Case of the Month: June 2009

1.5 year old FS DSH presented for upper respiratory infection. FeLV/FIV negative. Placed on Doxycycline. Two weeks post treatment represented for regurgitation.
Assessment:
Survey thorax followed by Barium swallow performed which revealed a severe narrowing of the intrathorasic esophagus cranial to the heart. Orad to the narrowing, there is severe dilation of the esophagus with retention of positive contrast medium.
Diagnosis: Drug/doxycycline induced esophageal stricture. DDX for stricture: vascular ring anomaly. Note the demarcation between the striated and smooth musculature of the esophagus normally identified in felines, as there is a "herringbone" appearance of the caudal 1/3 of the esophagus.

Images provided by: Dr. Dineen, Dineen Animal Hospital, Wilmington NC