title: Thrombosis of the caudal vena cava presenting as an unusual cause of an abdominal mass and thrombocytopenia in a dog.
abstract: Thrombosis of the caudal vena cava in a dog secondary to metastatic neoplasia is described. The dog had a palpable abdominal mass and persistent thrombocytopenia due to a thrombosed caudal vena cava that was surgically removed. A few days after its removal, the dog died and neoplastic cells of neural crest origin were identified at the edge of the thrombus. Massive thrombosis can be an unusual cause of platelet consumption, leading to thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Deep vein thrombosis of the vena cava can occur in dogs and may mimic an abdominal mass. Multiple mechanisms may be involved in the development of venous thrombosis, including endothelial damage by neoplastic cells and the presence of a hypercoagulable state secondary to neoplasia. Extensive collateral circulation may allow removal of diseased vena cava.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: LeGrange
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Fossum
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lemire
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Storts
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*