Oesophagogastric intussusception associated with spirocercosis in a dog

Authors

  • Kirsten J Vrdoljak University of Pretoria
  • Nicolette Cassel University of Pretoria
  • Eran Dvir University of Pretoria

Abstract

An oesophagogastric intussusception was diagnosed in an intact Bull Terrier female aged 2 years and 7 months with a concurrent Spirocerca lupi infection. The dog was presented collapsed with a history of inappetance and lethargy of one day’s duration. Anaemia and melaena were present on clinical examination. Thoracic radiographs did not reveal any significant findings. Abdominal ultrasound was suspicious for gastric pathology or a possible foreign body. The final diagnosis of an oesophagogastric intussusception with an S. lupi nodule at the cardia was made on post-mortem. Oesophageal intussusceptions are rare in dogs and often fatal. Gastro-oesophageal intussusceptions usually present with obvious radiographic signs in the caudal thorax, unlike an oesophagogastric intussusception, where the pathology lies within the abdomen and may not be readily diagnosed. Although spirocercosis often presents with a caudal oesophageal mass, this may not be seen radiographically. In this case, the two conditions were present together but the thoracic radiographs were normal.

Author Biographies

  • Kirsten J Vrdoljak, University of Pretoria

    Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Nicolette Cassel, University of Pretoria

    Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Eran Dvir, University of Pretoria

    Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Case Report