Congenital esophageal stenosis in a Labrador retriever.

A 1-year-old neutered male Labrador retriever was presented for investigation of chronic regurgitations that had started at weaning. Contrast radiographs and fluoroscopy of the thorax identified a focal narrowing of the proximal intrathoracic esophagus. Examination with CT-angiography excluded extraluminal causes for the narrowing, e.g., vascular ring anomaly. Esophagoscopy revealed the presence of a muscular stenosis with the appearance of a sphincter at the level of the proximal intrathoracic esophagus, without evidence of stricture. A diagnosis of congenital esophageal stenosis was made, suspected secondary to fibromuscular hypertrophy. Regurgitation resolved with conservative management and the dog was well at a 2-year follow-up examination. This case represents one of few small animal cases of congenital esophageal stenosis reported and apparently the only case successfully managed conservatively. Key clinical message: This report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, and treatment of a rare case of congenital esophageal stenosis in a Labrador retriever. Medical and conservative therapies alone may be sufficient for treatment of congenital esophageal stenosis depending on presentation and suspected histopathological type. These therapies should be considered before initiating interventional procedures.

Sténose congénitale de l'oesophage chez un Labrador retriever. Un Labrador mâle castré âgé de 1 an a été présenté pour une investigation de régurgitations chroniques qui avaient commencé au sevrage. Les radiographies de contraste et la fluoroscopie du thorax ont identifié un rétrécissement focal de l'oesophage intrathoracique proximal. L'examen par tomodensitométrie-angiographie a exclu les causes extraluminales du rétrécissement, c'est-à-dire une anomalie de l'anneau vasculaire. L'oesophagoscopie a révélé la présence d'une sténose musculaire avec apparition d'un sphincter au niveau de l'oesophage intrathoracique proximal, sans signe de rétrécissement. Un diagnostic de sténose congénitale de l'oesophage a été posé, en raison d'une suspicion d'hypertrophie fibromusculaire. La régurgitation s'est résolue avec une gestion conservatrice et le chien allait bien lors d'un examen de suivi à 2 ans. Ce cas représente l'un des rares cas de sténose congénitale de l'oesophage rapportés chez les petits animaux et apparemment le seul cas traité avec succès de manière conservatrice.Message clinique clé :Ce rapport décrit la présentation clinique, les résultats de l'imagerie diagnostique et le traitement d'un cas rare de sténose congénitale de l'oesophage chez un Labrador. Les thérapies médicales et conservatrices seules peuvent être suffisantes pour le traitement de la sténose congénitale de l'oesophage en fonction de la présentation et du type histopathologique suspecté. Ces thérapies doivent être envisagées avant d'entreprendre des procédures interventionnelles.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Exploring the understanding of best practice approaches to common dog behaviour problems by veterinary professionals in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Companion animal behaviour problems significantly impact companion animal (and owner) welfare. Veterinary behavioural medicine (VBM) is an emerging discipline and aims to provide evidence-based advice to owners and veterinary professionals to support normal behaviour in companion animals through appropriate socialisation and training and to address behaviour problems in a constructive and welfare-friendly manner. The approach to problem behaviours in dogs has changed in recent years; previously a mis-understanding of the biological theory of dominance has been used to explain certain behavioural problems in dogs which has led to the use of punishment-based treatment methods. Current research advocates the benefits of reward-based methods and highlights the risks of implementing positive punishment-based training techniques to both dogs and owners. Golden and Hanlon (Ir Vet J 71: 12, 2018) have reported that veterinary professionals in Ireland are frequently asked to advise on dog behaviour problems. This study aimed to explore veterinary professionals' understanding of training and treatment options for frequently encountered dog behaviour problems, and to help support the development of competences in VBM in Ireland. METHODS: An online survey was developed, including a pre-test evaluation by a pilot group of veterinary professionals, on SurveyMonkey®. The link to the online survey was distributed via third-party professional associations and social media. The survey contained twelve vignettes illustrating advice from veterinary professionals on common behaviour scenarios. Using a Likert Scale, respondents were asked to assess the likelihood of the advice to support best outcome for the dog. Best outcome was defined as one which provides a resolution to the behavioural problem while not compromising the animal's welfare. RESULTS: 84 private veterinary practitioners (PVP) and 133 veterinary nurses (VN) completed the survey. In the majority of vignettes, most veterinary professionals agreed with our classification of best outcome, but several areas of uncertainty were identified. Marked variations in response were found for PVPs in vignettes depicting advice recommending citronella collars, invisible radio fences, trainers utilising dominance language, and another dog for separation anxiety. For VNs, variations in response were found in vignettes depicting dominance-based training and advice on separation anxiety. Significant differences were found in the responses of VNs and PVPs for the vignettes recommending the use of citronella collars (p < 0.01) and invisible radio fences (p < 0.05), where VNs agreed with their recommendation less often than PVPs. PVPs graduating since 2013 agreed with the recommendation of invisible radio fences less often than PVPs graduating before 2013 (p < 0.05). VNs graduating before 2013 agreed with the recommendation of an accredited trainer (p < 0.05) and disagreed with the use of flooding to treat fear (p < 0.05) more often than VNs graduating since 2013. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have identified specific areas of uncertainty with regards knowledge of positive punishment-based training and the treatment of common dog behaviour problems, highlighted the demand for continuing professional education in VBM and provided further evidence of the need to develop day one competences in VBM for veterinary medicine and nursing programmes at university level.