Lifesaving Surgery for Rare Liver Defect in Kitten

Spot, a kitten found shivering outside a home in Spokane, Washington, was diagnosed with a rare liver defect and underwent lifesaving surgery at Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Darren Bass found Spot on a cold October night in 2024 and initially took her to a veterinary clinic for vaccinations and treatment of an upper respiratory infection. However, despite initial improvements, Spot's condition worsened over the following months, and repeated visits to veterinary and urgent care clinics failed to turn up an explanation.

The breakthrough in Spot's diagnosis came from Whitney Nelson, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), from the Pet Emergency Clinic and Referral Center in Spokane. After reviewing Spot's history and symptoms, including poor growth, weight loss, appetite changes, and neurological problems, Nelson suspected a portosystemic shunt, a rare congenital liver defect in which blood bypasses the liver instead of being filtered by it.

An ultrasound confirmed Nelson's diagnosis, and Spot was referred to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for specialized surgical care under Boel Fransson, DVM, PhD, DACVS-SA.

## Correcting the Liver Defect

To correct the shunt, the surgical team placed a cellophane band around the abnormal blood vessel. The band is designed to gradually close the vessel over time, redirecting blood flow through the liver as intended.

## Outcome and Outlook

Spot's surgery was successful, and she is now gaining weight, growing stronger, and adjusting well to life with her new diagnosis behind her. According to Fransson, if the vessel fully attenuates, the goal is for cats to live a normal lifespan with good quality of life.

Spot's owner, Darren Bass, said that without surgery, Spot probably would have lived only a few more years. However, thanks to the successful surgery, Spot is now doing great and continues to improve.

## Financial Assistance

Bass said that the timing of Spot's illness coincided with one of the hardest periods of his life, including struggling to find employment and facing the possibility of homelessness. However, the WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital Good Samaritan Fund helped Bass manage the costs of Spot's treatment, easing a financial burden that might otherwise have put her surgery out of reach.

Bass expressed his gratitude for the Good Samaritan Fund and hopes to repay the kindness shown to him and Spot by helping someone else in the future.

| **Source** | **Title** | **Date** | | --- | --- | --- | | WSU Insider | Spokane cat's rare diagnosis leads to lifesaving care at WSU | August 17, 2026 |