Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Older miniature schnauzers can be diagnosed with congenital liver
By Mertens, Michelle et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2010·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunt in miniature schnauzers 7 years of age or older (1997-2006).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old miniature schnauzer was diagnosed with a congenital portosystemic shunt (PSS), a condition where blood bypasses the liver, after showing signs that could indicate liver issues. This breed is more likely to be diagnosed with PSS at an older age compared to other dogs, with about 23% of affected miniature schnauzers being 7 years or older. Symptoms may not appear until later in life, so it's important for owners of older schnauzers to be aware of potential signs like confusion or disorientation. Treatment options can include surgery to correct the blood flow, which can help improve the dog's condition.
People also search for: miniature schnauzer liver problems · dog confusion treatment · congenital portosystemic shunt symptoms
Abstract
Dogs with congenital portosystemic shunt (PSS) are typically diagnosed before 2 years of age. The objective of this study was to determine if miniature schnauzers are more likely to be diagnosed with congenital PSS at an older age than are other breeds. This retrospective study examined the case records of 171 dogs diagnosed with congenital PSS; dogs were included if they were definitively diagnosed as having congenital PSS by nuclear scintigraphy, contrast portography, and/or exploratory surgery. Seven (23%) of 31 miniature schnauzers diagnosed with congenital PSS were 7 years of age or older at the time of diagnosis, compared to 3.4% for all other breeds. Miniature schnauzers had a relative prevalence ratio of 6.3 (95% confidence interval 2.2 to 18.6; P=0.001) for being diagnosed at or after 7 years of age when compared to all other breeds of dogs. Clinical signs of congenital PSS may not manifest sufficiently to cause an owner to seek veterinary care for some dogs until they are older. Congenital PSS should be considered in mature dogs, particularly miniature schnauzers, that are presented with signs potentially consistent with hepatic encephalopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20610695/