Megaesophagus in Pets

Megaesophagus!
Happy to provide more information on Megaesophagus in pets! Hopefully it was clear that the reason the esophagus dilates is because it doesn’t move properly. This is what makes them prone to getting food stuck in it, which can sometimes dilate the esophagus further. The underlying diseases that lead to these conditions can have a very poor prognosis, and aspiration pneumonia is a really concerning complication.
Since the esophagus does not move well, pets are prone to regurgitation, or bringing fluid up from the stomach involuntarily, or not being able to swallow saliva appropriately. If they suck some of the fluid into the lungs, it leads to pneumonia. Pets with megaesophagus can get pneumonia very frequently, which can not only be very costly if they are severely oxygen dependent and need hospitalization multiple times in a short period, or the permanent lung damage that can happen can lead to a poor quality of life. These two factors often lead to owners electing to make the hardest decision of owning a pet.

[@jasonk8785]

Don't let the internet shame you. If you want to sing you do it. Also Bailey Chairs make dogs approx 3x cuter.

[@thekuriouskatz]

I have a cat who’s had mega esophagus since birth. Her brother also had it although the cause of it ended up being dysautonomia. Many vets later my homeopathic vet & CSU vet school officially diagnosed them. He did not make it, although if we’d have gotten a diagnosis sooner, he may have. My tiny girl will be 3yrs old this August and the medication CSU put her on that has miraculously improved her esophagus function is Cisapride. I am so grateful to Dr. Klobuchar and CSU for her! Despite her challenging condition, she is doing amazingly well!! 😻

[@JenniferMaddox-ty4fo]

I had a wonderful golden named Alley that was diagnosed at an emergency vet with megaesophagus 20ish years ago. They told us nothing could be done. It was such a sad moment in my life. This really helped explain her diagnosis for me all these years later. Thank you.

[@kscg2993]

I am dying looking at that chair.

[@littleblackcar]

I worked for a vet a billion years ago. We had a dog patient who had megaesophagus. His owners took immaculate care of him . . . until one day he freaked out while they weren't home and ate a roll of toilet paper. They rushed him in and we flushed an entire roll of Charmin in goo form out of his poor baggy esophagus. Fortunately, he didn't inhale any of it and, last I heard--this was shortly before I moved to another job--he recovered and did well, but it was a memorable afternoon.

[@anlewi1]

I like the singing it makes it more entertaining.

[@t-and-p]

Brilliant explanation 😎👍

[@DanTheVeterinarian]

Aspiration pneumonia can be a bear with these doggies.

[@nsv674]

I'm dying to know what you actually said. 0:39

[@dianebekel9326]

I think it was “get it”

[@Rainbowofthefallen]

🖤🤎

[@JenniferMaddox-ty4fo]

I had a wonderful golden named Alley that was diagnosed at an emergency vet with megaesophagus 20ish years ago. They told us nothing could be done. It was such a sad moment in my life. This really helped explain her diagnosis for me all these years later. Thank you.