Successful ligation of the left and right gastric vein in a dog with congenital portosystemic shunts type Aii.

The type Aii shunt is a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (ePSS) involving the left and right gastric vein and the caudal vena cava (CVC). This report describes the case of a 6-month-old Italian greyhound diagnosed with a type Aii large-diameter ePSS. Staged surgeries were employed to completely ligate the 2 gastric veins and to avoid the risk of traumatizing the shunt vessel, CVC, and celiac artery. Clinical signs improved postoperatively, and after 3 years, ultrasonography demonstrated no evidence of reoccurrence. This procedure provides an alternative surgical option for correction of ePSS type Aii. Key clinical message: This case report demonstrates congenital PSS involving the left and right gastric vein and the caudal vena could be treated with both ligation of left and right gastric vein. This technique could decrease the risk of traumatizing the shunt vessel, CVC, and celiac artery. Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.