This page lists health issues related to Westies. Topics are listed alphabetically. Below most topic headings there is a list of articles and research about the topic. Some of these report research findings; some are informational articles, and others are personal articles about Westies and their owners dealing with health issues.
In 2005, the Westie Foundation of America and the Health Committee of the West Highland White Terrier Club of America conducted a study to determine the owner-reported prevalence of 27 diseases in West Highland White Terriers using an anonymous survey distributed by mail to approximately 6,000 homes owners and breeders in 2005. Follow-up mailings to non-responders were not conducted, as no effort was made to track returns. This was the result of a decision to make the surveys completely anonymous in an effort to increase response rates and the validity of reported information.
The results of that study were made available in 2007 on the Foundation’s website. In the report prepared by Dr. J. Kevin Grayson, author of the report, the following conclusions were made:
The prevalences of targeted diseases remain essentially unchanged between the 2000 and 2005 surveys. For some common diseases, such as: atopic dermatitis, deafness, luxated patella, and Legg-Perthes disease; the prevalences have actually increased. For others, such as: aggression, deafness, diabetes, and pulmonary fibrosis; modest decreases were realized.
Progress is being made at many veterinary schools on determining the mode of inheritance and new treatments for many of these conditions. Continued financial, data, and case material support for these programs will greatly benefit the breed in the future. Some of the interesting findings of the 2005 study are summarized below.
An ongoing health Survey (2012-present) can be found at www.offa.org. The WFA and West Highland White Terrier Club of America conducted the survey as a joint project. We encourage all Westie owners to participate in this survey answering for dogs both past and present. This information determines how the WFA designates how research dollars are spent.
ADDISON’S DISEASE
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
BLADDER CANCER (TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA)
CANCER
CMO (CRANIOMANDIBULAR OSTEOPATHY)
CUSHING’S DISEASE - (HYPERADRENALCORTISM)
DIABETES MELLITUS
EYE DISEASES
HIP DYSPLASIA
IBD (INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE)
KIDNEY DISEASE
LAMENESS, REAR LEG
LIVER DISEASE/COPPER TOXICOSIS
PULMONARY FIBROSIS/WESTIE LUNG DISEASE
WHITE DOG SHAKER SYNDROME
Please Select
ADDISON’S DISEASE
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
BLADDER CANCER (TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA)
CANCER
CMO (CRANIOMANDIBULAR OSTEOPATHY)
CUSHING’S DISEASE - (HYPERADRENALCORTISM)
DIABETES MELLITUS
EYE DISEASES
HIP DYSPLASIA
IBD (INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE)
KIDNEY DISEASE
LAMENESS, REAR LEG
LIVER DISEASE/COPPER TOXICOSIS
PULMONARY FIBROSIS/WESTIE LUNG DISEASE
WHITE DOG SHAKER SYNDROME
Addison’s disease, also known as adrenal gland insufficiency or hypoadrenocorticism, is an uncommon condition in which the patient’s adrenal glands no longer supply the body with two classes of hormones, called glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. These hormones help regulate cellular metabolism and electrolyte balance in the body. According to the most recent edition of the Merck Veterinary Manual (Merck, 2015), this disease is characterized by gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea), loss of body condition, lethargy and weakness, and inability to respond to stress. Although this condition has been recognized in dogs for more than 60 years, it remains difficult to diagnose, primarily because the animal’s symptoms mimic those associated with several other diseases. However, when the disease is identified, treatment is very effective, allowing affected dogs to lead normal healthy lives. In order to understand how Addison’s disease develops, it is important to first understand something about the anatomy and physiology of the adrenal glands themselves.
Dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, is one of the most common medical problems affecting dogs. It has many causes, can take many forms, and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Many Westie owners become frustrated searching for the underlying cause of the problem and for an effective means to control and cure it. To provide the basis for a discussion of atopic (allergic) dermatitis in Westies, this overview describes the basics of dermatitis, causes of dermatitis, and how veterinarians diagnose and treat dermatitis.
Skin is a complex organ, consisting of several types of cells with a variety of functions. Many of these cells are involved in the body’s natural, protective inflammatory response to stimuli in the environment. In fact, without this inflammatory response, people and dogs would not survive cuts, bruises and other daily traumas, as well as exposure to infectious organisms like bacteria and fungi. Common signs of acute inflammation include redness, swelling, heat and pain at the site of injury. While many things in the environment can initiate the inflammatory response in the skin, hereafter referred to as dermatitis, this overview will focus on dermatitis associated with reactions to food, inhaled substances, parasites, hormones and bacteria.
One type of cancer that is of very serious concern to owners of Westies and Scotties is bladder cancer. The medical designation of this type of malignant neoplasm is “transitional cell carcinoma” of the urinary bladder. Bladder cancer can occur in any dog breed, but is more common in Shetland Sheepdogs, Scottish Terriers and Westies. The median age of occurrence for dogs is around 8 years old.
“Your dog has a tumor.” This is one of the most stressful things a Westie owner can ever hear from their veterinarian. For most people, there is an immediate concern about what it is (what kind of tumor), what to do about it (if anything), and what is going to happen to their dog. Tumors (neoplasms) are groups of abnormal cells that have escaped from the normal controls of cell division, replication, and differentiation. The fundamental ‘thing’ that starts and fuels this out-of-control process is mutation of genes that program and control cells. Mutations (changes in gene structure and function) have an important normal role in evolution, as they provide the mechanisms needed for changes in genes to be incorporated into organisms (and eventually into species). Mutations that favor new characteristics and improve survival become permanent additions to the gene blueprint of cells (“the genome”). Mutations that damage the DNA in genes in the genome and that impair cell survival usually aren’t preserved, as the cells with these profound defects die off before they make more cells.
Craniomandibular osteopathy is a non-neoplastic disease that primarily affects the mandible and tympanic bullae in terriers, particularly Scottish, West Highland White and Cairn terriers. In one study, 66 of affected dogs were either West Highland White or Scottish Terriers. The disease also has been reported to occur in other breeds, including Irish Setters, English Bulldogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Great Danes, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs and Akitas.
Craniomandibular osteopathy is known by several synonyms, such as ‘mandibular periostitis’, ‘Westie jaw’, ‘Scottie jaw’ and ‘lion’s jaw’. Thickening of the mandible and the bullae results in pain, particularly when the dog chews its food. In many cases, enlargement of the angular processes of the mandible and the bullae prevents the dog from fully opening its mouth.
Cushing’s disease is the term commonly used to identify a condition that results from the over-production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, two small glands located near the kidneys. Cortisol, a hormone that is important for regulating the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, is produced by specialized cells comprising the outer or cortical portion of the adrenal glands. As a result, this condition also is called hypercortisolism (hyper = excessive, cortisolism = involving cortisol) or hyperadrenocorticism (hyper = excessive, adrenocorticism = involving the adrenal cortex).
Diabetes mellitus is a complex endocrine metabolic disorder that results in abnormally high blood glucose (“blood sugar”) concentrations, a condition called hyperglycemia, and glucose in the urine (glycosuria). The disease was first named ‘diabetes’ almost 600 years ago in Greece, with the term referring to the excessive urination associated with the disease. In the 1600’s the term ‘mellitus’, which means ‘like honey’ in Greek, was added to reflect the sweet smell and taste of the patient’s urine.
The primary cause of diabetes mellitus is a lack of activity of the hormone insulin, and two main forms of the disease are recognized in people and pets. Type I diabetes is characterized by an inability of the beta cells of the pancreas to produce insulin. As a result, circulating concentrations of insulin are far too low to exert its effects on cells in the body. In people, Type I diabetes mellitus is also known as ‘juvenile onset diabetes’ as it tends to occur in young people. Type II diabetes is caused by an inability of insulin to exert its effect at the cellular level.
