CTCV Health Watch Committee Report                                                     30/1/2016

Thanks to everyone who sent in their reports.

Confidentiality

All reports are treated as confidential unless the box has been ticked indicating that the information may be shared.

Number of Reports Received

Unfortunately we have only received 10 Litter Reports this year and no formal Medical Reports.

Litter Reports

There were three instances reported of puppies with high Bile Acid Scores. Happily all were cleared eventually. One puppy continued to show high Bile Acids after four tests and an Ammonia Tolerance Test was recommended by the breeder's Vet to determine if a shunt was present. The test proved that no shunt was present and the puppy has grown into a happy, healthy little cairn.
Ammonia Tolerance Tests are performed routinely in some other countries to diagnose shunts, but are not often performed here. It is extremely accurate and preferred by some vets.
Because of what occurred with this puppy, it is timely to remind everyone that just because the Bile Acids are high, it does not necessarily mean that the dog has a shunt. Bile Acids cannot diagnose a shunt, they are merely an indicator that further testing is appropriate.

Medical Reports

We have received no formal Medical Reports, but have heard of a couple of instances of Puppy Strangles occurring. For those who have not experienced this condition, it is essential that immediate veterinary treatment is sought. Usually this involves both cortisone and antibiotics.

Puppy Strangles, (or Juvenile Cellulitis, to use the medical term), usually occurs in puppies between the ages of three weeks and four months and is rarely seen in older dogs. It can come on quite quickly and often the first sign can be seen as a small pimple (or pustule) on the eyelid, nose, outer ears or lips. Then rapidly progressing to swelling of the face in these areas and sometimes oozing of the lesions. Salivary glands and lymph nodes may also be affected. Veterinarians believe it is caused by a defect in the puppy's immune system and some say it should be thought of as the immune system working overtime and causing an attack on the pup's body.

Early veterinary intervention can ensure a complete recovery although some individuals may be left with scarred tissue.

Summary

Just a timely reminder to breeders to continue to send in your Litter Reports to the address below and remember that eligible breeders are still entitled to claim the $10 rebate on tested litters. Simply report the litter results as usual to myself and then send copies of the pups' pedigrees only to Graeme Ferbrache to claim.

Scores

LITTER TESTING 2015 - BILE ACID TEST SCORES

Download Health Watch Committee Report Form

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