What are Inflammation of the Esophagus?
Esophagitis is described when the esophagus (a tunneled canal that is lined with mucous membrane and linking the throat to the stomach) becomes inflamed within its inner and outer layers. Inflammation of the esophagus may result from conditions such as acid reflux, obstruction due to a foreign object, or neoplasia. The most common indicator of esophagitis in dogs is struggles with food consumption and fluid intake. Your pet may regurgitate his food or show signs of discomfort when swallowing. Mild inflammation often has no obvious symptoms. Medication is most often the course of treatment, though in some cases, surgery is needed.
Inflammation of the esophagus can be a secondary complication resulting from a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders. Inflammation, such as with esophagitis, typically occurs when there is an illness involving the gastrointestinal tract.
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Symptoms of Inflammation of the Esophagus in Dogs
- Pain
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing
- Weight loss
- Poor posture and movement
- Excessive reflux or regurgitation
Types
There are many types of disorders of the esophagus that can cause inflammation.
- Esophageal foreign bodies
- Acid reflux
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Congenital lower esophagus sphincter abnormality
- Strictures
- Megaesophagus (dilation of the esophagus)
- Esophageal diverticula (expansion of the esophageal wall)
- Infections (aspiration pneumonia)
- Parasitic infections (protozoa, ringworm, tapeworm, whipworms, flukes)
- Viral infections (rotavirus, parvovirus, coronavirus)
- Bacterial infections: (salmonella, e.coli)
- Various medications (antibiotics, nonsteroidal inflammatory agents)
- Tumors
- Cricopharyngeal achalasia (swallowing disorder)
- Stomach ulcers (infected with H.Pylori)
Causes of Inflammation of the Esophagus in Dogs
- The swallowing and ingestion of foreign bodies, such as bones or toys, often cause esophagitis in canines
- Esophageal strictures can be associated with the act of consuming foreign bodies and can cause inflammation
- Any disease that causes acute or chronic emesis (vomiting) can result in gastroesophageal reflux disease where reflux consistently flows from the stomach to the esophagus
- One of the reasons for reflux could be the abnormal functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter
- When the sphincter is closed, food and acids are not allowed to flow backwards into the esophagus; if your dog has recently undergone anesthesia, this can cause the sphincter to relax and remain that way too long, allowing the flow of acids to enter the esophagus
- Dogs with narrow nostrils and shorter noses (known as Brachycephalic breeds) such as Pugs, English and French Bulldogs, Chinese Shar-Peis, and Chow Chows are known to have a congenital condition that results in the abnormal functioning of the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
- This hernia occurs when the muscle lining of the hiatus (initial part of the diaphragm) weakens, allowing the stomach contents to protrude through the diaphragm and into the chest region
- Neoplastic tumors, toxicity (like poisoning due to ingestion of cleaning products or rodenticide), parasites, and bacterial or viral infections also contribute to inflammation
Diagnosis of Inflammation of the Esophagus in Dogs
If you or your veterinarian suspect that blockage is due to a lodged foreign object, he may conduct thoracic and neck x-rays. An esophagogram, which is the use of barium contrast (barium sulfate or iodinated contrast) is a diagnostic tool that can actively visualize the inside of your dog’s body as he consumes food. This provides further information that includes the size, content, and overall condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
The use of an endoscope may be suggested as it has a camera attached that can take photographs and take tissue samples for testing. An additional tool is the esophagoscopy, taking a step further as it uses the endoscope to inspect the condition of the esophageal mucosa.
Contrast radiology, biopsy, and esophagoscopy can also be done to check for strictures, reflux, and neoplastic growth. A complete blood count and biochemical profile are standard tests to be done that examine the specific amount of red and white blood cells, in addition to platelets, to determine whether they are neoplastic cells.
Treatment of Inflammation of the Esophagus in Dogs
There are many ways to treat inflammation of the esophagus, starting with dietary management. Based on the severity of the blockage, stricture, or reflux, food and water intake should be restricted to allow the esophagus to heal (symptoms could worsen and the overall health of your pet could deteriorate). A low fat and low protein diet rich in carbohydrates should be given in small increments along with foods that do not have allergens, including soy, rice and gluten. If your pet is a candidate for surgery, the use of IV fluids (especially electrolytes and potassium) or a feeding tube that is directly inserted into the stomach, bypassing the esophagus completely may be necessary to allow it to heal.
Using medications such as gastric acid inhibitors (antacids) that decrease the amount of gastric stomach acid produced may be prescribed. Esophageal or gastric coating agents can be used to protect and soothe the lining of the esophagus due to consistent exposure to stomach acids. Gastrointestinal motility drugs can aid with swallowing. Antibiotics can be used to eliminate and kill harmful bacteria, in addition to pain medication to reduce any discomfort. Nonsteroidal inflammatory agents should be used with discretion, as they are well known to cause ulcers.
Strictures (narrowing) of the esophagus can occur due to severe esophagitis. Balloon catheter therapy is done with an endoscope to widen the stricture, and may be done a couple of times more to ensure that the results are permanent. Rigid endoscopy removal may also be helpful to remove foreign bodies such as toys or bones as the use of the forceps enables maneuverable ability to grasp objects. However, surgery may be necessary based on the level of damage and the cause. A transthoracic esophagostomy may be required for larger foreign bodies. Tumors may be treated with aggressive chemotherapy drugs or radiation.
