Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Megaesophagus and aspiration pneumonia secondary to gastric ulceration in a foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1988
- Authors:
- Murray, M J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 3-month-old foal had been suffering from a long-lasting fever and an increased white blood cell count, which indicated an infection. Upon examination, the veterinarians discovered that the foal had pneumonia, severe ulceration in part of its stomach, and a condition called megaesophagus, where the lower part of the esophagus is enlarged. The stomach issues caused a problem at the connection between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach contents to flow back up, which likely led to the pneumonia and the megaesophagus. Unfortunately, due to the severity of these conditions, the foal was euthanized for humane reasons.
Abstract
A 3-month-old foal with a history of persistent fever and leukocytosis was found to have pneumonia, ulceration of the squamous portion of the stomach, and dilatation of the distal portion of the esophagus. The foal was euthanatized and necropsied. The distal portion of the esophagus was severely dilated, and there was severe ulceration and mural thickening of the stomach at the cardia. Because of the severe gastric ulceration and mural thickening, the gastroesophageal junction was fixed in an open position, permitting gastroesophageal reflux. The megaesophagus and pneumonia were considered to have resulted from chronic gastroesophageal reflux.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3356580/