Computed tomographic comparison of esophageal hiatal size in brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic breed dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an anatomical difference in esophageal hiatus (EH) size exists between brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 87). METHODS: Clinical records and images of dogs that underwent computed tomography between June 2015 and September 2018 were reviewed. For the first part of the study, EH and aortic (Ao) cross-sectional surface areas were measured in brachycephalic (group 1) and nonbrachycephalic dogs of similar body size (<15 kg) without respiratory or gastroesophageal (GE) signs (group 2) by using multiplanar reconstruction. Esophageal hiatus:aortic ratio was calculated. In the second part of the study, absolute EH measurements were also compared in weight-matched (WM) dogs (8-10 kg) from groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) of EH:Ao values for group 1 (8.1 ± 2.8) were higher (P < .0001) than those for group 2 (3.7 ± 1.1). In addition, EH measurements of 20 WM dogs in group 1 were higher than those of 20 dogs in group 2 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Esophageal hiatus cross-sectional surface area (directly and indirectly measured) in brachycephalic dogs was considerably larger than that in nonbrachycephalic dogs of generally similar body size. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Results of this study provide evidence to support the existence of a specific anatomical factor that could likely correlate to functional GE alterations (eg, regurgitation, gastroesophageal reflux, and sliding hiatal hernia) commonly seen in brachycephalic dogs.

Resolution of esophageal dysmotility following treatment of nasal disease in a dog.

A 2-year-old Rottweiler dog was evaluated for cough, regurgitation, and nasal discharge, and was subsequently diagnosed with sinonasal aspergillosis and secondary esophageal disease. Following treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis, all clinical signs resolved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of resolution of esophageal dysfunction following treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis.

Résolution d'une dismotilité de l'oesophage suite au traitement d'une infection nasale chez un chien. Un chien Rottweiler, âgé de 2 ans est présenté avec une anamnèse de toux, régurgitations et jetage nasal, a été diagnostiqué avec une aspergillose naso-sinusale associée a dysmotilité oesophagienne. Le traitement médical de l'aspergillose naso-sinusale a entrainé une résolution complète des signes cliniques directement associés avec l'aspergillose ainsi qu'une résolution du dysmotilité oesophagienne. D'après les auteurs, c'est le premier cas de résolution spontanée d'un dysmotilité oesophagienne après traitement pour aspergillose naso-sinusale.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Esophageal smooth muscle hypertrophy causing regurgitation in a rabbit.

A five-year-old rabbit was evaluated for a 7 to 8 month history of regurgitation, weight loss, and hyporexia. Previously performed whole body radiographs, plasma biochemistry results and complete blood count revealed had no significant abnormalities. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a circumferential caudal esophageal thickening. The animal received supportive care until euthanasia was performed 6 weeks later. Caudal esophageal smooth muscle hypertrophy was diagnosed on necropsy. This case indicates that regurgitation can occur in rabbits and advanced imaging can investigate the underlying cause.

Removal of oesophageal foreign bodies: comparison between oesophagoscopy and oesophagotomy in 39 dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To compare complication rates and outcomes after removal of oesophageal foreign bodies by endoscopy or by oesophagotomy. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of medical records of dogs with oesophageal foreign bodies treated by endoscopy and/or oesophagotomy. Postoperative clinical signs, management, length of hospitalisation, type and rate of complications, and time interval to return to eating conventional diet were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-nine dogs diagnosed with oesophageal foreign bodies between 1999 and 2011 were included in the study. Most common breeds included West Highland white terrier, Jack Russell terrier and shih-tzu. Successful endoscopic removal was possible in 24 out of 32 cases (Group 1), while surgical removal was successful in 15 out of 15 cases (7 of which had unsuccessful attempts at endoscopic removal) (Group 2). Length of hospitalisation, time to removal of gastrostomy tube and time to eat conventional diet did not differ between the groups. After foreign body removal, the incidence of oesophagitis, oesophageal stricture and perforation observed during repeated endoscopy were similar between the groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this retrospective study, removal of oesophageal foreign bodies either by oesophagoscopy or oesophagotomy had a similar outcome.

Surgical correction of gastro-oesophageal intussusception with bilateral incisional gastropexy in three dogs.

Three dogs presented for evaluation of acute onset tachypnoea and dyspnoea following episodes of vomiting and/or regurgitation. Thoracic radiographs were suggestive of a gastro-oesophageal intussusception in all three dogs; one dog also showed evidence of aspiration pneumonia. All three dogs underwent surgical correction with a bilateral incisional gastropexy. All dogs recovered from anaesthesia uneventfully and were discharged from the hospital 3 days after presentation. Persistent megaoesophagus was evident in all three dogs, and they are being chronically managed with a strict feeding regime and pro-motility agents.

