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What is it?
Megaesophagus is a syndrome where the esophagus becomes weak and flaccid, and is much larger than normal, hence the term ‘mega’esophagus.
Its cause is the loss of muscle tone to the esophagus. Whwn this happens, the esophagus does not propel ingested food, air and water into the stomach. They remain in the esophagus for prolonged periods of time.
This syndrome can occur in dogs of any age. There are many causes of megaesophagus.
Dogs usually regurgitate fluid or food. Regurgitation is similar to vomiting, but vomiting involves forceful ejection of material from the stomach and intestine. Eegurgitation iis the more passive emptying of material from the esophagus or back of the mouth.
Regurgitation related to megaesophagus may occur soon after eating or hours later. Dogs may or may not lose either, depending on how much food ultimately reaches the stomach.
The congenital (hereditary) form is noticed after weaning and is thought to be polygenetic in its mode of inheritance. Unless there is an underlying cause, there is no cure for megaesophagus.
Megaesophagus is a syndrome where the esophagus becomes weak and flaccid, and is much larger than normal, hence the term ‘mega’esophagus.
Its cause is the loss of muscle tone to the esophagus. Whwn this happens, the esophagus does not propel ingested food, air and water into the stomach. They remain in the esophagus for prolonged periods of time.
This syndrome can occur in dogs of any age. There are many causes of megaesophagus.
Dogs usually regurgitate fluid or food. Regurgitation is similar to vomiting, but vomiting involves forceful ejection of material from the stomach and intestine. Eegurgitation iis the more passive emptying of material from the esophagus or back of the mouth.
Regurgitation related to megaesophagus may occur soon after eating or hours later. Dogs may or may not lose either, depending on how much food ultimately reaches the stomach.
The congenital (hereditary) form is noticed after weaning and is thought to be polygenetic in its mode of inheritance. Unless there is an underlying cause, there is no cure for megaesophagus.
Treatment
Treatment is to help food get from the mouth to the stomach.
Feed your dog in an elevated position is recommended. If food does not remain in the esophagus, it cannot be regurgitated and, subsequently, aspirated into the trachea or lungs.
Try differentl diets (check with your vet) to find the one best for your pet. Feed several small meals a day rather than 1 to 2 larger meals.
Medications may be given to help decrease gastroesophageal reflux, the movement of stomach acid into the esophagus.
Severely affected patients can have a tube placed into the stomach through the body wall (gastrostomy tube). This allows the dog to receive food and water without passing through the esophagus.
This feeding technique does not eliminate the possibility of aspiration, as the dog still swallows saliva, but may help to diminish it.
Feeding tubes can remain in place for long periods of time; however, and depending on the type used, it may need to be replaced periodically.
Treatment is to help food get from the mouth to the stomach.
Feed your dog in an elevated position is recommended. If food does not remain in the esophagus, it cannot be regurgitated and, subsequently, aspirated into the trachea or lungs.
Try differentl diets (check with your vet) to find the one best for your pet. Feed several small meals a day rather than 1 to 2 larger meals.
Medications may be given to help decrease gastroesophageal reflux, the movement of stomach acid into the esophagus.
Severely affected patients can have a tube placed into the stomach through the body wall (gastrostomy tube). This allows the dog to receive food and water without passing through the esophagus.
This feeding technique does not eliminate the possibility of aspiration, as the dog still swallows saliva, but may help to diminish it.
Feeding tubes can remain in place for long periods of time; however, and depending on the type used, it may need to be replaced periodically.
Diagnosis
Megaesophagus is diagnosed using radiographs (x-rays) of the chest.
Occasionally contrast studies are needed such as barium to outline the esophagus.
Constant motion radiographic studies (fluoroscopy) looking at esophageal motility may be required in patients that have inconclusive chest radiographs.
These tests are important as the symptoms of megaesophagus can be similar to other problems but require very difference treatment.
Megaesophagus is potentially devastating so it is wise to look for an underlying cause.
Frequently, the underlying cause is found in only a few patients.
Megaesophagus is diagnosed using radiographs (x-rays) of the chest.
Occasionally contrast studies are needed such as barium to outline the esophagus.
Constant motion radiographic studies (fluoroscopy) looking at esophageal motility may be required in patients that have inconclusive chest radiographs.
These tests are important as the symptoms of megaesophagus can be similar to other problems but require very difference treatment.
Megaesophagus is potentially devastating so it is wise to look for an underlying cause.
Frequently, the underlying cause is found in only a few patients.
Prognosis
Unless a cause is found, there is no cure for megaeosphagus.
In some patients, regurgitating food will worsen over time, becoming more frequent. In others there is no increase in the frequency.
Patients who progressively worsen have weight loss problems.
The biggest problem for patients is inadvertently transferring food, water and saliva into the trachea (windpipe) and lungs.
This is called aspiration and can lead to pneumonia. In some instances the dogs will show signs of aspiration pneumonia (eg. cough, laboured breathing, fever) despite the owners never having seen evidence of regurgitation.
A dog may regurgitate the material into its mouth and then swallow or inhale it without it ever leaving its mouth.
