Breeder Only: Are your Pups Tested for Liver Shunt?
 

Do you have your litter tested for Liver Shunts?
Yes
No


I was wondering what percentage of breeders include Bile Acid tests on top of all the other expenses involved in raising a litter of puppies. Is testing for Liver Shunt something you do before a pup is sold?

Ls
 

Even though I am semi-retired and may have few litters in the future. I will do a bile acid on all pups at 12 weeks..then again at 6 months (most accurate age) if I still have them for any reason. I have quite a few pups owed to me from puppy back breedings and all will have all tests before placing. Liver shunt is such a problem now in Yorkies, these tests are vital. Certain lines must not be combined..so a 10 generation pedigree is also important..LS can skip as many as ten generations reseachers are finding.

Wow! I had no idea LS can go that far back. I just know it's becoming a more common problem in Yorkies.

I just want to be more educated so we are prepared when we are ready for a new puppy.

Thanks! More info will be appreciated!

It's good to know more breeders are including this test

Never Have Before...
 

But since I've been on YorkieTalk I have wanted some type of testing to screen for liver shunts.
I got my first Yorkie 16 yrs ago. I started raising Yorkies 7 years ago. I normally have 1-3 (max) litters a year. Some years I don't have any. I have not had one person contact me in all this time about a liver shunt, and I keep close contact with them.
I'm just a little concerned about the fasting the wee ones for 12 hrs.
What about a Blood Panel?
Going Off Topic: Do any of you breeders have your Yorkies Patellas OFA'd?

Talked To My Vet Today!
 

Cookie's pups had their first health check today. Everyone looked good, no problems and good weights.
I discussed LS screening with her, she said I could do a 6 hr bile acid test.
She recommened this for toy breed puppies. Because as I thought fasting for 12 hrs could do more harm then good.

LS Testing
 

I personally think liver shunt testing (acid bile test and level) is something I have to do! I have noticed alot of breeders think "because the parents tested normal there is no reason to test the puppies", but I personally believe they are so wrong in that thinking.. JMHO..

Ls
 

Parents who test fine on bile acid even a full liver scan..can and do produce LS pups. Research studies done by DR. Tobias was the one who said they can skip 10 generations.
There are known carriers and breeders must avoid breeding a male and female with a common carrier..but research tends to indicate one LS carrier in a line does not mean a problem for the breeder..it is when both male and female have the same carrier.
You can contact DR. Tobias and she will give you a list of pedigrees with LS problems...but please remember BOTH parents must have these dogs in their line..the gene is contributed by both parents.

I was talking to a breeder who only had a 5 generation pedigree..a 10 generation pedigree would revealed a common carrier..many breeders have nothing more then a 3 gen ped..useless for LS IDing.

There is a test they can do now without the fasting.

Tell me about it?
Thanks

The UBC/UCr (urine bile acid/Creatine ratio) is very good for finding any liver dysfunction, especially Liver Shunt. Its also 100% sensitive, so poor sample handling and high fat in the blood stream won't effect the outcome. If it says there is a problem, there is one without question.

No fasting needed, collection of the urine should be 4-6 hours post feeding. Dr. Dodds of Hemopet reads the tests and faxes the results to your vet.

Thanks So Much for the Info!

I dont test for liver shunt unless something is in question with the puppy. But for those who do, I think its a wonderful commendable practice without a doubt!
The puppies who have been tested have never had it. I wouldnt even bother with a blood chemistry if your just testing to be safe and they arent having problems. Go right with a liver function test. Blood chemistry has gave me false readings more then once.
I had a tiny lil guy die at 8 weeks. He died before a bile acid test was performed but he had a complete blood work up and it all pointed to liver shunt. The vet pretty much told me he had it. I thought so too. He had an autopsy and no external shunt was found, his whole liver, heart and lungs were sent to Purdue university for studies. They could find nothing wrong with any of the tissues and they gave a report of No Liver Shunting without question. He died of some bacterial or viral infection that I have no clue what it was. His brother and sister were just fine. No fecal exam was performed. Ive been told maybe hookworms, coccidosis, parvo?? All those possiblilities baffle me, since I take care to worm, vaccines up to date and no other puppy had coccidiosis at well checks. Ill never know.

My adults are tested but I have one tested one puppy in the years I have been breeding. I tested him because the buyer wanted to know that he did not have LS.
I think if you know your lines then LS testing should not have to be done unless there is a reason or someone wanting it done.

I voted no, because I don't routinely do BA tests. However I do full blood panels on every puppy to ensure the BA are within the normal range. This is a simple blood test that does not require fasting. If the test comes back that the BA is not normal, I will do a BA test on a puppy. Hope this helps.

IMO. there is not a reason not to have a full blood panel run on a puppy. Have the vet draw blood when they pups go in for shots. Piece of cake and mind :)