Meryl P. Littman, DVM, ACVIM, DACIVM
Professor Emerita Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine
For over 40 years, every breeder and owner of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers knew that we had a friend and supporter in Dr. Littman. Her work at Penn on behalf of our breed was critical in insuring that we have a breed today and a future.
In the late 1980’s, Dr. Littman began seeing Wheatens with kidney problems at ages too young to be dismissed as natural aging. As a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, her area of research involved kidney problems, notably Lyme disease. She developed a relationship with local Wheaten breeders to understand more.
Word spread. Her relationship grew to include SCWTCA and breeders and owners throughout the country, and eventually the world. Her goal was the same as ours: how to prevent and reduce the suffering of our dogs as well as the heartache of owners and breeders.
In 1996, the SCWT Open Registry (“OR”) was established at Penn and managed by Dr. Littman. For researchers, this tool became a database of dogs affected by Protein Losing Nephropathy (“PLN”), Protein Losing Enteropathy (“PLE”), Renal Dysplasia (“RD”) and Addison’s Disease (“AD”). They could see the familial patterns, leading to the understanding that it wasn’t a simple mode of inheritance. For breeders, it was the first tool we had, imperfect as it was, to help us make breeding decisions. Many years later, the SCWT Database picked up the job.
Multiple research projects at Penn, spearheaded by Dr. Littman, became building blocks to reach our goals, including:
-The Informative Families Project followed 13 families of related Wheatens looking for patterns of inheritance, timing of initial abnormalities found on screening tests, progression of disease, and possible effects of early intervention.
-The SCWT Geriatric Project collected DNA from healthy SCWTs over the age of 13 years for use in future genetic studies.
Ultimately, in partnership with Paula Henthorn, Ph.D., a professor of Medical Genetics at Penn Vet, and Claire Wiley, a breakthrough was reached for PLN. In 2012, two variant genes were identified as being associated with a risk of developing PLN. A simple cheek swab test meant that breeders now had a valuable tool in managing the risk of producing affected animals, and owners and veterinarians could more finely tune annual testing for early detection of disease.
However, it wasn’t just her research that made Dr. Littman a special figure in the Wheaten community. As an educator, the veterinarians she trained are now in practice throughout the country; no longer is it impossible to find someone who hasn’t heard of PLN. But, first and foremost a clinician, she consulted with owners and veterinarians on affected dogs. She assisted breeders making difficult decisions. Each and every conversation she had with any of us was steeped in compassion and understanding.
After her “official” retirement from Penn, Dr. Littman remained available to consult with owners and veterinarians. Finally, in 2026, she fully retired to enjoy travel and family and grandkids. Wheaten owners and breeders responded to the announcement and, better than anyone, can tell us what she meant to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
In many ways, she put aside her professional advancement because of her dedication to this breed. We would no longer have a viable breed without her…. There are many people who literally had to reinvent their breeding programs – or just gave up – when we didn’t have the tools we have now. I don’t want to diminish the heartache people still face when their dog is diagnosed with PLN, but you have no idea…. Back then, by the time your dog was diagnosed, his lifespan would be a matter of months. Today, there are tools for owners and vets; and you can always find a vet or veterinary internist who can manage your dog — many of whom had Dr. Littman as a professor.
She’s earned a happy retirement and our undying gratitude. Some special notes from Wheaten Health Matters members upon hearing of her retirement:
“Dr. Littman was phenomenal for Scout’s care. She spent hours gathering his medical information. She was the only doctor who could put all the pieces together.”
“She gave her all to our breed. Many thanks and wishes for a great retirement!”
“She was certainly a blessing to our breed. Her info will forever be valuable.”
“Dr. Littman gave us everything and then went an extra step. She came to seminars and was literally mobbed by SCWTCA members looking for answers. She was always available to breeders and owners of sick Wheatens, giving advice and counseling. She encouraged other vets to get in touch with her when there was a PLN/PLE problem. Meryl is a kind, knowledgeable, and empathetic person. I will always be grateful she gave so much to our breed.”
“Dr. Littman was a blessing for myself and my dogs. Our first two Wheatens, not related to each other, had PLN. She was the best person we could have had to help us through it. The phone calls and emails from me that she responded to were numerous, and she was so patient in answering all my questions. That was 25 years ago. Her retirement is well deserved, and I wish her the best. Our breed owes her so much, and we are thankful for all she has done for it.”
“As a veterinary student at Penn in the early 90’s, I remember being at the first grand rounds where Dr. Littman mentioned ‘there is something weird going on with a bunch of Wheatens I’m seeing.’ She was a great clinician and teacher. Enjoy your retirement Dr. Littman.”
“When my vet was a student, she worked in Dr. Littman‘s office. When Emma was diagnosed with PLN, my vet contacted Dr. Littman and was guided by Dr. Littman as to medications and diet. Dr. Littman would review Emma’s results. Emma lived a good quality long life with PLN. I was so fortunate to be guided by her care. Thank you, Dr. Littman.”
“Dr Littman helped us with our beautiful girl Allie who made it to 12.5 with PLE. Allie starred in Marley & Me, was on the cover of Fetchdog, in JCPenny & Petsmart commercials & Super Bowl commercials plus so many others. This was all because of Dr. Littman. She is an incredible person. We adore her.”
“The very best. Thank you for educating SCWT owners, not just breeders. May God bless you and keep you and make his light shine upon you forever.”
“Dr. Littman helped diagnose my dog who had atypical Addison’s disease. She literally saved his life and I wish her well.”
“Dr Littman is wonderful. She helped us when our Blackie was diagnosed with PLN.”
