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Breeding and Liver Shunts I did a lot of reading before buying my first Yorkshire Terrier and did even more before I decided to breed for the first time. I know there are many hereditary diseases that Yorkies are prone to and I feel that I took all necessary measures to prevent these problems in my line. Both my male and female had Bile Acid Levels within normal limits pre and post. I bred my dogs again and shortly after, I found out that one of the pups from their last litter has liver shunt. My female is already pregnant and expecting a litter from the same male as the last litter. I know in an ideal situation you would not breed the parents of a liver shunt puppy, at least to each other, again. But it has already happened. I wanted to know what you guys would do, as breeders and yorkie owners, if you were in this situation. This was going to be my last litter for awhile, and at least with these dogs anyways, but I still have the problem. Thank you. |
I'm not a breeder, just an owner, but wow, you do have a dilemma. My hat's off to you for wanting to do the right thing. I think at the very least you should be ready to hold onto the litter until they are old enough to have their liver function tested (BAT's, whatever is necessary) just to certify that they don't have the problem. By that time, they will be old enough to spay/neuter, so you should go ahead and get that done before placing them, just to ensure that they remain as pets only and don't pass on the genes if case they could possibly be carriers. |
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking about keeping them until 16 weeks when I could get their BAT done. No matter what these puppies will be sold with limited registration, the pups from my last litter were all spayed/neutered and this is how they found out that one of them had a liver shunt. The pup showed no signs but the blood levels were off. The other two had no problems with their blood levels, but one did. But now that I know that the genes for liver shunt is somewhere in the line, I will make sure the pups will be spayed/neutered before hand or on a spay/neuter contract with the new owners where they will get a portion of their money back once they send me proof of spay/neuter from the vet. This situation is not something to take light-hearted, but I know there are many breeders out there that would not have a second thought about it. |
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Now, in the case of the pup with Shunt. You are responsible, pay for the surgery. In the new litter. You maybe lucky and not have shunt show up again However, I would have the pups tested (per the Dr. Center Protocol, listed in the YTCA.org health section). There is a possibility that this new litter may not throw a shunt puppy. I say this based on Dr. Tobias research. However, if you are feeling nervous, uncomfortable and scared. Call Dr. Center and ask her advice on what her recommendations would be. |
As I said in my original post, I found out about the pup after the fact. |
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With the new BAT protocol....16 weeks and 6 months. It's so sad that they haven't come up with a genetic marker yet. It would help us in breeding the right two. Oh! no longer necessary to do a pre & post. By the way, how bad were the levels off, was the puppy on any meds, change of diet, etc. Is there plans to have a 2nd BAT done? |
It is sad that they have not found the genetic markers yet, that would make it much less stressful for breeders out there. I did not know it was not necessary to do pre and post now, thank you for that. I will remember that for the future. I do not know any of the information about the puppy that has the liver shunt. I had tried to keep in touch with the owner of the pup since she got the pup, but did not hear a response from her until the issues with the liver shunt. The owner could not give me any answers to the questions I had and the vet will not talk to me. I believe the procedure has been done already but I have no way to contact the owner of the pup other than through the person who bought the pup for her. Neither of them will give me a contact number. So I am kind of stuck right now. |
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Go to the YTCA.org website. Dr. Center explains the new protocol and the importance of how the blood is drawn. If done incorrectly, it can affect the levels. She also states that she is available to vets for assistance. |
I know this sounds harsh but if the bitch was just bred or just several weeks into the pregnancy I would have her spayed immediately. But like Mary said I would call Dr. Center herself! Donna Bird |
That is what I said Mary, and it is getting to the point where it is frustrating. I sent an e-mail to Dr. Center and will make a call into her tomorrow. Donna - My female is already 5 weeks along. I have been investing the last couple weeks in trying to get information from the owner of the puppy and/or their vet, unsuccessfully. I had thought about that originally and kind of pushed it out of my mind until now. I don't know that the vet will spay her now. I will look into that tomorrow too. |
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Mary, do you know the risks for the mother of getting her spayed this late in the pregnancy? |
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Do you have proof from the Vet that the puppy has shunt? |
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