Successful surgical outcome of persistent right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery in a 3‐month‐old kitten

Abstract

AbstractA 3‐month‐old, domestic, long‐haired cat presented dull and lethargic with a history of failure to thrive and persistent postprandial regurgitation. A barium oesophagram performed by the referring veterinarian identified a megaoesophagus terminating at the level of the fourth intercostal space. Computed tomography angiography confirmed the suspected vascular ring anomaly, classified as a persistent right aortic arch with a concurrent aberrant left subclavian artery. Surgical ligation and transection of the ligamentum arteriosum, while sparing the aberrant left subclavian artery via a left fourth intercostal thoracotomy, resulted in resolution of the oesophageal compression and clinical signs postoperatively. Follow‐up 22 weeks postoperatively showed marked improvement in weight and body condition score, with no regurgitation following the introduction of a solid consistency commercial diet. This report describes the complete resolution of clinical signs following surgical correction of this form of vascular ring anomaly while sparing the aberrant left subclavian artery, without the need for long‐term dietary or feeding modification.