CTCV Health Watch Committee Report 24/10/2008
The Health Watch Committee is pleased to present the yearly report of all medical conditions and bile acid testing of litters received since last year’s report. We would like to thank all those who have sent in their Reports this year and hope that more will be received in the future.
Confidentiality
All Health Watch Reports are treated as confidential unless the owner/breeder of the dog agrees that the information may be shared. Please remember to tick the box on the Report Form to indicate whether anonymity is required. All litter scores reported are recorded in an anonymous format.
Number of Reports Received
We have received a total of 21 Reports, broken down as follows:-
6 Medical Reports (However, 3 of these are bile acid screenings only)
16 Litter Reports (Bile Acid Testing)
The other 3 medical reports concern:
1 case of Addisons Disease in a male cairn
1 case of Liver Cysts
1 case of Dry Eye
Litter Reports
Sixteen Litter Reports, were received since the last Health Watch Committee Report. In total 71 puppies were bile acid tested. Five of these pups were retested at the recommendation of the laboratories concerned due to their above average postprandial scores. Two of the puppies scored within the normal range and were cleared. We have not included a list of scores this year, but if anyone would like a copy of them, please do not hesitate to ask.
Portal Shunt
Unfortunately the other 3 puppies retested at extremely high postprandial scores and after further testing and scanning were diagnosed with Portal Shunt and were later euthanized. Two of the pups concerned were passed on to Prof. Linda Abraham, (BSc BVet Med PhD(Lond) MRCFS MACVSC) at the Werribee Clinic for her assessment and research.
The Health Watch Committee, as well as the owners/breeders of the affected puppies wish to express their sincere gratitude to Linda for all her help, advice and support throughout the year. Her professional expertise and interest in our breed has certainly made the difficult times much easier to cope with.
The post prandial scores of the affected puppies were 171, 187 and 40 at 6 weeks. It cannot be stressed firmly enough that any puppy who scores above the laboratory’s reference level must be retested to ensure that a shunt is not present. One of the affected puppy’s first bile acid tests showed a post prandial score of only 40 at 6 weeks of age. However at 8 weeks it was 213 and at 12 weeks it was 347. This proves how much credence we need to place on the laboratories recommendations for retesting. If the breeder of this particular litter had not insisted on retesting the puppy then there would have been dire consequences for the new puppy buyer. It should be noted that all three of the above puppies were post mortemed and liver shunts were confirmed in all three cases.
It is also important to note that if only one test is being done then it is the post prandial test which is a more reliable indicator of liver function. The other important point is to ensure that the puppies eat enough food to give an accurate assessment. If your vet is unsure about the post prandial testing procedure please ask them to make a quick call to Dr. Abraham at Werribee who will set them straight. (All vets know the Werribee phone number.)
Dr. Abraham is happy to test any cairn litters at Werribee at an extremely low cost per puppy. Just telephone the clinic and ask for her personally to arrange a test. Hopefully testing will be free of charge later this year if the Grant is successful. Linda is also testing adult cairns and collecting DNA from any cairns who are Sires or Dams of portal shunt puppies. The DNA is being stored for future research, but unfortunately, still no marker has been found.
Research Grant
As reported last year and for the benefit of any new members
“Dr Linda Abraham, BSc BVet Med PhD(Lond) MRCFS MACVSC, who most of you know is a registrar at the Werribee Clinic of Melbourne University’s Veterinary Hospital has applied for a Research Grant to fund the bile acid testing of Cairn Terrier puppies. If successful the money will be used to test pure bred litters in order to ascertain the most beneficial age to gain accurate results. At present we are finding that some pups show lower scores when re-tested at 10 days to several weeks later. There would be no charge to breeders for testing, or for further testing (such as scintigraphy) if the application is successful. The results of the tests would be anonymously reported in a statistical way and no individual dogs or breeders would be named. This data would be invaluable in helping to diagnose Portal Shunt in our puppies.”
