Portosystemic shunts are abnormal blood vessel connections that bypass the liver in dogs, causing toxin accumulation in the bloodstream and significant neurological, gastrointestinal, and urinary symptoms.
Portosystemic shunts cause chronic suffering through recurrent hepatic encephalopathy episodes, which can manifest as seizures, apparent blindness, aggression, or profound confusion. Dogs with untreated PSS experience a markedly reduced quality of life. Surgical correction, while technically demanding and not without risk, offers the best chance of near-normal liver function and long-term welfare. Preoperative medical management — low-protein diets, lactulose, and antibiotics — can stabilise dogs ahead of surgery. Post-surgical monitoring for complications including portal hypertension and residual shunting is essential. Breeders of predisposed breeds should screen breeding stock to reduce the inherited prevalence of this condition.