2017 Volume 79 Issue 1 Pages 188-191
A 10-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever dog was diagnosed with idiopathic megaesophagus. Despite receiving conventional treatments including elevated feeding, the dog showed repeated regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia, consequently developing weight loss and severe malnutrition. For the purpose of controlling regurgitation, an esophagostomy tube was placed for draining the esophageal fluid. Additionally, an esophagogastric tube was placed for nutritional support. After tube placement, the average frequency of regurgitation was reduced from 2.4 times a day to 0.1 times a day. The nutritional state of the dog improved gradually, and the body weight increased from 18.5 to 27.9 kg. The dog died on day 951, and necropsy revealed a gastric ulcer (2.5 cm in diameter), presumably esophagostomy tube-induced injury. This case report suggests that patients with idiopathic megaesophagus and persistent regurgitation might benefit from esophageal drainage through an esophagostomy tube.
Journal of The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
