PetMD Seal

Pouch-like Sacs on the Esophageal Wall in Dogs

PrintPrint

Treatment

 

If the diverticulum is small and is not causing significant clinical signs, your veterinarian may only recommend a change in diet for you dog. A soft, bland diet, given frequently and followed by copious liquids, will most likely travel through the esophagus to the stomach unhindered. If the diverticulum is large, or is associated with significant clinical signs, surgical resection will probably be recommended. The potential for food being drawn into the lungs, and leading to aspiration pneumonia makes the importance of dietary management key to avoiding fatal complications. Aggressive care will be called for if aspiration pneumonia is present. Fluid therapy, antibiotics, and nutrition via tube will be necessary. Your veterinarian will prescribe medications for your dog on the basis of the diagnosis.

 

Living and Management

 

Your doctor will want to monitor your dog for evidence and prevention of infection or aspiration pneumonia. You will need to maintain a positive nutritional balance throughout the disease process. Patients with diverticula and impaction (i.e., food material that is packed tightly) are predisposed to perforation, fistula, stricture, and postoperative rupturing of the incision. For this reason, your veterinarian will want to revisit your dog on a regular schedule. Prognosis is guarded in patients with large diverticula and overt clinical signs.

 

 

Related Articles

Foreign Objects Stuck in the Throat in Dogs
Dogs tend to eat unusual things. When a dog ingests foreign material or foodstuffs...
READ MORE
Gas in Dogs
Sitting next to a dog with flatulence can be an unpleasant experience. The gaseous...
READ MORE
Constipation in Dogs
Infrequent, incomplete, or difficult defecation, with passage of hard or dry bowel...
READ MORE
  • Lifetime Credits:
  • Today's Credits:
Hurry Before All Seats are Taken!
Enroll
Be an A++ Pet Parent! Take fun & free courses to earn badges & certifications. Choose a course»

symptom checker

Search dog Articles

Follow petMD


Keep your pets healthy and safe with the latest from petMD

Latest In Dog Nutrition

5 Reasons Life Stage Diets Help Improve Pet ...
Balanced and complete nutrition is important for any animal. However, the nutritional...
READ MORE
The Role of Exercise in Pet Weight Loss
Exercise is beneficial for our pets in so many ways. It helps decrease stress, improve...
READ MORE
How Obesity May Shorten Your Pet's Lifespan
Obesity is a nationwide epidemic for our pets. Unfortunately, being obese can shorten...
READ MORE
 
MORE FROM PETMD.COM
©1999-2013 petMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved