Balloon dilation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat benign esophageal strictures—areas of narrowing within the esophagus that can make it difficult or painful for a pet to swallow. This procedure is performed using endoscopy, allowing direct visualization of the affected area.
During the procedure, our specialist at WTVS passes a small balloon alongside the endoscope and carefully inflates it within the stricture to gently stretch the narrowed section of the esophagus. This process may be repeated using incrementally larger balloons to achieve the desired degree of dilation.
Some pets improve after a single treatment, while others may require multiple dilation procedures to achieve lasting relief. By opening the narrowed area, this technique can greatly improve a pet’s comfort and ability to eat, often with a short recovery time and minimal risk.
- Equipment and expertise: The procedure requires specialized endoscopic equipment and experience in handling delicate esophageal tissues under visualization. General practitioners generally don’t have this equipment or the advanced training needed to perform endoscopic interventions safely.
- Case complexity: Esophageal strictures often develop after reflux esophagitis, anesthesia-related complications, or caustic injuries. They can vary in severity, length, and location, and treatment often requires careful judgment about balloon size, inflation pressure, and number of dilations — skills that come with specialty training.
- Follow-up and monitoring: Because strictures can recur, specialists can also provide ongoing management strategies (such as anti-reflux medication, dietary adjustments, or repeat dilations) tailored to the individual patient.