Chronic peritoneal effusion secondary to partial caudal vena cava obstruction following traumatic pneumothorax in a dog.

A three-year old, female Boxer Dog was treated initially with thoracocentesis for a right-sided pneumothorax. The dog was re-evaluated after three weeks because of an enlargement of the abdomen. A positive venogram revealed a ventral displacement of the caudal vena cava between the diaphragm and the heart, with a severe reduction of the diameter of the vein. An exploratory thoracotomy showed a displaced accessory lung lobe with an adhesion to the parietal pleura. Inflation of this lung lobe created a dynamic obstruction of the caudal vena cava, which resulted in ascites. Surgery offered successful treatment.