Esophageal Disease
The esophagus is the section of the gastrointestinal tract that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. When this section of the gastrointestinal system functions abnormally, animals have difficulty maintaining proper nutrition. Regurgitation is the clinical sign that is exhibited when the esophagus is functioning abnormally. Regurgitation is very different than vomiting. With vomiting the dog wretches then brings stomach content out through the mouth. With regurgitation fluid, food or mucous is literally burped up without effort. The following is a discussion about different conditions that can cause esophageal dysfunction.
Esophagitis in the inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus is lined with very sensitive tissue. Foreign material (ie. rocks, bones, plastic, sticks, etc.) can scrape or abrade the tissue very easily. Once the tissue is abraded it is very painful for the dog. Most dogs will drool, gulp, cough and act extremely uncomfortable. Some will pace and pant, or vocalize (whine or whimper). Gastric reflux (heartburn) will also cause esophagitis. This is a difficult condition for pet owners to notice. Burping is a normal function but some dogs will have gastric reflux when they burp. The gastric reflux allows gastric acids to come in contact with the sensitive esophageal lining, causing inflammation and possibly ulceration. This is most commonly seen with brachiocephalic breeds (bulldogs, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, King Charles Spaniels, Boxers). Esophagitis is diagnosed by endoscopy. A scope is passed into the esophagus, with the dog sedated, visualizing any inflammation or ulcers of the tissue. Esophagitis is treated with acid blockers and oral gastrointestinal protectant medication. It can take weeks for this condition to fully resolve. In some predisposed breeds chronic management may be recommended.
Esophageal Foreign body is a condition where an object is stuck in the esophagus. The clinical signs of this disorder are usually dramatic.
- The dog would have a recent history of chewing on something then becomes very agitated and begins drooling and gulping.
- Objects tend to get caught at one of three areas in the esophagus.
- First is at the start of the chest cavity called the thoracic inlet. These dogs will be painful, gulping and possibly gagging.
- Second area is at the base of the heart in the thorax. These dogs will be very quiet, drool, and can actually be in shock with a very slow heart rate. Some dogs will actually collapse.
- The last spot is at the entrance to the stomach, called the cardiac sphincter. These dogs will drool, act uncomfortable and will not eat, although they may drink water.
The diagnosis of esophageal foreign body is by chest radiographs. The radiographs would reveal a distention of the esophagus or the actual object itself. The treatment of this condition involves general anesthesia, endoscopy to visualize and hopefully remove the object. If the object cannot be grasped by the endoscope grasper it can be pushed into the stomach, where it will either dissolve or can be surgically removed if necessary. If an object is stuck in the esophagus for a long time (more than a few hours) it can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus. Minimally all dogs with esophageal foreign bodies have esophagitis and need to be treated for a few days.
In the worst case, foreign objects can lacerate or tear the esophagus which is extremely life threatening. If the esophagus ruptures or tears it needs to be surgically repaired, which requires chest surgery. This is very complicated and risky surgery. It is best to prevent your dog from swallowing any object that can damage the esophagus, this includes bones. Bones are the most common esophageal foreign body.
Mega-esophagus is a condition where the muscles of the esophagus do not function normally and the wall of the esophagus becomes flaccid. When this occurs food is not propelled into the stomach at the proper rate. The esophageal muscles contract in such a way that a food bolus is pushed from mouth to stomach. When the muscles are weak or the nerves affecting these muscles are not functioning properly, the food sits for a longer period of time in the esophagus. Dogs with this condition regurgitate frequently during the feeding process, making it difficult to for them to maintain proper nutrition.
There a few rare disorders that can cause Mega-esophagus. These are Myasthenia Gravis, Polymyositis, Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease), Lead poisoning and idiopathic. There is no specific therapy for mega-esophagus, but most dogs do a little better when fed in an elevated position.
If a dog is diagnosed with any of the specific diseases that can cause mega-esophagus, the therapy for that disorder is instituted. Sometimes the mega-esophagus will not resolve. Feeding is difficult for these dogs. The proper texture of food and liquid verses solid, needs to be experimented with until proper nutrition can be maintained. In some cases permanent feeding tubes can be placed.
There are a few breeds of dogs that can actually be born with this disorder. This is called congenital mega-esophagus and is caused by a genetic defect. The breeds known to have this defect are Mini Schnauzer, Fox Terrier, Irish Setter, Great Dane, German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Shar-pei, and Newfoundland.
One other birth defect that can cause mega-esophagus is called persistent right aortic arch. This is a surgically correctable condition that while corrected, can still cause permanent damage to the esophagus. This condition and congenital mega-esophagus are diagnosed by radiographic techniques using contrast medium (usually barium). The prognosis for puppies diagnosed with these disorders is fairly poor. It is difficult to maintain proper nutrition for growth.
It is important for owners to speak with their veterinarians about any vomiting or regurgitation that a dog is exhibiting. Differentiating between regurgitation and vomiting will help localize where the problem is within the gastro-intestinal system. Inflammation in the esophagus is very uncomfortable for the dog. Esophageal foreign body can be life threatening, and mega-esophagus is a very frustration disease to manage. Esophagitis can be a very hard disease to recognize in dogs since they can't communicate to us that they have heartburn. Observing your dog for excessive burping, coughing or changes in appetite is essential to the veterinary visit. Talk with your veterinarian if you see any of this behavior in your pet.
<< Back
Dr. Ellen Leonhardt
Animal General
East Norwich
(516) 624-7500
THIS SITE PROVIDES INFORMATION, NOT MEDICAL ADVICE
Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your veterinarian or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. You should always speak with your veterinarian before giving any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement to your dog, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. For any products or services purchased from this web site, you should read carefully all product packaging and instructions.
| 
