Introduction

• Causes: gastro-esophageal reflux during general anesthesia, hiatal hernia, calicivirus infection, foreign bodies, ingestion of caustic chemicals or hot food, persistent vomiting.
• Signs: dysphagia, anorexia, excessive salivation and regurgitation.
• Diagnosis: endoscopy.
• Treatment: correct underlying cause, antacids, nothingper osfor 24 h.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Exposure of mucosa to chemicals, high temperatures, low pH, feline calicivirus or sharp edged object.
• Decreased lower esophageal sphincter tone   →   gastro-esophageal reflux.

Predisposing factors

General

• General anesthetic   →   gastro-esophageal reflux.
• Acute or chronic vomiting   Vomiting  .
• Feline calicivirus infection   Feline calicivirus  .
• Licking of chemicals.

Pathophysiology

• Chemical, thermal, viral insult to mucosa   →   inflammation   →   pain, abnormal motility and bleeding.
• Gastro-esophageal reflux/hiatus hernia   →   low pH   →   mucosal inflammation.
• Foreign body, eg bone   Esophagus: foreign body    →   mucosal damage   →   may result in perforation   Esophagus: perforation  mediastinitis.

Timecourse

• Variable dependent on etiology - hours if chemical ingestion.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes