Debbie works at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and one day before Christmas 1995 she bought home two Irish Wolfhound puppies. We called them Shadow and Derek.

They where from a litter of seven puppies which had been tested  by the University. They along with two other puppies in the litter were diagnosed as having a condition known as Portosystemic Shunt (PSS). The vet, interested in the breed and the condition, after consulting with the breeder, decided to run the puppies on in a normal home environment (i.e. non prescription diet) and regularly carry out tests. He was more interested in the progression of the condition and the trends in the blood results at this point than the method of inheritance. The puppies where then housed with University medical staff, on the condition that if the puppy started showing symptoms it was to be euthanased. All four puppies were on different diets, ranging from commercial dog food to beef, vegetables and dry food. None of this research was funded and people involved bore all costs except the blood tests.

Unfortunately, Shadow started fading within two weeks and was put down. Derek is still doing extremely well and apart from his low weight for height, he looks and acts perfectly normal. The other two puppies were not so fortunate. Lizzie survived until seventeen weeks and Molly went on until she was eleven months.

Below is a table of the Ammonia and Bile Acid test results performed until the vet involved left the University to take up an overseas position.
 

At twelve months, in consultation with a vet we decided to have Derek castrated, as one of our bitches was due to come into season. Whilst he was under anaesthetic we requested to have another Porto-venogram performed. Surprisingly, although the original shunt was still there and proportionally the same size, to compensate he had developed a small network of vessels that filtered blood through the liver. This was also evident when he came out of anaesthetic as any normal dog would.

Derek, was a normal looking, healthy (although underweight), well adjusted dog. He got into just as much mischief as any of our other hounds, with his best friend Ti, a miniature pony, chasing each other around the block. Whilst on a holiday Derek found himself a new home and friends. His outward appearance and lack of any clinical signs must make one wonder if there are any other puppies out there who have PSS but are compensating for it like Derek.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. One day he went off his food refusing to eat all together. He very quickly dropped about 2 kg in weight. Being underweight already Derek didn't have any reserves to rely on. He became weak and lethargic. Apart from his refusal to eat he showed none of the other clinical signs associated with a Liver Shunt. After eliminating all other causes, Derek, now twenty-three months old, was put to rest. He will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him.

If any one is interested and would like more information, please feel free to contact us or Jean Timmins who has a website with a lot more detailed information on the condition and what is being done about it in the UK.