Extrahepatic shunts are more usually from the portal vein or a tributary outside the liver and more commonly affect small and toy breeds (e.g., Yorkshire terriers, Cairn terriers, Maltese, miniature schnauzers), whereas intrahepatic shunts arise from an intrahepatic portal vein branch within the liver parenchyma and more commonly affect large ...
When these breeds develop a portosystemic shunt, the combination of genetic predisposition and impaired liver function creates a significantly increased risk of copper toxicity.
Dogs with portosystemic shunts are highly sensitive to high-protein treats like jerky, rawhide, or pig ears, which boost ammonia production and can trigger hepatic encephalopathy. Stick to treat restrictions that support liver health: meat-free biscuits, plain cereal, or small pieces of apple or carrot.
With CompleteMe Hepatic Canine Make lower protein, lower purine therapeutic dog food with controlled copper at home quickly and easily. Formulated for adult dogs with portosystemic shunts, other vascular anomalies or end-stage liver disease. Low fat options available. Not suitable for growing puppies; please see our other feeding guides. Makes 1 kilogram of food, which can be portioned and frozen.
A portosystemic shunt, also known as a hepatic shunt or liver shunt, is an abnormal connection between the portal vein (which carries blood from the digestiv...
.jpg)
Portosystemic shunts can cause poor growth, neurologic episodes, and GI signs. Learn diagnosis, surgical decisions, and monitoring priorities.
Congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) are much more common and certainly much more confusing than we ever imagined. At Texas A&M, we infrequently see the "classic" congenital PSS with the relatively straight forward presentation (i.e., young Yorkie with post prandial hepatic...
