Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Preventing aspiration pneumonia in dogs with megaesophagus using
By Manning, K et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2016·Veterinary Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intermittent At-Home Suctioning of Esophageal Content for Prevention of Recurrent Aspiration Pneumonia in 4 Dogs with Megaesophagus.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs with megaesophagus, a condition that can lead to serious breathing problems from aspiration pneumonia, were treated with intermittent suctioning of their esophagus after traditional feeding methods failed. This suctioning helped remove food and liquid that could cause aspiration, leading to a significant improvement in their health. After starting this treatment, the dogs lived for an average of 13.5 months longer, with two dogs experiencing no further pneumonia episodes. While there were some complications, such as infections and tube clogging, this method showed promise in managing a challenging condition.
People also search for: dog megaesophagus treatment · aspiration pneumonia in dogs · suctioning for dog regurgitation · managing dog breathing problems · dog esophagitis treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Megaesophagus carries a poor to guarded prognosis due to death from aspiration pneumonia. Options for medical management of regurgitation are limited to strategic oral or gastrostomy tube feeding. OBJECTIVES: To describe the use and efficacy of intermittent esophageal suctioning to prevent regurgitation and associated episodes of aspiration pneumonia in dogs with megaesophagus. ANIMALS: Four dogs with acquired idiopathic megaesophagus and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of dogs with megaesophagus in which intermittent suctioning of esophageal content was employed for management of recurrent aspiration pneumonia. RESULTS: Intermittent suctioning of the esophagus was initiated in 4 dogs after failure of strict gastrostomy tube feeding failed to prevent regurgitation and repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia. Suctioning was accomplished by esophagostomy tube in 3 dogs and per os in 1 dog. After initiation of esophageal suctioning, dogs survived for a median of 13.5 additional months (range, 10-30 months) during which time 2 dogs had no additional episodes of aspiration pneumonia and 2 dogs had infrequent episodes of pneumonia, but aspiration was suspected to be a contributing factor in their death. Complications included clogging of the esophagostomy tube, esophagostomy site infections, and esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Use of intermittent esophageal suctioning in dogs with megaesophagus that continue to regurgitate despite gastrostomy tube feedings can reduce or abolish clinical episodes of aspiration pneumonia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27481487/