Liver Shunt - Constrictor Ring Application

What is a liver shunt?  A liver shunt is a blood vessel that carries blood around the liver instead of through it. In some animals a liver shunt is a birth defect (“congenital portosystemic shunt”). In others, multiple small shunts “acquired portosystemic shunts”) form because of severe liver disease such as cirrhosis.

To determine if your pet has a liver shunt your referring veterinarian may perform a test that determines the bile acid levels in the bloodstream.  Should that test indicate a liver shunt, we are equipped to run an angiogram in our facility that will trace the vessels around the liver to ascertain if surgical intervention is recommended. 

The surgical correction offered is accomplished by applying an ameroid constrictor ring around the offending vessel.  This consists of a stainless steel ring with an inner casein core. The casein absorbs abdominal fluid and swells and then causes a fibrous tissue reaction.  The constrictor causes the shunt to stricture closed gradually over 2-4 weeks.

How much does a Liver Shunt Correction cost?

The all inclusive fee is $3,550.00 ($1,050.00 CT Scan angiography for diagnosis) ($2500.00 to apply ameroid constrictor ring)

This includes:

• Intake Physical Examination
• Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork: CBC, full chemistry panel, clotting profile when indicated
• EKG
• I.V. Catheter
• I.V. Fluids
• Pre-Anesthetic analgesia drugs
• Anesthesia induction drugs tailored to the individual patient
• Preoperative imaging with arteriogram using CT scan with contrast
• Anesthesia Maintenance on isoflurane
• Anesthesia monitoring by: EKG, CO2 end tidal, O2 saturation, Blood pressure, body temperature
• Ameroid constrictor ring application surgery
• Post-surgical recovery monitoring
• Hospitalization as required
• Take home medications
• Recheck appointments