Cor triatrium dexter with Budd‐Chiari syndrome and a review of ascites in young dogs

Abstract

Ascites with accumulation of a true or modified transudate, is relatively uncommon in young dogs. When it does occur, congenital defects of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or renal systems, infectious diseases and trauma must be considered. Cor triatrium dexter, an abnormal membrane obstructing the caudal vena cava at the level of the right atrium, was diagnosed in an eight‐month‐old cocker spaniel presented with ascites.

Cor Triatriatum Dexter in an English Bulldog Puppy: Case Report and Literature Review

“…7,[11][12][13] In another dog, the caudal vena cava entered the caudal chamber, and the coronary sinus entered the cranial chamber. 8 In other dogs, the location of the coronary sinus was not characterized. 1,[4][5][6] Anatomic variations of cor triatriatum in the dog have included division of the right atrium by both perforate 1,4,[6][7][8]12 or imperforate 4,5,11-13 septa.…”

“…8 In other dogs, the location of the coronary sinus was not characterized. 1,[4][5][6] Anatomic variations of cor triatriatum in the dog have included division of the right atrium by both perforate 1,4,[6][7][8]12 or imperforate 4,5,11-13 septa. Previous reports document partitioning of the right atrium by an incomplete septum with the entrances of the caudal vena cava and coronary sinuses located in the caudal and cranial chambers, respectively, the caudal vena cava 6,7,12 and coronary sinus 7,12 entrances located in the caudal chamber, or complete separation of the cranial and caudal chambers by a complete intratrial septum, again with the caudal vena cava and coronary sinus located in the caudal chamber.…”

“…One other report has documented anatomic features similar to those in this dog. 8 In normal development of the embryonic heart, the sinus venosus serves as a receiving chamber for blood entering the primitive atrium from the right and left common cardinal veins and the developing caudal vena cava (Fig. 3A).…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][11][12][13] Ascites was not the main clinical feature in 7-year-old German short-haired pointer that presented with exercise intolerance and episodic weakness of over Ͼ3 years' duration 12 or in a 6-year-old German shepherd dog cross that presented with a 24-hour history of lethargy. 1 Age at diagnosis ranged from 8 weeks to 7 years, and breeds included chow chow, 3,4,7 cocker spaniel, 8,12 English bulldog, 4 German shepherd dog cross, 1 German short-haired pointer, 12 golden retriever, 13 greyhound, 4 rottweiler, 5,6 and mixed breed. 4,11 Another common finding in previous cases is hepatic congestion and/or hepatomegaly.…”

“…2,3 The natural pathogenicity of MVC for dogs is undetermined; however, the virus has been isolated from the feces of normal dogs 1 and of dogs with mild diarrhea 4 and from the small intestine and lungs of young pups with mild to fatal enteritis. [6][7][8][9] Experimental studies have shown that CPV…”