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Recovery of Inflammation of the Esophagus in Dogs
The use of medication is extremely helpful in countering the symptoms of esophagitis. Your veterinarian may advise you to refrain from solid foods and water for up to 3—5 days. The outlook and prognosis of mild to moderate esophagitis is good. Dogs with strictures have a more guarded prognosis as esophageal perforation (a hole in the esophagus leading to the stomach) may occur with balloon catheter therapy and can be lethal. However, if your dog is diagnosed with neoplastic tumor growth, the prognosis is considered to be very poor with a life expectancy of 1-2 months (no treatment) and up to 12-14 months (with treatment).
Inflammation of the Esophagus Average Cost
From 79 quotes ranging from $800 - $4,000
Average Cost
$2,300
Top
Inflammation of the Esophagus Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Apollo
10 months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
We have a 10month old staffordshire bull terrier that started having trouble. Rushed him to the vet, x-rays only showed a lot swelling in the esophagus. They gave him steroid shot and a shot to relax him, sent him home with a prescription for antacid. We spoon fed him a small can of food last night. Will the prescribed meds help? What causes this? It appeared suddenly.
Dec. 8, 2017
1 Recommendations
Swelling or inflammation of the esophagus may be caused by a variety of different causes but is mainly attributable to acid reflux, poisoning or consumption of caustic substances or foreign objects; management is generally to control inflammation and reduce stomach acid. This is the first step in treatment and is generally effective, if the condition continues then further diagnostic testing would be required. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 8, 2017
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Shetland Sheepdog
Frankie
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Regurgitation
Bile
Foam
About 2 weeks after a full dental with extractions, my 9 year old Sheltie began regurgitating all solid foods. We were quickly prescribed an R/X canned diet of a low fat food. He had a series of x-rays to verify no obstructions and an even more advanced series of x-rays that ruled out megaesophagus. However, when he eats anything even remotely solid, he regurgitates these foamy fluid sacs. Sometimes the food stays down, sometimes it doesn't. To keep food down, I have resorted to poaching turkey, sweet potatotes and veggies and pureeing them to the point of near liquid and he keeps that down (there's vitamin powder in it too). We stopped taking Rimadyl and have been on famotidine for a month. Nothing has improved. If he finds a cat treat or sneaks any solid food, it's foamy reguritate city. We have an appointment in 8 days (the first available) at the local university for evaluation by internal medicine. Have you heard of such a thing. His symptoms mimi mega-E the most but fortunately that has been ruled out. Any thoughts?
Oct. 1, 2017
0 Recommendations
This does sound like classic megaesophagus with other usual possible causes being also ruled out by x-ray (tumour, foreign objects, strictures etc…). I am just trying to think of another cause which would cause regurgitation without showing signs on x-ray. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 2, 2017
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Beagle
Lily
2 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Red Esophogus
My 2 year old beagle has been diagnosed with esophagitis. We have been feeding her very small amounts of Science Diet Low fat I/D but she vomits everytime she eats. I read that you recommended a low fat, low protein, high carb diet for this diagosis. What could I cook for her to eat? She is taking an antibiotic and acid reducer at this time.
Sept. 2, 2017
2 Recommendations
If Lily is having trouble to keep down any type of food, it may be best to try and give her boiled chicken breast and rice (33%:67%) as this is high quality protein and low fat which is also bland and non-irritating; also feeding her on a flight of stairs may help, if you put the food bowl on a high step with her front legs one or two steps down and her back legs further down it may help from a gravity point of view. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 2, 2017
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Husky/mix other
Max
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weakness
Inflamed Esophagus
Drinks Water Occasionally
Not Eating At All
My dog Max has not been well for the last 2 weeks. Eating barely anything and vomiting bile. On the 18th we took her to our vet, where he gave her and antibiotic. We returned with max to the vet on the 19th, where he then did blood tests and an X-ray, where he noted a blockage. Upon cutting her open found it was a twisting of the small intestine. He untwisted it and flushed out the blockage. We picked her up the following day. Thursday the 20th. She then returned home, we continued with her antibiotics etc. and she still did not eat. Her behaviour returned to normal, except still not eating or barking. On Sunday evening the23rd, we took her back and the vet perhaps thought it was a gut problem. He gave probiotics and an injectable antibiotic. And told to return the next morning if she hadn't improved her eating. Her appetite increased marginally so We took her back on Monday morning. He then kept her for 2 nights, and did an esophagoscopy and noted that her esophagus was extremely inflamed and her stomach lining is red, but was unsure as to why her stomach was still bloated. He also did another enema. She is home now, still not interested in food (although I do understand that it may be painful to eat). It has now been 2 weeks and she still hasn't eaten at all, and is not interested in food. We are giving her tablets crushed up with chicken broth through a syringe to her.
She is suddenly looking a lot weaker over the last 36 hours. She did drink quite a bit of water earlier. Our vet will only be available in 20 hours as he has no emergency contact number. What do you suggest we give her now to help boost her energy and help her through the night?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Whilst Ulsanic is a gastroprotectant, a medication like Pepcid may reduce acid in the stomach which could help reduce inflammation in the oesophagus due to acid reflux (quite likely if she isn’t eating and the stomach is empty). I understand that your Veterinarian is unavailable, but if Max is getting weaker it would be best to visit an Emergency Clinic as I cannot recommend any medication for Max without examining her in the condition she is in. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Inflammation of the Esophagus Average Cost
From 79 quotes ranging from $800 - $4,000
Average Cost
$2,300
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
