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Esophageal dysfunction in a weanling thoroughbred
Insights
A young horse experienced persistent swallowing difficulties and food impaction due to an esophageal motor abnormality. Esophageal manometry helped diagnose this condition, highlighting its importance in equine veterinary medicine.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Gastroenterology
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Dysphagia and esophageal impaction are significant clinical challenges in young horses.
- Understanding the underlying causes of esophageal dysfunction is crucial for effective management.
Observation:
- A 6-month-old Thoroughbred colt presented with congenital dysphagia, regurgitation, and esophageal impaction.
- Endoscopic and radiographic evaluations revealed esophageal ulceration, dilatation, and lack of peristalsis.
- Esophageal manometry indicated prolonged, simultaneous contractions, suggesting a motor disorder.
Findings:
- The colt's esophageal dysfunction persisted despite dietary management, leading to euthanasia at 17 months.
- Post-mortem examinations revealed no gross or histologic abnormalities in neural or muscular esophageal structures.
- The clinical presentation and manometric findings strongly suggested a primary esophageal motor abnormality.
Implications:
- Esophageal motor disorders should be considered in horses presenting with persistent dysphagia or recurrent choke.
- Esophageal manometry is a valuable diagnostic tool for characterizing esophageal motor abnormalities in horses.
- This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing congenital esophageal motility disorders in equines.
Abstract:
A 6-month-old Thoroughbred colt was examined because of persistent dysphagia noted since birth. Moderately severe regurgitation occurred when the colt ate semi-solid food or drank. Complete esophageal impaction developed when the colt ate solid material. Endoscopic examination revealed ulceration, dilatation and lack of peristalsis in the area of the previous impaction. Barium esophagram demonstrated the dilatation in the area of the previous impaction. Esophageal manometry revealed prolonged simultaneous contractions throughout the esophagus suggesting the presence of a motor abnormality. The colt was maintained on a slurry of complete pelleted feed, but the esophageal dysfunction persisted until euthanasia at 17 months of age. Gross post mortem and histologic examinations showed no abnormalities in the muscularis mucosa, myenteric plexus, vagus nerve, or brain stem. The history, signs, and manometric findings suggested esophageal dysfunction in this colt. Motor disorders of the esophagus should be considered in horses with persistent dysphagia or recurrent episodes of choke and esophageal manometry can help characterize these disorders.