Clinical and diagnostic features of portosystemic shunt in a foal.
Abstract: Portosystemic shunt was diagnosed in a 6-month-old Quarter Horse filly with acute onset of apparent blindness and a 3-month history of depression, lethargy, and ataxia. Clinicopathologic test results indicated slightly high gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and serum total bilirubin concentration. Sulfobromophthalein half time was prolonged, and plasma ammonia and serum bile acid concentrations were high as well. Histopathologic findings of percutaneous liver biopsy included widespread hepatocyte atrophy and numerous prominent small arterioles in the area of the portal triad. On the basis of history, clinical findings, and clinicopathologic abnormalities, a presumptive diagnosis of portosystemic vascular anomaly was made. To confirm the tentative diagnosis, nuclear hepatic scintigraphy and operative mesenteric portography were performed. Medical treatment was unsuccessful, and the foal was euthanatized. Portosystemic shunts have been described in dogs and cats, but few cases have been reported in large animal species. Other, more common causes of neurologic abnormalities in foals, such as trauma, vertebral body abscesses, brain abscesses, and meningitis, must be ruled out before portosystemic shunt is considered.
Publication Date: 1988-02-01 PubMed ID: 3356582
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study is about a Quarter Horse filly diagnosed with a portosystemic shunt, a rare health issue among large animals, with symptoms including depression, blindness, and ataxia. After regular diagnostic methods failed to confirm the condition, more specialized diagnostic techniques were applied for confirmation but all medical treatments were unsuccessful, leading to the foal’s euthanization.
Background
- Portosystemic shunt is a medical condition where the host’s blood flow bypasses the liver, which is unusual and can lead to several health problems. While it’s more common in small animals like dogs and cats, it’s rare in large animals like horses.
- An unusual case of a 6-month-old Quarter Horse filly with portosystemic shunt was presented in this study. The symptoms included a sudden onset of apparent blindness, depression, lethargy, and ataxia.
Diagnosis
- The initial diagnosis based on clinicopathologic test results showed slightly high gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and serum total bilirubin concentration. These suggest a possible liver malfunction.
- Additionally, prolonged sulfobromophthalein half time and high plasma ammonia and serum bile acid concentrations were further indications of abnormal liver functionality.
- A percutaneous liver biopsy was performed, revealing hepatocyte atrophy and many small arterioles in the portal triad area. These histopathologic findings indicated problems in the liver’s histological structure.
- The diagnosis of portosystemic vascular anomaly was initially made based on the foal’s history, clinical findings, and clinicopathologic abnormalities.
Confirmation and Treatment
- To confirm the presumptive diagnosis, nuclear hepatic scintigraphy and operative mesenteric portography were performed. These are advanced imaging techniques that provide information about the structure and functionality of the liver.
- Unfortunately, the foal’s condition did not improve despite medical treatment. Hence, due to the severity of the condition and poor prognosis, euthanasia was the final decision.
Conclusion
- The occurrence of a portosystemic shunt in a foal emphasizes the need to consider this medical condition in foals showing certain neurologic abnormalities, even though it’s rare in large animals.
- The paper suggests ruling out more common causes of neurologic issues in foals, such as trauma, vertebral body abscesses, brain abscesses, and meningitis, before diagnosing portosystemic shunt.
Cite This Article
APA
Buonanno AM, Carlson GP, Kantrowitz B.
(1988).
Clinical and diagnostic features of portosystemic shunt in a foal.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 192(3), 387-389.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / congenital
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Portal System / abnormalities
- Vascular Diseases / congenital
- Vascular Diseases / diagnosis
- Vascular Diseases / pathology
- Vascular Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Buczinski S, Duval J, D'Anjou MA, Francoz D, Fecteau G. Portacaval shunt in a calf: clinical, pathologic, and ultrasonographic findings. Can Vet J 2007 Apr;48(4):407-10.
- Olchowy TW, Daniel GB, Tucker RL, Petersen MG. Hepatic vascular anomaly in a calf. Can Vet J 1992 Feb;33(2):131-3.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
