A 10-week-old, male German shepherd dog was presented with a primary complaint of episodic ptyalism, dysphagia, vomiting, and mandibular salivary gland enlargement. An esophagram with fluoroscopy showed normal pharyngeal and esophageal function; however, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and cervical ultrasonography revealed a focal circumferential thickening of the midcervical esophageal muscular wall, consistent with esophageal spasm. The puppy responded dramatically and completely to phenobarbital treatment. An unusual syndrome of phenobarbital-responsive hypersialosis was consistent with this dog’s clinical presentation and the finding of apparent esophageal spasm. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is unclear, but it may represent a form of limbic epilepsy or peripheral autonomic dysfunction.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
May/June 2004
Case Reports|
May 01 2004
Phenobarbital-Responsive Ptyalism, Dysphagia, and Apparent Esophageal Spasm in a German Shepherd Puppy
Kristi J. Gibbon, DVM;
Kristi J. Gibbon, DVM
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1102
From the
Search for other works by this author on:
Lauren A. Trepanier, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, Diplomate ACVCP;
Lauren A. Trepanier, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, Diplomate ACVCP
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1102
From the
Search for other works by this author on:
Fern A. Delaney, RDMS
Fern A. Delaney, RDMS
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1102
From the
Search for other works by this author on:
J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2004) 40 (3): 230–237.
Citation
Kristi J. Gibbon, Lauren A. Trepanier, Fern A. Delaney; Phenobarbital-Responsive Ptyalism, Dysphagia, and Apparent Esophageal Spasm in a German Shepherd Puppy. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 May 2004; 40 (3): 230–237. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/0400230
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Long-Term Survival of Primary Intracranial Histiocytic Sarcoma Through Surgical Resection and Low-Dose CCNU
Kyosuke Hidari, DVM, Yuya Nakamoto, DVM, PhD, James K. Chambers, DVM, PhD, Kazuyuki Uchida, DVM, PhD, Isao Mori, DVM, Miwa Nakamoto, DVM
Microfilaria in the Urine of a Dog with Concurrent Urinary Bladder Sarcoma
Nicole Schlette, DVM, Erin Burton, DVM, MS, DACVP, Amber Harris, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), Kendall Langsten, DVM, DACVP, Erik Olson, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Daniel Heinrich, DVM, DACVP
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia with Central Nervous System Involvement in a Dog
Ilaria Tartari, DVM, Fabio Tocco, DVM, Giorgio Cancedda, DVM, Veronica Angioni, DVM, Marco Podda, DVM, Antonella Gallucci, DVM, PhD, DECVN, EBVS
Treatment Outcomes of Canine Orbital Meningiomas in Seven Cases
Akihiro Uno, DVM, Ryota Iwasaki, DVM, PhD, Takashi Mori, DVM, PhD
Transient Hypoadrenocorticism in a 7-Week-Old Kitten
Alba Planas Vintro, BVM, Linda G. Martin, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Cassidy L. Cordon, DVM, Sabrina N. Hoehne, Dr. med. vet., DACVECC, DECVECC, Elizabeth B. Davidow, DVM, DACVECC