title: Standardization of a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Protocol to Investigate Dysphagia in Dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is the gold standard for diagnosis of dysphagia in veterinary medicine but lacks standardized protocols that emulate physiologic feeding practices. Age impacts swallow function in humans but has not been evaluated by VFSS in dogs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a protocol with custom kennels designed to allow free-feeding of 3 optimized formulations of contrast media and diets that address limitations of current VFSS protocols. We hypothesized that dogs evaluated by a free-feeding VFSS protocol would show differences in objective swallow metrics based on age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy juvenile, adult, and geriatric dogs (n = 24).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, experimental study. Custom kennels were developed to maintain natural feeding behaviors during VFSS. Three food consistencies (thin liquid, pureed food, and dry kibble) were formulated with either iohexol or barium to maximize palatability and voluntary prehension. Dogs were evaluated by 16 swallow metrics and compared across age groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Development of a standardized VFSS protocol resulted in successful collection of swallow data in healthy dogs. No significant differences in swallow metrics were observed among age groups. Substantial variability was observed in healthy dogs when evaluated under these physiologic conditions. Features typically attributed to pathologic states, such as gastric reflux, were seen in healthy dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Development of a VFSS protocol that reflects natural feeding practices may allow emulation of physiology resulting in clinical signs of dysphagia. Age did not result in significant changes in swallow metrics, but additional studies are needed, particularly in light of substantial normal variation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Science and Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Grobman
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schachtel
authors.affiliation: AFB International, St. Charles, MO.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Rawson
authors.affiliation: AFB International, St. Charles, MO.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: AFB International, St. Charles, MO.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ledyayev
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hopewell
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Reinero
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Lever
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001464:Barium; D003287:Contrast Media; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D007472:Iohexol; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012015:Reference Standards; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001464:Barium; D007472:Iohexol
keywords: Aspiration; Barium; Free-feeding; Iohexol; Reflux