Page 622 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

614 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

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INFLAMMATORY
● Esophagitis*** (p 615)
Esophagitis is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus that has multiple causes such as reflux
disease, post-anesthesia, chronic vomiting, caustic or irritant ingestion and results in regurgitation
and may progress to esophageal strictures if left untreated or if severe.
INHERITED

● Hereditary myopathy of Devon Rex cats (p 626)
This is an inherited myopathy in young Devon cats that presents as generalized appendicular
weakness. Ventroflexion of the head and neck, dorsal protrusion of the scapulae and megaesopha-
gus with regurgitation are the main clinical features of hereditary myopathy.
NEOPLASTIC
● Esophageal neoplasia (squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic neoplasia)* (p 619)
This is a rare tumor in cats, but is the most common tumor of the esophagus. The tumor creates an
obstructive lesion that results in regurgitation, weight loss and anorexia.
● Mediastinal neoplasia* (p 628)
Thymic lymphoma and thymoma commonly result in extraesophageal obstruction and
regurgitation.
TOXIC
● Lead poisoning* (p 619)
Lead poisoning is usually marked in the early phases with vomiting and GI signs. Neurologic
signs develop late or with chronic exposure and may lead to the development of smooth muscle
dysfunction (megaesophagus) and regurgitation.
● Plant ingestion* (p 620)
Regurgitation secondary to plant consumption is usually due to their irritant or caustic properties
that result in the development of esophagitis.

rial is typically composed of recently swallowed food
INTRODUCTION
(undigested, may still be whole) with saliva.
In cases of chronic megaesophagus, where food may
MECHANISM?
sit undisturbed for hours in the distal esophagus, the
Regurgitation is the passive removal of ingesta, food may have a more liquid, unformed character.
saliva, and other material from the upper GI tract (oral
The pH of the material may be neutral, slightly
cavity, oropharynx and esophagus).
basic (oral) or slightly acidic (stomach), but is typi-
Regurgitation of stomach contents can occur but is cally in a range of pH 4–7.
much less common than vomiting.
Diseases of the esophagus rarely cause hematologic
Regurgitation is not associated with abdominal mus- or biochemical abnormalities, and their diagnosis
cle contraction, has no prodromal signs (no anxiety, often requires contrast radiography, endoscopy or
nausea or hypersalivation preceeding it), and the mate- other sophisticated imaging techniques.