BUDD-CHIARI SYNDROME IN A KITTEN, CAUSED BY MEMBRANOUS OBSTRUCTION OFTHE CAUDAL VENA-CAVA

An eight-month-old, male domestic shorthair kitten developed progressi ve abdominal distension over a six-week period, Abdominocentesis revea led a fluid with high protein (3.8 g/dl) and moderate cellularity Infe ctious, cardiovascular, and neoplastic causes of posthepatic obstructi on were ruled out. Partial obstruction and stenosis of the caudal vena cava (CVC) at the level of the diaphragm were defected on a contrast venogram. Exploratory surgery revealed a fibrous, web-like membrane at the site of obstruction, Resection of the stenotic segment of the CVC was not possible because of the junction of the left hepatic veins an d CVC just caudal to the lesion. A 3 by 6-mm, oval Dacron patch graft was sutured into the venotomy site. Postoperative complications includ ed fever and leukocytosis, eosinophilic pleural effusion, and transien t congestive heart failure associated with volume overload. The cat is normal 16 months after surgery, with no recurrence of ascites. This i s the first reported case of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) in a domestic kitten, Documented herein is the first successful treatment of BCS in a small animal using a vascular, prosthetic patch graft.