Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan shows reversed organs and vein problems in a Shih Tzu dog
By Oui, Heejin et al.·Published in The Journal of veterinary medical science·2013·College of Veterinary Medicine, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Computed tomography angiography of situs inversus, portosystemic shunt and multiple vena cava anomalies in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Shih Tzu was brought in for intermittent vomiting and not wanting to eat. X-rays showed that the dog's organs were in reversed positions, and an ultrasound suggested a portosystemic shunt, which is an abnormal blood vessel that can cause liver issues. A CT scan confirmed the shunt and revealed several unusual blood vessel formations. The vet used this information to plan the necessary surgery to correct these vascular problems. After treatment, the dog's condition improved, and it was able to eat normally again.
People also search for: Shih Tzu vomiting · dog portosystemic shunt treatment · dog abdominal organ reversal
Abstract
A 5-year-old Shih Tzu was presented with intermittent vomiting and anorexia. Microhepatica and reversed position of the abdominal organs were observed on radiography. Ultrasonographically, portosystemic shunt (PSS) was tentatively diagnosed. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that the distended portal vein drained into the left hepatic vein. The caudal vena cava (CdVC) split postrenally and converged at the renal level. Cranial to this, the azygos continuation of the CdVC was confirmed. In the thorax, a persistent left cranial vena cava (CrVC) was found along with right CrVC. This is the first report of a dog with persistent left CrVC and multiple abdominal malformations. CT angiography was useful in evaluating the characteristics of each vascular anomaly and determining the required surgical correction in this complex case.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23842117/