Manchester Heart Study

New*: Cardiomyopathy in Toy Manchester Terriers
AMTC & CMTC Health Committee information:  http://www.kismet.net/cmtc/health/current/cardio/index.htm#overview

[Road Map] [Study Updates] [What To Do In An Emergency] [Necropsy Options & Guidelines] [Blood Collection Release]

The Health Committees of the Canadian Manchester Terrier Club (CMTC) and American Manchester Terrier Club (AMTC) are asking for your help in dealing with serious heart problems affecting our breed. Over the past several years, the incidence of heart issues in the Manchester Terrier seems to have increased.  The symptoms and consequences of these issues affect Standard and Toy Manchester Terriers differently, leading us to believe that separate causes may be at the root for both.  We believe that now is the time to take action in dealing with these potentially devastating health issues.

We are happy to announce that the CMTC & AMTC will be working in partnership with the University of Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Veterinary College on a heart study dedicated to Manchester Terriers.  Stage one of the study will concentrate on incidences of juvenile cardiomyopathy in Toy Manchesters.

Study Overview

As you may be aware, there have been several cases of previously unexplained deaths in young Toy Manchester Terriers (under one year of age).  On autopsy, the cause of death has been determined as cardiomyopathy, a condition affecting the heart. These puppies typically die very suddenly at a young age (i.e., deaths as young as 8 weeks and as old as one year have been reported).  The incidence of this condition appears to be on the rise across North America.

Until relatively recently, no research could be found to explain why cardio, which typically strikes older animals, would occur in such young puppies.  This study aims to determine the cause and hopefully create a genetic test to help prevent it.  Drs. Cote and Martinson (UPEI) will liaise with Drs. Henthorn and Sleeper (University of Pennsylvania) in order to investigate both clinical and genetic aspects of the condition.

In order to do so, we need to concentrate our efforts on three main tasks:

• Postmortem Examinations
• Pedigree Study
• DNA Analysis (using blood collection from close relatives)

Important Please take time to participate in the Heart Study Dedicated to the Manchester Terrier <word.doc>

 

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