Esophageal motility dysfunction in cats: a study of 44 cases

Abstract

A retrospective study evaluated cases of feline esophageal dysfunction. Cats identified had contrast esophagrams performed during a six-year period. Of 56 cases undergoing esophagography, 51 had complete records available for review. Forty-four cases were felt to be abnormal and were included in the study. Cases were analyzed for signalment, presenting complaints, and identifiable causes of abnormal esophageal motility. Response to treatment and case outcome were also reviewed. The signalment of the cases varied widely, especially in age. The occurrence of esophageal motility dysfunction was low, comprising only 0.05% of all feline cases seen in a six-year period. Forty-three percent of cases were considered idiopathic, and 57% were congenital or diagnosed with conditions known to cause esophageal motility dysfunction. The causative disease states included myasthenia gravis, mediastinal masses, vascular ring anomalies, dysautonomia, and esophageal stricture. Seventy-eight percent of those treated with medical therapy (i.e., combinations of sucralfate, H2 receptor antagonists, and either metoclopramide or cisapride) showed clinical improvement.

Metoclopramide-induced central nervous system depression in the chicken

“…Further, metoclopramide was found to increase gastrointestinal tract motility and inhibit plasma cholinesterase activity in chicks [17]. These effects are similar to those found in other animal species [2-5,8] and further suggest that the sedative activity of metoclopramide in the chicken should be potentially expected.…”

“…Chicks were reported to be a suitable animal model for examining the CNS depressant action of drugs [13-15]. The sedative-hypnotic doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, s.c.) of metoclopramide used in the present study are higher than the therapeutic ones used in dogs and cats [2-5]. However, the doses (especially the ED50s) of metoclopramide used in the present study are close to its antiemetic ones (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, body weight, orally) used in pigeons treated with reserpine [9].…”

“…Metoclopramide (methoxychloroprocainamide) is a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist used as an antiemetic and gastroprokinetic agent in man [1] as well as in dogs [2-4] and cats [3-5]. The drug also has serotonergic effects [6] and indirect parasympathomimetic activity [7,8].…”

Intermittent Gastroesophageal Intussusception in a Kitten Resolved with a Percutaneous Gastropexy

“…According to Moses et al [2], 45% of esophageal motility dysfunction cases are associated with the clinical signs of respiratory tract disease.…”

“…Until 2014, only three case studies on esophageal diseases were published, describing esophageal dysmotility due to different origins as the principal pathology [1][2][3]; however, none of these studies refers to a gastroesophageal intussusception (GEI), a rare pathology characterized by an invagination of the stomach into the lumen caudal to the thoracic esophagus [4][5][6][7][8].…”