Health Testing as a Priority in Scottish Terriers
Health Testing as a Priority in Scottish TerriersEthical breeding practices typically prioritize the health and overall soundness of our dogs, allowing us to confidently provide families with puppies that will live good, long lives. Below is an explanation of the breed specific testing we pursue with our Scottish Terriers, the information that provides us with, as well as the limits to what testing and screening can provide.
Genetic (DNA) Testing
There are now several reliable DNA companies who offer comprehensive analysis of canine DNA. Most results can also be formally registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). Most companies offer a breed specific test panel to evaluate risk for genetic markers that may be concerning. These include, for example, Animal Genetics, Embark for Breeders, and Orivet. When choosing a company to work with the price will depend somewhat on the extent of the testing panel and the speed of results which can range realistically from 6 weeks to 3 days. There are essentially three clusters of information a breeder seeks when genetically testing a breeding dog through DNA. They are related to testable health conditions and genetic traits that can be problematic, as well as generally helpful information when planning a breeding such as coat and furnishing markers and the co-efficiency of inbreeding. The science is growing with new information appearing regularly. Nevertheless, not all diseases and traits can be tested for.
Inherited Disease Genetic Markers
This can be valuable information for all breeds. Both the sire and the dam each contribute one marker to the dna of their offspring. Generally speaking, a genetic test for a specific disease or trait will be found normal/clear when only normal markers are inherited from each parent, notable/carrier if one of two genes inherited from each parent carry a marker for a specific condition or trait, or at risk if a dog carries both variants or genetic markers for a condition. There are some exceptions whereby certain conditions may pose risk, albeit lower risk, when only one marker is detected. The terminology may vary slightly from one lab to the next, however it comes down to whether the dog carries no markers, one variant or marker, or two.
It is important to understand that there are limits to what can be tested for. For example, Scottie Cramp or Celebellar Atrophy has no test available currently. (There is strong evidence of another possible explanation which will be explored in a future article). Alternatively, conventional or historical understandings of conditions may affect a breeder’s decision to complete testing that goes well beyond DNA testing. One example is the problem of Liver Shunt which is historically considered something unrelated to genetics. The OFA now recommends a *Serum Bile Acid Evaluation as a health elective (see below), intended to screen breeding animals who may be at risk genetically and can produce offspring vulnerable to shunt. Liver shunt can be an extremely serious, and even life-threatening condition.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) – Breed Specific recommended tests
The OFA also operates a breed specific registry of various health makers through their CHIC program. DNA test results can also be registered with the OFA. Canadian options at one time included the Veterinary Program at the University of Guelph but that program is no longer in operation.
The OFA offers both interpretive services whereby dog’s x-ray images, for example of hips and elbows, are reviewed by accredited veterinarians which can lead to OFA certifications. Not all evaluations require x-rays, for example patellar luxation can be evaluated during a regular veterinary examination once a dog reaches 12 months of age.
For normal hip conformations, the reliability was 89.6% at 3-6 months, 93.8% at 7-12 months, and 95.2% at 13-18 months. These results suggest that preliminary evaluations of hip joint status in dogs are generally reliable. However, dogs that receive a preliminary evaluation of fair or mild hip joint conformation should be reevaluated at an older age (24 months).
Recommended Tests/CHIC Program Requirements
The OFA, working with the breed’s parent club, recommends basic health screening tests for all breeding stock. Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements will be issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For CHIC certification, all results do not need to be normal, but they must all be in the public domain so that responsible breeders can make more informed breeding decisions. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria.
The Scottish Terrier breed specific list below represents the basic health screening recommendations. It is not all encompassing. There may be other health screening tests appropriate for this breed, and as stated earlier there may be other health concerns for which there is no commonly accepted screening protocol available.
| Screening Tests Required for Scottish Terriers | Testing options |
| von Willebrand’s Disease | DNA-based vWD test from an approved lab; results registered with the OFA |
| Patellar Luxation | Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. |
| Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) | DNA based CMO test from an approved lab, results registered with the OFA. |
| Health Elective | One of the following: Autoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA. ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. OFA Radiographic evaluation for Legg-Calves-Perthes OFA Serum Bile Acid Evaluation OFA Kidney (UP/UC Ratio) Screening |
PennHIP
PennHIP testing provides an estimate of the risk for osteoarthritis (OA) and canine hip dysplasia (CHD). The test is accurate in dogs as young as 16 weeks of age. For breeding dogs, early detection of at-risk hips can allow the breeder to make early, informed decisions as to which dogs to keep in breeding programs. PennHIP results can be obtained through your local veterinarian who is certified to provide the evaluation.
The breeder’s familiarity with their dogs, the history of previous generations, and breed specific health concerns is crucial information. Health testing gives us the information needed to make responsible decisions about our breeding program to the best of our ability. Ultimately, this helps to assure that animals that are sold as companions and family pets live long, healthy lives when we’ve done all we can to minimize the risks associated with preventable conditions.
By Heather MacLeod, PhD, RPC, MPCC
HeatherBee Kennels® Animal-Assisted Therapy Counsellor
www.heatherbeekennels.com
