Cornell Dog Liver Shunt Surgery

Some dog breeds are prone to circulatory system abnormalities, called shunts, in the liver area that don't deliver blood to the liver for proper cleansing. Dr. Sharon Center at Cornell University Department of Veterinary Medicine is one of the leading researchers in this disease.

  1. Cause

    • Portosystemic shunts or liver shunts occur outside the liver (extrahepatic) or inside the liver (intrahepatic). Shunt occurrence is thought to be genetically determined. Dr. Center is working on investigating marker genes in small dog breeds that have high rates of extrahepatic liver shunt occurrence.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis begins with blood tests. Dr. Center developed the Bile Acid Test, which is always elevated in liver shunt dogs. Imaging procedures are used to confirm presence and location of the shunt.

    Treatment Options

    • Many cases of portosystemic shunts are treated with diet and medication. For others, surgical treatment is frequently necessary. Dr. Center at Cornell University is well-known as an expert for this surgery. The Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue website has a list of additional liver shunt specialists.

    Surgery

    • Surgery depends on whether the shunt is inside or outside the liver. Shunts inside the liver, usually found in large breed dogs, are more complicated to treat. Extrahepatic shunts are treated by using constrictor devices such as ameroid constrictors, cellophane bands or partial ligation suturing to gradually close off the shunt.