Species: Dog
Condition: Congenital Portosystemic Shunt
Organ System: Musculoskeletal
The problem involves the failure of the fetal venous shunts in the liver to close after puppies are born. The anatomical defect will result in an abnormal blood circulation in the liver and causing persistent shunting of blood from the digestive tract to the systemic circulation and bypassing hepatic metabolism. Shunts may be intra- or extra-hepatic depending on the part of the liver where the blood vessel is located. The liver plays an important part in the detoxification of the impurities and metabolic wastes in the body. The organ acts as a filter of blood that passes through it. Surgery can help correct the abnormality and allow normal circulation of blood in the liver.
This information is accurate as at May 2014 and is subject to change without notice.
For Petmed Pet Health Insurance – pre-existing condition exclusion applies. Annual Benefit Limits and excess amounts vary based on pet health insurance plans.