PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS

Portosystemic shunts tend to be common in cats. Hepatic encephalopathy and ptyalism are very common in cats with portosystemic shunts. Serum bile acid assay is an accurate method of establishing abnormal liver function in these cats. When combined with the history and clinical si gns, serum bile acid assay leads to a presumptive diagnosis of portosy stemic shunts. Positive-contrast portography confirms portosystemic sh unting, which in cats is usually a single extrahepatic portacaval shun t. Results of surgical ligation in cats are less favorable than in dog s, with only approximately 59% of feline patients having a good to exc ellent outcome.