Esophagitis and esophageal strictures.

Esophagitis and esophageal strictures are important causes of esophageal disease in dogs and cats. Clinical suspicion is created when the clinician recognizes the clinical signs suggestive of esophageal disease and accounts for historical information and physical examination findings. Once suspected, the diagnosis of esophagitis and esophageal strictures is a fairly simple one in most cases. Although the benefit of diminishing secretion of gastric acid in patients with esophagitis is unquestioned, other questions regarding adjunctive medical treatments, such as sucralfate and glucocorticoids for dogs and cats with esophagitis, have not been answered through appropriate clinical studies. Esophageal strictures are readily treated with balloon dilation or esophageal bougienage, and clients can expect most patients to become functional, although dietary change may be necessary.