Gastroesophageal reflux in the dog, an underdiagnosed disorder

In dogs with clinical signs of painful esophageal dysfunction, diagnosis is facilitated by endoscopic biopsy and histologic evaluation of esophageal epithelium.

Published on
, byGiulia Pignataro

In dogs, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes inflammation, regurgitation, and pain, and the accompanied by characteristic reflux-related esophageal complications occur, including ulceration, stenosis, and epithelial metaplasia.

In addition, respiratory complications such as laryngitis, bronchial irritation and inhalation of the refluxed material may occur. Treatment with antacid medications can lead to resolution of clinical signs.

Diagnostic criteria

Until recently, there was a lack of specific diagnostic criteria for gastroesophageal reflux in dogs, and a tentative diagnosis was made in the presence of typical clinical signs and endoscopic findings, after exclusion of other esophageal or extraesophageal pathology, and if the patient had an adequate response to pharmacological treatment.

However, most dogs with clinical signs of esophageal disease do not reveal at endoscopy obvious mucosal lesions or other signs of gastroesophageal reflux and, to date, the best evidence for the presence of pathological reflux in dogs are the results of telemetry to evaluate esophageal squamous epithelium and histological findings considered characteristic of GERD, the prevalence and clinical significance of which are still uncertain.

In order to describe the clinical features of gastroesophageal reflux disease in dogs diagnosed using clinical, endoscopic, and histologic signs and excluding other esophageal disorders, a German research team evaluated total of 2,225 dogs seen from January 2012 to December 2014 in a small animal internal medicine referral clinic in Cologne . The research showed clinical signs attributable to esophageal disease in 20 dogs. The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, over three years, was 0-9% of the reference canine population.

The main clinical signs were regurgitation, discomfort or pain (each, 20/20 dogs) and ptyalism (18/20 dogs).

Esophagoscopy showed no mucosal lesions (5/20 dogs) or minimal lesions (13/20 dogs), the data are consistent with those found in humans. Whereas, when analyzing esophageal mucosal biopsies , hyperplastic changes were found in the basal cell layer (13/20 dogs), stromal papillae (14/20 dogs) , and entire epithelium (9/20 dogs).

Eleven dogs received omeprazole or pantoprazole, regurgitation and ptyalism improved in eight dogs and pain decreased in six of them within three to six weeks.

Reflux in dogs is underestimated

According to the results of the German study, canine gastroesophageal reflux syndrome is a more common clinical problem than previously suspected, and it appears to be underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. In dogs with clinical signs of painful esophageal dysfunction, diagnosis is facilitated by endoscopic biopsy and histologic evaluation of esophageal epithelium.

Reference

Reference: M.Muenster, A. Hoerauf, M. Vieth. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in 20 dogs (2012 to 2014). Journal of Small Animal Practice (2017) DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12646

Explore the latest content
06_02_2024_Probiotici per cani e gatti a che punto siamo
Probiotics for dogs and cats: where do we stand?
02_02_2024_Enteropatia cronica nei cani effetti di simbiotico e IgY sul microbiota intestinale
Chronic enteropathy in dogs: effects of symbiotic and IgY on gut microbiota
19_01_2024_Sicurezza ed efficacia di Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 32264 come additivo per mangimi per gatti
Safety and efficacy of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 32264 as a cat feed additive
See more content on
05_05_2023_Come trattare i disturbi della motilità gastrica in cani e gatti
How to treat gastric motility disorders in dogs and cats
17_03_2023_Problematiche digestive nei cani brachicefalici
Digestive problems in brachycephalic dogs
10_03_2023_Meglio limitare l’uso di farmaci gastroprotettori in cani e gatti
Best to limit the use of gastroprotectant drugs in dogs and cats
03_03_2023_Esofagite post anestesia nel cane e nel gatto
Post anesthesia esophagitis in the dog and cat
21_02_2023_Reflusso gastroesofageo nel cane, un disturbo sottodiagnosticato
Gastroesophageal reflux in the dog, an underdiagnosed disorder
Omeprazolo: nessun beneficio gastroenterico nel cane in terapia con Fans
Omeprazole: no gastroenteric benefit in dogs on NSAID therapy