Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How often do dogs swallow air when eating or drinking?
By Grobman, Megan et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Incidence and characterization of aerophagia in dogs using videofluoroscopic swallow studies.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that 40% of dogs may suffer from aerophagia, which is when they swallow air, often while eating or drinking. This condition was more common in brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs) and dogs with upper airway issues. Symptoms can include gastrointestinal and respiratory signs, such as gagging. If your dog is showing signs of discomfort while eating or has breathing problems, it’s important to discuss these symptoms with your veterinarian, as they may suggest tests to check for aerophagia and its potential risks.
People also search for: dog swallowing air symptoms · brachycephalic dog breathing problems · dog gagging while eating
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aerophagia (ingestion of air), is a functional aerodigestive disorder in people. Criteria for diagnosis of aerophagia in dogs are >1/3 of bolus volume containing air or ingested air resulting in gastric distention (>1/3 of end gastric volume). Aerophagia is highlighted during eating and drinking. Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) document aerophagia in dogs, but the incidence, clinical signs (CS), and associated disorders are unknown. OBJECTIVES: Identify the incidence of aerophagia, compare CS between dogs with and without aerophagia, and identify associated and predisposing disorders using VFSS. ANIMALS: A total of 120 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Sequential VFSS and associated medical records from dogs presenting to veterinary teaching hospitals at Auburn University and the University of Missouri were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests, odds ratios (OR), and multiple logistic regression (P < .05). RESULTS: The incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of aerophagia was 40% (31.7-48.9). Dogs with mixed CS (gastrointestinal [GI] and respiratory; P < .001, 58.3%) were more likely to have aerophagia than dogs with exclusively respiratory CS (25%). Aerophagia was significantly more common in brachycephalic dogs (P = .01; 45.8% vs 13.8%), dogs with nonbrachycephalic upper airway obstruction (P < .001; 33.3% vs 4.1%), pathologic penetration and aspiration (P-A) scores (P = .04; 41.6% vs 23.6%), and gagging (P < .001; 25% vs 11.7%). Mixed CS (P = .01), brachycephaly (P < .001), and upper airway obstruction (P < .001) were independent predictors of aerophagia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Aerophagia was common, particularly in dogs with mixed CS. Brachycephalic dogs and dogs with upper airway obstruction are predisposed. Aspiration risk was high, emphasizing overlapping upper aerodigestive pathways.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38561963/