title: Phenobarbital-responsive ptyalism, dysphagia, and apparent esophageal spasm in a German shepherd puppy.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1102, USA.
authors.forename: Kristi J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gibbon
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Trepanier
authors.forename: Fern A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Delaney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D015155:Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010634:Phenobarbital