Gastroesophageal reflux or reflux occurs when the external esophageal sphincter allows the content of the most anatomically distal organs to rise: the stomach and the first portion of the small intestine (duodenum). So, not only can gastric acid rise, but also other irritating substances that cause further damage and injury to the mucosa of the esophagus. It is a process that can be very annoying and even painful in our dogs, and they also run the risk of developing aspiration pneumonia.
Keep reading this article on our site to find out what is reflux in dogs, its symptoms, causes and treatment.
What is reflux in dogs?
Reflux in dogs is the flow rise from the stomach or small intestine into the esophagus (gastric acid, pepsin, trypsin, bicarbonate and bile s alts), which causes irritation and damage to the mucosa of the esophagus, which can cause esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) more or less severe and can cause a lot of pain. Mild esophagitis occurs when only gastric acid rises and severe esophagitis occurs when all components rise.
Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the cardia, a sphincter in the stomach that connects the esophagus to the stomach and prevents the contents from rising, allows the reverse passage of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing reflux. Sometimes it can reach the mouth.
Reflux in newborn dogs
Baby dogs are at increased risk of reflux because their sphincter is still immature and is more susceptible to allowing the ascent of the contents.
Causes of reflux in dogs
The causes that can trigger gastroesophageal reflux in dogs are the following:
- Chronic vomiting due to the frequent passage of food content that carries gastric acid and digestion products that erode the esophagus and can induce rise of the content due to affecting the sphincter.
- Hiatal hernia, which occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This condition makes it easier for the stomach contents to rise towards the esophagus due to sphincter dysfunction.
- Anesthesia-induced reduction in caudal esophageal sphincter pressure Occurs especially when the dog is positioned in dorsal recumbency (face up), fasting prior to surgery and due to the effects of anesthetic drugs have not been respected.
- Esophagitis or inflammation of the lining of the esophagus is generally accompanied by reflux, because the inflammation hinders the correct functionality of the sphincter, allowing the content to ascend. One induces the other.
- Gastritis or inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining. This alteration affects the sphincter, which allows its content to rise towards the esophagus.
- Obesidad, as it is considered a risk factor for the rise of reflux, mainly due to the pressure of fat on the organs and that the The same fat alters the functionality of the sphincter. The same would happen when the dog is fed a high-fat diet.
Reflux symptoms in dogs
Gastroesophageal reflux in dogs, as we have mentioned, can lead to esophagitis, observing the following clinical signs in these animals:
- Vomiting or regurgitating.
- Excessive salivation.
- Frequent Licking.
- Pain on swallowing (odynophagia).
- Head and neck extension while swallowing.
- Reluctance to eat.
- Weightloss.
- Depression.
- Apathy.
- Fever if there is severe esophagitis.
Sometimes, the contents of the swallow can enter the lungs and lead to aspiration pneumonia. In these cases, the dog will also have a cough and wheeze (lung sounds).
Diagnosis of reflux in dogs
The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux is usually presumptive due to suspicion. Thus, the differential diagnosis of reflux should include:
- Hiatal hernia.
- Esophageal stricture.
- Esophagitis.
X-rays do not help in the diagnosis because they do not usually show any alteration in the esophagus. The endoscopy is the best diagnostic method to assess the status of the esophagus and the severity of esophagitis.
The procedure that achieves the definitive diagnosis of sphincter relaxation, but which the vast majority of dogs will not tolerate, is the continuous measurement of caudal esophageal sphincter pressureand intraluminal pH for an entire day.
How to relieve reflux in dogs? - Treatment
As we have mentioned, diets rich in fat favor relaxation of the caudal esophageal sphincter and delay gastric emptying, so it is necessary to reduce daily fat intakein dogs with reflux to avoid it.
On the other hand, the medical treatment of reflux in dogs includes:
- Sucralfate to protect damaged esophageal mucosa and promote healing.
- Inhibitors of gastric secretion (cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine) to reduce the amount of reflux.
- Proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) to more effectively reduce proton secretion and reflux.
- Prokinetics (metoclopramide).
If the dog has developed severe esophagitis and does not want to eat, a gastrostomy tube should be placed to feed parenterally without going through the damaged esophagus and keep the animal nourished and hydrated.
Home remedies for reflux in dogs
It should be mentioned that there are no home remedies for canine reflux other than a proper diet, so when this occurs problem, the dog should be taken to the vet to begin treatment and that the damage to the esophagus does not go any further. The only way to relieve reflux in dogs, we insist, is by following the advice of a professional after finding the cause that causes it.
Prognosis of reflux in dogs
If medical treatment is followed and its causes are resolved, the prognosis of gastroesophageal reflux in dogs is usually good.
How to prevent reflux in dogs?
Reflux in dogs can be prevented as long as the animal eats the right diet, exercises and, in general, has he althy lifestyle habitsAs we have seen, one of its main causes is obesity, which is why it is very important to keep your dog at its ideal weight. Of course, it will also be important to go to the vet for routine check-ups and check that his he alth remains in good condition.