We hope to hear from Linda very soon regarding this Grant and she has indicated that she is very optimistic that it will be funded. We will advise breeders in the Bulletin and on the website when the outcome is known.
Summary
Please continue to send in your reports as soon as they are available. We would especially like to have more information on other ailments in cairns of which we hear much talk anecdotally but receive no actual documentation or evidence. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to phone Lyn at the number below. Post reports to: Lyn Barclay, 20 Outawood Rise, Gisborne, Vic 3437 or fax to (03) 5428 4179 or 0409 424 668. (Alternatively email to lbarclay@iprimus.com.au )
CTCV Health Watch Committee Report 11/10/2008
The Cairn Terrier Club of Victoria’s Health Watch Committee is pleased to advise that Ethics Approval has been granted to Dr. Linda Abraham of the University of Melbourne Department of Veterinary Science to commence bile acid testing of Cairn Terrier puppies. Utilizing the Canine Research Grant Award, 100 Cairn Terrier puppies from Victoria will participate in the study. Testing is free of charge to all cairn owners and breeders, (not just Cairn Terrier Club Members). An explanation of the age that pups are required and the type of testing is included on the Consent Form.
Please note that the Health Watch Committee will receive a report of the bile acid scores, but not the identity of the puppies or the owner/breeder. This remains confidential between the owner/breeder and the University.
To arrange an appointment, please phone Dr Linda Abraham at the University Of Melbourne Department of Veterinary Science, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic 3030 on 03 9731 2000.
A Consent Form is required by Dr Linda Abraham from all cairn owners and breeders willing to participate; this is published in The Bulletin and/or may be downloaded here:
CTCV Health Watch Committee Report 23/1/2007
The Committee’s previous Report (printed in the April 2006 Bulletin) did not include specific (non-identifying) information, so all the information received to date is included in this current Report.
Download Health Watch Committee Report Form
Confidentiality
All Health Watch Reports are treated as confidential unless the owner/breeder of the dog agrees that the information may be shared. This has come about because some members have stated that they were happy to share information regarding their reports. In future the Report Form will have a section for the owner/breeder to complete indicating if they require confidentiality. Much criticism has been received regarding the secrecy of reporting. However, if the owner/breeder requests the reported information is to remain confidential, then the Committee must respect this request.
It is still extremely important to Report all medical conditions to the Committee (even if confidentiality is required) because the dog can then be included in a non-identifying format in the yearly report. Also, an owner/breeder may change their mind about sharing information at a later date if there were more reports of a similar type.
Number of Reports Received
We have received a total of 25 Reports, broken down as follows:-
10 Medical Reports (2 of these from litter test reports)
15 Litter Reports (Bile Acid Testing)
Of the 10 Medical Reports, 7 concern Portal Shunt, (2 with more than one pup in the same litter), and 3 are other conditions. (Details of these appear later in this Report.)
Number of Breeders/Owners Reporting
The above reports have been submitted by 10 people. Of these ten, six have agreed to be identified. They are as follows:
| Robert Bartram | Jude Costello |
| Fiona Ward | Lyn Barclay |
| Liz Jewell | Jill Saulbrey |
Medical Reports Received
Portal Shunt:
9 Diagnosed Cases of Portal Shunt have been reported. As follows:
Two male puppies (from a litter of 4 males and 2 females), approximately 6 mths of age, returned to breeder were subsequently euthanased when diagnosed with PSS. Post prandial scores in excess of 300.
Two female puppies, aged 7 weeks, (from a litter of 1 male and 6 females), were
considered likely to have PSS and after re-testing were euthanased.
Scores were: Puppy 1 - Fasting – 53 Post Prandial – 138
Puppy 2 - Fasting – 59 Post Prandial – 305
Cairn bitch aged 2 was diagnosed with PSS and underwent surgery to implant a
Constrictor Ring. Surgery was unsuccessful, bitch died aged 3.
