| MEGAESOPHAGUS, LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER ACHALASIA CANINE FELINE | |
| Description | Megaesophagus, reduced to absent esophageal motility that results in dilation of the esophagus and accumulation of ingesta in the esophageal lumen, is the most common cause of regurgitation in dogs. The congenital form is noticed after weaning and is hereditary. Onset of the acquired form might be at any age and has been associated with viral encephalitis, Lead Poisoning, Thymoma, Myasthenia Gravis, Immune Mediated Polyneuritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Polymyositis, Hypothyroidism, Hypoadrenocorticism, Myotonia, Trauma, Tick Paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Snake Bite, various neuropathies and many other causes. There is often secondary pneumonia. Lower Esophageal Sphincter Achalasia characterized by a failure of the sphincter to relax in response to pharyngeal swallowing has been reported in dogs. |
| Species | Canine, Feline |
| Signs | Abnormal breath odor, Abnormal lung or pleural sounds, Abnormal upper airway breathing sounds, Anorexia, Coughing, Dehydration, Dullness, Dysphagia, Dyspnea, Erythema, redness of pharynx, Excessive salivation, Fever, Gagging, retching, Generalized weakness, Increased respiratory rate, Lack of growth or weight gain, Mucoid nasal discharge, Polyphagia, Purulent nasal discharge, Sneezing, Tetraparesis, Underweight, Vomiting or regurgitation, Weight loss |
| References | Grobman M. Aerodigestive and Esophageal Diseases. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 2026 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2025.12.002] Lowrie M. Managing myasthenia gravis in dogs and cats. In Practice 2025 [https://doi.org/10.1002/inpr.525] |