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Phenobarbital-responsive ptyalism, dysphagia, and apparent esophageal spasm in a German shepherd puppy
Kristi J Gibbon1, Lauren A Trepanier, Fern A Delaney
1Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1102, USA.
Abstract:
A 10-week-old, male German shepherd dog was presented with a primary complaint of episodic ptyalism, dysphagia, vomiting, and mandibular salivary gland enlargement. An esophagram with fluoroscopy showed normal pharyngeal and esophageal function; however, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and cervical ultrasonography revealed a focal circumferential thickening of the midcervical esophageal muscular wall, consistent with esophageal spasm. The puppy responded dramatically and completely to phenobarbital treatment. An unusual syndrome of phenobarbital-responsive hypersialosis was consistent with this dog's clinical presentation and the finding of apparent esophageal spasm. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is unclear, but it may represent a form of limbic epilepsy or peripheral autonomic dysfunction.
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