Long-term outcome and quality of life of dogs that developed neurologic signs after surgical treatment of a congenital portosystemic shunt: 50 cases (2005-2020)

Carrera, AE; Morrissey, AM; Lipscomb, VJ; Tivers, MS; Chan, A; Pisco, VLP; Anderson, DM; Fox-Alvarez, WA; Dvm, BMK; de Rooster, H; Nurra, G; Yool, DA; Singh, A; Olive, M; Billet, JP; Mullins, RA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine survival time and quality of life of dogs that developed postattenuation neurologic signs (PANS) after surgical treatment of a single congenital portosystemic shunt and survived at least 30 days and identify whether neurologic signs present at the time of discharge would resolve or reoccur. ANIMALS 50 client owned dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and follow-up data relating to neurologic signs and seizure activity were obtained. Owners were asked to complete a questionnaire related to the presence of neurologic signs, including seizures, and their dog's quality of life. RESULTS Thirty of the 50 (60%) dogs had postattenuation seizures with or without other nonseizure neurologic signs, and 20 (40%) had neurologic signs other than seizures. Neurologic signs had fully resolved by the time of discharge in 24 (48%) dogs. Signs resolved in 18 of the remaining 26 (69%) dogs that still had PANS other than seizures at the time of discharge. Seizures reoccurred in 15 of the 30 dogs that had postattenuation seizures. Twenty-seven of 33 (82%) owners graded their dog's long-term (> 30 days after surgery) quality-of-life as high. Forty-five (90%) dogs survived > 6 months. Most (29/43 [67%]) neurologic signs (other than seizures) present at the time of hospital discharge resolved.

Citation

Carrera, A., Morrissey, A., Lipscomb, V., Tivers, M., Chan, A., Pisco, V., …Mullins, R. (2021). Long-term outcome and quality of life of dogs that developed neurologic signs after surgical treatment of a congenital portosystemic shunt: 50 cases (2005-2020). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 260(3), 326-334. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.20.11.0606

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 4, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 28, 2023
• Print ISSN: 0003-1488
• Publisher: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 260
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 326-334
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.20.11.0606
• Keywords: STATUS EPILEPTICUS; PARTIAL LIGATION; ATTENUATION; SEIZURES; PROPOFOL; LEVETIRACETAM; COMPLICATIONS; DYSFUNCTION; MANAGEMENT; VEIN