Portosystemic Shunt In Dogs And Cats

Portosystemic Shunt (PSS) is an inherited or acquired condition in dogs and cats when the blood flow is diverted from the liver. As a result, the liver fails to remove toxins from the blood. The accumulation of toxins in the blood causes neurological and other 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 is commonly seen in Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese dogs, Himalayan and Persian cats and other breeds of dogs and cats. The exact causes of PSS are unknown.

Signs & Treatment

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

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.

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