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Originally Posted by Yorkieluv  I'm so sorry to hear that she has a liver shunt, but I'm glad that it is extrahepatic and operable!! Have you joined the liver shunt and mvd group on yahoo groups yet? They have a wealth of information there.
It sounds like the vet was not very clear about this, so I'll try to explain what I know.
It is recommended that all breeders test their breeding pairs for liver shunt and have them bile acid tested so that in case they do have liver shunt or mvd, they are not bred, so that they don't pass this gene on to their offspring.
Let's suppose that the parents have liver shunt or mvd...If they have puppies, it is POSSIBLE that none of the dogs will be affected. The parents should not be bred if they do have liver shunt or mvd because it means they carry the gene for it and even if their pups don't have, the pups' pups will carry the gene and can pass it on too.
Let's suppose that the parents test negative for liver shunt/mvd...This does NOT mean that the puppies will not have liver shunt or mvd...Dogs can carry the gene for many generations without any of their pups, grandpups, etc. being affected...BUT I think all breeding dogs should be tested even if there's no 100% guarantee.
Mostly, extrahepatic liver shunts are congenital, meaning that the pups are born with this...Acquired shunts exist, but these are usually secondary to something. Sometimes dogs who have had liver shunt surgery could acquire another shunt as well.
Are they going to be using an ameroid constrictor? This is usually the method of choice because it closes slowly and is usually safer.
I'll be praying for your little baby!!!! |
I have been researching since my litter had one with a liver shunt this last time. It is common belief that it is passed down through the parents, but it has not been proven. I have talked to a number of vets about this. My female is in wonderful condition and the male is healthy and has never had any litters with liver shunts. Both have very healthy family lines too. They said that it has to do with the genetic makeup lining up correctly. I asked them if it would be okay to breed again and he said that both of the dogs are fine and that we could breed again just we can breed these two together. Their genetic makeup just doesn't line up.
I am so happy that Teddi is doing better and that it can be fixed. Such a beautiful furbaby. Good luck with traveling if you have to go to Tennessee. You are doing the right thing with this wonderful baby. Sending a ton of hugs for you and your little one.