Bile acid scores at time of diagnosis were: Fasting – 81 Post Prandial – 134
Cairn bitch aged 18 months was diagnosed with PSS. Surgery was recommended, but owner decided to manage condition with diet. Unfortunately neurological damage followed and bitch was euthanased approx 1 year later.
Bile acid scores at time of diagnosis were: Fasting – 80 Post Prandial – 416
Cairn bitch aged 12 months was diagnosed with PSS. Surgery to implant
Constrictor Ring was performed and has been very successful. The bitch is now nearly 3 years old and enjoys a normal life.
Bile acid scores at time of diagnosis were: Fasting – 117 Post Prandial – 273
Bile acid scores 12 mths after surgery were: Fasting - 5 Post Prandial - 3
Cairn dog aged 3 months with inconclusive diagnosis of PSS (but highly suspected). Dog continues to be managed by diet.
Bile Acid scores at first test were: Fasting – 232 Post Prandial – 350
Bile Acid scores at approx 6 mths were: Fasting – 99 Post Prandial – 445
Cairn bitch aged 6 months was diagnosed with PSS and is being managed by diet.
Bile acid scores at time of diagnosis were: Fasting – 106 Post Prandial - 160
Legge Perthes Disease
One report received of a Cairn Bitch diagnosed at eleven months of age. Surgery is planned in the near future. (Bitch is now placed in pet home and produced no litters.)
Luxating Patella
One report received of a Cairn Dog first noticed when under 12 months of age, diagnosed later.
Lack of Motor Control
One report received of a Cairn Dog aged 6 months with motor skill problems. Puppy has been DNA tested for Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy but results were found to be normal. Puppy’s condition is worsening and he remains undiagnosed.
Unsubstantiated Reports
Because we wish to be completely transparent in reporting an overall view of all the information passed onto the Committee, we wish to advise that we have received other unsubstantiated reports. Most of these were reported verbally, (i.e. via the phone) and information was provided regarding the symptoms, diagnosis and outcome. Although there is no reason to doubt these reports, because in most cases the owners were very upset and distressed , unfortunately they did not follow through by sending in the paperwork and therefore these dogs cannot be included in the official register of reports. However, we list below these unsubstantiated reports for your information:
4 Cases of Portal Shunt (2 living and being managed by diet. 2 deceased.)
2 Cases of stomach cancer (both recently deceased. Males aged 3 and 7)
2 Cases of Juvenile Cataracts (1 female aged 12 months, 1 male aged 3)
Litter Testing – Bile Acid Scores
Research Grant
Dr Linda Abraham, BSc BVet Med PhD(Lond) MRCFS MACVSC, who most of you know is a registrar at the Werribee Clinic of Melbourne University’s Veterinary Hospital has applied for a Research Grant to fund the bile acid testing of Cairn Terrier puppies. If successful the money will be used to test pure bred litters in order to ascertain the most beneficial age to gain accurate results. At present we are finding that some pups show lower scores when re-tested at 10 days to several weeks later. There would be no charge to breeders for testing, or for further testing (such as scintigraphy) if the application is successful. The results of the tests would be anonymously reported in a statistical way and no individual dogs or breeders would be named. This data would be invaluable in helping to diagnose Portal Shunt in our puppies.
Thankyou to the breeders who have indicated they are willing to take part in this program. Once we know if the Grant application is successful, we will be asking everyone again to consider being involved, and we will be providing further information regarding participation in the testing. Dr Abraham has indicated that it will be during the first half of this year (2007) when the ANKC’s decisions on funding are released. In the meantime, Dr Abraham is on maternity leave.
Summary
From the reports received, it is apparent that Portal Shunt remains the biggest health problem at present facing breeders. With this in mind we urge all breeders to consider testing their litters and sending the results to us. This is the only way we can build up a complete picture of the depth of the problem. Please continue to post reports to: Lyn Barclay, 20 Outawood Rise, Gisborne, Vic 3437 or fax to (03) 5428 4179.