Section: Information In-depth
Related Symptoms or Diseases
The magnitude of clinical signs depends on both the specific disease and the severity of that disease. The clinical signs may be subtle yet present for weeks or months, or may be extremely severe, and come about quickly. Because the history, physical exam findings and overall presentation of dogs with esophageal disease are variable, there are other illnesses or symptoms that might be considered initially when establishing a definitive diagnosis. It is most important to note that regurgitation (the effortless evacuation of fluid, mucus and undigested food from the esophagus) is one of the most common clinical signs associated with esophageal disease, and must be differentiated from vomiting. The differentiation is important, as it helps to distinguish esophageal disease from gastric (stomach) or intestinal disease.
The following is a list of esophageal diseases:
Megaesophagus
Intrathoracic, Masses or growths in the chest may put pressure on the esophagus, causing a blockage – either partial or full – causing signs consistent with esophageal disease.
Vascular ring anomaly is an entrapment of the esophagus within several abnormal structures, causing a partial megaesophagus.
Neuromuscular diseases (nerve and muscle), including myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosis, polyradiculoneuritis, botulism, tetanus and dysautonomia.
Central nervous disorders, including infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic and traumatic
Miscellaneous disorders, including endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism), certain toxicities (lead, thallium, acetycholinesterase) and thymoma (a tumor arising from an organ in the chest).
Esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus.
Esophageal foreign body is an object present or remaining within the esophagus.
Esophageal stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the esophagus.
Esophageal diverticula are pouch-like dilatations of the esophageal wall.
Esophageal neoplasia is cancer of the esophagus.
Esophageal fistula is an abnormal communication between the esophagus and another structure.
Hiatal hernia is an abnormality of the diaphragm allowing part of the stomach to be displaced into the chest cavity
Related Articles
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1
Vomiting in Dogs
At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.
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2
Regurgitation in Dogs
Unlike vomiting, regurgitation is not accompanied by nausea and does not involve forceful abdominal contractions. It is a symptom of esophageal disease and not a disorder in itself.
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3
Esophagitis in Dogs
Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus that can occur from a variety of causes. Frequent vomiting, reflux of gastric juices or ingestion of corrosive chemicals are the most common causes.
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Megaesophagus in Dogs
Megaesophagus is a condition of the esophagus where there is decreased or absent movement. This can be caused by a variety of nerve or muscle diseases and most often causes regurgitation.
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