Esophageal diseases

Question 1

What is the prevalence of esophageal disease in cats

Answer 1

Uncommon when compared with dogs

Question 2

What are the classical signs of esophageal disease

Answer 2

Clinical signs of esophageal disease include:
- drooling
- dysphagia (difficulty on swallowing)
- odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- regurgitation

Question 3

What is the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in cats

Answer 3

GERD is rarely reported in cats that have not undergone general anesthesia

Question 4

What are vascular ring anomalies

Answer 4

Vascular ring anomalies are congenital malformations of the great cardiac vessels that entrap the thoracic esophagus and cause obstruction
- the most common is persistent right aortic arch

Question 5

Describe the anatomical structures resulting in persistent right aortic arch anomaly

Answer 5

The esophagus is entrapped by the aorta on the right, the ligamentum arteriosum and the pulmonary trunk on the left, and ventrally by the heart base

Question 6

When does clinical signs occur with a vascular ring anomaly

Answer 6

Onset of clinical signs occurs around the time of weaning to solid food so that most affected cats are presented at less than 6 months of age

Question 7

What is the treatment for a persistent aortic arch

Answer 7

Definitive treatment is surgical repair of the vascular defect (i.e., ligation and transection of the ligamentum arteriosum)