Question for our great breeders
 

I am looking for another puppy. I was contacted by the breeder whom I
got Baili from and she has puppies that were just born. I have learned so much about yorkies since I got Baili.(She was a gift and I was not involved in
the whole selection process). I started aking question about her heath
policy and liver shunt testing. And she is skirting the issue. The breeder has
been doing this for 15 years. Has a good reputation, I have talked to several
vets in our area, they all like her. I have not had any problems at all with
Baili but I did not feel good about the following response regarding testing:
I would appreciate your thoughts.
"Liver shunts do occasionally occur in tiny breeds. I myself have not experienced it, but have heard of it from others. To my best knowledge, the only indication in a small puppy would be stunted growth and not gaining weight properly. This usually only occurs in the runt of the litter and even then it is very rare.

Nowadays, liver shunts are surgically repairable. Sometimes they will close themselves and require only a special diet. In any case the shunt probably wouldn't show up until the pup was about 6 months old. At that time he would be lethargic and wouldn't have an appetite. Then blood tests could be done to see if the problem was a shunt.

There are several good sites on the Internet which discuss the problem in great detail. I think it may be genetic to an extent and I have not had it in my line. All my KL dogs go back several generations. That is not to say it can't happen, but it is very unlikely."
This was the response I got when I asked if she tested for Liver shunt.
SHe obviously does not test but would not say that. I am just not sure
what to do! Please tell me what you think! Thank you! :)

That is the exact answer I get from any vets around me. None are willing to do the test (liver shunt) and think it is not needed unless you see a problem. My main vet stated that it is only seen in 3% of small dogs and with our adults we don't need to do the test since we would have for sure seen a problem by now if there were any. Just wanted to pass on the info. I have heard! Have a great day!!

Thanks Wendy! I read that so many breeders do test that I dont know quite
how to take her.