Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Puppy Brittany spaniel with esophagus blockage from rare vein defect
By Larcher, T et al.·Published in Journal of comparative pathology·2006·Department of Pathology.·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Persistent left cranial vena cava causing oesophageal obstruction and consequent megaoesophagus in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-month-old Brittany spaniel was brought in for persistent regurgitation that started soon after weaning. Tests showed that the puppy had megaoesophagus, a condition where the esophagus is enlarged and can't move food properly, due to a rare vascular issue. After the puppy passed away, a post-mortem examination revealed a persistent left cranial vena cava, which created a fibrous band that squeezed the esophagus and trachea. This unusual condition had not been linked to megaoesophagus in dogs before.
People also search for: puppy regurgitation causes · megaoesophagus in dogs · Brittany spaniel swallowing problems
Abstract
A 2-month-old Brittany spaniel dog was presented for persistent regurgitation, first observed soon after weaning. Clinical examination and diagnostic imaging suggested megaoesophagus associated with a vascular ring anomaly. The normal location of the trachea on the X-ray was not consistent with a persistent right aortic arch. Post-mortem examination revealed a persistent left cranial vena cava that formed a non-elastic fibrous band enclosing the oesophagus and trachea, and causing constriction of the oesophagus. This uncommon congenital vascular defect has never previously been associated with megaoesophagus in the dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16952369/