Portohepatic-Shunt?

**sirrahbed** · 09-22-2007, 05:03 PM

Have any of you had any experience with this pup condition? I am looking for any information about the shunt because my best friend is trying to find anything about the condition, surgery and how to care for this little puppy up until surgery can be done. Her little Yorkshire Dudley is five months old and the vets have found that he has this.

The puppy's mom had hoped that maybe some PetTalker's might have direct experience. Niether of us had ever heard about it before but read a little about it on some vet websites.

Dudley is very, very sick right now and having more tests to see if his liver is strong enough to have the surgery.

Thanks for any shared experiences or suggestions

**kuhio98** · 09-23-2007, 07:59 PM

Debbie ~ Medical jargon is beyond me. But, do you think it might be the same as an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt?

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=125861

IMOM had a case on this: http://www.imom.invisionzone.com/com...showtopic=2619 "Mya is a 4 month old Shepard/Mix that has been diagnosed with an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The procedure for this is called Percutaneous Transjugular Coil Embolization. Treatment for Mya is only available at MSU and U of Penn.

She found a wonderful vet - Dr. Beal at MSU (I think that's Michigan State) - who did a lot of research and was able to help out this poor pupper. Last I heard, Mya was still going strong.

If it's the same thing, you might contact IMOM. I'm sure they would be happy to share what they learned during this case. Also, her foster mom could give you more info. http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...d=8059341%2522

**sirrahbed** · 09-23-2007, 08:19 PM

Lisa - it sounds like it may be the same thing??

Darla - will this help? Maybe the vet college would want to call this contact as it all sounds fairly new and the more shared the better. Whatever - what is happening with Mya and Dudley may be able to help someone else out.

I think Dudley lives in Missouri?? Darla - where is the vet college that may be doing his surgery??

Let us know updates about the two dogs ... ok??

**Tollers-n-Dobes** · 09-23-2007, 08:21 PM

Poor pup. There was somebody on another board who's Toller had a shunt and he came out fine and is pretty much back to normal, but I'm not sure what she did before he was able to have surgery. I wish there was some sort of advice I could offer, but I can't. I hope everything goes well for him.

**Darla_6** · 09-23-2007, 10:06 PM

First I want to say Thank you we are still so worried about little Dudley he is a very sick little guy. He lives in Kansas and will be going to KSU I think it is in Manhatton KS for the surgery. This is my son and dil little puppy. After he eats he is very tired and weak. In the morning he gets up and plays some and then in evening when they come home he plays a little. But after he eats he is out of it for awhile. They said sometimes he can't even take a drink his little head falls right into the water.

He is on medicine now that helps a little. My dil has called around to different college to try to get more information on this condition. I email them to tell them about MSU. Will try to keep you posted. Again Thank you.

**Darla_6** · 09-23-2007, 11:22 PM

Here is an email from my son tonight sent to me on Dudley

It looks like this coil surgery is for shunts that are inside the liver. it's possible this might be, but most of the time these small dogs have them outside the liver.

http://vetsurgerycentral.com/pss.htm

This is the best site that I've seen that describes it. Likely, they'll put a ring on the shunt like you see in this site. As long as they find it (the shunt), it shouldn't really be too bad of a surgery. It just depends on the shape his liver is in.