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==Description==
==Description==
An oesophageal stricture is an abnormal circumferential narrowing of the lumen secondary to severe [[Oesophagitis|oesophagitis]]. A deep wall injury results followed by healing by fibrosis. The most important causes are:
[[Image:Oesophageal Stricture.png|thumb|right|300px|Oesophageal Stricture Oesophagoscopy - Copyright David Walker RVC]]
*Chemical injury from swallowed substances
[[Image:Oesophageal Stricture Flouroscopy.png|thumb|right|300px|Oesophageal Stricture Flouroscopy - Copyright David Walker RVC]]
*Gastro-oesophageal reflux
An oesophageal stricture is an abnormal circumferential narrowing of the oesophageal lumen secondary to severe [[Oesophagitis|oesophagitis]]. Deep injuries to the oesophageal wall heal by fibrosis which contracts over time to form the stricture. Animals may suffer from multiple strictures and the most common sites are within the '''distal high pressure zone''' (close to the lower oesophageal spincter), over the '''base of the heart''' and '''at the thoracic inlet'''. The oesophagus is narrower at these points and foreign bodies and refluxed ingesta are therefore more likely to accumulate at these locations. The most important causes of strictures include:
*[[Oesophageal Foreign Body|Foreign body]]
*'''Physical Injury'''
*Oesophageal surgery
**Ingestion of [[Oesophageal Foreign Body|'''foreign bodies''']] which lodge in the oesophagus.
*[[Oesophageal Neoplasia|Neoplasia]]
**Passage of nasogastric or pharyngostomy '''feeding tubes''' or of large '''endoscopes'''.
*Oesophageal abscesses
**Erosion of the oesophageal wall by '''neoplasia''' or '''abscesses'''.
**'''Surgical wounds''' to the oesophagus that heal with a fibrous component.
*'''Chemical Injury'''
**'''Gastro-oesophageal reflux''', which may occur with '''general anaesthesia''' or [[Hiatal Hernia|'''hiatal hernias''']].
**'''Chronic vomiting'''
**Ingestion of '''caustic''' or '''irritant substances''', including '''doxycycline''' in cats.
==Signalment==
The signalment is dependent on the underlying cause of the injury, with animals of all ages having the potential to be affected. 46% of cases occur after general anaesthesia, presumably due to gastro-oesophageal reflux through the relaxed lower oesophageal sphincter and because peristalsis and saliva production are reduced, meaning that refluxed material is not removed or neutralised.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===
The signs observed depend on the severity and extent of the stricture but include:
*Regurgitation shortly after feeding (may then attempt to re-ingest the regurgitant)
*'''Regurgitation''' shortly after feeding, often with '''hypersalivation/ptyalism'''. Liquid foods may be better tolerated than solid food and it is better able to pass through the stricture.
*Anorexia
*'''Anorexia''' and resultant '''weight loss'''.
*As with any cause of repeated regurgitation, '''aspiration pneumonia''' may develop with signs of coughing, tachypnoea, dyspnoea and pyrexia.
*Malnutrition
===Diagnostic Imaging===
===Diagnostic Imaging===