Procedure to Correct Esophageal Stricture Saves Kitten on Brink of Starvation

Ginger, an abandoned male newborn kitten, was found by a Good Samaritan along with three siblings. They were brought to FieldHaven Feline Center, who ultimately found them a foster home with a volunteer named Kendra. While bottle feeding four kittens every 2-3 hours kept her extremely busy, Kendra stayed vigilant and enjoyed watching the kittens grow over the next month.

At about five weeks of age, Ginger started regurgitating his food. When this issue persisted following a few more feedings, Kendra worked with FieldHaven to have him examined by their veterinarian. His situation was becoming dire, and after several veterinary examinations, it was determined that Ginger needed specialty care immediately.  

FieldHaven has been a valued partner of the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) for more than a decade. The two have saved many kittens together throughout the years, and the cases have been important learning opportunities for veterinary students and veterinary specialists in training.

Ginger was referred to the VMTH’s Feline Pediatric Service, where faculty member Dr. Karen Vernau worked with the Small Animal Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Services to capture radiographs that showed a stricture in his esophagus. This narrowing of the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) was preventing food from reaching Ginger’s stomach and causing him discomfort. Recognizing that Ginger’s case could quickly become fatal, Dr. Vernau consulted with Dr. Sean Hulsebosch, a faculty internist.

To better assess the stricture and assist with a treatment plan going forward, the team performed a CT scan on Ginger that showed his esophagus was only opening less than 1 millimeter (mm). Normally, the esophagus of a healthy 6-week-old kitten should be open 8 mm. The CT scan also showed pneumonia, likely from aspiration related to regurgitation.

Dr. Hulsebosch devised a treatment plan to open Ginger’s esophagus with a ballooning procedure performed with an endoscopy. The procedure was successful in opening Ginger’s esophagus, and immediately after the procedure, he took his bottle well, with no regurgitation.

Unfortunately, the nature of this type of stricture can cause recurrence, and it did in Ginger about six days later, causing him to regurgitate his food again. Dr. Hulsebosch performed the procedure again and began a series of weekly ballooning procedures to eventually fully open Ginger’s esophagus. Even though there was a recurrence of the stricture after each procedure, the narrowing of his esophagus lessened with each one. After each procedure, Ginger’s esophagus stayed open 1 mm, then to 2-3 mm, 3-4mm, 4-5mm, and finally remaining open to 7 mm following the last ballooning.

“Since his final surgery three months ago, Ginger has had no recurring regurgitation issues,” stated Kendra. “And nothing is slowing him down. He is the most energetic and personable kitten imaginable.”

Ginger will need to remain on soft food for the rest of his life, but his outlook is positive.

“We will continue to monitor Ginger for any recurring issues, but he is doing very well now and enjoys the canned food,” said Kendra.

And he’s found his forever home with Kendra and her husband.

“We’ve been through so much with Ginger that I can’t imagine him being with anyone else,” Kendra said. “We are so thankful for UC Davis and the care that they provided Ginger in a time when his life was in a critical state.”

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