Research aims to ease 'Westie lung'

My 10-year-old West Highland White Terrier has been diagnosed with “Westie lung”. My vet has started treatment, but warned me that the long-term outlook is not very good. Is any research underway to try to improve the outlook for dogs like mine?

- DR DAVID GRANT

Westie lung disease is a chronic (long duration) disease of the lungs causing fibrosis (scarring). This causes the lungs to become stiff and makes oxygen transfer to the blood circulation more difficult.

Its chronic nature results in affected dogs becoming gradually more breathless and struggling on walks. A dry cough is typical and the dog may pant even when resting.

There has been continuous research by veterinary specialists at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh University. Its original publication describing the disease was in 1999, and the group comprises world-leading researchers to date. The group was responsible for pioneering CT scanning for accurate diagnosis and naming the disease canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.