Canyon's Story

Canyon’s Story

Golden Retriever

Age 6½ years

Canyon initially came to CVRC for surgery with Dr. Howard to repair fractures of his wrist and femur that he suffered after jumping over a wall that was ten feet off the ground. After two surgeries in one week, Canyon recovered well and went home with his family.

Two weeks later, however, Canyon was back at CVRC to see Dr. Tobin about chronic vomiting over the past week. Dr. Tobin performed an esophageal endoscopy, which revealed that Canyon had swallowed a chewed racquet ball, which was still in his stomach and causing him to vomit. She also diagnosed Canyon with severe esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, caused by the acidic contents of Canyon’s stomach refluxing into the esophagus. To treat this, Canyon would need a gastrostomy tube, or feeding tube, through which he would be provided with nutrition and medications in order to manage his esophagitis.

Initially, Canyon tolerated his tube feedings well, but when he began to regurgitate even after drinking water a few weeks after his surgery to remove the foreign body, Dr. Tobin performed another esophageal endoscopy. This time, in addition to the severe esophagitis, Dr. Tobin diagnosed an esophageal stricture, or narrowing of the esophagus, caused by scar tissue that had contracted and narrowed the esophageal opening.

In order to treat Canyon’s stricture, Dr. Tobin placed a deflated balloon through the endoscope and across the stricture, then inflated the balloon to stretch the stricture to the desired diameter. Canyon has since undergone two subsequent balloon dilations with progressively increasing diameter balloons, and he may need additional dilations in the near future before his stricture is adequately reduced.

Meanwhile, radiographs showed that the fractures in Canyon’s femur and wrist have healed well, and the pin that had been placed to stabilize the femoral fracture was removed for his comfort. Canyon’s wrist will remain splinted for a few more weeks before the bones are healed enough to support him, but the energetic dog doesn’t seem to notice.

To be continued ….

Radiographs of Canyon's fractured femor, before (left) and post (right) surgery.


	Canyon’s Story Golden Retriever Age 6½ years Canyon initially came to CVRC for surgery with Dr. Howard to repair fractures of his wrist and femur that he suffered after jumping over a wall that was ten feet off the ground. After two surgeries in one week, Canyon recovered well and went home with his family. Two weeks later, however, Canyon was back at CVRC to see Dr. Tobin about chronic vomiting over the past week. Dr. Tobin performed an esophageal endoscopy, which revealed that Canyon had swallowed a chewed racquet ball, which was still in his stomach and causing him to vomit. She also diagnosed Canyon with severe esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, caused by the acidic contents of Canyon’s stomach refluxing into the esophagus. To treat this, Canyon would need a gastrostomy tube, or feeding tube, through which he would be provided with nutrition and medications in order to manage his esophagitis. Initially, Canyon tolerated his tube feedings well, but when he began to regurgitate even after drinking water a few weeks after his surgery to remove the foreign body, Dr. Tobin performed another esophageal endoscopy. This time, in addition to the severe esophagitis, Dr. Tobin diagnosed an esophageal stricture, or narrowing of the esophagus, caused by scar tissue that had contracted and narrowed the esophageal opening. In order to treat Canyon’s stricture, Dr. Tobin placed a deflated balloon through the endoscope and across the stricture, then inflated the balloon to stretch the stricture to the desired diameter. Canyon has since undergone two subsequent balloon dilations with progressively increasing diameter balloons, and he may need additional dilations in the near future before his stricture is adequately reduced. Meanwhile, radiographs showed that the fractures in Canyon’s femur and wrist have healed well, and the pin that had been placed to stabilize the femoral fracture was removed for his comfort. Canyon’s wrist will remain splinted for a few more weeks before the bones are healed enough to support him, but the energetic dog doesn’t seem to notice. To be continued …. Radiographs of Canyon's fractured femor, before (left) and post (right) surgery.

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