Multiple vascular anomalies in a regurgitating German shepherd puppy

Abstract

Five cardio-thoracic vascular anomalies were detected in a German shepherd puppy. The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was detected on physical examination (5/6 continuous murmur) and confirmed by echocardiogram. The persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) was suspected by the signalment and history of the patient, and confirmed by survey thoracic radiographs (leftward deviation of the trachea cranial to the heart on the ventrodorsal projection). The ventrally deviated trachea cranial to the heart on the right lateral thoracic radiograph was suggestive of a persistent retroesophageal left subclavian artery and confirmed at surgery. The persistent left cranial vena cava and the left azygous vein were detected at surgery. This case report gives a thorough description of the clinical signs, diagnostics and treatments required for the detection and successful resolution of PRAA. The report describes the importance of having experienced surgeons who can recognize vascular anomalies associated with PRAA in order to successfully alleviate the arch and the coinciding oesophageal stricture without compromising vital blood supplies.

Short- and Long-Term Outcome of Dogs Following Surgical Correction of a Persistent Right Aortic Arch

“…1,2 Approximately 95% of vascular ring anomalies leading to clinical signs consist of a persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) with a left ligamentum arteriosum, but other anomalies have been reported. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Purebreed dogs considered at risk include German shepherd dogs and Irish setters. A genetic predisposition has been shown in German shepherd dogs and has been investigated in greyhounds.…”

Aberrant right subclavian artery causing megaoesophagus in three cats

“…Early surgical treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia and secondary muscle atony due to excessive oesophageal dilatation (Orton , Christiansen et al . ). The CT findings were consistent with pneumonia in all three cases in the present study, but only the 5‐year‐old cat had signs of respiratory disease.…”

“…In the case described by Jung et al (2015), ARSA was diagnosed by CT and 3D reconstruction, but only the right ligamentum arteriosum was transected because no obvious oesophageal constriction was observed at the level of the ARSA during surgery. Early surgical treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia and secondary muscle atony due to excessive oesophageal dilatation (Orton 1995, Christiansen et al 2007). The CT findings were consistent with pneumonia in all three cases in the present study, but only the 5-year-old cat had signs of respiratory disease.…”

Imaging characteristics of persistent left cranial vena cava incidentally diagnosed with computed tomography in dogs

“…A genetic basis for PLCVC has been suggested in the German shepherd dog on the basis of breeding trials in dogs with concurrent persistent right aortic arch [14]. PLCVC has been diagnosed in various breeds of dogs including the German shepherd, Boston terrier, Irish setter, French bulldog, cocker spaniel, Brittany spaniel and Beagle [1,2,3, 9, 10, 23]. Similar to previous results, 1 case was identified with PLCVC in each of the German shepherd, English bulldog and Boston terrier breeds in the present study.…”