Simultaneous congenital and acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in two dogs

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2003 Jan-Feb;44(1):38-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2003.tb01446.x.

Abstract

Two dogs with simultaneous congenital and acquired portosystemic shunts are reported. The first dog was an eight-month-old, male Golden Retriever with a history of peritoneal effusion, polyuria/polydipsia, and stunted growth. The dog had a microcytic, hypochromic anemia, a mildly elevated AST, and a moderate to severely elevated preprandial and postprandial serum bile acids. Transcolonic portal scintigraphy confirmed the presence of a portosystemic shunt. An intraoperative mesenteric portogram was performed. Two conjoined congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts and multiple acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts were identified. The second dog was a five-month-old, mixed breed with two week history of peritoneal effusion. Abdominal ultrasound and transcolonic scintigraphy were used to diagnose a portosystemic shunt. A single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt, portal hypertension, and multiple acquired collateral shunts were identified at surgery. The histologic alterations observed in these dogs were consistent with a portosystemic shunt. In these dogs, the presence of congenital and acquired portosystemic shunts and histopathologic findings are considered to represent a combination of congenital portosystemic shunts and noncirrhotic portal hypertension or portal vein hypoplasia.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / congenital*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dog Diseases / surgery
  • Dogs
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / congenital
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / pathology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / veterinary*
  • Hypertension, Portal / complications
  • Hypertension, Portal / veterinary*
  • Laparotomy / veterinary
  • Male
  • Portal Vein / abnormalities*
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Radionuclide Imaging