Portosystemic Shunt in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Portosystemic Shunt
Organ System: Nervous/sensory

If your dog has portosystemic shunt (PSS), then their blood will be circulating around the body without passing through the liver. This means that the toxins which are usually removed by the liver, remain in the bloodstream. These then impact the brain leading to a variety of symptoms including loss of appetite, weakness and blindness. They also impact the urinary system resulting in stones building up in the bladder, urinary tract and kidneys. If your dog shows any of these symptoms then you should consult your vet urgently. If your vet suspects PSS, they will arrange for clinical tests followed by surgery.

Breeds exposed to Portosystemic Shunt – Research Reference
Borzoi Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Basset Hound Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Alsatian Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Great Pyrenean Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Water Spaniel Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Fox Terrier Smooth Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Old English Sheepdog Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dobermann Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boxer Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Chow Chow Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rhodesian Ridgeback Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Rottweiler Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Beagle Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Fox Terrier Wire Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Wolfhound Cross – (Dewey 2003a)
Wire-Haired Terrier Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Setter Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Wolfhound Cross – (Dewey 2003a)
German Shepherd Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Doberman Pinscher – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Doberman Pinscher Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Borzoi – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Great Pyrenean – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rhodesian Ridgeback – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Basset Hound – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Beagle – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Boxer – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Chow Chow – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dobermann – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Fox Terrier Smooth – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Fox Terrier Wire – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
German Shepherd – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Great Dane – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Irish Setter – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Water Spaniel – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Old English Sheepdog – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Rottweiler – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Alsatian – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Doodle (Groodle) – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Red and White Setter – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Wire-Haired Terrier – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labradoodle – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bullmastiff – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bullmastiff Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Great Dane Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database) & Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Boerboel Cross – (Gray
Irish Red and White Setter Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Wolfhound – (Dewey 2003a)
Irish Wolfhound – (Dewey 2003a)
“Boerboel – (Gray
Labradoodle Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Portosystemic Shunt or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.