“Thank you to Dr. Littman. She has given the Wheaten Terrier community so much!”
“I can personally attest that Dr. Littman helped the resident internist at Michigan State University Vet School who had never heard of PLN (my dog Lucy was diagnosed at 9 years old in year 2000) treat my dog and extend her life by 2.5 years of good quality living after experiencing kidney failure.”
“Thank you Dr. Littman from all of us Wheaten owners. When times were tough you were there for us (Louie). If you stayed with the breed, you can thank her today for your healthy Wheatens (Neil, Lily and Atticus). Forever in gratitude to you!”
“Dr. Littman has made an invaluable contribution to our breed that will not be forgotten. I wish her the best retirement!!”
“You were such a help when my vet (one of your former students) contacted you regarding my Wheaten. I thank you so much. It’s scary and amazing how fast science knowledge is growing. Thank you”
“Just to say a big thank for all your very hard work and dedication. Hopefully, one day, this disease can be eradicated from our beautiful breed. Thank you.”
“A well deserved retirement. She has been a tremendous asset to our breed. It isn’t the scary prognosis it used to be. Because of her & her wonderful team, we have the tools to carry on. Thank you Dr. Littman”
“Meryl…it has been such a pleasure to have known you all these many years. Having reached the absurd age of 93, of course, I stepped away from breeding quite some time ago but have stayed active with the club through my writing and design work. I will always revere you for your remarkable dedication to our breed’s health and well-being. And on a personal level, it has been delightful knowing you! Best wishes always.”
“Your dedication to our breed is unparalleled & appreciated by many. You truly made a difference. Thank you!”
“Thank you, Dr. Littman, for everything you’ve given to this amazing breed. You’ve helped my boy with his IBD. You have given so much to the Wheaten community that it’s immeasurable. Happy retirement to you!”
“Dr. Littman spent countless hours developing a comprehensive and accurate report on Scout’s health. I will never forget her.”
“Thinking back to those days when we struggled — we lost dogs, some breeders had to start over, and others left the breed…. I can’t imagine what we would have done without her.”
“Thank you so much for your dedication to our Wheatens. A highlight for me was to have you speak at our National Specialty in Calgary many years ago. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Alberta!”
“About 15 years ago, we added a second Wheaten to our home, a scared puppy mill momma. When she became ill shortly after, our young small town vet took my advice and consulted with Dr. Littman. She put together a plan, and, with medication and monitoring Keeva, lived a good long life. I will forever be grateful.”
“The most famous person in Wheatens who never showed one, and didn’t breed them! LOL. Your impact has made generations now and generations to come healthier — you gave breeders hope. Thank you for all you have done.“
“A personal thanks to you who helped us find a way to diagnose and treat our precious pup who we discovered had PLN at age 2. Our vet told us she could expect to live 1-1.5 years. She just turned 8 and is going strong. Thank you Dr. Littman for helping give us all these years with our sweet girl Abby. Hard to believe 10 years have passed since Dr. Littman announced her retirement.”
“She is most deserving to enjoy her full retirement. We will always be grateful for all her contributions and knowledge shared.”
“I will be forever grateful to Dr. Littman — she helped Wheatens around the world, including my sweet Ruffle.“
“Her dedication to our breed was above and beyond. Thank you Dr. Littman, It was a pleasure to meet and to know you. She helped us so much with Murphy’s PLE and is the reason we had extra time with him. We will always be grateful to her. Forever grateful ,Dr. Littman.”
“My beautiful Wheatie just passed after 13 healthy years. He didn’t have PLE/PLN, but because of how far and wide Dr. Littman’s work was shared in the Wheaten community, his breeder made us aware so we could inform our vet and do annual testing. I kept Dr. Littman’s name in my mind in case my pup was ever diagnosed knowing she could be contacted to work with my vet. It eased my mind to know someone, and a team of someones, were out there working on finding protocols for care and possibly prevention. And today, as we think about bringing a new Wheaten into our family, we know to look for breeders using Dr. Littman’s research to test their breeding dogs and that protocols for care exist. How amazing is Dr. Littman’s dedication and the outcomes of her life’s work. Touching so many who never knew her, but knew of her. A well deserved full retirement. Thank you Dr. Littman.”
“Many many thanks to Dr. Littman for her dedication and determination in her research. As a Wheaten owner whose pup has been recently diagnosed with PLN, I know that due to her research, it’s not as scary a diagnosis as it once was. I wish her well in this next journey. Her retirement is well deserved. Have wonderful adventures.”
“Thank you Dr. Littman for your dedication to our breed. Thank you for consulting with my vet to give the best care to my sweet Wheaten, Emma. She lived a long healthy life despite PLN.”
“Dear Dr. Littman, I will be forever grateful for the help you gave me with my dogs Walt and Hollie. Walt was diagnosed at age 6 in 2000 with PLN. Hollie was diagnosed at age 6 in 2003 with PLN. Those were the days when you were able to talk directly with the owner. You were so generous with your time in helping me care for my pups. You’d answer the phone and listen so patiently to my latest challenges and offer your advice. I still have the many emails we exchanged. I can only imagine how many dogs and owners you have helped over the years. You are an amazingly kind, compassionate and caring person and your willingness and ability to share your knowledge second to none. It was a privilege to be able to learn from you. I wish you all the best in this next part of your journey.”
“It’s amazing to me that you and your team could find this needle in a haystack!! We are all so grateful that we can make better breeding choices considering PLN markers. Enjoy retirement knowing for Wheatens your work is immortal. Thank you!”
Meryl P. Littman, VMD, DACVIM