Megaesophagus in Dogs
Megaesophagus is a common condition in dogs.
It occurs when peristalsis fails.
Peristalis is a wavelike movement of the smooth muscles of the alimentary tract that moves the food.
There are two such wavelike movements.
The first one occurs when the food is swallowed and moves into the esophagus.
The second movement occurs when the food gets stuck in the esophagus and needs to be pushed through to the stomach.
When Peristalis fails and the wavelike movements are too slow or still, the food does not move towards the stomach.
Another reason for Megaesophagus is when there is a weakness of the muscles in various parts of the body.
This weakness of the muscle is also called myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia occurs when the nerve receptors fail to function correctly and the muscles don't receive the stimulus required to contract.
Detecting Megaesophagus Megaesophagus is not easy to detect or diagnose.
It can occur at any age, in a pup or in an older dog.
It can also be congenital or it can be due to an operable condition called Persistent Right Aortic Arch.
You can identify megaesophagus by noticing the difference between vomiting and regurgitating.
Vomiting is not necessarily a by-product of megaesophagus whereas regurgitating is almost always one of the symptoms.
Vomiting involves gagging, heaving, and retching as the body actively expels the contents of its stomach.
Regurgitation is passive and happens when the food is swallowed from the mouth but remains at that point.
From there, it simply moves back into the mouth and comes out.
It is important to notice signs of distress such as a hacking cough.
It can become dangerous to your pet if the food stays lodged in his throat instead of regurgitating.
The food could get inhaled into his lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia.
Treatment options: •Your pet must be placed in a vertical position for feeding or drinking fluids.
This will prevent aspiration problems.
•He must remain in the vertical position for at least 20 minutes after the feeding so that the gravity will move the food down to the stomach.
•The diet that is low in fat and semi solid in consistency will work best in such conditions.
•You could serve your dog multiple times in smaller quantities.
•There are medicines that can be prescribed that will reduce the acid content.
You could consult your vet on the drugs to help empty his bowels.
This will ensure that the food does not go back into the esophagus from the stomach.
•Anitbiotics can be given if your pet develops aspiration pneumonia.
The breeds that are genetically predisposed to megaesophagus are Great Danes, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, etc.
Megaesophagus comes to light when these puppies start on solid food.
In older dogs, it is caused by nerve damage that affects the muscles.
Careful monitoring and immediate action are the solutions to this ailment in your pet.
It occurs when peristalsis fails.
Peristalis is a wavelike movement of the smooth muscles of the alimentary tract that moves the food.
There are two such wavelike movements.
The first one occurs when the food is swallowed and moves into the esophagus.
The second movement occurs when the food gets stuck in the esophagus and needs to be pushed through to the stomach.
When Peristalis fails and the wavelike movements are too slow or still, the food does not move towards the stomach.
Another reason for Megaesophagus is when there is a weakness of the muscles in various parts of the body.
This weakness of the muscle is also called myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia occurs when the nerve receptors fail to function correctly and the muscles don't receive the stimulus required to contract.
Detecting Megaesophagus Megaesophagus is not easy to detect or diagnose.
It can occur at any age, in a pup or in an older dog.
It can also be congenital or it can be due to an operable condition called Persistent Right Aortic Arch.
You can identify megaesophagus by noticing the difference between vomiting and regurgitating.
Vomiting is not necessarily a by-product of megaesophagus whereas regurgitating is almost always one of the symptoms.
Vomiting involves gagging, heaving, and retching as the body actively expels the contents of its stomach.
Regurgitation is passive and happens when the food is swallowed from the mouth but remains at that point.
From there, it simply moves back into the mouth and comes out.
It is important to notice signs of distress such as a hacking cough.
It can become dangerous to your pet if the food stays lodged in his throat instead of regurgitating.
The food could get inhaled into his lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia.
Treatment options: •Your pet must be placed in a vertical position for feeding or drinking fluids.
This will prevent aspiration problems.
•He must remain in the vertical position for at least 20 minutes after the feeding so that the gravity will move the food down to the stomach.
•The diet that is low in fat and semi solid in consistency will work best in such conditions.
•You could serve your dog multiple times in smaller quantities.
•There are medicines that can be prescribed that will reduce the acid content.
You could consult your vet on the drugs to help empty his bowels.
This will ensure that the food does not go back into the esophagus from the stomach.
•Anitbiotics can be given if your pet develops aspiration pneumonia.
The breeds that are genetically predisposed to megaesophagus are Great Danes, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, etc.
Megaesophagus comes to light when these puppies start on solid food.
In older dogs, it is caused by nerve damage that affects the muscles.
Careful monitoring and immediate action are the solutions to this ailment in your pet.
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