Ocular Melanosis in Cairn Terriers.

The positive news that Dr Simon-Petersen-Jones’ research team at Michigan State University, USA, has developed a marker DNA test for the commonest form of Ocular Melanosis in Cairn Terriers, is great news for all Cairn owners.

The Foundation of The Cairn Terrier Club of America, who has done so much for funding this research, are now offering DNA test kits at a subsidized price.

The CTH&W Group have purchased 75 DNA kits at the discounted rate to offer to Cairn breeders that are resident in the Uk and members of one of the six national breed clubs.

This test is not a definitive test for OM but the marker test will help breeders make critical decisions about which dogs to use for breeding and also to identify young dogs that may go on to develop OM.

To fully understand more about this disease and the benefits of this test we recommend following the link to the project web page:  https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty/comparative-ophthalmology/petersen-jones-laboratory/ocular-melanosis-om-in-dogs or through the Facebook page of the Foundation of The Cairn Terrier Club of America.

To enable the CTH&W Group to distribute these DNA kits fairly amongst Cairn owners we would ask people that would like to purchase kits to initially show an interest as to how many they would like to purchase and reply to our secretary to gauge the level of interest.

We anticipate that the kits will cost between £30-£40 with funds assisting further research.

Please reply with a show of interest to;

Joanne Yates-Johnson (Hon secretary)  joanne.johnson17@btinterent.com by 8th December 2026.