Diagnosis and treatment of a congenital portosystemic shunt in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

J Visser, N J Schoemaker, Y R A van Zeeland, S Veraa, M J L Kik, H Fieten, A Kummeling*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A 3-year-old female neutered ferret presented with progressive weight loss was diagnosed with portosystemic shunting based on increased fasting bile acids, rectal ammonia tolerance testing and advanced imaging. Ammonia reference values were determined in 16 healthy ferrets. A congenital extrahepatic spleno-caval shunt was visualised with ultrasonography and CT angiography of the abdomen. Complete surgical shunt closure by suture ligation was performed, without clinical improvement after surgery. Euthanasia was elected 4 months postoperatively because the clinical condition deteriorated. This is a case report of advanced diagnostics and surgical treatment of a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a ferret, demonstrating rectal ammonia tolerance testing and imaging as feasible techniques for the diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-78
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Small Animal Practice
Volume65
Issue number1
Early online date10 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Small Animal Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Keywords

  • Ammonia tolerance-test
  • Dogs
  • Surgical-management
  • Constrictor
  • Partial ligation

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