Extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a 8 month-old female maltese dog

Abstract

The shunt portosystemic or portosystemic deviation (PSD) are unique or multiples vascular communications between the systemic circulaton and the portal circulation, that permit blood flow reaches the circulatory system without first passing trhought the hepatic metabolization. May be acquired or congenital and can also be classified as intrahepatic located within the liver or extrahepatic located outside the liver parenquima. The acquired form is usually associated with intra-hepatic disorders. They usually suggest tortuous vessels that communicate with the caudal vena cava in the region of the left kidney. The congenital form is associated with genetic lineage and one of the most affected  is Maltese breed. This case report describes the diagnostis and treatment of a eight year-old female Maltese dog presenting extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt. The patient showed signs of hepatic encephalopathy, such as restlessnees, weakness, deambulation, head tremor and impaired visual. Complementary exam demonstrated: postprandial glicemia near the lower limit of reference, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased and hipoalbuminemia. Ultrasonography revealed the presence of vesical calculus and bilateral kidney, liver decreases and increased echogenicity, gallbladder with anechoic content and high cellularity may suggest liver/ colangiohepatopatia and extrahepatic DPS was detected. The use of Doppler assisted in identifying the location of the bypass communication and the turbulence detecting the extrahepatic DPS. Protein-restricted diet and antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin achieved good results. The clinical treatment was decided make only the clinical and maintain the quality of life of the patient.