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Liver Shunt in Dogs
This page focuses on liver shunt in dogs - Learn more about the causes and symptoms of canine liver shunt and how to use natural remedies such as
herbs to help dogs with liver problems.
"Portosystemic shunting" (PSS) or liver shunt is a condition in which there is abnormal blood flow between the liver and the body. Specifically, canine liver shunt
causes blood to flow around the liver, not through it, resulting in blood bypassing the liver.
Two Types of Liver Shunt in Dogs
There are two types of canine liver shunt - congenital and acquired. Congenital liver shunting is a birth defect, whereas acquired liver shunting results from severe
liver disease such as cirrhosis. Congenital shunts are more common in dogs than acquired shunts.
Development of Congenital Liver Shunt in Dogs
Understand that when a doggie fetus is in its mother's womb, blood is carried through the fetal liver to the heart by a large shunt (a blood vessel called "ductus venosus").
The fetus' liver does not have to work because everything is done by the mother's liver - from filtering out toxins, storing sugar, to producing protein.
In normal circumstances, the large shunt (ductus venosus) closes down shortly before or after birth as the puppy's liver begins to
work on its own. When the shunt does not close down in the puppy, the puppy is said to have an "intrahepatic shunt". In some other cases, a blood vessel outside of the
puppy's liver develops abnormally and remains open after the ductus venosus closes. When that happens, the puppy is said to have an "extrahepatic shunt".
Who are At Risk?
Most puppies with congenital liver shunts start showing signs by six months of age. However, shunts have been diagnosed in adults as old as 10 years. Female dogs are more
susceptible to shunts than males.
Breed-wise, small breed dogs tend to have extrahepatic shunts and are common in Yorkshire terriers, schnauzers, Maltese, dachshunds, Jack Russell terriers, Shih Tzu,
Lhasa apso, Cairn terriers, and poodles. Large breed dogs tend to have intrahepatic shunts and breeds that are predisposed include Irish wolfhounds, Labrador retrievers,
Australian shepherds, Australian cattle dogs, and Old English sheepdogs.
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Symptoms of Liver Shunt in Dogs
If a dog is suffering from liver shunt, he lacks the necessary materials (particularly protein) to give him a ready source of energy and to help him grow. This causes the
dog to be smaller and weaker than normal. Also, the liver is unable to properly get rid of all the toxins, causing toxin buildup in the bloodstream or kidneys. Toxin buildup
often causes seizures in dogs.
In addition, a dog with liver shunt may also show the following symptoms:
- Lack of appetite, resulting in weight loss
- Lethargy and general weakness
- Behavioral abnormalities (e.g. circling, stumbling, disorientation, unresponsiveness, staring into space, head pressing against objects)
There are other less common signs, such as:
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Diagnosis and Conventional Treatment of Liver Shunt in Dogs
Usually, blood tests on dogs with congenital liver shunts will reveal low blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and albumin concentrations, increased blood bile acid concentrations,
and increased liver enzymes. However, these are not enough for a definitive diagnosis. Additional examinations using advanced techniques such as scintigraphy, ultrasound,
portography, Cat scan ("CT"), MRI, or exploratory surgery are necessary.
Extrahepatic shunts can be corrected by surgery relatively easily. Intrahepatic shunts are much more complicated and surgery should best be performed by a board certified
surgeon (ACVS Diplomate). In addition to surgery, liver shunts may be managed through a low-protein diet supplemented with lactulose (for the absorption of intestinal
toxins such as ammonia by altering intestinal pH) and medications (antibiotics).
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Natural Remedies for Liver Shunt in Dogs
Although natural remedies cannot cure liver shunt in dogs, herbs and antioxidant supplements can be used to strengthen and support the dog's liver. Please visit our
page on Natural Remedies for Dog Liver Health for more information.
Related Topics
Liver Disease in Dogs
Liver Cancer in Dogs
Natural Remedies for Dog Liver Health
References
D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999).
College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee.
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