Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acid reflux in French bulldogs with hiatal hernia
By Ullal, Tarini V et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluating acidic gastroesophageal reflux with wireless pH monitoring in French bulldogs with sliding hiatal herniation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-month-old French bulldog was experiencing regurgitation due to a condition called sliding hiatal herniation, which can cause gastroesophageal reflux. To assess the problem, a small pH monitoring device was placed in the dog's esophagus to track acid levels over several days. After surgery to correct breathing issues related to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, the dog's acid exposure showed improvement, suggesting that the surgery helped reduce the reflux episodes. This monitoring can help owners understand their dog's symptoms better and guide treatment options.
People also search for: French bulldog regurgitation · sliding hiatal hernia treatment · BOAS surgery recovery · gastroesophageal reflux in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sliding hiatal herniation (SHH) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) commonly occur in French bulldogs. Wireless pH monitoring can quantitatively assess acidic GER in dogs affected by SHH. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Measure acidic GER in French bulldogs with SHH, pre- and post-brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery, utilizing a wireless pH capsule (Bravo Calibration-free, Medtronic, Minnesota), and correlate with owners' observations of regurgitation. ANIMALS: Eleven French bulldogs diagnosed with SHH via swallowing fluoroscopy. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. A pH capsule was endoscopically placed in the esophagus. Up to 96 hours of data were acquired as the owner logged clinical signs. Spearman's correlation and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests evaluated factors correlated with acid exposure time (AET), defined by the % time pH < 4. In 4/11 dogs, Bravo monitoring was repeated 2-4 months after BOAS surgery. RESULTS: Medians (Q1-Q3) for age and weight were 21 months (17-35.5) and 10.0 kg (8.9-11.5). BOAS severity was mild (3), moderate (4), or severe (4). Medians (Q1-Q3) for AET and reflux events were 3.3% (2.6-6.4) and 70 (34-173). Clinical score (P = .82) and BOAS severity (P = .60) were not correlated with AET, but age was negatively correlated (rho = -.66, P = .03). Median probability (Q1-Q3) that regurgitation was associated with a reflux event was 72.5% (0-99). Percent AET numerically improved in all 4 dogs that underwent BOAS surgery although not statistically assessed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Wireless pH monitoring documented acidic GER in French bulldogs with SHH, captured subclinical events, and showed improvements after BOAS surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38514174/