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STCA Health Survey Results for 2002

This survey covers dogs owned from 1995 to current year

General Information 

64 of 303 delivered surveys were answered, for a response rate of 21%. 

This survey, 493 males and 492 females, covers a total of  985 Silky Terriers

How long have you had Silkys?

Average 15 years

Involved in what area?

 

Conformation

18%

Conformation/Pet

47%

Conformation/Obedience/Pet

28%

Combination of conformation, obedience, agility and pet

7%

 

 

How are your dogs housed?

 

Loose

18%

Crated

23%

Crated/Loose

46%

Kennel/crated

11%

Combination kennel, crate and loose

2%
Dogs are exercised on?

Grass

 42%
Grass/Gravel 22%
Grass/Concrete 16%
Concrete 2%
Gravel 2%
Grass/Concrete/Gravel 16%
Dogs are exercise on?
Grass 42%
Grass/Gravel 22%
Grass/Concrete 16%
Concrete 2%
Gravel 2%
Grass/Concrete/Gravel 16%
 

Litter Information

There were 409 litters reported over an average span of 14 years.  17% of the litters had puppies that died prior to or at birth, and 13% of the litters had puppies that died between birth and 8 weeks.  Shots and worming started at an average of  7 weeks and puppies were generally placed around 12 weeks.  Some puppies were never placed.
        

KEY TO THE FOLLOWING HEALTH ISSUES

  • All dogs = 985 surveyed dogs
  • Total cases - Number of cases in reporsted survey
  • Male % : Female % = Number of cases by gender and % of total cases
  • Age @ Onset = Average age based on number of cases where age is reported
  • Diagnosed by - Number cases reported by Self, Breeder and Vet.  % is based on total number reported "Diagnosed by"
  • Lab Blood Work = Total number of cases reported

EYE/EAR/THROAT CONDITIONS 

Glaucoma - 0.5% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
4 4/100% 0/0% 7 yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 4/100% 0
Notes: Survey Explanations
  • 1 male glaucoma was caused by exposure to wet diazanon.  Same male reported with auto-immune disease.
  • 1 male glaucoma/cataracts resulted in blindness; age 2 years. Same male reported with cataracts

Cataracts - 4.2% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
41 18/44% 23/56% 10.3 Yrs. 9/23% 3/7% 28/70% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 male glaucoma/cataracts resulted in blindness; age 2 years. Same male reported with cataracts
  • 1 male cataracts resulted in blindness; age 10 years
  • 1 male had cataract surgery that resulted in retina damage
  • 1 female had cataract surgery at age 8 years, saw perfectly for a few months then got SARDS and was totally blind in a few days
Tracheal Collapse 0.3% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
3 0/0% 3/100% 3.4 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 3/100% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female was sick at 8 weeks, when picked up from breeder
EYE/EAR/THROAT CONDITIONS
Issues not covered by survey
  • 1 female had dry eye at 6 months
  • 1 male had eye tumors at 10 years of age, diagnosed by Vet
  • 1 female at age 2 years had cherry eye

CANCER & BENIGN TUMORS

Mammary Gland Tumors - 4.7% of all females surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
23 0/0% 23/100% 8.1 Yrs. 2/10% 2/10% 16/80% 2
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 4 benign tumors reported, one had a second benign tumor; age 10 years
  • 1 had aggressive cancer, did chemo for 3 months, no further evidence of cancer
(Whether a tumor was cancerous or benign was not a survey question, therefore those reported do not represent all surveyed)

Skin Tumors - 1.6% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
16 7/44% 9/56% 7.9 Yrs. 1/7% 0/0% 14/93% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 4 males reported benign tumors
  • 1 female reported with cancerous tumor
CANCER & BENIGN TUMORS
Issues not covered by survey
  • 1 male reported with testicular cancer; age 11 years
  • 1 female reported with internal and rectal cancer; age 12 years
  • 1 male reported with brain carcinoma melanoma; age unknown
  • 1 male reported with lymphoma and adrena gland cancer; died
  • 1 male reported with lymphoma cancer; put down
  • 1 female reported with lymphoma cancer; died, 8 years
(All of the above were diagnosed by the Vet)

GASTRO-INTESTINAL CONDITIONS

Chronic Diarrhea - 0.6% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
6 1/17% 5/83% 4.9 Yrs. 0/0% 1/20% 4/80% 1
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female reported cause of chronic diarrhea was food related

Chronic Colitis - 0.6% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
6 1/17% 5/83% 3.3 Yrs. 0/0% 1/20% 4/80% 1
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female reported cause of chronic colitis was due to heartworm medication
  • 1 female has had chronic colitis since birth, mother has colitis also

SKIN CONDITIONS

  Demodex Mange                 No Cases Reported

Allergies - 3.4% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
33 13/39% 20/61% 2.7 Yrs. 9/31% 5/17% 15/52% 1
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 male and 2 females reported fleas caused allergies
  • 1 male reported allergies were caused by grass

