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Megaesophagus, Expansion of the Esophagus
Abnormal distention or stretching of the esophagus (also called megaesophagus) can be caused by a congenital defect, or it can occur in an adult dog, either alone or together with other diseases. Congenital megaesophagus usually occurs in Wire-haired Fox Terriers and Miniature schnauzers. In case of congenital disorder which is seen from puppyhood, it is thought to be caused by an abnormality of the nerve that controls contractions of the esophagus.
Megaesophagus can also develop later in life as a side effect of some neurologic problem or a problem with a muscle. Some causes of megaesophagus can be caused by myastenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, hypoadrenocorticism, lead poisoning, dysautonomia, nervous system disorders including cancer, and possibly hypothyroidism. These conditions interfere with the muscle activity in the lower esophagus and at its junction with the stomach.
The condition affects an animal's ability to deliver fod to the stomach with resultant pooling of food in the esophagus. If food does not move normally into the stomach, but accumulates in the stomach, over time the esophagus becomes greatly stretched and dilated and a large amount of food can accumulate there before being regurgitated. Finely ground food must be offered.
Megaesophagus is the most common cause of regurgitation in dogs. A dog with megaesophagus requires special care that may include small feeding of high-calorie food of a slurry-like consistency and feeding from an elevated bowl to allow gravity to assist in swallowing. Vigilance by the owner is required because frequent regurgitation can also cause aspiration of the material into the lungs resulting in aspiration pneumonia.
A defect in esophageal muscles responsible for moving food into the stomach without overt megaesophagus occurs in young terrier dogs, and affected animals may not have any clinicl signs. Further, an improvement in esophageal motility occurs with time in some dogs, and might represent a syndrome of delayed esophageal maturation.
Congenital megaesophagus is often sufficiently debilitating to a young puppy to result in an owner's request for euthanasia. If medically managed, some puppies may develop a functional esophagus and mature normally; in others, the dilation may persist, but nutritional support may be sufficient to allow skeletal maturation.
Adapted from:
1. Work Wonders: Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones. Tom Lonsdale
2. The French Bulldog. Muriel P. Lee
3. Esophageal dysmotility in young dogs. Bexfield NH, Watson PJ, Herrtage ME. In: J Vet Intern Med. 2006 Nov-Dec;20(6):1314-8.
4. The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health. Merck Publishing and Merial (Author), Cynthia M Kahn (Editor), Scott Line (Editor)
5. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2002 Nov-Dec;43(6):545-9.Links
Congenital megaesophagus with hypertrophic osteopathy in a 6-year-old dog.Watrous BJ, Blumenfeld B.
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
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