Doppler-ultrasonographic detection of retrograde pulsatile flow in the caudal vena cava of a puppy with cor triatriatum dexter

A three-month-old puppy had ascites, but its heart was normal by auscultati on. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an enlarged liver, distended hepatic veins and a distended caudal vena cava. Doppler ultrasonography detected r etrograde flow in the caudal vena cava and abnormally pulsatile flow in the hepatic veins and caudal vena cava. A non-selective venogram was used to d etect the path of the blood from the caudal vena cava. A postmortem examina tion showed that the puppy had cor triatriatum dexter and a defect in the a trial septum.