Professor of Small Animal Medicine UC Davis Davis, California, United States
Presentation Description / Summary: Canine esophagitis is among the most common disorders seen by specialists and primary care physicians and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of odynophagia, esophageal stricture, and aspiration pneumonia. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is commonly observed in dogs during general anesthesia and is a well documented cause of esophagitis. In addition, hospitalized patients with gastric stasis and delayed gastric emptying are also at increased risk for GER and subsequent esophagitis and aspiration pneumonia. This interactive case-based presentation utilizing audience polling for questions posed throughout the session will review the pathogenesis of esophagitis and its sequelae with an emphasis on stricture formation. Important preventative measures to mitigate GER and subsequent esophagitis in anesthetized patients will be discussed and new perspectives on the pharmacological and dietary management of esophagitis will be presented. Innovative diagnostic procedures for esophagitis, including videofluoroscopy, esophagoscopy, esophageal mucosal impedance, and esophageal pH measurement will also be reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
List the risk factors that predispose dogs to gastroesophageal reflux and subsequent esophagitis
Develop an interventional plan to reduce the development of esophagitis in dogs that reflux under general anesthesia
Formulate an appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategy to manage dogs with esophagitis and prevent esophageal stricture formation
