Aortic and iliac thrombosis in six dogs

Six dogs had signs of pelvic limb weakness, pain and collapse as a result o f occlusion of the distal aorta and/or the iliac arteries by a thrombus. An temortem diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs, angiography and ultrasonography. Five dogs had concurrent disease that probably predispose d to thrombosis, including hyperadrenocorticism (three dogs), neoplasia and cardiac disease. Two dogs died shortly after the episode of thrombosis. Do gs that survived the acute episode received aspirin in an attempt to preven t thrombosis occurring again and all regained pelvic limb function. For dog s that survived longer than one month after the acute episode, repeat throm bosis was uncommon; hence the prognosis was related to the underlying disea se. Aortic and iliac thrombosis in dogs is an uncommon condition that usual ly arises secondarily to a predisposing disease process; it carries a more favourable prognosis than feline aortic thromboembolism.