Peripartum clinical manifestations of a mesentericorenocaval shunt in a Burmese cat

Abstract

Case summary A 3-year-old entire female Burmese cat was presented for investigation of intermittent lethargy during gestation followed by persistent hypersalivation and ataxia postpartum. The cat had queened three litters in total, with clinical signs worsening during the most recent lactation period. Mild anaemia (26%), hypoglycaemia (2.4 mmol/l; reference interval [RI] 3.9–8.3 mmol/l) and increased postprandial serum bile acids (74 µmol/l; RI <25 µmol/l) were identified on initial bloodwork. Multiphase contrast-enhanced CT identified a mesentericorenocaval portosystemic shunt; this was attenuated surgically with an ameroid constrictor. Clinical signs resolved after surgery. Follow-up 3 months postoperatively revealed normal pre- and postprandial serum bile acids (2 µmol/l and 3 µmol/l, respectively) with repeat CT identifying evidence of shunt attenuation. The cat continued to be healthy and free of clinical signs 12 months postoperatively. Relevance and novel information Mesentericorenocaval portosystemic shunt morphology has not been previously reported in the cat and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for cats presenting with peripartum onset of malaise, ptyalism or ataxia.