Lifesaving Shunt Surgery

This pretty ten-month-old Labrador Retriever was referred to the specialists at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital for investigation of severe anemia and mild neurologic signs which had begun approximately four months earlier. An abdominal ultrasound performed at another clinic showed an abnormal blood vessel within the liver.

Dr. Doug Santen examined Jypsey and performed bloodwork that suggested that Jypsey had a portosystemic shunt, an abnormality in the blood vessels going to and from the liver that can cause the kinds of symptoms that Jypsey was displaying. The abnormal vessel seen in the ultrasound was the likely culprit.

Jypsey needed life-saving surgery in an attempt to find the offending vessel and tie it off.

Dr. Preston Stubbs performed the four-hour procedure using an x-ray dye study and intra-operative ultrasound to locate the abnormal vessel within the liver tissue. The vessel was tied off nearly completely, restoring a more normal flow of blood to the liver, thereby decreasing the buildup of potentially life-threatening toxins in Jypsey's bloodstream.

The day after her surgery you'd never know the trauma she had just been through. She was all Lab puppy and wiggles, as seen in this picture with her mom.

Jypsey's prognosis for a full recovery is fair to good, and we're eager to see her progress.

Jypsey, the day after surgery, with her mom, Shannon.