For the period April - October 2002
The work of the committee continues. Thank you to the researchers and coordinators for their work, reports follow:
Coordinator Reports:
Eye Disease - Coordinator Pam McDonald
Since my last report I have had only one inquiry regarding eye
diseases. This person contacted me via the CTCA website so this
continues to be a good source of information.
It is my understanding that the Detroit club is trying to schedule an eye clinic with Dr. Petersen Jones
Orthopedic Diseases - Coordinator Dr. Kydee
Sheetz
There have been few inquiries regarding orthopaedic issues in
cairn terriers since my last report. The most commonly
addressed conditions include subluxing patellas and Perth’s
disease. There appears to be a significant number of breeders
in the US and abroad trying to blame the owners for these
inherited conditions stating that the owner must have somehow
caused their dog’s problem. Needless to say, this is
disconcerting for the owner. Education of breeders and owners
about the heritibility of these and other orthopaedic
conditions continue to be important.
MCND Multisystemic Chromatalytic Neuronal
Degeneration - Coordinator KathyVanWie
No cases of this disease have been reported in the last
year.
CAVM (Complementary & Alternative Veterinary
Medicine) - Coordinator Cynthia Sherman
Nothing to report at this time.
Skin Diseases - Coordinator Cindy Sushak
For the reporting period August 2001 through August 2002, I
have received 19 requests for help with skin related problems
in Cairn Terriers. All requests received my standard letter and
I sent those interested a copy of the article on RAST and ELISA
allergy testing methods I wrote for the CTCA newsletter.
In 14 of these dogs, the problem was described as recurring. All requesters had been to see a veterinarian and most had limited success after common allergy treatments such as steroids and antihistamines.
The outcome of the problem situation was learned in three cases. Oatmeal shampoo combined with aloe gel applied directly to sores relieved one dog’s symptoms. Benzoyl peroxide shampoo and conditioner gave relief to another, and the third responded to steroids and no more table treats.
There were no request for a referral to a specialist. The complaints were common ear pain, itching, scratching, paw licking, and loss of hair. The age range was 0.8 - 11 years, average 4.5 years with two ages unknown. Eight of the dogs were six years or older and 11 dogs were five years or less. There were 9 males, 8 females, and three unknown sexes.
Heart Diseases - Coordinator Floyd Kuntz
No report at this time.
VWD (vonWillebrands Disease) - Coordinator Clare
Redditt
No additional information. Research has not been funded.
HRC Library -Coordinator Pam McDonald
In process of development
Kidney Disease - Coordinator Ruth Barstow
During this reporting period two requests were received: 1. A
call from India by owners of a Cairn with chronic renal
failure. They wanted to know if they should do more than follow
the veterinarian’s recommendations to place the dog on a kidney
diet, monitor fluid intake and exercise and to take the
ergthropoetin as prescribed. 1 told them that it sounded as if
they had a good “vet,” and that the only other ingredient would
be a lot of love and attention, which 1 was certain they were
providing. 2. A call came from two breeders, both of whom were
inquiring whether or not the absence of one kidney in a cairn
was a genetic defect or gestational incident.
Unfortunately, the literature and the veterinarians who were consulted were not conclusive. One veterinarian said that one couldn’t inherit one kidney and the other said that the problem was definitely congenital and the literature left one with doubts!
In any case, the two breeders each supported different viewpoints. They are both very responsible breeders and have shared breeding programs and wanted to know how or if they should modify their programs. Two of the bitches, although apparently very active, happy and in apparent good health were discovered to have only one kidney. The defect was discovered because one bitch developed a pyometria and diagnostic efforts revealed the absence of one kidney. The other bitch as a puppy, was drinking a lot of water and urinating excessively and was taken to the veterinarian for urinary function tests and the absence of the kidney was discovered.
Now, at 14 months, she is housebroken and a happy Cairn. (This demonstrates that animals as well as humans can live quite well with only one kidney.)
In reviewing breedings, none of the sires has a history of renal problems; however, the dam is common to both of the bitches with one kidney. None of the other puppies born to her have demonstrated problems and as far as we know none of the sires have produced Cairns with kidney defects. The dam will be examined a week from the time this report is written and we will know if she has both kidneys. If she does, one may conclude that somehow a gestational defect occurred and it could be related to environmental factors (a crematorium is located nearby) or that some sire or dam in the lineage, without known disease, could have contributed to the defect. disease, could have contributed to the defect. In any case, one can recommend that with the next breeding, if it occurs, that an outcross be used. If she has only one kidney, she should not be bred again. Unfortunately, we will not be certain of the cause, but precautionary measures should be taken.
GCL (Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy) - Coordinator Clare
Redditt
Dr. Wenger reports that there have been 21 more dogs tested
bringing the total to 532. Of the additional samples, 3 were
found to be carriers. The carrier total now is 89 bringing the
percentage of carriers down to 16.7% of cairns tested. The
percentage of carriers is decreasing, however, carriers are
still being found so testing should be continued on those dogs
that have unknown status for GCL.
GDC (Genetic Disease Control) Registry - Coordinator
(in process of being filled)
The GDC is no longer in business. The historical data has been
merged with OFA (see article in the Fall CTCA newsletter for
explanation).
CTCA Website - Updating HRC information is in process.
CMO (Craniomandibular Osteopathy) - Research Project: See attached report from Dr. Patrick Venta, Michigan State University.
Ocular Melanosis Research - See attached report from Dr. Simon Peterson Jones, Michigan State University.
PSS (Portal Systemic Shunt) Research Project - Project has been cancelled. See attached letter from AKC Canine Health Foundation for explanation.
This is the progress report from the committee and its work for the past 6 months. Any Questions can be directed to the chairman and a response will be made promptly.
Respectfully submitted,
Clare Redditt, Chairman
CC: Anna Mullins, Chrm. CTCA Foundation
[source: scanned document]
