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Lochrin Cairns is committed to a screening program for every
litter and this is done when the puppies are between 7-8 weeks of
age. As a responsible breeder and member of the Cairn Terrier
Club of Victoria Inc, all litter testing will be officially reported
to the Club.
What is
Portosystemic Shunt?
Commonly known as Liver
Shunt, Portal Shunt or PSS, is a condition where the normal flow of
blood to the liver is diverted, (or "shunted") by a "portal" vein,
and is therefore not cleansed and detoxified by the liver before
returning to the heart and pumped to the rest of the body. A
portosystemic shunt is therefore an "extra" blood vessel, which is
an abnormality in the system, and consequently toxic substances
enter the body directly.
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What are the symptoms?
Unfortunately the
symptoms can be vague and are not obvious. Different
dogs may have varying degrees of the symptoms
below:
- Puppies do not react well to anesthesia, vaccinations
and other drugs.
- Puppies are often underweight and small in stature, (but
not always).
- Diarrhoea and/or vomiting on occasions.
- Lethargic or "drunken" behavior, particularly after
food.
- Strange behavior such as head pressing, circling,
disorientation.
- Excessive drinking and urinating. (Often urinary tract
infection.)
- Any of above are intermittent. The dog is fine one
day but not the next.
- Worst cases include temporary blindness, seizures and
even coma.
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What age
are the symptoms first noticed?
The two most common stages
in the puppy's life that can alert the owner of a PSS problem can be
firstly when the dog is spayed/neutered because the liver cannot
metabolize the anesthetic/sedative agents to help eliminate them
from the system. Secondly, when puppies have grown older and
are eating more high protein food, especially when changed to being
fed more, less frequently. Some puppies have shown signs of
the disease by 6 months, but others, not until much
older.
Is the condition
hereditary?
Herein lies the biggest
challenge to Cairn breeders today. Reports from Europe, USA
and UK Universities where test matings and research have been
undertaken, believe that the disease is hereditary. They
believe also that the genes involved are recessive, therefore
needing two "carrier" parents to produce an affected puppy.
However these genes are also polygenic, so because "groups" of genes
are involved the mode of inheritance at this stage remains
unknown. Although unknown at present, it would be unwise to
repeat the mating, and serious consideration given to using either
parents in future. The search for a DNA marker continues
overseas, but is unlikely for quite some time.
How is the disease
treated?
Surgery is effective in 85%
of cases. Nowadays the Shunt is not closed off entirely, but a
"constrictor ring" is used which still allows a small amount of
blood to pass, therefore not causing pressure to the liver.
The surgery, however, is very expensive, but many dogs overseas who
have had the surgery have lived long and happy lives.
The prognosis for dogs managed by diet and medication is not as
successful. A low protein diet must be strictly adhered to and
close veterinary monitoring maintained. A dog managed in this
way may expect a lifespan of only 3-4 years.
What
preventative steps are being taken?
Lochrin Cairn
Terriers are now having their litters tested by means of a "Bile
Acid Test" which may be done when pups are 7-8 weeks of age.
It should be noted that this test is an effective screening
test. It does not give a definite diagnosis, but rather an
indication that further testing should be undertaken. A young
dog or pup with high bile acid results would be considered highly
suspicious.
This page is dedicated to
Rosie, who taught us all.
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