Successful treatment of a dog with phenobarbital‐responsive sialadenosis and an oesophageal stricture

Background Phenobarbital‐responsive sialadenosis (PRS) can cause nausea and vomiting, and is rarely reported in dogs. Objectives An 8‐year‐old neutered, male Pomeranian dog was presented to our teaching hospital with vomiting that began 2 years ago. The clinical signs repeatedly improved and deteriorated despite treatment. Methods The only abnormality found on physical examination was salivary gland enlargement, and no specific findings were observed on blood analysis and imaging tests. The results of the fine needle aspirate cytology from the salivary glands revealed possible sialadenosis. Phenobarbital was prescribed, and the patient's symptoms resolved. However, upon discontinuing drug, the patient's clinical signs recurred and did not improve even after re‐introduction of phenobarbital and the addition of other anticonvulsant drugs. An oesophageal stricture was observed on an oesophagram, and fibrosis was confirmed endoscopically. A balloon dilation was performed to expand the stenosis. Results After the first procedure, the patient's clinical signs initially improved, but relapsed 2 weeks later. A total of three oesophageal dilation procedures were performed using a sequentially larger diameter balloon. After the third procedure, the patient's clinical signs were managed without recurrence. The cause of recurrent gastrointestinal signs following the initial successful treatment of phenobarbital‐responsive sialadenosis was due to oesophageal stricture formation. Conclusions This case report demonstrates the successful management of PRS with subsequent oesophageal stricture formation in a dog.