Gastroesophageal intussusception and extreme esophageal dilatation secondary to bilateral laryngeal paralysis in a cat

Gastroesophageal intussusception, extreme esophageal dilatation, and laryngeal paralysis are individually rare clinical entities in cats and the simultaneous occurrence in a single animal has not been described. We describe these 3 conditions occurring concurrently in a geriatric cat, and resolution of the cat's clinical signs after treatment with unilateral arytenoid lateralization. This finding supports the need for thorough history taking and examination in cats with extreme esophageal dilatation to determine if upper respiratory tract abnormalities are present, as appropriate treatment might resolve the esophageal dilatation.

Automated summary

This study reports a rare case of a geriatric cat with gastroesophageal intussusception, extreme esophageal dilatation, and laryngeal paralysis, all of which improved after treatment with unilateral arytenoid lateralization. It highlights the importance of thorough history taking and examination in cats with extreme esophageal dilatation to identify upper respiratory tract abnormalities that may be treated appropriately to resolve the esophageal dilatation.