If only small amounts of material are aspirated into the trachea, the cough will be most obvious. It may be moist or dry.
If larger amounts are inhaled and the material reaches the lungs, severe pneumonia may result, causing fever and laboured breathing. Nasal discharge can occur when material is pushed into the back of the nose during regurgitation.
The major cause of death in patients with megaesophagus is aspiration pneumonia.
If large amounts of material are aspirated and enter the lungs, the dog can develop sudden, severe pneumonia and die from asphyxiation (lack of oxygen).
Sudden death can occur at any time, even if the dog has not been regurgitating for several weeks or months.
Unless a cause is found, there is no cure for megaeosphagus.
In some patients, regurgitating food will worsen over time, becoming more frequent. In others there is no increase in the frequency.
Patients who progressively worsen have weight loss problems.
The biggest problem for patients is inadvertently transferring food, water and saliva into the trachea (windpipe) and lungs.
This is called aspiration and can lead to pneumonia. In some instances the dogs will show signs of aspiration pneumonia (eg. cough, laboured breathing, fever) despite the owners never having seen evidence of regurgitation.
A dog may regurgitate the material into its mouth and then swallow or inhale it without it ever leaving its mouth.
If only small amounts of material are aspirated into the trachea, the cough will be most obvious. It may be moist or dry.
If larger amounts are inhaled and the material reaches the lungs, severe pneumonia may result, causing fever and laboured breathing. Nasal discharge can occur when material is pushed into the back of the nose during regurgitation.
The major cause of death in patients with megaesophagus is aspiration pneumonia.
If large amounts of material are aspirated and enter the lungs, the dog can develop sudden, severe pneumonia and die from asphyxiation (lack of oxygen).
Sudden death can occur at any time, even if the dog has not been regurgitating for several weeks or months.
The causes include:
õ Foreign body in the esophagus
õ Tumour (cancerous or non-cancerous) in or around the esophagus
õ Narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus
õ Congenital abnormalities (present at birth)
õ Hereditary (thought to be polygenetic
õ Diseases of the muscle and nervous systems, such as myasthenia gravis or lupus
õ Infections of the nervous system
õ Botulism
õ Trauma to the brain or spinal cord
õ Inflammation of the esophagus
õ Nerve damage
õ Hypothyroidism (inadequate production of thyroid hormones)
õ Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease, inadequate production of adrenal hormones)
õ Poisoning, such as lead poisoning
õ Foreign body in the esophagus
õ Tumour (cancerous or non-cancerous) in or around the esophagus
õ Narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus
õ Congenital abnormalities (present at birth)
õ Hereditary (thought to be polygenetic
õ Diseases of the muscle and nervous systems, such as myasthenia gravis or lupus
õ Infections of the nervous system
õ Botulism
õ Trauma to the brain or spinal cord
õ Inflammation of the esophagus
õ Nerve damage
õ Hypothyroidism (inadequate production of thyroid hormones)
õ Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease, inadequate production of adrenal hormones)
õ Poisoning, such as lead poisoning
Signs of Megaesophagus
õ Abnormal breath odour
õ Abnormal breathing sounds of the upper airway
õ Abnormal lung or pleural sounds
õ Anorexia
õ Coughing
õ Dehydration
õ Dullness
õ Dysphagia
õ Dyspnea
õ Erythema
õ Redness of pharynx
õ Excessive salivation
õ Fever, gagging
õ Generalised weakness
õ Increased respiratory rate
õ Lack of growth or weight gain
õ Mucoid nasal discharge
õ Polyphagia
õ Purulent nasal discharge
Sneezing, tetraparesis
õ Underweight, poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthrift ness, ill thrift
õ Vomiting or regurgitation
õ Weight loss
õ Abnormal breath odour
õ Abnormal breathing sounds of the upper airway
õ Abnormal lung or pleural sounds
õ Anorexia
õ Coughing
õ Dehydration
õ Dullness
õ Dysphagia
õ Dyspnea
õ Erythema
õ Redness of pharynx
õ Excessive salivation
õ Fever, gagging
õ Generalised weakness
õ Increased respiratory rate
õ Lack of growth or weight gain
õ Mucoid nasal discharge
õ Polyphagia
õ Purulent nasal discharge
Sneezing, tetraparesis
õ Underweight, poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthrift ness, ill thrift
õ Vomiting or regurgitation
õ Weight loss
Dogs shown on the health pages do no have any diseases to our knowledge. They are purely to llustrate healthy dogs and puppies.
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Breeds Affected with Megaesophagus
õ White Shepherd
õ White Swiss Shepherd
õ White German Shepherd
õ German Shepherd
õ Shar Pei
õ Great Dane
õ Irish Setter
õ Miniature Schnauzer
õ Wirehaired Fox Terrier
õ White Shepherd
õ White Swiss Shepherd
õ White German Shepherd
õ German Shepherd
õ Shar Pei
õ Great Dane
õ Irish Setter
õ Miniature Schnauzer
õ Wirehaired Fox Terrier
Living with Megaesophagus & Your White Shepherd
