Puppy Undergoes Three-hour Operation For Rare Arteriovenous Malformation At Yorkshire Hospital

Seven-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Lola was referred to Linnaeus-owned Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Wakefield, West Yorkshire due to a congenital abnormality. 

On arrival, RCVS and EBVS specialist in small animal surgery David Barker diagnosed her with arteriovenous malformation and multiple acquired portosystemic shunts following a CT scan.

David said: “Luna had exploratory surgery where the abnormal vessel was isolated and removed along with a biopsy of her liver and cholecystectomy.

“Surgery was challenging because in addition to a network of abnormal vessels, there was a very large – bigger than the aorta – abnormal artery running through her liver. We used a combination of staples, sutures and harmonic sealing devices to perform her surgery.  

“Arteriovenous malformations are quite rare and surgery took around three hours. Luna received a whole blood transfusion during and after surgery.”

An ultrasound following the operation found it had been a complete success and there was no blood flow in the abnormal artery. 

But David says due to Luna’s condition she may have complications in future. 

He added: “Luna has multiple acquired shunts, these will not close and will potentially get worse as she ages. Her owners are aware she is unfortunately unlikely to live a normal lifespan.

“They will focus on making sure she lives life to the full following her successful surgery. Luna’s owners have updated us that she is doing very well at home so far.”

Paragon provides expert care in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery. 

For more information on Paragon Veterinary Referrals, visit www.paragonreferrals.co.uk or search for Paragon Veterinary Referrals on social media.