Below is a list of the documented and more common health problems that can occur in Cairn Terriers. Thanks to dedicated breeders and veterinary researchers, many of these diseases are being controlled or eradicated.

Atopic Dermatitis: The most obvious symptom is itching skin in the dog. It may scratch or rub its head and ears or develop ear infections. Paw licking or chewing is common. Bilateral conjunctivitis in the eyes or hair loss may occur. The basis for all of these symptoms is an allergic reaction to one or more environmental allergens such as weed seeds, pollen, mold and dust. All allergies result from an immune system disorder and are inherited. The exact mode of inheritance is unknown. Dogs suffering from allergies should not be bred to pass on the distressing condition to offspring or the expense of treating allergies to unsuspecting owners.

Cataracts: Canine ophthalmologists believe that all cataracts are inherited unless they are caused by trauma, infection, or systemic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus. The majority of inherited cataracts are found in animals less than five years of age with juvenile cataracts occurring before one year of age. The mode of inheritance differs among breeds, with both single gene and polygenic cataracts reported. The only treatment is the removal of the lens of the affected eye. Obviously, affected dogs should be removed from a breeding program. Siblings, parents, and offspring of the affected dog must be considered as possible carriers. Annual C.E.R.F. exams become essential tools in monitoring eye health.

Cranial Mandibular Osteopathy (C.M.O.): C.M.O. is commonly known as “Lion Jaw” because of the abnormal, increased growth (non-cancerous) of bone on the lower jaw or along the angle of the mandible where it attaches to the skull. This extra bone is dense, hard, and has a rough surface, so it usually can be felt on palpation. Generally, both sides of the head are affected. Typically, puppies from four to seven months will exhibit symptoms of C.M.O. At the onset of the disease, inflammation occurs, causing the puppy considerable pain. An X-ray can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory drugs during the painful stage. The puppies nearly always recover with no further discomfort, so the disease is considered self-limiting. C.M.O. occurs in many breeds, in both small and large sized dogs. Mode of inheritance is simple autosomal recessive; both parents must have at least one gene for C.M.O.

Hypothyroidism: Dogs with hypothyroidism have a decreased metabolic rate, because of impaired production and secretion of the thyroid hormones. Symptomatic of a slowing of the cellular metabolism clinical signs such as mental dullness, lethargy, intolerance of exercise, and weight gain may appear. Skin may become dry, and the dog’s coat may shed excessively. Regrowth of hair is often retarded. Intact dogs may have reproductive problems such as females failing to cycle or cycling sporadically, be infertile, or abort fetuses. Males may lack libido, be infertile, or exhibit testicular atrophy. Hypothyroidism usually appears in four to ten year old dogs and is treated with thyroid hormone replacement compound. This treatment will continue for the life of the dog. Researchers now believe that hypothyroidism is part of a larger auto-immune syndrome which is inherited, although the mode of inheritance is unknown. Affected dogs should not be bred and siblings, parents, and offspring need tested for the disease.

Legg-Perthes Disease: This is an orthopedic disease that appears in many of the smaller breeds and involves the head of the femur in the hind leg. An interruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur results in bone death, resorption, bone remodeling, and painful arthritis of the stifle joint. Leg motion is reduced and some muscle atrophy may occur. Young dogs from three to eleven months of age begin to show the symptomatic lameness of Legg-Perthes. In severe cases, surgical removal of the head of the femur eases the pain and helps restore function. Research studies have shown the mode of inheritance to be complex, probably, polygenic.

Luxated Patella (Slipped Stifle): This is one of the most common diseases in Cairns. The patella (knee cap) slips out of the trochlear groove, usually to the inside (medial) of the leg. It can be unilateral or bilateral and mainly affects small and miniature breeds of dogs. Particularly at the onset, a Luxated patella can cause sever pain. The dog may play or run, then suddenly yelp and start to favor the affected leg. The patella can be pushed back into place, but the luxation will occur repeatedly. The onset of symptoms usually appears at four to five months. In older animals, luxating patellas may suddenly appear as an acute condition resulting from a minor trauma. Radiographs can confirm a diagnosis of Luxated Patella. Usually, surgical correction is necessary to prevent the patella from luxating again. Research suggests that the mode of inheritance may be recessive in some breeds and polygenic in others. In Cairns the mode of inheritance in unknown.

Portosystemic Shunt and Dysplastic Liver: Abnormal liver function in which microshunts (intra-hepatic shunt) and deformed cells may be present in a dysplastic liver. If one or more external, or extra-hepatic, shunts exist, they channel blood around the liver instead of through that organ, preventing the liver from metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for the dog’s body. Clinical symptoms of P.S.S. vary greatly and can include listlessness, small body structure, a failure to grow, weight loss, intermittent anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, intermittent fever, drooling, a deranged appetite, excessive thirst, excessive urination, or crystals or stones in the urine. Neurological abnormalities are usually gradual in onset and may include a lack of coordination, weakness, stupor, head pressing, staring, deterioration of sight, incessant pacing, circling, aggression, grand mal seizures, or coma. To diagnose the presence of a liver shunt, a veterinarian should do a complete blood count, serum chemistry screen, and a urinalysis on the dog. If the results are suggestive of a liver shunt, then a Bile Acid test should be run. Highly elevated bile acids are suggestive of a portosystemic shunt. Surgical procedures can correct some, but not all cases of P.S.S. Dietary management plays a critical role in the long-term survival of affected animals, regardless of surgical intervention. In Cairns, the mode of inheritance appears to be polygenic. A liver bile acid test will provide evidence of the health of a dog’s liver. Because liver shunt is a polygenic inherited disease, all potential breeding stock should be tested, with the resulting scores in the normal range, before using these dogs in a breeding program.

Ocular Melanosis: First diagnosed in 1984, this disease appears to occur only in Cairn Terriers. Dogs typically show symptoms at six to twelve years of age. Excess pigmentation develops in the sclera (white of the eye) and chambers of the eye. The pigment granules eventually decrease the eye’s ability to drain out of the chambers of the eye, causing elevated fluid pressure in the affected eye. If this elevated pressure goes undetected and undiagnosed, the eye becomes blind. If diagnosed early enough, the condition can be treated and controlled. Vision can be maintained through medication and, eventually, laser surgery. Obviously, older Cairns need annual eye exams to detect early signs of Ocular Melanosis: heavy pigmentation of the sclera and loss of ability of the pupils to contract. Given the mode of inheritance is still unknown, and the severity of the disease is considerable, no affected animal should be used for breeding. Again, parents, siblings, and offspring of the affected animal should be considered as carriers.