Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound and CT show missing vein segment in cat with vomiting
By Vieri, Sara et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2025·Anicura Clinica Veterinaria dell'Orologio, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic, Radiographic, and CT Features of a Segmental Caudal Vena Cava Aplasia in a Cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet because he was very tired, not eating well, and had vomited once. Tests showed that he had an unusual blood vessel issue where part of the caudal vena cava (a major vein) was missing, causing blood to flow abnormally into another vein. This condition can lead to serious complications, but the cat was diagnosed and monitored. It's important for pet owners to be aware of such vascular issues if their cat shows similar symptoms.
People also search for: cat vomiting and lethargy · cat blood vessel problems · domestic shorthair cat health issues
Abstract
A 10-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented with acute lethargy, dysorexia, and a single episode of vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an anomalous and slightly tortuous course of the caudal vena cava (CdVC), just cranial to the junction of the renal veins. Thoracic radiographs showed an abnormally enlarged azygos vein. CT showed the absence of the prehepatic CdVC segment, with postrenal caval blood being shunted to a distended right azygos vein. Segmental CdVC aplasia should be considered in the evaluation of abdominal vascular anomalies in cats, particularly on CT angiography.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40353533/