Genetic Issues and the Scottish Terrier
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. However, careful breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic diseases and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens. Sometimes genetics go awry, and a puppy may develop one of these genetic issues despite good breeding practices. Advances in veterinary medicine mean that in most cases the dogs can still live a good life. Below are some brief descriptions of a few of the more common genetic issues that are particular to the Scottish terrier.
Scottie Cramp
Scottie cramp is a disorder that affects the dog’s ability to coordinate its leg movements. It is usually only evident when the dog is stressed or overly excited. The “cramp” exhibits as an inability to run, or an unusual lock-legged gait with an arched lumbar area. The symptoms disappear almost immediately when the stimulus-exercising, hunting, fighting – that caused the stress abates in the dog. Scottie cramp is inherited and is present at birth, but some dogs only exhibit symptoms as puppies. The condition does not worsen, and may in fact never appear in the dog as it matures. The condition does not hurt the dog nor give it pain. Scottie cramp does not affect the life quality of a companion animal.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
VWD is a bleeding disorder that is not quite as severe as hemophilia, but it presents similarly. A simple DNA test is available to detect this disease. Most reputable breeders test for VWD. Symptoms of the disorder include: excessive bleeding when nails are cut or during surgery, bleeding gums or bleeding from the nose when teething, hematomas on the surface of the body, bloody ears, or blood in the stool.
Epilepsy
Recurrent seizures without any underlying disease in the brain are defined as classic idiopathic (unknown origin) epilepsy. The disease will not present until the dog is between three and five years old. Characteristics of the seizure episode include: excessive salivation, dilated pupils, stiffening limbs, occasional paddling of the legs and arching of the back. The event usually lasts a minute or two, but some dogs may have longer and more frequent seizures. If the veterinarian determines treatment is
needed, phenobarbital is usually indicated.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is caused by an overabundance of cortisol a hormone. Dogs who have Cushing’s syndrome typically: drink huge amounts of water, lose coat, develop a potbelly and weakening muscles, urinate frequently, and exhibit darkening skin. It is typically a disease of older dogs. Veterinarians can test for signs of Cushing’s and they can treat the dog with oral drugs. It is recommended that any dog suspected of having Cushing’s disease should have a complete blood count, chemistry profile, and urinalysis performed as a routine part of the evaluation.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
CMO appears in a dog between 4 and 7 months of age. It is an inherited disorder that presents as abnormal growth of the bone of the lower jaw. The puppy may also have other symptoms such as lethargy and fever, along with pain upon examination of the mouth. An x-ray confirms diagnosis of this disorder. CMO is treated with aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen. As the dog matures, CMO is often undetectable since the abnormal bone growth ceases.
Bladder Cancer
Each year in the United States over 50,000 dogs are diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) also known as Urothelial Carcinoma (UC). TCC being the most common type of bladder cancer. It is a malignant tumor that can affect the bladder, urethra, and kidneys of male and female dogs and also the prostate of males. TCC is very invasive and aggressive cancer that metastasizes quickly into the muscle tissue, and is hard to diagnose. Symptoms are similar to those of a urinary tract infection (UTI). They are: blood in the urine, straining to urinate, and frequent urination. Because these symptoms are similar to a UTI, the dog is repeatedly treated for an UTI, losing precious time as the cancer continues to grow.
The exact cause of TCC in an individual dog is currently not known. Generally canine TCC results from a combination of several factors including genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The National Canine Cancer Foundation website writes that “exposure to topical insecticides and herbicides, obesity, cyclophosphamide administration and particular types of breed are believed to be the probable risk factors”.
While bladder cancer comprises only 1% – 2% of all canine cancers the Scottish Terrier is unfortunately the leading breed in incidence of bladder cancer. Other high risk breeds are the Shetland Sheepdog, Beagle, Jack Russell Terrier, Rat Terrier, Wire-Haired Fox Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier. One out of seventeen Scotties over the age of nine is currently predicated to develop TCC.
Currently there are three types of diagnosis tests for this cancer: cytology, imaging, and a biopsy. Many veterinarians are concerned about the biopsy since the possibility exists for loosening cancer cells that could potentially “seed” new tumors in the bladder under examination.
Dr. Deborah Knapp at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital has established a Canine Bladder Cancer Clinic – https://vet.purdue.edu/pcop/clinical-trials.php. With ongoing clinical trials, diagnostic capabilities, and a variety of treatments for dogs with TCC, the researchers are learning new information that not only helps the dogs with the disease but also may someday help humans with bladder cancer. At the present time treatment options include: surgery, radiation, and drug therapy. The majority of dogs with TCC are treated with drug therapy. The STCA Health Trust Fund has been supporting the work of Dr. Knapp for several years through grants and gathering data from healthy and impacted dogs.
Three different drug protocols are used most often in the standard care for dogs with TCC. The first treatment protocol is to give a drug called piroxicam. It is a type of drug known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or “NSAID”. The second treatment protocol is to combine piroxicam with an intravenous chemotherapy drug called mitoxantrone. A third treatment is to use a drug called vinblastine. Vinblastine is a chemotherapy drug that is given intravenously at 2 week intervals in dogs with TCC. Treatment decisions are made after careful examination and staging of the cancer.
Although great progress has been made in the treatment and management of TCC there is still much to learn. Researchers continue to work on various therapies and diagnostic tools in order to defeat this horrid disease.
Early Detection Test Available
Dr. Matthew Breen from North Carolina State University has developed an early diagnostic urine test for TCC/UC. Dr. Breen’s CADET test works by detecting the specific mutation in a gene called the BRAF gene. A single mutation in the BRAF gene is present in 85% of dogs with confirmed cases of TCC/UC. This mutation is not present in the urine of healthy dogs or dogs that have noncancerous polyps or infection. This early test detects the cancer cells before they manifest symptoms that in turn allows for early detection, appropriate treatment, and better results. The STCA Health Trust Fund has been working closely with Dr. Breen in the early stages of his research with promising results.
The CADET screening test is now available through the American Kennel Club (AKC) website store for a reduced price of $299 (includes overnight shipping), for a one year subscription of three samples at 4-month interval and readings. For households with multiple dogs, you can screen all your dogs once with a multiple pack of urine collection cups that can be sent in all at the same time. Under the option CHOOSE SELECTION, scroll down to find the number of dogs you want to test. The one year subscription can only be used with one dog as it is assigned a specific code that will be used to trace the tests for that dog for that year. Along with the urine sample you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire asking about where the dog lives, its water source, use of any flea/tick preventatives, pesticide use inside the house, lawn care regimes, passive smoke in the house, and how many hours is the dog required to hold their urine during the day. For AKC registered dogs it will be important to have the registration number so that the information from your dog can be used to track its litter mates. All data will be used within a larger study of all dogs as they are tested and logged in. The test can be found on the AKC website shop.
Urinary Bladder Cancer Research
Disclaimer
This page provides contain general information about canine medical conditions, treatments and issues. The information contained on this site along with links provided should not be considered advice nor is it intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The purpose of this information is educational and informational only. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding a condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional veterinarian advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Scottish Terrier Club of Chicago, Inc. does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, veterinarians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned on these websites. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is solely at your own risk.