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==Description==
==Description==
Oesophagitis in an inflammatory disorder of the oesophagus that usually involves the mucosa but can involve the deeper layers of the submucosa and muscularis. It can take the form of acute or chronic. The disease process occurs after disruption of one of the barrier defence mechanisms and can lead one or several of inflammation, ulceration and erosion of the underlying structures. The most common causes are:
[[Image:Oesophagitis.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Oesophagitis - Copyright David Walker RVC]]
*chemical injury following swallowing
Oesophagitis refers to [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]] of the oesophagus. This usually involves the '''mucosa''' but can involve the deeper layers of the submucosa and muscularis and it may follow an '''acute''' or '''chronic''' course. The oesophagus is usually protected from physical or chemical damage by mucus (produced by simple tubuloacinar glands along its whole length in dogs and in the rostral portion in cats) and by peristaltic waves and the upper and lower oesophageal sphincters which prevent ingesta or regurgitated material from remaining in contact with the oesophageal wall. Oesophagitis is a serious condition and, if not treated, it may progress to ulceration, rupture, stricture formation or derangement of normal motility (megaoesophagus). The most common causes are:
*oesophageal foreign bodies
*'''Physical Injury'''
*gastro-oesophageal reflux
**Ingestion of [[Oesophageal Foreign Body|'''foreign bodies''']] which lodge in the oesophagus.
**Passage of nasogastric or pharyngostomy '''feeding tubes''' or of large '''endoscopes'''.
*'''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==
Any age group can be affected and there is usually a history suggestive of a particular cause, such as a recent general anaesthetic or administration of doxycylcine to a cat.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===
include:
Signs include:
*regurgitation
*'''Regurgitation''' and '''hypersalivation/ptyalism''' are the most common signs. Regurgitation can be recognised if the animal shows no abdominal effort (as would occur with vomiting), if the material produced still resembles the food that was eaten. The material produced is often covered with white foam but bile should never be present.
*salivation
*Animals show '''difficulty in swallowing''' and often appear to make '''multiple swallowing efforts''' and to '''extend their necks''' during swallowing.
*neck extension during swallowing
*Animals may show signs of '''pain during swallowing''' (odynophagia) and may become '''anorexic'''.
*Like any animals which regurgitate repeatedly, those with oesophagitis may develop '''aspiration pneumonia''' and show signs of pyrexia, coughing, tachypnoea and dyspnoea.
*food avoidance
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
Generally unremarkable but may show:
Generally unremarkable but may show: