Prevalence of gastrointestinal tract lesions in 73 brachycephalic dogs with upper respiratory syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal tract lesions in brachycephalic dogs with upper respiratory tract disease.


METHODS
The gastrointestinal tract and respiratory disorders of 73 brachycephalic dogs presented with upper respiratory signs were evaluated. Clinical signs and endoscopic and histological anomalies of the upper digestive tract were analysed.


RESULTS
A very high prevalence of gastrointestinal tract problems in brachycephalic dogs presented with upper respiratory problems was observed clinically, endoscopically and histologically. Endoscopic anomalies of the upper digestive tract were present even in dogs without digestive clinical signs. Furthermore, histological evaluation of the digestive tract sometimes showed inflammatory lesions not macroscopically visible at endoscopy. Statistical analysis showed a relationship between the severity of the respiratory and digestive signs. This was significant in French bulldogs, males and heavy brachycephalic dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations show a correlation between upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract problems in brachycephalic breeds with upper respiratory disease. Surgical treatment of respiratory disease could improve the digestive clinical signs, and/or gastro-oesophageal medical treatment could improve the outcome for surgically treated brachycephalic dogs.
Clinic Fregis, 43 avenue A. Briand, 94110 Arcueil, France.
C M
CM
Poncet
G P
GP
Dupre
V G
VG
Freiche
M M
MM
Estrada
Y A
YA
Poubanne
B M
BM
Bouvy
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*