Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis

Zeynep Nurselin Kot; Ümit Özcan; Şamil Buğra Köse; Murat Güzel

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1767014

Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis

Abstract

This case presents a 2-year-old spayed female cat that developed a complete esophageal stricture following 14 days of oral dry doxycycline therapy. Following treatment, the patient developed symptoms of regurgitation, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Direct radiography revealed marked aerophagia in the esophagus, while contrast radiography showed esophageal dilatation at the level of the first thoracic vertebra (T1) and complete stricture preventing the contrast medium from passing into the stomach. Endoscopic examination verified a complete stricture in the middle esophagus, and computed tomography (CT) revealed that the stricture was localized at T1; no extraluminal mass or vascular ring anomaly was identified. The absence of a history of anesthesia, foreign body ingestion, or trauma in the medical history confirms that the stricture developed due to chemical damage to the esophageal mucosa caused by doxycycline in capsule form. Reports in the literature indicate that administering doxycycline capsules to cats without adequate fluids increases the risk of esophageal ulceration and scarring. Unfortunately, because of the poor prognosis of the complete stricture in the patient, the patient's poor general condition, and the owner's reluctance to pursue treatment, the decision was made to euthanize the patient. In conclusion, the presented case highlights the diagnostic value of combined radiography, contrast esophagography, endoscopy, and computed tomography for diagnosing esophageal strictures that develop after oral administration of doxycycline. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the pharmaceutical formulation and administration technique for oral drug delivery to cats to prevent potential complications.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnosis and Diagnostics, Veterinary Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Case Report

Authors

Zeynep Nurselin Kot ^*
0000-0002-0631-5471
Türkiye

Ümit Özcan
0000-0002-0868-6399
Türkiye

Şamil Buğra Köse
0009-0005-9723-5192
Türkiye

Murat Güzel
0000-0002-8937-5428
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

January 21, 2026

Publication Date

January 21, 2026

Submission Date

August 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 4, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1767014

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA86YW35AB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kot, Z. N., Özcan, Ü., Köse, Ş. B., & Güzel, M. (2026). Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(2), 241-246. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1767014

AMA

1.Kot ZN, Özcan Ü, Köse ŞB, Güzel M. Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(2):241-246. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1767014

Chicago

Kot, Zeynep Nurselin, Ümit Özcan, Şamil Buğra Köse, and Murat Güzel. 2026. “Radiographic, Endoscopic, and Computed Tomography Findings in a Cat With Complete Esophageal Obstruction Caused by Doxycycline-Induced Esophagitis”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (2): 241-46. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1767014.

EndNote

Kot ZN, Özcan Ü, Köse ŞB, Güzel M (April 1, 2026) Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 2 241–246.

IEEE

[1]Z. N. Kot, Ü. Özcan, Ş. B. Köse, and M. Güzel, “Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 241–246, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1767014.

ISNAD

Kot, Zeynep Nurselin - Özcan, Ümit - Köse, Şamil Buğra - Güzel, Murat. “Radiographic, Endoscopic, and Computed Tomography Findings in a Cat With Complete Esophageal Obstruction Caused by Doxycycline-Induced Esophagitis”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/2 (April 1, 2026): 241-246. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1767014.

JAMA

1.Kot ZN, Özcan Ü, Köse ŞB, Güzel M. Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:241–246.

MLA

Kot, Zeynep Nurselin, et al. “Radiographic, Endoscopic, and Computed Tomography Findings in a Cat With Complete Esophageal Obstruction Caused by Doxycycline-Induced Esophagitis”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 241-6, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1767014.

Vancouver

1.Zeynep Nurselin Kot, Ümit Özcan, Şamil Buğra Köse, Murat Güzel. Radiographic, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings in a cat with complete esophageal obstruction caused by doxycycline-induced esophagitis. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Apr. 1;73(2):241-6. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1767014