Gastroenterology - Oral, Pharyngeal, and Esophageal

Question 1

Is canine oral papillomatosis benign or malignant?

Answer 1

benign

Question 2

How is canine oral papillomatoisis transmitted?

Answer 2

via saliva

Question 3

Where does canine oral papillomatosis develop?

Describe the appearance

Answer 3

• on mucosal surfaces (lips, muzzle, and gingiva)
• pale, smooth growth initially
• develops into rough and irregular growths with fronds

Question 4

How is canine oral papillomatosis treated?

Answer 4

• resolves as the dog’s immune system develops

- no surgical intervention unless causing problems

Question 5

What is the most common malignant oral mass in the dog?

In the cat?

Answer 5

dog - malignant melanoma

cat - squamous cell carcinoma

Question 6

What is odynophagia?

Answer 6

painful swallowing

Question 7

What are the clinical signs associated with nasopharyngeal polyps?

Answer 7

• difficulty swallowing
• upper respiratory signs (nasal discharge)
• stertor

Question 8

How are nasopharyngeal polyps treated?

Answer 8

if only nasopharyngeal - gentle traction removal

if into the ear - ventral bullae osteotomy

Question 9

What is sialadenitis?

Answer 9

inflammation of the salivary gland

Question 10

What is sialoadenosis?

Answer 10

bilateral mandibular salivary gland enlargement

non-infectious, non-neoplastic, non-inflammatory

Question 11

How is sialoadenosis treated?

Answer 11

Phenobarbitol

Question 12

What are the phases of swallowing?

Answer 12

• oral: prehend food and form bolus that moves to end of tongue
• pharyngeal: propel bolus along pharynx, closure of larynx by epiglottis, inhibition of breathing, UES sphincter opens
• esophageal: bolus moves along esophagus into stomach

Question 13

Which nerves are responsible for each phase of swallowing?

Answer 13

oral - CN 5, 7, and 12
pharyngeal - CN 9, 11
esophageal - CN 9, 10, SNS

Question 14

What are the clinical signs associated with the oral phase of swallowing?

Answer 14

dropping food and water

Question 15

What are the clinical signs associated with the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?

Answer 15

retching, coughing, gagging
food expelled rapidly after attempting to swallow
repeated attempts to swallow

Question 16

What are the clinical signs associated with the esophageal phase of swallowing?

Answer 16

retching, gagging

expelling food quickly after eating or some time later

Question 17

Which breeds are predisposed to cricopharyngeal achlasia/dysphagia?

Answer 17

cocker and springer spaniels

Question 18

What are the clinical signs associated with cricopharyngeal achlasia/dysphagia?

Answer 18

repeated attempts to swallow, followed by gagging and regurgitation

Question 19

How is cricopharyngeal achlasia/dysphagia treated?

Answer 19

• cricopharyngeal myotomy or cricopharyngeal and thyropharyngeal myectomy
• botox muscle injections

Question 20

What is the main difference between the esophagus in dogs and cats?

Answer 20

dogs - striated muscle

cats - distal aspect is smooth muscle

Question 21

What is esophagitis?

Answer 21

inflammation of the esophageal mucosa

Question 22

How is esophagitis treated?

Answer 22

pain management

• buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl
• magic mouthwash

mucosal protectants
- sucralfate/carafate

antacid/proton pump inhibitors
- omeprazole

Question 23

What are possible complications with esophageal foreign body removal?

Answer 23

• perforation leading to effusion or pyothorax
• stricture
• fistulae or diverticulae

Question 24

How would you treat an esophageal stricture?

Answer 24

balloon dilatation

Question 25

What are the possible causes of megaesophagus?

Answer 25

• congenital
• primary CNS: brainstem lesion or primary NM disease
• endocrine associated: hypothyroid, addisons
• lead toxicity
• LES achalasia

Question 26

What is vascular ring anomaly?

What is the most common cause?

Answer 26

• abnormal vessel entraps the thoracic esophagus

- #1 cause is persistent right aortic arch

Question 27

What are the clinical signs associated with vascular ring anomaly?

Answer 27

• regurgitation
• unthriftiness
• poor hair coat
• lean body condition
• aspiration pneumonia

Question 28

Describe the pathogenesis of Spirocerca Lupi

Answer 28

• cystic nodules in esophageal wall
• fistula to lumen allows passage of eggs into alimentary tract
• cyst > granuloma > sarcoma

Question 29

What are the types of hiatal hernias?

Answer 29

Type 1 - sliding, intermittent displacement of LES and gastric fundus into thorax

Type 2 - gastric fundus displacement only

Question 30

Which breeds are predisposed to hiatal hernias?

Answer 30

bulldogs and shar pei