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Gidget, a two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier rescued by the NYPD, was diagnosed with a congenital portosystemic shunt after ASPCA veterinarians investigated persistent health problems. She underwent surgery on February 11, 2026, and the ASPCA said she recovered well and tolerated a reduction in medication. The supplied report does not say whether she has been adopted.
Gidget, a two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier rescued by New York police after an observer reported seeing her owner kick and punch her, underwent surgery on February 11, 2026, to correct a congenital blood-vessel abnormality affecting her liver, the ASPCA reported. The organization said she recovered well and did well as her medications were reduced, following months of veterinary care and monitoring.
Gidget arrived at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center in New York City thin, with matted fur and a recent history of blunt force trauma, according to the ASPCA account. Veterinary staff began treating her and noticed additional problems: her appetite fluctuated, she sometimes vomited and became lethargic, and laboratory tests repeatedly showed changes that prompted concern about a congenital liver condition.
An ultrasound and consultation with a board-certified internal medicine specialist led the team to identify findings concerning for a congenital portosystemic shunt, or cPSS. In this condition, an abnormal blood vessel lets blood from the intestines bypass the liver instead of passing through it for processing. Gidget’s surgery was intended to close the vessel. The ASPCA said a liver tissue sample taken during the procedure showed reduced blood flow, consistent with the diagnosis.
Before surgery, Gidget moved between ASPCA facilities and received close monitoring, medication timed around meals, and a diet with controlled protein. Staff also watched for neurological symptoms and low blood sugar. The ASPCA said she gained weight, was groomed and tolerated repeated exams and blood draws. After surgery, she returned to care that included foster support while her recovery continued.
Why Gidget Needed Specialist Care
A cPSS can affect more than digestion. The ASPCA explains that when blood bypasses the liver, substances normally processed there can circulate to other parts of the body. One example is ammonia, a byproduct of digestion. In dogs with a shunt, elevated ammonia can interfere with brain function and may cause lethargy or seizures; untreated cases can be fatal, according to the organization.
The case also shows why the signs veterinarians investigated mattered: Gidget’s variable appetite, vomiting, lethargy and repeated laboratory abnormalities prompted further testing rather than being treated as isolated complaints. Her care involved an internal medicine specialist, surgery, dietary management and monitoring across multiple ASPCA teams. The report presents her outcome as a successful recovery to that point, but does not provide long-term follow-up.
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From Rescue to Liver Surgery
Police brought Gidget to the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center after a person reportedly witnessed the assault days before Halloween. The organization says its veterinary staff identified signs of possible liver disease during her forensic and medical workup. An ultrasound and specialist consultation followed shortly after her arrival.
On December 4, 2025, she transferred to the ASPCA Recovery & Rehabilitation Center in Pawling, New York, for continued care. After about a month there, she returned to New York City and continued to receive monitoring, largely in foster care, while awaiting surgery. ASPCA veterinary leaders said surgery can correct cPSS when a single bypass vessel can be identified and closed; the team operated on Gidget on February 11.
The ASPCA account also describes practical adjustments to her care. Because medication needed to be coordinated with meals and her protein intake controlled, staff sought enrichment items she could have and enjoy. The team was trained to recognize possible neurological episodes, and the report says staff sought medical attention when she collapsed after activity, which they attributed to low blood sugar.
Long-Term Recovery and Adoption Status
The ASPCA report says Gidget recovered well from surgery and responded well as her medications were reduced, but it does not provide later test results or say whether her treatment was eventually stopped. It also does not confirm whether she was adopted, identify a permanent home or describe her health months after the operation.
The source describes the initial physical trauma and says an observer reported seeing the owner kick and punch Gidget. It does not provide details about any criminal charge, court case or outcome connected to that report. Those details should not be inferred from the account.
Ongoing Care and Home Placement
According to the ASPCA, Gidget’s care continued after surgery, including monitoring and support in foster care as she recovered. The organization’s report does not give a date for the end of that care or announce an adoption. Further updates from the ASPCA would be needed to establish her longer-term medical progress and placement.
Key Questions
What condition did Gidget have?
ASPCA veterinarians found signs concerning for congenital portosystemic shunt, or cPSS, an abnormal blood vessel that lets blood from the intestines bypass the liver.
When did Gidget have surgery?
The ASPCA said she had surgery to close the vessel on February 11, 2026. The team also took a liver tissue sample, which showed reduced blood flow consistent with the diagnosis.
How did the shunt affect her health?
The ASPCA says a shunt can interfere with the liver’s processing of substances, including ammonia, and can be associated with neurological problems. Gidget also experienced fluctuating appetite, occasional vomiting and lethargy, according to the report.
Has Gidget been adopted?
The supplied ASPCA report does not confirm an adoption or name a permanent home. It says her care and monitoring continued after surgery, including largely in foster care.
Source: aspca.org
