The overall occurrence of upper GIT affections in dogs
An epidemiological study was conducted to know the occurrence of GIT affections in the dog population presented to the veterinary clinical complex (VCC), Jabalpur, over six months from May 2024 to October 2024. The overall occurrence of upper GIT affections in dogs is summarized in Table 1. The findings of the current study indicated an occurrence of upper GIT affections in 21.21% of clinically suspected dogs at VCC, Jabalpur. In comparison,
Suryavanshi et al., (2018) reported 35% of dogs, primarily exhibited oesophageal and gastric abnormalities. While these occurrence rates differ from those in previous studies, such discrepancies may be attributed to variations in experimental design, diagnostic techniques and procedural methodologies used to estimate the occurrence of upper GIT disorders.
Clinical manifestations associated with upper GIT affections in dogs
During the study of upper GIT affections in dogs, various clinical manifestations were observed among the affected dogs. Vomition was the most prevalent clinical sign occurring in 100% of cases (28/28), followed by inappetence
i.
e., 92.86% (26/28), dehydration
i.
e., 89.29% (25/28), retching
i.
e. 57.14% (16/28), hematemesis
i.
e., 32.14% (09/28), weight loss
i.
e., 28.57% (08/28), ptyalism
i.
e., 21.43% (06/28) and dysphagia
i.
e., 10.71% (03/28) (Fig 2).
Vomiting, weight loss and anorexia have been reported as the most common clinical signs in dogs with chronic gastritis. The results of this study were in agreement with
Shabestari et al., (2008), Lidbury et al., (2009), Colakoglu et al., (2017), Seim-wikse et al., (2019), Maheshwarappa et al., (2020) and
Manzoor and Rasool (2024).
Colakoglu et al., (2017) specifically reported episodic vomiting (54.5%) followed by weight loss (27.3%). Whereas, the other clinical signs (polyuria, polydipsia, ascites, icteric skin, cataract, weakness) were observed by
Nakang et al., (2019) and
Khanduri et al., (2021). The interplay of inflammation, impaired gastric motility, mucosal irritation, altered hormonal regulation and psychological factors contributes to vomiting and anorexia in chronic gastritis. The intermittent vomiting may result from objects intermittently obstructing the pylorus due to peristaltic movements, which was in accordance with,
Boag et al., (2005), Hayes (2009) and
Kalundia (2012).
Distribution of upper GIT affections in dogs
Among the 28 dogs diagnosed with GIT affections, gastritis was the most prevalent affection, observed in 50.00% of cases (14/28). This was followed by gastric ulcers and erosions in 35.71% (10/28), gastric foreign bodies in 10.71% (3/28), oesophagitis in 07.14% (2/28), megaoesophagus in 03.57% (1/28), oesophageal nodule in 03.57% (1/28) and sialocele in 03.57% (1/28) (Table 2; Fig 3, 4 and 5).
Lateral abdominal radiographs revealed the presence of foreign bodies, including radio-opaque objects such as marbles and radiolucent items like clothes, within the stomach. The radiographs also showed a distended stomach with a gravel-like appearance due to impacted contents, alongside a slight increase in the soft tissue density of the stomach wall. This soft tissue density increase is likely indicative of oedema or mild inflammation, possibly due to foreign body obstruction or irritation from the gastric ulcers. These findings were consistent with
Gianella et al., (2009).
Ultrasonography also identified mildly echogenic masses within the stomach, suggestive of foreign body impaction, which, combined with the observed reduction in gastric motility, strongly points to gastric stasis. The increased mucosal thickness observed in ultra-sonographic images further emphasizes the presence of gastritis. Ultrasonographic alterations observed in the present study agree with the observations made by
Penninck (2002) and
Frank (2013). Ultrasonographic examination of gastric ulcers revealed a disruption in the normal gastric mucosa, marked by the formation of crater-like lesions that diminished the gastric mucosal layering. The ulcerated borders showed increased thickening due to inflammation. Furthermore, compared to healthy dogs, gastric motility was found to be slow, suggesting a malfunction in gastric peristalsis that is probably related to the inflammatory and ulcerative processes taking place in the stomach. These findings align with those reported by
Kealy et al., (2011) and
Sagar (2016).
The findings of the endoscopy of the present study were accordance with
Shabestari et al., (2008). However, contrast with
Simpson (2006),
Verma et al., (2020) and
Ransingh et al., (2023). Shabestari reported the 40% of dogs suffered with chronic gastritis. The confirmed diagnosis was made by gastroscopy, which revealed mucosal thickening, granularity, friability, erosions and frank hemorrhages, which could be due to an inflammatory response resulting in the recruitment of phagocytes into the mucosa and neutrophil infiltration, which amplify the inflammatory response by releasing chemotoxins and further damaging the gastric mucosa, dilating the submucosal arterioles and increasing mucosal blood flow. However,
Suryavanshi et al., (2018) and
Verma et al., (2020) reported gastric ulcers and erosions in 4.76% and 21% dogs, respectively. Gastric ulceration is multifactorial condition resulting from various etiological agents, including gastric mucosal damage by physical agent, disruptions in its chemical integrity and impairments in the mucosal repair processes
(Parrah et al., 2013).
In the current clinical study, the identified gastric foreign bodies included towel and plastic debris lodged in the stomach. Similarly, previous studies by
Michels et al., (1995), Fossum and Hedlund (2007) and
Dilipkumar et al. (2009) reported various gastric foreign bodies. Foreign body ingestion is commonly observed in dogs due to their indiscriminate feeding habits, the tendency to explore their environment, this behavior often termed pica, can be influenced by several factors, including nutritional deficiencies, boredom, anxiety, or underlying medical conditions such as gastrointestinal diseases
(Evans and Adams, 2010).
The findings of the present study include oesophagitis in 07.14% of dogs. Similarly,
Suryavanshi et al., (2018) confirmed reflux oesophagitis through endoscopic findings of mucosal erythema, haemorrhage and thickened folds. Similar endoscopic findings have been documented by
Guilford (1990),
Gualtieri and Olivero (2006),
Glazer and Walters (2008) and
Meineri et al., (2008). Reflux oesophagitis in dogs occurs when gastric contents, including acid and bile, flow back into the esophagus, causing inflammation. Contributing factors include increased gastric acid production, incompetent lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), delayed gastric emptying and anatomical abnormalities like hiatal hernia
(Castell et al., 2004).
The findings of our study well collaborate with
Ross et al., (1995), Gualtieri (2001) and
Johnson et al., (2009). They collectively described megaoesophagus as a neuromuscular disorder, underscoring its etiology related to dysfunction in the neuromuscular control of the oesophagus.
Suryavanshi et al., (2018) revealed megaoesophagus in 18 (42.86%) dogs.
In the current clinical study oesophageal nodule was diagnosed in 03.57% of dogs with the help of endoscopy as observed by
Yildirim et al., (2007), Mylonakis et al., (2008) and
Suryavanshi et al., (2018). They reported the presence of an oesophageal nodule characterized as a broad-based protuberance with a nipple-like orifice in the same anatomical location. The presence of such an intraluminal oesophageal nodule with a nipple-like orifice is strongly suggestive of a
Spirocerca lupi infestation.
Sialocele, a condition characterized by the accumulation of saliva resulting from leakage of the salivary gland or duct, is the most prevalent form of sialoadenopathy in dogs
(Torres et al., 2024). It can present in various locations, including cervical, periorbital and orbital regions
(Guinan et al., 2007 and
Landy et al., 2021). The causes of sialoceles include trauma, foreign bodies and sialoliths, although in many cases, the exact etiology remains unclear
(Landy et al., 2021).
