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Originally Posted by magicgenie  I appreciate the help. The particular thing I'm stuck on at the moment is where the report Dr. Center wrote for the Cairn Terrier presentation talks about MVD not necessarily having symptoms or needing treatment. I'm also a bit confused further down where she talks about not culling MVD dogs, and again when she talks about BAT on puppies. If a puppy tests high wouldn't we still have to find out why? |
According to Dr. Center, MVD dogs are usually not symptomatic and do not produce ammonium crystals, so they do not need protein restricted diets. She feels most symptomatic MVD dogs were initially misdiagnosed and do have shunts.
Hepatic Vascular Disorders - WSAVA 2006 Congress
If a puppy has a BAT over 25, it is considered abnormal. And, yes, you do have to find out why. A Protein C test is the next step:
Comparative Coagulation -- NYS Animal Health Diagnostic Center
As far as not culling MVD dogs, her explanation is too technical for me! What I have heard Maltese breeders argue is that the gene pool is so small in purebred dogs anyway, it might not be advisable to limit it further. I think the whole community of affected breeds like Yorkies and Maltese are hoping Dr. Center is able to find a genetic marker for liver shunts so that extreme culling won't be necessary.