The results of the 2005 CTCA Health Survey indicated that 72% of the membership wanted the national club to develop recommendations for minimum CTCA Breeder Health Screening. The attached table, as reviewed and approved by veterinary researchers, is a compilation from the HRCC of suggested minimal health testing guidelines. This table is designed to advise breeders on what tests/exams should be done and when. It should also provide a guideline for prospective owners of Cairn puppies to ask what health testing has been done on breeding dogs and resulting puppies. Prospective owners are encouraged to ask to see hard copy results of any testing/exams.
This information will be updated periodically as additional information is obtained on these or other tests/exams that are of concern to the Cairn Terrier.
Quick Links
Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
Paired Serum Bile Acids for Liver Portosystemic Vascular Anomaly (PSVA) and Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD)
Paired Serum Bile Acids: Puppy Recommendation for Liver Portosystemic Vascular Anomaly (PSVA) and Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD)
Eye Testing (Canine Eye Registry Foundation or CERF)
Ocular Melanosis (OM)
Cardiac Exam
Patella Exam
Kidney Ultrasound for Missing Kidney (aplasia) or Deformed Kidney (dysplasia)
Kidney Ultrasound: Puppy Recommendation for Missing Kidney (aplasia) or Deformed Kidney (dysplasia)
Other Test/Exams to consider
Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
Performed by: Dr Wenger or HealthGene.
Who to test: Any adult Cairn (dog or bitch prior to breeding).
Frequency: Test once as results will not change over time.
Comments:It is recommended that all dogs intending to be bred be tested. If dam and sire test “clear” than resulting litter of puppies from the breeding will also be clear. If either dam or sire has one copy of the mutation causing GCL, then that dog will be healthy but could pass on it’s carrier status to offspring if mated with a non-carrier dog, or produce dogs with GCL if mated with another carrier.
Research: This is a DNA based test. Two labs for testing samples. 1) Ship blood sample to Dr. David Wenger in PA. See http://www.offa.org/gclappbw.pdf or, 2) ship cheek swabs or blood sample to HealthGene in Canada. Link for form, etc is http://healthgene.com/canine/tests.asp?testcode=C118. HRCC Contact: Dr. Harpel.
Paired Serum Bile Acids for Liver Portosystemic Vascular Anomaly (PSVA) and Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD)
Performed by: Any lab that offers this test.
Who to test: Any adult Cairn (dog or bitch prior to breeding).
Frequency: Test (paired pre and post meal samples) prior to breeding one time (see puppy recommendation).
Comments: It is recommended that all affected dogs as well as their parents, parents siblings and any other related dogs be tested to characterize kindred trait prevalence.
Research: Dr. Sharon Center at Cornell University is conducting research to identify the gene(s) which produces PSVA and MVD. HRCC Contact: Dr. Harpel.
Paired Serum Bile Acids: Puppy Recommendation for Liver Portosystemic Vascular Anomaly (PSVA) and Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD)
Performed by: Any lab that offers this test.
Who to test: All puppies.
Frequency: Optimal testing no earlier than 16 weeks of age; optimally repeat at 6 months of age or prior to use in a breeding program.
Comments: Bile acid testing relies on normal “mature” gastrointestinal physiology. Best strategy is to test at 16 weeks of age or older. Bile acid values should be made available to inform owners and veterinarians of bile acid status that may influence future health assessments.
Research: Dr. Center continues to recruit DNA samples from Cairn Terriers diagnosed with PSVA. HRCC Contact: Dr. Harpel.
Eye Testing (Canine Eye Registry Foundation or CERF) www.vmdb.org/cerf.html
Performed by: Veterinary Ophthalmologist who has seen Cairns with OM Note: include check for persistent pupillary membranes (PPM) before the eyes are dilated.
Who to test: By 1 year of age and then yearly.
Frequency: Prior to breeding bitch or stud dog if not done in 1+ years.
Comments: It is recommended that the eyes of parents and grandparents of breeding animals be examined when available.
Research: Dr. Simon Petersen-Jones is conducting OM research in Cairns. Encourage breeders/owners to participate in research by sending, for dogs with OM: removed eyes, eye exam results, cheek swabs, blood samples + pedigrees. See http://www.cairnterrier.org/health/#Ocular%20melanosis under “Downloadable Forms.” HRCC Contact: Pam McDonald.
Performed by: Veterinary Ophthalmologist who has seen Cairns with OM in their practice Note: this examination can be part of the CERF exam and should be done before the eyes are dilated.
Who to test: Yearly after 3 yrs of age.
Frequency: Prior to breeding bitch or stud dog if not done in 1+ years.
Comments: It is recommended that the eyes of parents and grandparents of breeding animals be examined when available.
Research: Dr. Simon Petersen-Jones is conducting OM research in Cairns. Encourage breeders/owners to participate in research by sending, for dogs with OM: removed eyes, eye exam results, cheek swabs, blood samples + pedigrees. See http://www.cairnterrier.org/health/#Ocular%20melanosis under “Downloadable Forms.” HRCC Contact: Pam McDonald.
Performed by: Veterinarian - if abnormalities detected - may need to be examined by a Veterinary Cardiologist.
Who to test: Any adult Cairn (dog or bitch prior to breeding).
Frequency: Examine once.
Comments: Anemia and infection (including dental infection) can cause temporary heart mummurs which disappear when the anemia or infection is successfully treated. Further work-up could include an echo cardiogram.
Research: No research at present. HRCC Contact: Laura Harpel.
Performed by: Veterinarian - if abnormalities detected - may need to be examined by a Veterinary Orthopedist
Who to test: Any adult Cairn (dog or bitch prior to breeding).
Frequency: Any adult Cairn (dog or bitch prior to breeding).
Research: No research at present. HRCC Contact: Letisha Wubbel
Kidney Ultrasound for Missing Kidney (aplasia) or Deformed Kidney (dysplasia)
Performed by: examination by Board Certified Veterinary Ultrasonographer.
Who to test: Any adult Cairn (dog or bitch prior to breeding).
Frequency: Adults - Test once prior to breeding.
Comments: It is recommended that dogs or bitches intended to be bred have renal ultrasounds. Bloodwork will not detect a kidney problem until approximately 75% of the kidney function is destroyed.
Research: Research on kidney issues has been conducted for several years by Maggie Casal DVM at the University of PA, School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Casal has submitted an ACORN grant proposal to the AKC CHF. HRCC Contacts: Jackie Soward.
Kidney Ultrasound: Puppy Recommendation for Missing Kidney (aplasia) or Deformed Kidney (dysplasia)
Performed by: examination by Board Certified Veterinary Ultrasonographer.
Who to test: All puppies.
Frequency: Test puppies at 12-15 weeks of age and then prior to first breeding.
Research: Research on kidney issues has been conducted for several years by Maggie Casal DVM at the University of PA, School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Casal has submitted an ACORN grant proposal to the AKC CHF. HRCC Contacts: Jackie Soward.
Other Tests/Examsthat breeders should consider depending on health issues in their line or the line they are breeding into:
1. Hips/Legg-Perthes: X-ray hips in dogs prior to being bred and their resulting litters. If a breeder has this condition occur in their line, all resulting puppies from that litter to have hips x-rayed. Age of when puppy(s) should be x-rayed to be determined by Dr. Venta. HRCC Contact: Dr. Harpel.
2. Thyroid Function: Autoimmune thyroiditis (low thyroid) can be a contributing factor in fertility (getting pregnant and maintaining the pregnancy) and skin conditions. Test bitches prior to being bred. HRCC Contact: Laura Harpel.
