Esophageal Vascular Ring Anomaly

The most common Esophageal Vascular Ring Anomaly seen in dogs in the Persistent Right Aortic Arch. The aortic arch develops on the light side rather than its normal side on the left. This drags the ligamentous arteriosum across the esophagus causing a mid-thoracic obstruction. The esophagus dilates in front of the obstruction (heart). The longer this situation persists before surgical relief occurs the larger the esophagus becomes.