Prospective Controlled Study of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Laryngeal Paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency, nature, and magnitude of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in dogs with laryngeal paralysis (LP).


METHODS
Prospective comparative clinical study.


METHODS
Client-owned dogs with LP and healthy client-owned dogs (n = 6 each).


METHODS
Dogs underwent sedated laryngeal examination for diagnosis and grading of bilateral LP and for placement of a nasoesophageal dual pH/impedance probe. Endoscopy was used to confirm probe location and evaluate the distal esophagus. Data were recorded continuously. GER was defined as pH<4 or >7.5 lasting >2 seconds reaching a magnitude of 2 impedance sensors proximally.


RESULTS
The median total number of GER events per hour was 0.64 (range, 0.44-1.6) for the LP group and 0.53 (range, 0.38-1.0) for the control group (P = 0.259; power = 0.50). The median total number of alkaline regurgitation events per hour was 0.37 (range, 0.17-0.93) for the LP group and 0.46 (range, 0.25-1.0) for control group (P = 0.575; power = 0.57). The median total number of acidic regurgitation events per hour was 0.22 (range, 0-0.70) and 0.0 (range, 0-0.14) for the LP and control groups, respectively (P = 0.025). Acidic reflux events reached the proximal pH sensor in 2 dogs in the LP group for a total of 4 reflux events and in 1 dog in the control group for a total of 3 reflux events (P = 0.673).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the limited number of dogs studied, it appears that dogs with naturally occurring LP have increased acidic reflux events compared to clinically normal dogs. GER can reach the most proximal part of the esophagus.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Kiki M
KM
Tarvin
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
David C
DC
Twedt
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. eric.monnet@colostate.edu.
Eric
E
Monnet
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*