Armed rollers: does nestling's vomit function as a defence against predators?

Chemical defences against predators are widespread in the animal kingdom although have been seldom reported in birds. Here, we investigate the possibility that the orange liquid that nestlings of an insectivorous bird, the Eurasian roller (Coracias garrulus), expel when scared at their nests acts as a chemical defence against predators. We studied the diet of nestling rollers and vomit origin, its chemical composition and deterrent effect on a mammal generalist predator. We also hypothesized that nestling rollers, as their main prey (i.e. grasshoppers) do from plants, could sequester chemicals from their prey for their use. Grasshoppers, that also regurgitate when facing to a threat, store the harmful substances used by plants to defend themselves against herbivores. We found that nestling rollers only vomit after being grasped and moved. The production of vomit depended on food consumption and the vomit contained two deterrent chemicals (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids) stored by grasshoppers and used by plants to diminish herbivory, suggesting that they originate from the rollers' prey. Finally, we showed for the first time that the oral secretion of a vertebrate had a deterrent effect on a model predator because vomit of nestling rollers made meat distasteful to dogs. These results support the idea that the vomit of nestling rollers is a chemical defence against predators.

Endoscopic evaluation and biopsy collection of the gastrointestinal tract in the green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris): application in a case of chronic regurgitation with gastric mucus gland hyperplasia.

A green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris) was evaluated for chronic regurgitation. By using flexible endoscopy, the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated and revealed multifocal proliferative gastric masses and an intestinal ulcer. Biopsy specimens revealed gastric mucus gland hyperplasia, intestinal nematodiasis, and mild enteritis. Esophagoscopy and gastroscopy were performed by using a larger endoscope (length, 200 cm). A smaller endoscope (length, 100 cm) facilitated entering the intestinal tract in normograde or retrograde directions. A control eel was also evaluated, and no gross or histologic abnormalities were detected. The case eel was treated with metoclopramide and fenbendazole, responded well to therapy, and regurgitation decreased. A year later, the animal died of unrelated causes. Necropsy revealed coelomic gastric adhesions. The gastric proliferative lesions were associated with degeneration and necrosis of gastric pit mucosa without significant inflammation; etiology was unknown. Gastrointestinal endoscopy proved a useful diagnostic tool for evaluation and biopsy collection in this eel species.

Metabolic alkalosis due to feeding chicks in breeding Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae under natural conditions.

Prolonged abnormal vomiting causes metabolic alkalosis. Many seabirds are known to feed their chicks by regurgitation. We hypothesized that metabolic alkalosis occurs in seabirds even under natural conditions during the breeding season. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae feed their chicks by regurgitating food for 50-60 d until the chicks fledge. In this study, the concentrations of Cl(-), HCO(3)(-), Na+, K+, pH, and PCO2 in the blood of breeding Adélie penguins were measured throughout the chick-rearing season. The pH of penguin venous blood shifted from 7.54 in the guarding period to 7.47 in the crèche period. Decreasing Cl(-) and increasing HCO(3)(-) blood concentrations in parents were associated with increasing mass of their brood in the guarding period, the early phase of the rearing season, indicating that regurgitating to feed chicks causes loss of gastric acid and results in relative metabolic alkalosis. The inverse trend was observed during the crèche period, the latter phase of the rearing season, when parents spent more time at sea and have fewer opportunities for gastric acid loss. This was assumed to be the recovery phase. These results indicate that regurgitation might cause metabolic alkalosis in breeding Adélie penguins. To our knowledge, this is the first report to indicate that seabirds exhibit metabolic alkalosis due to regurgitation to feed chicks under natural conditions.

[Megaesophagus secondary to an esophageal leiomyoma and concurrent esophagitis]. / Megaösophagus infolge eines ösophagealen Leiomyoms und Osophagitis beim Hund.

A 13-year-old male intact Golden Retriever was presented for chronic regurgitation and vomitus. The only clinical abnormality was halitosis, a neurological examination was normal. Thoracic radiography revealed a moderately distended, air-filled esophagus and a presumptive diagnosis of idiopathic megaesophagus was made. No other disorder causing abnormal esophageal motor function could be identified. As supportive and anticholinergic therapy failed to improve the dogs condition and ongoing regurgitation worsened, owners opted for euthanasia. Postmortem examination revealed a small (1.5 cm diameter) mass in the terminal esophagus. Microscopically a leio-myoma with mild multifocal mixed-cell esophagitis was diagnosed. This report illustrates how a potentially curable disease such as leiomyoma can clinically mimic acquired idiopathic megaesophagus and emphasizes that additional diagnostic procedures (contrast study, esophagoscopy) can be indicated in individual cases.