Phenobarbitone responsive retching in a dog

5 Phenobarbitone responsive retching in a dog




Initial presentation


Gagging, retching and vomiting for 10 days


Signalment: 6-year-old neutered male Jack Russell terrier x poodle, body weight 6.6 kg



Case history


This dog had been referred for a suspected upper respiratory disorder or oesophageal foreign body based on his clinical signs and diet. He had been keen to eat, although according to the owner it appeared painful for him to eat and his food intake was decreasing. He was able to prehend and swallow food, but vomited 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Active abdominal contractions were present prior to and during the vomiting; the vomitus contained bile, digested and undigested food. The frequency of the episodes was increasing to several times per day.


His faeces were normal and he was defecating, drinking and urinating normally. He was fed dry food mixed with some canned food, plus table scraps including pork bones and chews. His vaccinations and de-worming programme were up to date.


He had lost weight and was becoming tired more quickly on his walks.



Physical examination


The dog was dull but responsive and his body condition score was 4/9. Mucus membranes were pink but tacky and he was estimated to be about 6% dehydrated. His capillary refill time was less than 2 seconds. Oral examination revealed hypersalivation, halitosis and mild gingival tartar.


He was trembling and palpation of the ventral neck resulted in a marked pain reaction, with spasms of the neck, bruxism and vocalization. The submandibular salivary glands were mildly enlarged and very firm.


Thoracic auscultation revealed normal heart and lung sounds, with a heart rate of 80 beats per minute (bpm) and a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute. Rectal temperature was 36.7° C.



Problem list and discussion of problems



• Vomiting with severe gagging and retching


Differential diagnosis


Differential diagnoses for the vomiting with gagging and retching may include some of the following categories of disorders.


• Oral/pharyngeal/oesophageal disorders are included in this case as the vomiting was accompanied by signs possibly relating to the upper alimentary tract. In some cases, patients with these disorders will also vomit.
• salivary gland necrosis

• oesophagitis

• foreign body within the pharynx, oesophagus or trachea

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Sep 22, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Phenobarbitone responsive retching in a dog

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