A 21-month-old Cocker spaniel with a portosystemic shunt, a moderate thrombocytopenia and a historyof pancreatitis, was anesthetized for a cystotomy to remove bladder polyps and stones. The portosystemicshunt had been treated conservatively with lactulose, ampicillin and a special diet. After premedication withmethadone 0.2 mg/kg, by intramuscular (IM) injection, anesthesia was induced with propofol 4 mg/kgintravenously (IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Additionally, 2 mL lidocaine 2% and 0.1 mg/kgmorphine were injected in the lumbosacral epidural space and 0.1 mg/kg meloxicam was administeredintravenously. Except for a moderate decrease in arterial pressure after the epidural injection and the needfor intermittent positive pressure ventilation during surgery, anesthesia and recovery were uneventful.Postoperative analgesia was provided with methadone (0.2 mg/kg every 4 hours initially, then 0.1 mg/kg every6 hours IM) and oral meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg the first day, 0.05 mg/kg during 4 days).