Diagnosis and management of megaesophagus in dog: A case report

Abstract

A 6 years old German shepherd male dog was presented to Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Center (TTPHRC), Purbachal, Dhaka with a chief complaint of coughing and vomiting at every midnight for last 1 month. A contrast thoracic radiographic examination on esophagus was performed using barium sulfate suspension which revealed severe dilatation of esophagus. The dog was managed with only upright feeding position, for 20-30 min every post meals to avoid accumulation of food and response to these management was good. The dog’s clinical signs were completely resolved within one month and follow-up radiographs were taken after one month of the initial consultation. In follow up examination, there was no evidence of the diverticulum of the esophagus. Only upright feeding position could be effective without any therapeutic management in acquired idiopathic megaesophagus and long-term management of idiopathic megaesophagus. Further controlled studies are needed to show a benefit of upright feeding position in dogs with idiopathic megaesophagus