In pets with a liver shunt, an abnormal blood vessel creates a detour that sends blood around the liver rather than through it — and that single wrong turn can have a big impact on their health. In dogs with a liver shunt, however, there’s an abnormal blood vessel — a connection that shouldn’t exist — that causes this unfiltered blood to bypass the liver entirely. Spotting The SignsBecause dogs are usually born with liver shunts, problems often show up early in puppyhood. This is why many dogs with liver shunts develop neurological problems such as seizures, drooling, bumping into walls, or general disorientation. Diet is a very important aspect of management and can be very helpful in reducing clinical signs of liver shunts.