Anesthesia-induced severe esophagitis in a cat

Abstract

This case report describes the development of severe esophagitis after an anesthesia event for a shaving procedure in a seven years old male cat. The cat was brought to our animal clinic with a complaint of severe vomiting and appetite loss. It was reported that vomiting has started after the administration of xylazine-ketamine anesthesia for the shaving procedure. In the endoscopic examination, severe esophagitis has been detected. Within two weeks, esophagitis was complicated with megaesophagus and then severe weight loss had been observed. Post-treatment endoscopic examination couldn’t be performed because the esophagitis had developed after anesthesia. Regardless of whether a surgical procedure has been performed or the anesthesia has been performed repeatedly or once, post-anesthesia reflux esophagitis should also be suspected in cases of persistent appetite loss or dysphagia and vomiting after anesthesia.