A liver shunt — also called a portosystemic shunt (PSS) — is a serious but treatable condition that Yorkshire Terriers are genetically predisposed to. Understanding the symptoms, treatment options, and long-term outlook can make a life-changing difference for affected Yorkies.
What Is a Liver Shunt?
A liver shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver, preventing it from filtering toxins — particularly ammonia — from the bloodstream. In Yorkies, the shunt is typically extrahepatic, meaning it develops outside the liver. It is usually a congenital condition, meaning the puppy is born with it.
Why Yorkies Are at Higher Risk
Yorkshire Terriers are one of the breeds most commonly affected by liver shunts. The genetic predisposition is significant — responsible breeders screen their breeding stock for the condition. If you are buying a Yorkie puppy, ask the breeder whether the parents have been tested.
Symptoms of a Liver Shunt in Yorkies
Symptoms typically appear within the first year of life and often worsen after a high-protein meal:
- Neurological signs: Vacant staring, pacing in circles, head pressing against walls, temporary blindness, and seizures
- Poor growth: Noticeably small for age, difficulty gaining weight, muscle wasting
- Digestive issues: Intermittent vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), loss of appetite
- Urinary problems: Increased drinking and urination, blood in urine (from ammonium urate bladder stones)
- Behavioural changes: Lethargy, disorientation, or seeming “out of it” after eating
Diagnosis
If your vet suspects a liver shunt, they will typically run a bile acids test — the gold standard for diagnosis. This involves taking blood samples before and after a meal to measure bile acid levels. Ultrasound and advanced imaging (CT scan) can confirm the location of the shunt.
Treatment Options
Medical management is used for stabilisation before surgery or when surgery is not possible. It includes a low-protein prescription diet, lactulose (to trap ammonia in the gut), and antibiotics to reduce toxin-producing bacteria.
Surgery is the definitive treatment and offers the best long-term outcome. The most common technique uses an ameroid constrictor — a metal ring with a casein centre that slowly swells over 3 to 14 days, gradually closing the shunt. This allows the liver time to adapt. Cellophane banding is another option that works by triggering inflammation that closes the vessel gradually.
Prognosis
The outlook for Yorkies with liver shunts depends heavily on treatment choice:
- Surgical treatment: 85-95% achieve normal liver function and live medication-free lives. Median life expectancy is approximately 12.5 years.
- Medical management only: Median survival is 2 to 24 months, with many dogs facing progressive decline.
If your Yorkie has been diagnosed with a liver shunt, consulting a veterinary surgical specialist is strongly recommended. Surgery can give your Yorkie a normal, healthy life.
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