Peri‐oesophageal metastases of pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting as dysphagia in a dog

Primary pulmonary neoplasia represents approximately one percent of canine cancers. Although it is recognised that many of these cases may not display classic respiratory signs, dysphagia is not an expected presentation. This report describes a twelve-year-old Border Collie that presented with a history of progressive dysphagia and weight loss over several weeks. Diagnostics in a general practice clinic identified a pulmonary mass on thoracic radiographs. Referral was recommended for advanced diagnostics due to clinical deterioration in the absence of a definitive diagnosis, with humane euthanasia offered as an alternative. The dog was euthanised and necropsy revealed numerous multifocal to coalescing firm masses throughout all lung lobes and separate smaller nodules along the outer surface of the oesophagus. Histopathology of the pulmonary masses was consistent with a grade two pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The peri-oesophageal masses contained similar appearing neoplastic epithelial cells, suggesting these were metastatic nodules. This report documents a rare cause of canine dysphagia due to peri-oesophageal metastases from a primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma. This case highlights that metastatic disease should be a consideration in the investigation of dysphagia in canines.