Persistent right aortic arch in a yearling captive wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2002 Dec;33(4):386-8. doi: 10.1638/1042-7260(2002)033[0386:PRAAIA]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

An undersized, 16-mo-old, captive wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) was observed with dysphagia and postprandial regurgitation. The animal died shortly after anesthesia was initiated for diagnostic purposes. At necropsy, a persistent right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery were diagnosed. The vascular ring structure around the esophagus and the trachea caused a megaesophagus with complete esophageal obstipation and ulcerative esophagitis. The aberrant left subclavian artery did not significantly compromise the esophagus. Persistence of the right aortic arch is relatively rare in ruminants and has not previously been reported in a bison.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Aorta, Thoracic / abnormalities*
  • Bison / abnormalities*
  • Esophageal Achalasia / etiology
  • Esophageal Achalasia / pathology
  • Esophageal Achalasia / veterinary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Male
  • Subclavian Artery / abnormalities*