[bjh]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

The Scottish Terrier Club of America in 2001 reported a carrier frequency rate for liver shunt at 4.7% based on its own health survey and termed the condition rare. A study on Irish Wolfhounds in the Netherlands identified several important carrier lines and was able to substantially reduce the incidence of liver shunt. Much of the other data I've read points to prolific studs and bitches that are carriers being major contributors to the rise in cases. My opinion at this point is that the problem lies mostly in show dog lines and is a lesser problem in the breed at large. These lines must be identified in the Yorkshire Terrier in order to get a handle on the problem. To place the blame on casual breeders is really 'passing the buck' as they are unlikely to have dogs from show lines though surely there are carriers among some of the dogs they breed, but these dogs would not be so prolific as their more esteemed counterparts. In the meantime, testing all breeding dogs and dogs showing clinical signs seems to be the reasonable way to proceed.

How could we possibly know that the majority of liver shunt puppies are from show lines since probably a large number of liver shunt puppies are just being treated by local vets and their shunts are being controlled by diet. Show breeders and people that buy their puppies from show breeders are more likely to seek help from some of the more well know doctors and universities but I think those might just be a fraction of the actual dogs that have liver shunt. Many people opt out of having the liver shunt surgery because of the cost and the risks involved. Even if you have a puppy with a portosystemic shunt that is repairable then there is a good chance they will develop MVD later. How can we possibly know where the shunts are coming from if all breeders don't come forward. If a show breeder does have a liver shunt puppy show up why does everyone think they would not address that problem in their own way? With no central data base on liver shunts how do we really know liver shunts are on the rise? I think we need many more answers and I wish there was a way for those experts to share a little more information without naming names. No one wants to produce a liver shunt puppy or any puppy with a defect but it can happen no matter how hard you try to prevent it, whether you are a hobby breeder or show breeder.