Oesophageal strictures in cats associated with doxycycline therapy

J Feline Med Surg. 2005 Feb;7(1):33-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2004.04.001.

Abstract

Four cases of oesophageal stricture subsequent to doxycycline administration are reported. All cases were young to middle age (median age 3 years; range 1-7 years), and either domestic shorthair or domestic longhair breed. In all cases the predominant clinical sign was regurgitation, which developed at variable times after doxycycline administration. In all cases the reason for doxycycline use was treatment or prophylaxis of suspected infections (Mycoplasma haemofelis, Chlamydophila felis or Bordetella bronchiseptica), and the duration of therapy was variable. In one case the stricture was definitively diagnosed at post mortem examination, in the three other cases, definitive diagnosis was by endoscopy. Balloon dilation was successful in the three cases that were treated. This is the largest case series, to date, of oesophageal disease in cats associated with doxycycline administration. Caution should be exercised when administering oral medication to cats, especially doxycycline, and should be accompanied either by a water or food swallow.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Bacterial Infections / veterinary*
  • Bordetella Infections / veterinary
  • Cat Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Catheterization / methods
  • Catheterization / veterinary
  • Cats
  • Chlamydophila Infections / veterinary
  • Doxycycline / adverse effects*
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Endoscopy
  • Esophageal Stenosis / chemically induced
  • Esophageal Stenosis / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline