Most healthy dogs vomit after a large dose of morphine, but vomiting does not increase the likelihood of GER during the subsequent anesthetic episode. Administration of morphine prior to anesthesia substantially increases the incidence of GER during the subsequent anesthetic episode.

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Thirteen dogs with postanesthetic esophageal dysfunction were identified; 10 of these animals had esophageal stricture. Regurgitation was noted in six dogs during the inciting anesthetic event. Clinical problems common to all dogs included vomiting/regurgitation and weight loss. Coughing was noted in six dogs, and aspiration pneumonia was present in four of these dogs. The associated mortality rate was 23%. The duration of symptoms ranged from 17 to 150 days, and the diagnosis was often delayed (up to 76 days from onset of clinical signs to diagnosis). Postanesthetic esophageal dysfunction was a debilitating and costly problem that developed in one dog despite current preventative treatment.

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An 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was evaluated because of sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia and signs of colic. Three years earlier, a diastolic decrescendo murmur, consistent with aortic regurgitation, had been detected, but the horse continued to perform well and compete successfully. Cardiac ultrasonographic examination revealed a defect in the interventricular septum below the aortic root, and serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were higher than those measured in clinically normal horses. Repeated development of tachyarrhythmia during hospitalization prompted a decision to euthanatize the horse. A ruptured endocardial jet lesion below the aortic valve with formation of a cleft into the interventricular septum was found on necropsy. This report of increased serum cTnI concentrations in a horse with myocardial disease and our other findings suggest that assessment of cardiac troponin concentrations may be a useful tool in the evaluation of horses with suspected myocardial disease.

Administration of metoclopramide by bolus and constant rate infusion at doses much higher than commonly used will reduce the incidence but not totally prevent GER in anesthetized dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery.