case number 22

A 6 month old male Viszla was presented due to 1 episode of syncopy, and hind limbs weakness.

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interpretation:

There is a severe and diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern, rounding of the caudal lung lobes with scant fissure lines, suggesting pleuritis or fibrosis.

There is a main pulmonary artery dilatation (bulge between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock on the vd view, and loss of cranial waist on the lateral view)  with moderate right ventricular enlargement. The right cranial pulmonary artery is slightly tortuous.

Differential diagnoses:
Diffuse broncointestitial pattern: bronchitis or bronchopneumonia (allergic, infectious, secondary to cardiac disease, inhaled irritants or pulmonary migratory parasites).

Main pulmonary dilatation with right chamber enlargement:

Pulmonic stenosis

Heart worm disease (in andemic areas)

Pulmonary hypertension- primary (rare in dogs), secondary as a sequella of a cardiac or pulmonary disease



Diagnosis: pulmonary hypertension
(confirmed by an echocardiogram, Doppler studies , spectral Doppler studies and  micro bubble studies to rule out congenital defects)


The key in this case is to recognize the pulmonary pattern that accompanies the cardiac findings.