Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ is a dilation, or enlargement, of the esophagus. Specifically, it refers to dilation of the ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง (empty middle where the food goes).
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Any species can get this!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
There are many different causes of megaesophagus, but the underlying problem is ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐ฒ (non-contraction) and ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ (floppiness) of the esophageal muscle. Without having muscles that contract properly, the esophagus cannot push food down into the stomach.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Without being able to push food into the stomach, that food accumulates in the esophagus. As the food accumulates, it expands the esophageal lumen, producing the dilation that is characteristic of megaesophagus. Eventually, this food is ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐.
Beyond having an animal that is regurgitating undigested food frequently, itโs important to remember that the food isnโt actually making it into the animalโs stomach. This can cause severe ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ง๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง and ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, because there is nothing for the animal to digest! Repeated regurgitation also increases the risk of food particles entering the lungs, causing ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Typically, megaesophagus is first suspected based on the clinical sign of regurgitation shortly after eating. From there, X-rays or ultrasound can be used to visualize the large, flabby esophagus, and confirm the diagnosis.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the megaesophagus, and can involve surgery, medical management or feeding only a soft diet. One of the best tricks is the use of a ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ, which is basically a high chair for dogs. This allows them to eat with their esophagus oriented directly over their stomach, to allow gravity to help them move food through their gastrointestinal tract. Also it looks super adorable.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-2) X-rays with megaesophagus! Can you find the outline of the esophagus in the second photo?
3-5) Examples of megaesophagus at necropsy.
6) A cute little doggo in its bailey chair! Adorable.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 2. Sixth Edition.
Photo 1 ยฉ Wikimedia Commons contributor Kalumet, Friedrich licensed under CC 3.0 Unported.
Photos 2-4 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors Bryan, Wright/Meuten licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo 5 ยฉ University of Calgary Diagnostic Services Unit.
Photo 6 ยฉ Dr. Diane Shelton.
