Abstract
This case report describes a 1.5-year-old heifer with a lung abscess likely caused by rupture of a septic thrombus in the caudal vena cava. The heifer had been referred to the Department of Farm Animals because of chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The main clinical findings were a moderately abnormal general condition, stunted growth,thin body condition, increased rectal temperature, increased heart and respiratory rates, spontaneous cough and venous congestion. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a large volume of fluid in the left half of the thoracic cavity. The right lung was almost entirely necrotic, and ultrasonography revealed intrapulmonary fluid containing echogenic fibrin masses. Centesis of the intrapulmonary fluid yielded an exudate. A large amount of anechogenic fluid was visible in the abdomen, and the liver was enlarged. The caudal vena cava was dilated and appeared oval rather than triangulär on cross-sectional images. Because of the severity of the lesions, the heifer was euthanased and necropsied. Thorax and abdomen contained a large volume of fluid, and the liver was chronically congested. The hepatic veins of the right lobe of the liver were dilated and partially filled with pus. An abscess was also found in the right lobe of the liver. There were adhesions between the right lung and thoracic wall. A large part of the right lung had undergone coagulation necrosis. In the remaining right diaphragmatic lung lobe, there was a large abscess, which was attached to the caudal vena cava overan area of 4 centimetres. In this region,the caudal vena cava was filled with pus and completely obstructed. Based on all the findings, the diagnosis hepatitis with abscessation, suppurative thromboplebitis of the cauda vena cava and abscess in the right diaphragmatic lung lobe was made.
Braun, Ueli