SURGICAL-CORRECTION OF LATE-ONSET BUDD-CHIARI-LIKE-SYNDROME IN A DOG

An 18-month-old dog was examined because of ascites of 1 month's durat ion. Typical causes of ascites, including hepatic failure, heart failu re, and protein-losing enteropathy, were ruled out. The dog's history included being hit by a car 6 months earlier, and the caudal vena cava had an S shape on thoracic radiographs. In addition, the abdominal fl uid had a high protein concentration and low cellular content. These f indings were all consistent with a diagnosis of postsinusoidal hyperte nsion secondary to obstruction of hepatic venous outflow (Budd-Chiari- like syndrome). During exploratory thoracotomy, the pericardium appear ed to have been torn from the heart and was partially wrapped around t he caudal vena cava, causing a constriction. The pericardium was remov ed and the dog recovered without any further complications. Blunt trau ma has been previously reported to cause kinking of the caudal vena ca va and Budd-Chiari-like syndrome in dogs; but in these dogs, clinical signs of ascites developed a few days to several weeks after the traum atic incident. It appears that, depending on the cause of the hepatic venous outflow obstruction, onset of Budd-Chiari-like syndrome may be delayed for months.