Auto-Immune Disease - 0.5% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
5 2/40% 3/60% 4 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 5/100% 1
Notes: Survey explanations:
  • 1 male Auto-Immune disease caused by exposure to wet diazanon.  Same male reported with glaucoma

SKIN CONDITIONS
Issues not covered by survey
  • 1 female reported impetigo in ears; age 8 weeks
  • 1 male reported with auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AIHA); died 11.5 years

ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS

Hip-Dysplasia - 0.2% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
2 0/0% 2/100% 1 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 2/100% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female reported with both hip-dysplasia and luxating patellas; age 1 year

Cruciate Ligament - 0.2% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
2 1/?% 0/0% 6 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 2/100% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 dog (unknown gender) reported cruciate ligament was injury related, dog had surgery to correct
  • 1 male to have jumped off table, resulting in cruciate ligament

Luxating Patellas - 1.1% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
11 5/45% 5/45% 1.8 Yrs. 1/8% 1/8% 9/84% 1
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female reported with both hip-dysplasia and luxating patellas; age 1 year
  • 1 male reported problem after an injury
  • 1 female reported problem after a jumping injury
  • 1 female had problem in both knees

Leggs Perthes - 0.8% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
8 3/38% 4/50% 2.2 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 8/100% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female had surgery on 1 hip in 1982
  • 1 females background, 3 generations, showed leggs perthes 6 times, traceable back to 1 female.  Surveyed female had surgery and was spayed
  • 1 female has surgery to correct the problem
  • 1 female diagnosed at 10 years of age, per Vet has leggs perthes since birth

WHELPING/FERTILITY CONDITIONS

Caesarean Sections - 4.5% of all females surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
22 0/0% 22/100% 11.5 Yrs. 0/0% 2/8% 22/92% 0
Notes: Survey explantions
  • C-sections were a result of very large puppies
  • C-section was caused by physical problems brought on by Regimate given during pregnancy to prevent early drop in progesterone causing pre-birth

Spontaneous Abortion - 0.6% of all females surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
3 0/0% 3/100% 4 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 3/100% 0
Notes: Survey explanation
  • 1 spontaneous abortion caused by pyometra

Uterine Inertia - 2.6% of all females surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
13 0/0% 13/100% 4.4 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 13/100% 0

Pyometra - 1.4 % of all females surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
7 0/0% 7/100% 7.3 years 0/0% 0/0% 7/100% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 reported death caused by pyometra
  • 1 female cured and had 2 more litters

Eclampsia - 0.4% of all females surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
2 0/0% 2/100% 4 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 2/100% 0

Intertility - 1.1% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
11 2/18% 7/64% 4.2 Yrs. 0/0% 1/11% 8/89% 1

Retained Testicles - 3.7% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
18 18/100% 0/0% 0.5 Yrs. 1/5% 4/21% 14/74% 0
WHELPING/FERTILITY CONDITIONS
Issues not covered by survey
  • 1 female was reported to have caked breasts with every litter

ENDOCRINE CONDITIONS

Cushing Disease - 0.9% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
9 4/44% 4/44% 3.6 Yrs. 0/0% 3/30% 7/70% 9
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female had 14 blood profiles done
  • 2 females reported had same sire and dam, from different litters.  Paternal grandfather also had Cushing Disease

Addison's Disease - No cases reported

Diabetes - 0.4% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
4 1/25% 3/75% 10.5 Yrs. 0/0% 2/33% 4/67% 3
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 2 females reported had same sire and dam from different litters.  Same females were reported with cushing disease

Pancreatic Disease - 0.6% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
6 4/67% 1/17% 3.6 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 5/100 5
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 male diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
  • 1 female's high fat diet caused disease, diet corrected; age 12 years OK
  • 1 gender unknown had pancreatitis for one month

Hypothyroid - 1.3% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
13 4/31% 6/46% 5.9 Yrs. 0/0% 0/0% 8/100% 7
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 male and l female reported mild cases hypothyroid

Epilepsy- 0.8% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Age @ Onset Diagnosed by Self % Breeder % Vet % # Lab-Blood Work
8 2/25% 5/63% 3.8 Yrs. 1/14% 1/14% 5/72% 0
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female surveyed, reported epilepsy in the breeders line; 4-6 dogs.  This female developed a tumor and died during surgery; age unknown
  • 1 female reported 4-6 mild deizures, no meds; age 10 years
Issues not covered by survey
  • This is such a general term - I have had a few dogs seizure under stress situations, but not on a regular basis, nor did they ever require meds.  The exception was a 15 year old bitch who had seizures about 1x per week for 8 months, teeth needed cleaning badly.  The teeth were cleaned and the seizures disappeared.  Bitch has been fine for 1 year with no seizures at all.

