Congenital portosystemic shunt
There are many liver problems that can affect dogs but most of these affect older animals. One that tends to occur in young animals (often only a few months old) is a congenital portosystemic shunt. A portosystemic shunt is an abnormal blood supply which bypasses the liver allowing toxic substances into the general circulation and preventing full use of the nutrients in the diet. Unfortunately the signs of portosystemic shunts are often very vague and it can be hard to put all the signs together as a single illness. If you notice any odd signs in your puppy always report them to your vet - even if they come and go without treatment. Early recognition and treatment of most conditions can prevent more serious problems later on.