Persistent right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery in a dog: a case report

A 10-week-old, 4.5 kg female Weimaraner dog was referred to the Chonbuk National University, Animal Medical Centre with signs of regurgitation after weaning. The cervical oesophagus was palpable as a flaccid, air-filled cavity. The thoracic radiographs revealed oesophageal dilatation cranial to the heart and constriction at the level of third rib. A presumptive diagnosis was made as persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). A left 4th intercostal thoracotomy was performed and the definitive diagnosis was made as PRAA with left ligamentum arteriosum (LA) and an aberrant left subclavian artery (SA). The oesophagus was found dually compressed and severely necrosed. The corrective surgery comprised of transection of the LA as well as resection and anastomosis of the oesophagus, which resulted in a complete alleviation of the clinical signs.