Incidence, clinical signs, and videofluoroscopic swallow study abnormalities associated with airway penetration and aspiration in 100 dogs

Prevalence of respiratory signs in dogs with chronic gastroenteropathy in a referral population in the United Kingdom: 42 cases (2020)

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of respiratory signs in a referral population of dogs with chronic gastroenteropathy in the United Kingdom, and to describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of the affected dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of canine patients diagnosed with chronic gastroenteropathy in a referral centre in the United Kingdom. Data included signalment, gastrointestinal and respiratory signs, blood analysis results and, where present, diagnostic imaging techniques, endoscopy, videofluoroscopic swallow study, bronchoalveolar lavage results and treatment response. To be included, a follow-up of a minimum of 3 months was required. Cases were excluded if there was no minimum diagnostic dataset, the aetiology of the respiratory signs was other than gastrointestinal disease or a non-gastrointestinal systemic disease was the cause of the gastrointestinal signs.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight dogs were included and 42 (28.4%) had concurrent respiratory signs. Gagging (69%) and vomiting (52.4%) were the most common gastrointestinal signs, while coughing (50%), tachypnoea (33.3%) and reverse sneezing (30.9%) were the most common respiratory signs. Abdominal ultrasound was performed in 31 (73.8%) while CT scan was the most common modality for thoracic (62.5%) and head (21.9%) imaging. Endoscopic procedures included gastrointestinal (54.8%), bronchoscopy (19%) and rhinoscopy (23.8%). Dietary modification was the most common treatment (66.67%). Eleven dogs (26.2%) had a relapse of the respiratory signs during the follow-up period, of which, nine (81.8%) had a concurrent relapse of the gastrointestinal signs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Concurrent respiratory signs in dogs with chronic gastroenteropathy are frequent. A clinical improvement of these respiratory signs might be achieved during the therapeutic management of gastrointestinal disorders.

Incidence and characterization of aerophagia in dogs using videofluoroscopic swallow studies

BACKGROUND

Aerophagia (ingestion of air), is a functional aerodigestive disorder in people. Criteria for diagnosis of aerophagia in dogs are >1/3 of bolus volume containing air or ingested air resulting in gastric distention (>1/3 of end gastric volume). Aerophagia is highlighted during eating and drinking. Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) document aerophagia in dogs, but the incidence, clinical signs (CS), and associated disorders are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

Identify the incidence of aerophagia, compare CS between dogs with and without aerophagia, and identify associated and predisposing disorders using VFSS.

ANIMALS

A total of 120 client-owned dogs.

METHODS

Sequential VFSS and associated medical records from dogs presenting to veterinary teaching hospitals at Auburn University and the University of Missouri were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests, odds ratios (OR), and multiple logistic regression (P < .05).

RESULTS

The incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of aerophagia was 40% (31.7-48.9). Dogs with mixed CS (gastrointestinal [GI] and respiratory; P < .001, 58.3%) were more likely to have aerophagia than dogs with exclusively respiratory CS (25%). Aerophagia was significantly more common in brachycephalic dogs (P = .01; 45.8% vs 13.8%), dogs with nonbrachycephalic upper airway obstruction (P < .001; 33.3% vs 4.1%), pathologic penetration and aspiration (P-A) scores (P = .04; 41.6% vs 23.6%), and gagging (P < .001; 25% vs 11.7%). Mixed CS (P = .01), brachycephaly (P < .001), and upper airway obstruction (P < .001) were independent predictors of aerophagia.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Aerophagia was common, particularly in dogs with mixed CS. Brachycephalic dogs and dogs with upper airway obstruction are predisposed. Aspiration risk was high, emphasizing overlapping upper aerodigestive pathways.