Porto-Systemic Liver Shunt - No reported cases

TEMPERAMENTS

Agression - 3.8% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Mild Moderate Very
37 20.54% 17/46% 20/54% 9/24 8/22%
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 female reported with mild aggression when food is taken away
  • 1 male reported with mild aggression when forced to do something he doesn't want to do
  • 2 females and 3 males reported varying degrees of aggression towards strangers
  • 1 male reported to be very protective of female owner
  • 4 females and 1 male reported varying degrees of aggression towards other dogs
  • 1 male reported very aggressive; was put down at 3 years of age
  • 1 male reported as mildly aggressive; not given proper leadership as a young dog
  • 1 female reported very mildly aggressive when highly stimulated
  • 1 female and 1 male reported mildly aggressive towards men
  • 1 female herds children into a corner
  • 1 male reported very aggressive.  This male is a rescue dog, background is unknown but assume he has been abused.  Been in rescue home for 18 months
  • 1 male reported as very aggressive, overly shy and a fear biter

Overly Shy - 2.3% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Mild Moderate
 Very
23 12/52% 11/48% 13/57% 4/17% 6/26%
Notes: Survey Explanations
  • 2 males, from the same litter, reported moderately shy at dog shows only
  • 1 male reported mildly shy, is working on being brave
  • 1 male reported slightly shy, but with age is getting better

Fear Biter - 0.9% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Mild Moderate
 Very
9 6/67% 2/22% 4/45% 2/22% 3/33%
Notes: Survey explanations
  • 1 male reported as biting a child at 9 years of age
  • 1 female reported as a moderate fear biter, bites only when cornered or threatened
  • 1 female reported as moderate fear biter, is snapping in old age
  • 1 male reported very aggressive. This male is a rescue dog, background is unknown, but assume he had been abused.  Been in rescue home for 18 months

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Anesthesia - 0.1% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Stress %
1 0/0% 1/100% 1/100%
Notes: Survey Explanations
  • This adverse reaction was probably brought on by stress

Vaccines - 0.7% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Lepto % Rabies %
 Rabies Booster % Unknown Stress %
7 2/29% 4/57% 3/43% 1/14% 2/29% 1/14%

Flea Products - 0.4% of all dogs surveyed
Total cases Male % Female % Frontline Dip/Typical
 Flea Products
4 1/25% 2/50% 2/50% 2/50%


ISSUES NOT COVERED BY THIS SURVEY
Dental:
  • 1 female, 2 males and 2 unknown gender with over-bite
  • Parrot Mouth
  1. 1 male with severe parrot mouth, died at 6 years of age
  2. 1 male and 1 unknown gender reported with parrot mouth
  3. 1 litter - 3 puppies with parrot mouth, 1 puppy iwth over-bite and 5th puppy okay.  Since parrot mouth is a recessive gene in both parents, the male was neutered and the owner of the female was informed of the problem.  The females owner said she had this problem before with this female
  • 1 male and 3 female reported missing pre-molars
  • 2 males, 1 missing 4 of 6 front teeth and 1 missing 2 of 6 lower front teeth
  • 1 male reported with missing an incisor
  • 1 female reportted with missing upper canine teeth
  • 2 males reported with missing incisors and/or canines
  • 1 male reported with under-bite
  • 1 male reported with abnormal tooth alignment; bottom incisors
  • 2 males in spite of regular brushing and use of oral care food need dentals every 12-18 months.  Silky 1 has 1 of 20 teeth left at 12 years of age and Silky 2 has 12 teeth left at 13 years of age
  • 1 male was reported with bad gum disease
Heart
  • 1 female diagnosed with mitral valve and tricuspid valve disease; died at age 10 years
  •  1 male diagnosed with congestive heart failure at 10 years of age; on meds and doing well at 13 years
  • 1 male deceased with an unknown heart condition
  • 1 male diagnosed with a heart murmur and liver disease; presently on meds
Miscellaneous
  • 1 male reported with 3 eye diseases, protruding rib (very sharp), enlarged heart, severe gum disease (even with treatments), 1/2 of all teeth missing by 5 years of age, major stroke at 6 years of age, 7 mini strokes, 4 slipped discs, 2 ruputured discs, ears fell apart (?); died at 16 years of age.  This male was very strong willed, intelligent and good natured
  • 1 unknown gender has tonsils removed at 1.5 years of age
  • 3 inguinal hernias reported, 1 female and 2 unknown gender
  • 1 female and 2 offspring has small ear canals.  This caused a higher that average number of yeast infections if ears were not cleaned on a regular basis
  • 1 male diagnosed with kidney failure at 10 years of age, died at 12.5 years of age
  • 1 male is suffering from spondelosis at 16 year of age. Same male has a liver tumor removed at 11 years of age
  • 1 male had surgery for a salivary cyst growing in the airway, surgery removed the cyst (benign) and the salivary glands


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