Affiliation:
1. Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Veterinary Health Center, University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
2. Department of Clinical Sciences Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University Auburn Alabama USA
3. Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery University of Missouri, School of Medicine Columbia Missouri USA
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundAerodigestive diseases (AeroD) pathologically link respiratory and alimentary tracts. Dogs with respiratory signs lacking dysphagia, vomiting, or regurgitation typically do not undergo diagnostic testing that identifies comorbid alimentary disease. A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) identifies defects in swallowing, reflux, and aspiration.Objectives/HypothesisWe hypothesized that dogs with respiratory and no alimentary disease (RESP) would have significantly more abnormal VFSS metrics versus controls (CON). We hypothesized RESP dogs with pulmonary parenchymal disease would have more reflux and higher penetration‐aspiration score (PAS) than those with airway disease.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs: RESP (n = 45) and CON (n = 15) groups.MethodsProspectively, all dogs underwent VFSS. The RESP dogs had advanced respiratory diagnostic testing. Eight subjective and 3 objective VFSS metrics (pharyngeal constriction ratio [PCR], PAS, and esophageal transit time [ETT]) were assessed. Fisher's exact test compared differences between groups (presence or absence of VFSS abnormalities). The Mann‐Whitney rank sum test was used to compare PCR and PAS.ResultsSubjective VFSS abnormalities were present in 34/45 (75%) RESP and 2/15 (13%) CON dogs, with RESP dogs significantly more likely to have VFSS abnormalities (P = .01). No difference in PCR was found between groups. Pathologic PAS was more common in RESP than CON dogs (P = .03). The RESP dogs with airway disease had higher PAS than CON dogs (P = .01) but not RESP dogs with parenchymal disease (P = .25).ConclusionsMost (75%) RESP dogs had VFSS abnormalities, emphasizing that AeroD are common. The VFSS has value in diagnostic evaluation of respiratory disease.
Funder
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation