A rare case of caval foramen hernia involving the small intestines and hepatic lobes in a dog

Abstract

A 6-year-old intact male French Bulldog presented with a 5-day history of vomiting. Radiographs revealed a round soft tissue mass in the right caudal thoracic cavity with tubular structures suggestive of small intestinal herniation through the diaphragm. Ultrasonography confirmed herniation of fluid-filled small intestinal loops and hepatic lobes positioned cranial to the diaphragm. Computed tomography (CT) revealed herniation of the involved organs through a dilated caval foramen and secondary caudal vena cava compression, consistent with Budd–Chiari-like syndrome resulting from venous outflow obstruction. Laparotomy confirmed strangulation of herniated organs, necessitating partial hepatectomy and segmental enterectomy. This case highlights the potential for small intestinal involvement in caval foramen hernia and underscores the diagnostic value of CT in assessing associated vascular compromise.