Atypical pectus excavatum in two Welsh terrier littermates

Two six-week-old intact Welsh terrier littermates, a male and a female, were presented for congenital ventral thoracic wall deformities characterised by noticeable funnel-like depressions of the cranial sternum associated with inversion of the rib cage. No exercise intolerance or cardiac murmurs were noted. Thoracic radiographic examination revealed a significant dorsal deviation of the first to the fifth sternebrae. At 12 weeks of age, the thoracic depressions had improved markedly in both puppies. Thoracic radiography to reassess the sternal deviation was at this stage within normal limits, demonstrating complete radiographic resolution of the sternal deformity.