Can a Mini Schnauzer liver shunt carrier breed with a Mini Poodle?

Bichon dogs do not have the liver gene and therefore cannot pass on this trait. The nose is not what makes the dog liver; it is the skin color (which includes the nose). Shih Tzu's can either be liver or black (skin); liver is recessive to black. This means that in order for a Shih Tzu to be liver one of the following three scenarios must occur: 1) Both parents are liver (bb x bb) 2) One parent is liver and the other is a carrier (Bb x bb) 3) Both parents are carriers. This means a livers can be produced by a sire and dam that do not appear to be liver at all. They both carry the recessive gene. (Bb x Bb) Two dogs that have black skin and do not have the recessive gene are BB and cannot pass on the gene. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

They could have it or not. Liver shunt can have a congenital origin. I would strongly recommend to check all of them at your local vets. Abdominal ultrasound and specific blood tests are very sensitive way to diagnose this disease.

These pets can undergo anesthesia if certain precautions and certain medications are used. These dogs will undergo anesthesia to have the operation preformed to repair the shunt and they will generally do fine. So it can be done safely but it still carries an increased risk compared to a normal dog. I would recommend to talk with Pako's veterinarian about the risk/benefits of anesthesia specific to his situation. Also, ask about the experience his veterinarian has had with dogs who have a history of liver disease. I hope I have answered your question!

Hello and thank you for contacting PetCoach. Yes, low protein diet is very important in managing puppies with liver shunts. There are prescription diets for dogs with liver shunts, for example by Hill's or Royal Canin, alternatively low protein food can be prepared at home. Here you have good articles on feeding pupps with shunts: https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/vmc/SmallAnimalHospital/Documents/Shunts/MVD-Brochure.pdf - from page 12 https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/07/liver-shunts/#:~:text=Egg%2C%20dairy%2C%20and%20soy%20protein,%2C%20organ%20meats%2C%20or%20fish. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Malin! I would use any drug or supplement with extreme caution on a puppy with a liver shunt. Drugs are not metabolized appropriately due to the shunt bypassing the liver for filtration. What is best is that Malin be seen by your Vet and treated for the nausea and diarrhea. I hope this helps and I wish you and Malin the best!

Yes, it is possible for 2 dogs from the same litter to mate and have puppies. However, this is greatly discouraged because the pups have a strong likelihood of having one or multiple birth defects. I would strongly recommend against mating siblings. If they are both intact you may need to keep them separated while the female is in heat to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Holly! I would consider doing a bile acid test if her ALT is still elevated at the recheck. That can help with the diagnosis of a liver shunt. Yes, dogs can live a relatively normal life if the symptoms of the liver shunt can be managed with diet, antibiotics and laxatives. That is if she is even experiencing hepatic encephalopathy signs. I hope this help and I wish Holly the very best!