A dog’s esophagus is a long, flexible, muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Its main function is to transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach for digestion.
The intestines are also lined with a mucous membrane that helps protect them from acidic digestive juices and lubricates them so food can pass through efficiently for digestion.
Because of the important role the esophagus plays, it can be a serious problem if the lining of your dog’s esophagus becomes damaged or injured. When this happens, it can lead to inflammation known as canine esophagitis.
Esophagitis in dogs is more common than some people think, but it can be difficult to recognise as the signs and symptoms range from mild to severe.
In this article, we will take a closer look at esophagitis in dogs, including its causes, clinical signs, and how to treat and manage it.
What is Esophagitis in Dogs?
Esophagitis in dogs is an inflammation of the esophagus. It can have a variety of causes, but is most commonly caused by stomach juices refluxing into the esophagus. This fluid is very acidic, and the lining of the esophagus is not equipped to withstand such acidity, causing irritation and inflammation.
Esophagitis in dogs can be caused by your dog swallowing a foreign object, such as a toy or bone, but it can also be a secondary complication resulting from a variety of gastrointestinal issues.
For example, puppies born with birth defects of the esophagus are at higher risk of developing esophagitis, and certain medications, such as doxycycline, can also cause esophagitis in dogs.
Symptoms of Esophagitis in Dogs
As mentioned above, esophagitis in dogs is common but can be difficult to recognise as the clinical signs and symptoms vary widely.
Mild cases may cause minimal symptoms, including:
- Mild reflux (this is mucus or phlegm, usually from the esophagus or stomach, coming back up through the mouth)
- Loss of appetite
- Smacking your lips or licking things more than usual
If ignored or treatment is delayed, signs and symptoms can become severe. Signs include:
- Regurgitation (the backflow of food and other contents from the mouth)
- Increased swallowing movements
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- There is obvious pain when trying to swallow food
- Unable to consume food
- Neck pain
- cough
- heat
As you can see, the signs and symptoms of esophagitis in dogs vary widely, and because many of these symptoms are shared with other health problems, it can be difficult to tell if your dog has esophagitis.
The most common symptom of esophagitis RefluxThis may be mistaken for vomiting.
However, on closer observation, some important differences can distinguish regurgitation from vomiting:
| Reflux | vomiting |
| It’s a passive behavior, which means your dog’s body expels the food. This happens without any warning. | Active behavior. The dog’s body forces food out of the stomach. |
| The dog does not pant or growl. | The dog growls, vomits and pukes. |
| No effort required. | The dogs look nervous. |
| It happens immediately after eating. | It may occur immediately after eating or several hours later. |
If you still can’t see a difference, you can take a video of your dog and show it to your vet to see what is really going on.
Causes of Esophagitis in Dogs
Inflammation of the esophagus can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of these are primary diseases that can lead to esophagitis as a secondary complication. Knowing the following factors is essential to prevent and manage esophagitis:
- Swallowing or ingesting a foreign object (such as a bone or toy)
- Acute or chronic vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (a more serious form of acid reflux in which stomach acid flows back chronically)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Anesthesia during surgery can cause problems with the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus that stops swallowed food from flowing back into the mouth).
- Tumor formation
- Ingestion of irritating or toxic substances, such as cleaning products
- Congenital Esophageal Anomalies
- Various types of infections (parasitic, viral, bacterial)
- Drugs such as doxycycline
- tumor
- Esophageal stricture (or narrowing of the esophagus)
Diagnosis of Esophagitis in Dogs
Diagnosis of esophagitis begins with a physical exam, routine laboratory tests, and your veterinarian asking about your dog’s medical history.
To make an accurate diagnosis, you’ll need to provide your vet with as much information as possible, including when the symptoms began and any circumstances that may have led to your dog’s current condition.
In most cases, endoscopy is the most reliable test and therefore the most common choice for diagnosing people with esophagitis. This procedure uses a long, thin tube equipped with a small camera to detect and remove foreign objects and evaluate the lining of the esophagus for damage.
Plain radiographs are not very useful in diagnosing esophagitis. Barium contrast x-rayIt can help diagnose whether the esophagus is truly inflamed and reveal any changes.
In a barium x-ray, barium sulfate is given orally to your dog. When ingested, the barium coats the inside of the dog’s digestive tract, allowing it to show up clearly on the x-ray.
Treating Esophagitis in Dogs
Treatment for esophagitis in dogs depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms.
If esophagitis is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, doctors prescribe drugs (such as antacids) to reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Your vet will also prescribe medications to protect and soothe the lining of the esophagus from constant exposure to stomach acid, and depending on the severity of the condition, they may also prescribe antibiotics and painkillers to reduce discomfort and eliminate harmful bacteria.
Mild cases of esophagitis may not require any treatment at all, and moderate cases often resolve with 3-5 days of treatment.
Furthermore, if esophagitis is caused by a hernia or the ingestion of a foreign body, surgical treatment may be required, and in severe cases, hospitalization for intensive care may be required.
Recovery and Management of Esophagitis in Dogs
Depending on your vet’s instructions, you may need to withhold water and food for a few days while your dog recovers, which means you may need to switch to intravenous feeding while he recovers.
And once your dog is able to eat normally again, make sure to offer them soft, nutritious foods.
In addition, dietary management can help heal esophagitis. And your dog will Low-fat prescription diet It helps to reduce stomach acid production.
Also, to reduce esophageal reflux, food should be eaten in small portions throughout the day, rather than in one large meal.
Be sure to take your dog in for follow-up appointments to ensure that recovery is going well. He may also need another endoscopy during recovery to ensure that the esophagus is responding well to the medication and healing properly.
Conclusion
A dog’s esophagus plays a vital role in their digestive system, and any damage or problems to the esophagus can lead to serious health issues.
Esophagitis is a common problem that is often overlooked or mistaken for other issues, and although it may be mild at first, delaying treatment can make your dog’s condition worse.
Therefore, understanding the symptoms and causes, as well as knowing how to prevent and manage it, is crucial to keeping your dog healthy.
So, if you notice any signs or symptoms, be sure to take your dog to the vet for immediate diagnosis and treatment.
