Liver Shunt (Portosystemic Shunt) Testing in Irish Wolfhounds
Liver shunt testing is an important health screening carried out by responsible Irish Wolfhound breeders to help ensure puppies have a healthy start in life. A liver shunt is a congenital condition in which blood bypasses the liver instead of being properly filtered, allowing toxins to build up in the body. This can lead to poor growth, neurological signs, digestive problems, and in severe cases can be life-threatening. Because early signs can be subtle or delayed, testing provides a reliable way to identify affected puppies before they go to their new homes.
Breeders typically carry out liver shunt testing when puppies are around 6–8 weeks of age, before they are collected by their new owners. Testing at this stage allows any abnormal results to be identified early, enabling appropriate veterinary follow-up or management decisions to be made. Most importantly, it prevents the distress of a new owner discovering a serious congenital condition after bonding with their puppy. By ensuring testing is completed before collection, breeders demonstrate a commitment to transparency, ethical breeding practices, and the long-term welfare of both the puppy and the family welcoming them home.
BREEDERS : The Health Group has a special deal with Cytopath Laboratories for Livershunt Testing – the cost per puppy is £18.00 for the single Bile Acid test and £30.50 for the double Bile Acid test.
Download these forms for information on carrying out the test and to submit samples to Cytopath.