Megaesophagus(ME)
Also known as: Congenital megaesophagus · Idiopathic megaesophagus · Speiseröhrenerweiterung · Dilatatio oesophagi · Dilated esophagus · …
Overview
What it is
Megaesophagus is a disorder of the digestive system where the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach, becomes abnormally stretched and loses its muscle tone. Because these muscles can no longer contract to push food and liquid downward, meals become trapped in the tube. This trapped material is typically regurgitated, meaning it is passively cast back up before ever reaching the stomach.
How it presents
Symptoms usually become noticeable in puppies shortly after they are weaned onto solid food, presenting as frequent regurgitation of undigested food, coughing, and poor weight gain. Affected dogs are also at high risk for aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection caused by accidentally inhaling food particles into the airways.
Treatment
This condition is generally incurable and requires lifelong daily management, including feeding the dog in an upright position so gravity can move food to the stomach. Lifetime costs for specialized feeding gear, dietary adjustments, and treating secondary lung infections typically range from €1,500 to €8,000.
How it's tested
Hüftgelenksdysplasie-Auswertung (HD-Röntgen) nach FCI(HD-FCI)
Primary testRadiographRöntgenaufnahme der Hüftgelenke unter Sedation, ausgewertet nach FCI-Standard (A-E). Standardpflicht bei den meisten VDH-Zuchtvereinen.
Issuing body: FCI
Result scheme: HD-FCI
Röntgenkontrastuntersuchung des Ösophagus(Barium-Schluck)
Primary testRadiographEine Röntgenkontrastuntersuchung (Barium-Schluck) oder Durchleuchtung (Fluoroskopie) zur Darstellung der Speiseröhrenmotilität und des verengten Übergangs zum Magen.
Issuing body: vet
Result scheme: OFA-Hip
Kontrastmittel-Röntgenuntersuchung und Fluoroskopie der Speiseröhre(Kontraströntgen/Fluoroskopie)
Primary testRadiographDiagnose mittels Röntgenaufnahmen des Thorax (oft unter Verwendung von Barium-Kontrastmittel) oder dynamischer Fluoroskopie zur Beurteilung der Speiseröhrenpassage.
Issuing body: vet
Result scheme: OFA-Hip
Affected breeds
Treatment cost
Estimated range of typical treatment cost. Actual cost depends on severity, clinic and region.
Frequently asked
What is Megaesophagus?
Megaesophagus is a disorder of the digestive system where the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach, becomes abnormally stretched and loses its muscle tone. Because these muscles can no longer contract to push food and liquid downward, meals become trapped in the tube. This trapped material is typically regurgitated, meaning it is passively cast back up before ever reaching the stomach.
How is Megaesophagus tested?
Tests currently in our database: Hüftgelenksdysplasie-Auswertung (HD-Röntgen) nach FCI, Röntgenkontrastuntersuchung des Ösophagus, Kontrastmittel-Röntgenuntersuchung und Fluoroskopie der Speiseröhre.
Which breeds are most affected?
Most commonly affected: Bouvier des Flandres, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Greyhound, Irish Red Setter, Miniature Schnauzer, Shar-Pei.