Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and diagnosis of sliding hiatal hernia in brachycephalic
By Luciani, Elizabeth et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of aerodigestive disease and diagnosis of sliding hiatal hernia in brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 67 dogs with a condition called sliding hiatal hernia (sHH) were studied to understand their symptoms and how to diagnose the issue. Some dogs showed only gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, while others had mixed symptoms or only respiratory issues like coughing or difficulty breathing. Brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs) were younger and more likely to show severe breathing problems compared to other breeds. The study found that a special imaging test called a videofluoroscopic swallow study was better at detecting sHH than regular X-rays.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · sliding hiatal hernia in dogs · brachycephalic dog symptoms · videofluoroscopic swallow study for dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aerodigestive diseases (AeroD), hybrid disorders between the respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, may present without GI signs. Sliding hiatal hernia (sHH) is an important AeroD in brachycephalic dogs linked to respiratory pathology. The spectrum of other AeroD and respiratory clinical signs (CS) in brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs with sHH is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Characterize CS of AeroD in dogs with sHH, compare CS between brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs, and compare thoracic radiographs and videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) for diagnosing sHH. ANIMALS: Sixty-seven client-owned dogs with sHH. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with sHH presented to the veterinary teaching hospitals at Auburn University and the University of Missouri between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Between group, comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square analysis, and Spearman correlation (P < .05). RESULTS: Dogs with sHH presented with exclusively GI signs (28/67), mixed respiratory and GI signs (22/67), or with exclusively respiratory signs (17/67). Wheras brachycephalic dogs were not significantly more likely to present with respiratory CS (P = .145), they were younger (P < .001), and more likely to present in respiratory distress (P = .02), and with radiographic evidence of aspiration pneumonia (P < .001) compared to nonbrachycephalic dogs. Six of 12 dogs with normal thoracic radiographs having sHH presented with respiratory CS. For detection of sHH, VFSS was superior to radiographs (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with sHH may present with exclusively respiratory signs. Respiratory signs may be more severe in brachycephalic compared to nonbrachycephalic dogs. Videofluoroscopic swallow study was superior to thoracic radiographs for detection of sHH in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35789042/