AUTOMOBILE-INDUCED OBSTRUCTION OF THE INTRATHORACIC CAUDAL VENA-CAVA IN A DOG

A two-year-old labrador retriever was examined after a year's history of persistent ascites and exercise intolerance that began shortly afte r the dog was struck by an automobile. Contrast venography showed tort uosity of the intrathoracic caudal vena cava with partial obstruction caused by kinking of the vessel. Surgical resection of a fibrous conne ctive band that was found to be tethering the intrathoracic vena cava ventrally, creating a partial obstruction, was performed. A hypothesis of the aetiology of this phenomenon is presented.