thank you so much for all the great advice.
oscar is healthy so i am not going to worry about
this test unless there is a reason to do so...

Op yes you use your money wisely, and find out if there is a silent killer. Silent vs a vis MVD. And yes you do need to do it more than one time.

When there are studies and indications this is prevalent in the breed to about 30% you bet your sweet booty I will be testing for this, and will recommend testing.

All breeding dogs, should be free of this, and their progenitors, gosh isn't it unfortunate we don't have a health registry that documents what dogs have been tested and what the results are.

Gemy, where did you get that number of 30% ?

Linda, I have tested my boy who is in my care. After all he is a breeding dog. Would you recommend no breeding dogs be tested?

And Yes hip Xrays should be done on all Breeding dogs. And especially pet dogs presenting with certain lameness patterns about 6-1 yr old.

Given the prevalence of LS in this breed and also the relative inexpensiveness and innocuness of the test, I do agree with the protocol of 16 wks and 6mths for testing for BATS.

I am NOT talking about breeding dogs. I did not think the OP was planning on breeding? Did I perhaps miss something?

As for the prevalence in this breed, I do not think it is that prevalent that specialized tests are recommended. I consider my vet to be excellent and she has never recommended such testing. Any pups in my care have basic lab testing done and if there are abnormalities then those clues are followed up on...along with physical findings. A blanket testing for liver shunt in all pet yorkies is over kill imho.

Liver disease is not a silent killer in so far as I know. It normally has some pretty clear symptoms.

To each their own.
I don't think there is a right or wrong answer for all owners.

I do know that Ellie had a couple weird things going on, but nothing close to neuro issues and nothing to indicate to her vet that there was a problem. Her enzymes were normal. There was just no reason to run a BAT. After talking to somebody here, I thought what the heck - that UTI that wouldn't clear up quite right and the lepto reaction could mean something. Not exactly symptoms that a vet would run to BAT for... My vet actually said we can do it if you want, but I don't expect a problem. There was in fact a problem and I'm very happy that we did test. Now we know that there are certain drugs that should be avoided to keep her safe.

There can be a problem while the dog has normal liver enzymes.
LS and MVD dogs can be asymptomatic.
And certain drugs can put the pup at significant risk.

I can definitely understand why some think this isn't a good way to spend money. Just from my experience, I think differently. Anesthesia is relatively safe, it is not perfectly safe and sick livers don't like it much... I hope nobody would skimp on routine care, problems that come up, etc. to do this test. It definitely is way down on the list of things to do. All I'm saying is that if I had a normally appearing Yorkie and some money to spend, I would choose to do it.

Yorkies are more likely to get these problems. Just as boxers are more likely to have heart problems.. If I had a boxer with a normal heart on auscultation, I think I'd still want a little bit more done to clear the dog, esp. before anesthesia. And because the BAT is just a blood draw, I don't think pups are at a major risk getting it done. JMHO.

Since we are talking about Dr. Center's protocol, let's get it right. She states that IF a puppy is to be tested, then it should be done at 16 weeks and 6 months. No where does she say it must or should be done in all cases. Just as she does not state that every bitch destined for breeding who is found with an elevation be culled from breeding. The advice around her protocol was given in regards to breeding dogs, not to pet dogs. And to that, I agree, better the breeder bear the cost than the innocent buyer who just wants a nice companion.

Also, it can be argued that every test is inexpensive and innocuous. An xray to rule out LCP is about $100 and takes a few mins and that is prevalent in the breed. An oblique lateral cervical xray is about the same and that can rule out AAI. A spinal tap is $500 and would rule out GME......and the list goes on.

The fact remains that PETS should be tested for things when they need to be because they have clinical signs and symptoms. My money is better off being saved for things that crop up unexpectedly -- like when my 12 year old yorkie jumped off a bed onto a wood floor and had a catastrophic knee injury that required two surgeries to correct and now is going for rehabilitation which is running into the thousands.

I will spend anything on my dogs within my ability but I will not waste my money needlessly, and I wont advocate that healthy dogs be tested just for informational purposes.

I only recommend to others what I do myself. I do not do BAT's on every one of my pups. I never have and have had countless yorkies cross my threshold. None have had LS or MVD. I don't believe that it is as prevalent as some people believe. Until I see clear evidence that it is, I will continue to do what I do.
Yep, to each his own. I only have shared in this thread what I believe and only what I do. As with any other suggestion...up to the OP to take the information and use it as they wish.

i love yorkie talk.
wow there are so many wonderful
experienced yorkie "parents" here .
ok, so oscar is very healthy 9 month old.
bloodwork is normal
he is nuetered, so no breeding for us.
thank you everyone for the valuable advice.
when oscar goes in dec. For his vax
i will talk to her about the bat test
and get her opinion.