Use of esophageal balloon dilation to repair gastroesophageal stricture in a Yorkshire pig. Lisa Clarey, DVM, CPIA; Anna Spognardi, BA; Jay Budrewicz, ScM, LATg, SRT; Misty Williams-Fritze, DVM, MS, DACLAM

Gastric ulcers are a common problem in commercial swine production, with reported prevalence rates ranging from 32 to 65% in finisher pigs. Pigs with active gastric ulceration may be pale and lethargic with tarry stool; however, many animals do not present with overt clinical disease.

As the ulcer heals, the esophagus can undergo fibrosis and scarring, resulting in stricture at the point of entrance to the stomach (the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). This narrowing may cause the animal to manifest symptoms including chronic regurgitation with subsequent weight loss. For animals enrolled in long-term research protocols, severe symptoms may result in animal welfare concerns and subsequent euthanasia due to achievement of humane endpoint criteria.

Balloon dilation is considered a safe and effective means of treating conditions such as esophageal stricture and achalasia in humans. This poster describes successful treatment of a Yorkshire pig with balloon dilation to relieve esophageal stricture in an animal enrolled in a study.

Narrowing of the esophagus at the GEJ secondary to gastric ulcer should be a rule out for any chronically regurgitating pig. Dilation of the GEJ using an esophageal balloon effectively reduced regurgitation and facilitated weight gain, enabling this animal to be preserved for study use and completion. Although it requires specialized equipment and veterinary technical expertise, balloon dilation can be considered to extend and improve the life of valuable study animals and should be considered a viable treatment.