Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)

Portosystemic Shunt (PSS) is an inherited or acquired condition in dogs and cats when the blood flow is diverted from the liver which results in the accumulation of toxins in the liver and its dysfunction. As a result the blood is not cleansed by one of the bodies filters: the liver which results in neurological diseases. Dogs with PSS have small liver, large kidneys, and stones in bladder or kidneys.

Shunts are significantly more likely to be found in female than male dogs and cats. The disease occurs in Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Himalayan and Persian cats and other breeds. The exact causes of PSS are unknown.

Signs of Portosystemic Shunt

First signs of PSS are usually found in young puppies and may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, pica (hunger for non-food substances), depression, lethargy, frequent urinating, excessive thirst, weakness, poor balance, blindness, seizures, and intolerance of protein-rich food.

Treatment of Portosystemic Shunt

Surgery is the best treatment for a shunt. Many dogs become normal and require no medication or diet control providing the surgery did not have any complications and was performed before the atrophy of the liver.