 to the Health Fund ! Maud Hawkes
BSc(Hons)Animal Science,
Tel: 01623 812856 Email: msascience@onetel.com |
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CAIRNTERRIER
HEALTH GROUP REPORT 2014 Another
year of health monitoring has gone by and we have, as usual, been contacted
by a number of breeders and, especially, pet owners with case reports or
concerns. We always try to do our best
to give advice and support when needed and it is important to receive
information on any diseases affecting the breed. Many thanks for keeping us
informed and please continue to do so during 2015 ! A
variety of conditions have been brought to our attention, but typically in
singular number and of a nature that can affect any dog of any breed. The
Cairn Terrier does still appear to be a generally robust and healthy breed,
but can never the less suffer from ill health, just like other dogs and us
humans. It is also an unfortunate fact
that old age tends to increase the risk for health problems. The
media bombards us with statistics, however accurate or not, on a daily basis.
It is always difficult to do surveys that are statistically significant and
without bias. I have personally, for quite some time, suggested that a good
way to gather more reliable data on dog health would be through a
computerised program linked to veterinary surgeries. It was therefore
encouraging to be introduced to, at the latest KC Breed Health Coordinators
Symposium, just such a project. Dr Dan O’Neill, and his team at the RVC, has
now got a computerised program called VetCompass up and running. Veterinary
data are received from a growing number of Veterinary practices all over UK
and will form a relatively sound statistical basis for further research and
information on breed health. We will follow this promising project closely! The
bottom line is however, whatever findings from surveys and research, what
individuals can possibly do to sustain or improve health in a breed. Breeders
can: Make sure that they breed from healthy dogs, which have also undergone
necessary health testing (in our case, eye testing, done regularly). Test the
offspring for possible problems (in our case bile acid testing). Encourage
long term feedback from the owners of their pups, so the breeder can become
aware, if a health problem has been the result of a certain breeding
programme. Owners can: Help their dogs by giving them a life with
enough training, activities and exercise. Keeping coat, nails and teeth well
looked after. Feeding a suitable and wholesome diet, free from artificial
additives, and of the right amount for that individual dog. It is regularly
pointed out, that obesity is very bad for us humans and can contribute to a
number of illnesses. Dogs are not different in that aspect ! Porto Systemic Shunt
(PSS), or Liver
Shunt; also MVD. The
number of breeders notifying about Bile Acid (BA) testing has not
increased. 1 case and
1 suspected case of PSS has been reported. 1 sad death has occurred of a dog
suffering from MVD (previously reported) – unfortunately no puppy BA result
forthcoming from the breeder, so it is unknown, if the condition could have
been detected at an early stage. Ocular Melanosis (OM),
Abnormal Pigmentation (APD) The
subsidized Eye examination, normally held at the Joint Open Show, did
unfortunately not take place this year due to problems with the venue. No new
cases of OM have been reported.
1
case of Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARDS) has been reported in a 7
years old bitch. This is a, at least from a human perspective, rather scary
condition, causing blindness almost overnight. The little bitch does however,
thankfully, not appear to be much troubled by it and is reported to still
live a fairly normal and happy life. Warmest
Thanks to my fellow Health Group workers, Yvonne Catto and Sonia White, for their
invaluable help! Sincere Thanks to a benefactor for a generous
donation of £100 to the Health Fund ! Maud Hawkes
BSc(Hons)Animal Science, Tel:
01623 812856 Email: msascience@onetel.com |
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CAIRN TERRIER HEALTH GROUP REPORT
2013 Cairn Terriers
will inevitably, like all types of dogs, other animals and humans, sometimes
suffer from illness. The breed does however thankfully very much appear to be
a typically healthy one and not burdened by a number of inherited diseases,
common in some breeds. It is nevertheless important to be vigilant and
monitor the health situation, on a yearly basis. Old, or new, diseases can
start to become prevalent, and of concern, in a breed. Case reporting and
information from owners or breeders is therefore necessary to reveal such a
trend, so it can be dealt with. Much valuable information has again been
received during this year. Many thanks to the contributors! The cost of
veterinary treatment and specialist investigations can now be very high. Some procedures are indeed so costly, that
owners, however much they love their dogs, are unable to afford them, if
insurance cover is not in place. This
is a problem that has recently been highlighted. Owners, who already have
insurance for their dogs, can still encounter problems, if the insurance
company does not continue to pay for an ongoing condition. The advice is therefore to carefully study
the ‘small print’ when choosing pet insurance. A slightly higher monthly
premium, for an insurance that pays out for continued claims, may well be
better long-term ‘economy’. Reported
conditions this year, apart from those affecting eyes and liver (see below),
include 2 cases each of: Addison’s disease; kidney disease, and 1 case each
of: Diabetes; Myasthenia gravis; Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation and
polyarthritis. Cases of cancer in veteran dogs have yet again been reported,
including 1case each of osteosarcoma, bladder- and liver –cancer. Cairns tend
to live well into their teens, so some of them will unfortunately develop
tumours. Porto Systemic
Shunt (PSS), or Liver Shunt. The number of
breeders notifying about Bile Acid testing of litters has not increased,
despite the ABS recommendation. One of the tested puppies required further
investigation. PSS was reported
in a Cairn/Westie cross. Cross breeding does not guarantee freedom from
hereditary conditions, despite such claims from some supporters of ‘designer
breeds’! 1 case of Hepatic
portal bridging fibrosis has also been reported. Ocular melanosis
(OM), Abnormal pigment deposition (APD) The subsidized
Eye examination, organised at the Joint Open Show, was held again and well
attended this year. 35 dogs were examined by Mr J V Goodyear BVM&S
CertVOphthal MRCVS. 2 new cases of OM
have been reported, one of them with eye enucleation. Advanced retinal
degeneration and optic nerve atrophy has been reported in a young dog. 1 case
of corneal ulcer was also reported. Warmest thanks to
my fellow Health Group workers, Yvonne Catto and Sonia White, for their
valuable help! Sincere 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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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
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