Case of the month: 7-month-old Alaskan Malamute with recurrent cough, aspiration pneumonias and regurgitation
Signalment and anamnesis
- Alaskan Malamute, female intact, 7 months old with recurrent cough and aspiration pneumonias
- Regurgitation since separation from mother
- Clinical examination revealed mild tachypnea
For further clarification the following radiographs were taken:
Radiographic description
- The cranial mediastinum is widened in the dorsoventral projection
- Cranial to the cardiac silhouette, an ill-defined, cavitary, gas-filled cavern is visible, which most likely represents the focally dilated cranial mediastinal esophagus
- The trachea is flattened on the lateral view and focally displaced to the left cranial to the heart base
- The pulmonary pattern is normal without evidence of aspiration pneumonia
Diagnosis
- The radiographs are suspicious for a vascular ring anomaly due to a persistent right aortic arch with associated focal megaesophagus
Outcome
- Computed tomography was able to confirm a persistent right aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum with subsequent esophageal stricture
- The ligamentum arteriosum was surgically transected and the patient is doing well
Discussion
- Congenital malformations of the aortic arches can lead to focal stricture of the esophagus between aorta and trachea
- The condition is more common in dogs than in cats. Great Danes, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, and Boston Terriers are predisposed
- Most common clinical symptom is vomiting of solid food shortly after weaning
- Aspiration pneumonia is a common complication
Many thanks to Dr. ECVDI Thorsten Rick for this case report!
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