Dry Eye
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a disease of the eyes, characterized by inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. This condition occurs secondary to a deficiency in formation of the tear film that normally protects the cornea, which leads to dry, irritated eyes. As a result, KCS is commonly known as “dry eye” or in veterinary terminology, xerophthalmia. This disease occurs often in West Highland White Terriers, but is also common in many other breeds.
Juvenile Cataracts
Cataracts may form as the result of a defect during development of the eye. These cataracts, which are known as juvenile cataracts, either may form before birth or develop shortly after birth as the dog’s eyes mature. Juvenile cataracts may be caused by the expression of defective genes and/or viral infections that occur during gestation or in newborns. In some breeds of dogs, the incidence of cataracts increases with age; these cataracts are considered to be hereditary in
Hip dysplasia is a classic example of a polygenically controlled hereditary disease. Due to genetically controlled defects in anatomy and/or joint laxity, affected dogs can become lame, and eventually crippled due to secondary osteoarthritis. The genetic test used to control hip dysplasia is the pelvic radiograph (x-ray).
Inflammatory bowel disease is an immunorelated disorder in which the intestines are chronically or intermittently inflamed. A synonym for inflammatory bowel disease that is abbreviated the same way is ‘irritable bowel disease’. Affected dogs may be presented with a history of vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss or a combination of these signs. There is a great deal of variation in the severity, duration, response to therapy, and long-term effects of IBD among dogs.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a debilitating condition that occurs in young children and purebred dogs, including Westies. The condition develops as the result of death of the cells that comprise the head of the thigh bone (femur) that inserts into the hip joint. Because this process occurs without any evidence of infection, the condition also is called aseptic femoral head necrosis. This condition was first identified in children more than a century ago by three orthopedic surgeons, and is named after them.
Luxation of the Patella
The patella or ‘knee cap’ is the small bone that connects the thigh muscles to the bones that comprise the shin, namely the tibia and fibula. The term ‘luxation’ refers to the dislocation of a bone from its normal position. When this happens, it causes pain and lameness, and occurs commonly in small breed dogs, including Westies. In most cases, the patella becomes displaced medially, towards the inside of the leg, rather than laterally (towards the outside of the leg).
Accumulation of toxic levels of copper in the liver is a heritable trait that can be present in many animals, including dogs. The inherited problem is either an inability to properly metabolize copper or the result of a copper storage disease. The end result is the same - chronic liver failure. Most research studies list the Bedlington Terrier as the most susceptible dog breed, but other breeds predisposed to copper toxicity include the West Highland White Terrier, Skye Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Keeshond, and American Cocker Spaniel. Healthy dogs have a mean copper concentration in the liver of 200-400 ppm on a dry weight basis. In contrast, concentrations exceeding 2000 ppm are considered toxic; dogs with copper toxicosis can have copper concentrations as high as 10,000 ppm.
Breathing problems can arise from a number of factors including developmental problems, injury, obstruction of airways, circulation problems, viral, bacterial and fungal infections, and interstitial disease. Acute interstitial pneumonia is a disease affecting the interstitium in which the cells and fibers comprising the interstitium are damaged and eventually are replaced with scar tissue. The body’s response to injury that results in scarring is called fibrosis. Consequently, the disease is called pulmonary fibrosis. Because the underlying cause for the injury remains unknown, the disease also is referred to as idiopathic (“unknown cause”) pulmonary fibrosis, This disease, which also is known as “Westie Lung Disease”, prevents the lungs from functioning normally, resulting in difficulty breathing and, eventually, death.
White Shaker Disease Syndrome is a neurologic disease seen primarily in dogs with white coats, particularly in West Highland White Terriers, Maltese Terriers, and Samoyeds. Affected dogs have a very unique generalized tremor (unintentional, rhythmic muscle movements) and typically are 5 months to 3 years old when the disease is first recognized. There is no gender predilection for this disease. Because this disease has been identified in breeds of dogs lacking a white coat, and in the adult years of their life, the terms “shaker dog syndrome”, “white shaker disease” and “little white shaker dog” commonly are used. The cause of the disease is not known and there is little research being done on this condition in any breed.
Addison's E-Book