Postanesthetic esophageal dysfunction in 13 dogs

Thirteen dogs with postanesthetic esophageal dysfunction were identified; 10 of these animals had esophageal stricture. Regurgitation was noted in six dogs during the inciting anesthetic event. Clinical problems common to all dogs included vomiting/regurgitation and weight loss. Coughing was noted in six dogs, and aspiration pneumonia was present in four of these dogs. The associated mortality rate was 23%. The duration of symptoms ranged from 17 to 150 days, and the diagnosis was often delayed (up to 76 days from onset of clinical signs to diagnosis). Postanesthetic esophageal dysfunction was a debilitating and costly problem that developed in one dog despite current preventative treatment.