Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

DIAGNOSIS

Differential diagnosis

• Obstructive pharyngeal disease (foreign bodies, inflammation, neoplasia, cricopharyngeal achalasia) and
• palate disorders may produce regurgitation with normal esophageal motility.
• Pharyngeal pain and dysphagia often occur with obstructive pharyngeal disease.

Laboratory investigation

• No characteristic findings
• Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia suggest hypoadrenocorticism.
• Hypercholesterolemia is usually present with hypothyroidism.
• Acetylcholine receptor antibody titers to screen for acquired myasthenia gravis
• Antinuclear antibody titers to evaluate for SLE
• ACTH stimulation to evaluate adrenal function
• Free T₄/TSH level to evaluate thyroid function
• Blood lead and cholinesterase levels to evaluate for toxicity

Radiograph

• Survey Thoracic Radiographs
  • Esophagus dilated with gas, fluid, or ingesta
  • The trachea is often displaced ventrally by the distended esophagus.

Other Diagnostic procedures

• Endoscopy—can use to visualize a dilated esophagus, foreign bodies, neoplasia, and esophagitis;
• Fecal examination for Spirocerca lupi ova