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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Bichon frise puppy itching linked to liver shunt fixed by surgery

By Waisglass, Stephen E et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2006·Doncaster Animal Clinic Dermatology Referral Service·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Pruritus possibly associated with a portosystemic shunt in a bichon frise puppy.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A 22-week-old bichon frise puppy was brought to the vet because it was itching all over its body. After some tests, the vet found that the puppy had a portosystemic shunt, a condition where blood bypasses the liver. Once the shunt was corrected through surgery, the puppy's itching completely went away. This case shows that liver problems can sometimes cause itching in dogs, just like in people.

People also search for: bichon frise puppy itching · portosystemic shunt treatment · dog skin problems liver disease

Abstract

A bichon frise puppy was presented with generalized pruritus. At 22 weeks, a portosystemic shunt was diagnosed. Correction of the shunt led to resolution of the pruritus. Pruritus associated with hepatobiliary disease is well documented in humans; this case suggests that hepatobiliary disease may be associated with pruritus in dogs.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17147142/