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==Description==
==Description==
[[Image:Oesophagitis.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Oesophagitis - Copyright David Walker RVC]]
[[Image:Oesophagitis.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Oesophagitis - Copyright David Walker RVC]]
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:
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, [[Oesophageal Stricture|stricture formation]] or derangement of normal motility ([[Megaoesophagus|megaoesophagus]]). The most common causes are:
*'''Physical Injury'''
*'''Physical Injury'''
**Ingestion of [[Oesophageal Foreign Body|'''foreign bodies''']] which lodge in the oesophagus.
**Ingestion of [[Oesophageal Foreign Body|'''foreign bodies''']] which lodge in the oesophagus.
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===
Signs include:
Signs include:
*'''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.
*'''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) and if the material produced still resembles the food that was eaten with little apparent digestion. The material produced is often covered with white foam but bile should never be present.
*Animals show '''difficulty in swallowing''' and often appear to make '''multiple swallowing efforts''' and to '''extend their necks''' during swallowing.
*Animals may appear to have '''difficulty in swallowing''' and often appear to make '''multiple swallowing efforts''' and to '''extend their necks''' during swallowing.
*Animals may show signs of '''pain during swallowing''' (odynophagia) and may become '''anorexic'''.
*Animals may show signs of '''pain during swallowing''' (odynophagia) and may therefore become '''anorexic'''.
*Like any animals which regurgitate repeatedly, those with oesophagitis may develop '''aspiration pneumonia''' and show signs of pyrexia, coughing, tachypnoea and dyspnoea.
*Like any animals which regurgitate repeatedly, those with oesophagitis may develop '''aspiration pneumonia''' and show signs of pyrexia, coughing, tachypnoea and dyspnoea.
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
The results of diagnostic tests are usually unremarkable but, as with any inflammatory process, there may be an overall '''leucocytosis''' caused by '''neutrophilia''' in the acute stage.
===Diagnostic Imaging===
===Diagnostic Imaging===
'''Survey radiographs''': generally normal. Signs of aspiration pneumonia may be seen in ventral lung lobes. It can be better differentiated using barium-contrast studies which may show:
'''Survey radiographs''': generally normal. Signs of aspiration pneumonia may be seen in ventral lung lobes. It can be better differentiated using barium-contrast studies which may show: