Section: Overview
Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus. There are a variety of causes and there is no reported age, breed or sex predilection.
Causes
Frequent vomiting
Ingestion of chemical or caustic irritants
Hiatal hernia
Neoplasia (cancer) of the esophagus
Esophageal foreign body
Reflux or backward flow of gastric or intestinal juice secondary to many causes, including general anesthesia
What to Watch For
Salivation
Anorexia (poor or decreased appetite)
Excessive or persistent gulping
Discomfort while swallowing
Coughing
Regurgitation, the effortless evacuation of fluid, mucus and undigested food from the esophagus
Diagnosis
A thorough knowledge of history and clinical signs is very important and is often helpful in the diagnosis. Diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of esophagitis. They include:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Chest X-rays
Esophagram (barium swallow)
Fluoroscopy (an evaluation that can assess the esophagus in motion)
Esophagoscopy (visual inspection of the esophagus)
Treatment
Treatment for esophagitis should be directed at the underlying disease or associated conditions. In the event no underlying cause is identified, symptomatic and sometimes supportive measures are recommended. They include:
Gastric acid inhibitors or blocking agents
Esophageal and gastric coating agents
Gastrointestinal motility modifiers
Dietary modification
Antibiotic therapy, in cases of secondary pneumonia
Endoscopic removal of a foreign body
Surgical intervention
Hospitalization and supportive care in severe cases
Nutritional support by placing and feeding through a stomach tube or intravenous nutrition, in severe cases
Home Care and Prevention
Home care for esophagitis includes administering all prescribed medications and feeding only approved diets.
Since many esophageal diseases can result in difficulty swallowing or regurgitation, inhaling food particles or saliva is possible. This can result in secondary aspiration pneumonia. Careful observation of your dog is necessary. Contact your veterinarian at once if you notice any breathing difficulty, lethargy or coughing.
Several causes of esophagitis are not preventable. Prompt examination and treatment will help speed recovery. Prevent animals from ingesting caustic substances and foreign bodies and avoid late night feedings. Late feedings tend to diminish gastroesophageal sphincter pressure during the dog's sleep, contributing to reflux.
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