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Originally Posted by feminvstr Baron in all do respect Ive never heard the term aquired shunt before. Could you please explain your definition.
Liver shunt could be very very minor, undectable in a young pup or young adult as they age the problem can rear its ugly head. It can be exaserbated by diet as they age thats the only thing I am familiar with. Aquired condition is confusing me. |
I hope this kind of explains the difference for you.
A Congential Shunt, or PSS (Portosystemic shunt)
Developing fetuses in all mammals have a large shunt that carries blood through the liver to the heart. Since the mother's liver does the work of filtering out toxins, storing sugar, and producing protein for her unborn babies, liver function is not needed in the fetus. Under normal circumstances, the shunt closes down shortly before or after birth as the newborn's liver begins to work. However, in some cases the shunt doesn't close down properly, or forms around the outside of the liver, thereby causing a hereditary birth defect known as a “congenital portosystemic shunt” or CPSS.
Acquired Shunts
Acquired shunts are not hereditary. They are a result of progressive liver disease. Dogs suffering from cirrhosis, hepatitis or congestive heart failure can have increased pressure inside their livers. This pressure causes embryonic vessels that normally have no function after birth to open. Often this involves a number of vessels not the one or two seen in congenital shunts.