Quote:
Originally Posted by bjh  Most all the experts say it is best to wait until a puppy is close to 6 months old before doing a BAT test. |
Actually, that's not true. Dr. Sharon Center, the developer of the BAT, recommends Yorkies and other affected breeds be BAT tested at eighteen weeks (4&1/2 months). She recently revised her recommendation from sixteen weeks based upon the research she is doing with her AKC grant to look for a genetic marker for liver shunts. The age was raised by two weeks based upon the development/maturity of the liver, not because of any potential danger to puppies.
I urge everyone to read Dr. Center's most recent (June 2008) article if you haven't already:
http://www.yorkiefoundation.org/purina1.pdf