Megaesophagus is diffuse dilation of the esophagus with weak or absent peristalsis, so food and fluid sit in the esophagus instead of reaching the stomach. Dogs regurgitate, lose weight and are at constant risk of aspiration pneumonia, which is what kills most of them. The condition can be congenital or acquired, and in adults a search for a treatable cause, above all myasthenia gravis, comes before the label "idiopathic".
Key facts
Megaesophagus at a glance- Species and system: dog (also cats); gastrointestinal, esophagus, with neuromuscular and endocrine causes.
- Two groups: congenital, with regurgitation from weaning; and acquired in adults, which is most often idiopathic but can be secondary to myasthenia gravis, hypoadrenocorticism and other diseases.
- Cardinal sign: regurgitation, which is effortless and has few warning signs; plus weight loss and, with aspiration, cough, fever and nasal discharge.
- Diagnosis: survey thoracic radiographs; then an acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titer and endocrine testing in adults.
- Management: treat any cause; upright feeding (for example a Bailey chair), small frequent meals of the consistency the dog handles best; treat aspiration pneumonia promptly.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
11 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 24 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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