Cardiac malposition (ectopia cordis) in a cat.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of cardiac malposition in a cat, and the successful management of the anomaly. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old male neutered male British Shorthair cat weighing 7.58 kg was referred for bicavitary effusion. Ultrasonography and echocardiography demonstrated displacement of the heart into the abdomen through a diaphragmatic defect. Clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure were attributed to mechanical restriction of diastolic function by a constrictive segment of fibrous pericardium and to impaired venous return due to a kink in the caudal vena cava. Surgical repositioning of the heart into the thoracic cavity and a subtotal pericardectomy were performed, and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired. The patient recovered well postoperatively. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: The diagnosis and management of cardiac malposition has not been previously described in cats. With timely diagnosis and surgical intervention, a favorable outcome is possible.

Tracheal rupture in a cat: diagnosis by computed tomography.

A cat was presented with a history of worsening generalized subcutaneous emphysema following dental prophylaxis. Tentative diagnosis of tracheal rupture was made. The location and extent of the tear was confirmed with the help of computed tomography. This is the 1st computed tomographic description of tracheal rupture in the veterinary literature.

Cecal inversion followed by ileocolic intussusception in a cat.

A cat was presented with a history of constipation, tenesmus, and malaise. Ultrasonography revealed an ileocolic intussusception and cecal inversion. Surgical findings included an easily reducible intussusception and an inverted cecum that was moderately difficult to reduce. A typhlectomy and bowel plication was performed. The cat had an uneventful recovery.

Spontaneous left medial liver lobe torsion and left lateral lobe infarction in a rottweiler.

The abdominal ultrasonogram of a dog admitted for acute onset of collapse revealed an abnormally displaced left medial liver lobe with no blood flow. Surgical and histological findings confirmed the ultrasonographic diagnosis of left liver lobe torsion. Ultrasonographic findings were useful and probably sufficient for a correct diagnosis.