Yvonne Catto birsel@fsmail.net or telephone 0131 449 2790
Sonia White kervaig@aol.com or telephone 01844 292051
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-
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.
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.
Liver Shunt (PSS)
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