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 Holmlea, Moorhaigh Lane, Pleasley, Mansfield, Notts, NG19 7QF or email 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 -
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 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 the Group 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.
Latest news from the Health Group – June 2009
Health Form DOWNLOAD CLICK 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-
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.