Abstract

Background:
Portal vein hypoplasia (PVH) is a congenital vascular anomaly described in dogs, characterized by abnormally small intrahepatic or extrahepatic portal veins, resulting in hepatic hypoperfusion and potential development of portal hypertension (PH), which may progress to the formation of portosystemic shunts.

Case Description:
A three-year-old female Dalmatian dog was presented with ascites and anemia with a seven-month history. Diagnostic investigation included laboratory tests and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which revealed chronic hepatopathy associated with multiple acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts, consistent with portal hypertension. Histopathological evaluation of liver biopsy samples confirmed portal vein hypoplasia as the underlying cause of intrahepatic portal hypertension. Clinical management consisted of a hepatic diet, hepatoprotective agents, and treatment of associated complications, resulting in significant clinical improvement.

Conclusion:
Portal vein hypoplasia should be considered among the main differential diagnoses in young dogs presenting with portal hypertension, particularly when vascular manifestations such as ascites, congestion, and portosystemic shunts are observed. Definitive diagnosis requires correlation between clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings, and appropriate medical management may lead to effective control of clinical signs.

Key words: Canine; Chronic hepatopathy; Hepatic vascular anomalies; Portosystemic shunt.