Can any one tell me if Cairns have eye tests and/or ex rays done on them, prior to being bred from? I am asking fror a friend. We just want to know if they have to have relelvant health checks done for specific eye or joint problems. If anyone knows, advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Anne

Cairns are under investigation for APD(Abnormal pigment deposition)so should be eye tested every year

There are no details of the breed mean/median hip scores so they obviously haven't had many(if any) scored

Potential health problems of the Cairn Terrier can include Legge-Perthes disease - A disease of the hip joint that results in abnormal deformity of the ball of the hip joint, Skin allergies,  Patellar Luxation ( The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place )

If they have those problems with their hips and patella I wonder why they aren't hipscored. 

I'm still of the belief that if all breeds were hipscored that many of them would have extremely good and extremely bad scores in them.

Hip problems in Cairns are rare, which is why they are not hipscored. There's no need.  Luxating patella is fairly common, as it is in all small breeds.  Whether or not or how it's inherited hasn't been determined.  However, it is also fairly easy to detect by manipulation.   I don't know any breed that is x-rayed or scored for luxating patella.  I suppose it's because inheritence isn't as clear cut as it is with hip dysplasia.  

Patella Luxation can be a secondary problem with hip dysplasia - our GR had hip dysplasia but his hips didn't bother him, the main problem for his was the luxating patella; every time he ran or jumped around his knee would pop out of socket.  Not sure if it's the same for small dogs, but for a large breed the operation is not simple.  We had 2 ops that went wrong and he almost lost his leg - we did use a specialist orthopeadic surgeon, but like in everything there are good and bad.  Eventually we found a brilliant surgeion who saved our GR's leg but it took 8 weeks in a frame and internal pins, and no exercise for months - we then built up his strength with hydrotherapy. 
My advice would be to try hydrotherapy which will strengthen his muscles before looking at an operation, if an operation is necessary then make really really sure you are confident with the surgeon.  Our surgeon spent a long time discussing the pros and cons and advised us continually with aftercare which is really important for the op to be a success!
Good Luck
Maria 

Hi Andee,

For a comprehensive look at health problems that can beset Cairn I'd suggest you check the CTCA (Cairn Terrier Club of America) site and the Health Related Concerns area. http://www.cairnterrier.org/health  The U.S. parent club has had a health watch for many many years and has bit more aggressive about it then the UK clubs. ( I suspect it's because in the U.S. most people still get their pure bred puppies from pet stores - which of course source their supplies from puppy mills.  Hence, they have had more reason to be on the offensive.)  You can also check the Health Watch section of the SCTA (Southern Cairn Terrier Association)  www.sctc.org.uk/health.html

The two most "common" health problems are Luxated Patellae and portal shunt.   Luxated Patellae  (slipping knees) may or may not be inherited, but it's common in most small pure breds and mixed breeds.  Dogs with portal shunt (liver shunt) rarely survive puppyhood and those that do generally require surgery to manage. Your friend's vet can manipulate her dog's rear legs to check for luxating patella. On careful manipulation the knee will have too much movement if it's prone to slipping. It's common to many small breeds and it's not clear yet how or if it is inherited.  Obviously though, a reputable breeder will not breed a dog who is known to have the problem.

Eye tests are not routinely done because the incidence of problems is low. Ocular Melanosis is under investigation. There's nothing wrong with having the eye's checked for reassurance.  By the way, my regular vet happens to be a veterinary opthamologist.  I asked him about eye testing for Cairns and he said that in his view the breed does not have the degree of problem where it's a requirement.  (One of mine had an eye irritation, problem from sticking her head in some flowering ornamental grass in my garden .. and my vet is VERY chatty about his experiences!) 

Thanks for those replies. You've been most helpful. I will pass them onto my friend. We like to trey and do the right thing by the breeds we are in :)
Anne