27.Oct 2022

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!

DiploVets - together we care