ABORDAGEM TERAPÊUTICA DE DESVIO PORTOSSISTÊMICO EXTRA HEPÁTICO CONGÊNITO EM CÃO: RELATO DE CASO

Abstract

This report aims to describe the treatment of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a 6 month old, unneutered male Shih Tzu dog weighing 4.5 kg. This condition is a vascular anomaly characterized by an anomalous communication between the portal venous system and the systemic circulation, resulting in the diversion of hepatic blood flow. Portosystemic shunt may manifest neurological clinical signs such as lethargy, ataxia, compulsive behavior, head pressing, and seizures, in addition to gastrointestinal clinical signs such as diarrhea and vomiting, and urinary alterations such as polyuria, hematuria, and the presence of ammonium urate crystals in the urine. The diagnosis of this condition requires laboratory and imaging tests, with computed tomography being an effective method. Treatment may be clinical and/or surgical. Clinical management highlights the use of a liver support diet and administration of lactulose, which accelerates fecal elimination and reduces the absorption of toxins. Surgical conduct is considered the definitive approach for correction of the anomalous vessel. In this report, the diagnosis was made through computed tomography. After this, clinical treatment was initiated to stabilize the condition, followed by surgical intervention using an ameroid ring, which three months after the procedure, a significant improvement was observed, attributed to the occlusion of the anomalous vessel. This present study highlights the importance of clinical treatment to stabilize the patient before performing the surgical procedure.