FAQ

Portal hypertension is triggered by increased resistance to portal blood flow, increased portal venous blood flow, or both, due to prehepatic, hepatic, or posthepatic causes.

Life expectancy with portal hypertension depends on the underlying cause, ranging from guarded in cases of cirrhosis to favorable in idiopathic noncirrhotic cases.

Dogs with portal hypertension can live for several years with supportive care, especially if the cause is idiopathic noncirrhotic PH or PHPV.

The five main symptoms of portal hypertension are ascites, acquired portosystemic shunts (APSS), hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, and splenomegaly.

Portal hypertension in dogs is caused by increased resistance or blood flow in the portal venous system due to conditions such as liver fibrosis, congenital vascular anomalies, portal vein obstruction, or cardiac disease.

Portal hypertension in dogs is abnormally high pressure within the portal venous system, usually due to increased resistance or blood flow in the portal circulation. It leads to complications like ascites, acquired shunts, hepatic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Veterinarians treat dirt eating by identifying the underlying cause—nutritional deficiency, medical disorder, behavioral issue, or environmental factor—and providing targeted care including diagnostics, dietary adjustments, behavior modification, and parasite control.

Dirt eating becomes a concern when it’s frequent, sudden, or accompanied by symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or pale gums, suggesting a possible medical issue.

Vets treat dirt eating in dogs by assessing potential nutritional, behavioral, medical, or environmental causes through diagnostics and tailored interventions.

Dirt eating becomes a concern when it's frequent, sudden, or accompanied by signs like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or pale gums; consult a vet promptly.