A three-year old, female Boxer Dog was treated initially with thoracocentesis for
a right-sided pneumothorax. The dog was re-evaluated after three weeks because of
an enlargement of the abdomen. A positive venogram revealed a ventral displacement
of the caudal vena cava between the diaphragm and the heart, with a severe reduction
of the diameter of the vein. An exploratory thoracotomy showed a displaced accessory
lung lobe with an adhesion to the parietal pleura. Inflation of this lung lobe created
a dynamic obstruction of the caudal vena cava, which resulted in ascites. Surgery
offered successful treatment.
Keywords
Accessory lung lobe - pneumothorax - femoral artery and vein presssure - variation
of pulmonary expiratory end pressure