Jugular veins in dogs and cats
System venous and right heart filling pressures are reflected at the jugular veins in dogs and cats. These veins should not be distended when the animal is standing with its head in a normal position (jaw parallel to the floor). Persistent jugular vein distention occurs in association with right-sided congestive heart failure (because of high right heart filling pressure), external compression of the cranial vena cava, or jugular vein or cranial vena cava thrombosis.
Also abnormal are jugular pulsations extending higher than one third of the way up the neck from the thoracic inlet. Sometimes the carotid pulse wave is transmitted through adjacent soft tissues, mimicking a jugular pulse from carotid transmission, the jugular vein is occluded lightly below the area of the visible pulse. If the pulse disappears, it is a true jugular pulsation; if the pulse continues, it is being transmitted from the carotid artery.
Jugular pulse waves are related to atrial contraction and filling. Visible pulsations occur in dogs and cats with tricuspid insufficiency (after the first heart sound, during ventricular contraction), conditions causing a stiff and hypertrophied right ventricle (just before the first heart sound, during atrial contraction), or arrhythmias that cause the atria to contract against closed atriaventricular (AV) valves (so-called cannon A waves).
Impaired right ventricular filling, reduced pulmonary blood flow, or tricuspid regurgitation can cause a positive hepatojugular reflux even in the absence of jugular distention or pulsations at rest. To test for this reflux, firm pressure is applied to the cranial abdomen while the animal stands quietly. This transiently increases venous return. Jugular distention that persists while abdominal pressure is applied constitutes a positive (abnormal) test; normal dogs and cats have little to no change in the jugular vein.
Also abnormal are jugular pulsations extending higher than one third of the way up the neck from the thoracic inlet. Sometimes the carotid pulse wave is transmitted through adjacent soft tissues, mimicking a jugular pulse from carotid transmission, the jugular vein is occluded lightly below the area of the visible pulse. If the pulse disappears, it is a true jugular pulsation; if the pulse continues, it is being transmitted from the carotid artery.
Jugular pulse waves are related to atrial contraction and filling. Visible pulsations occur in dogs and cats with tricuspid insufficiency (after the first heart sound, during ventricular contraction), conditions causing a stiff and hypertrophied right ventricle (just before the first heart sound, during atrial contraction), or arrhythmias that cause the atria to contract against closed atriaventricular (AV) valves (so-called cannon A waves).
Impaired right ventricular filling, reduced pulmonary blood flow, or tricuspid regurgitation can cause a positive hepatojugular reflux even in the absence of jugular distention or pulsations at rest. To test for this reflux, firm pressure is applied to the cranial abdomen while the animal stands quietly. This transiently increases venous return. Jugular distention that persists while abdominal pressure is applied constitutes a positive (abnormal) test; normal dogs and cats have little to no change in the jugular vein.
MORE VETERINARY ARTICLES
-
Enlargement of the liver | Hepatomegaly in dogs and cats Enlargement of the liver in dogs and cats may be the result of cardiac incompetenc...
-
Oral Pain 1. Fractured bones or teeth. 2. Trauma. 3. Periodontitis or caries (especially cats). 4. Osteomyelitis. 5. Other causes ...
-
The profile of the Golden Retriever may justify for you its reputation as a very good family pet. The Golden Retriever ranks the lowest of a...
-
Colitis in dogs have many causes (e.g., bacteria, diet , parasites ). The underlying cause is seldom diagnosed because this problem tends t...
-
1. Acetaminophen. 2. Antiarrythmics. 3. Anticonvulsants. 4. Antiinflammatories (nonsteroidal). 5. Barbiturates. 6. Benzocaine. 7. Chemothera...
-
The Afghan Hound is one of the most distinguished-looking breeds, which is no doubt the main reason people are attracted to it. The Afghan ...
-
Clinical features Bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague develop in infected humans and cats; clinical disease is extremely rare in dogs....
-
The profile of the Bichon Frise shows that it ranks fairly high on obedience training and low on aggression, so this breed may appeal to peo...
-
Neoplasms originating from the larynx are uncommon in dogs and cats. More commonly, tumors originating in tissues adjacent to the larynx, su...
-
The Bulldog is well suited for the environment of the college fraternity, where it has enjoyed considerable success as a mascot. It ranks lo...