MEGAOESOPHAGUSRecent reports in dogs in Victoria

April 2018

In late March 2018, media outlets reported that there were a number of cases of megaoesophagus in Victoria. Investigations as to the cause remain underway.

What is megaoesophagus?Megaoesophagus is an incurable condition that causes a dog’s oesophagus to become abnormally enlarged. Dogs with this condition lose their ability to swallow, affecting their ability to absorb adequate nutrients.

What are the signs?Dogs with megaoesophagus may present with the following symptoms:

regurgitation of food and water increased salivation unpleasant breathe difficulty swallowing gagging pain weakness weight loss or poor growth

What causes megaoesophagus?There are several causes of megaoesophagus in dogs:

congenital (i.e. present from birth) as a result of numerous other

conditions including neuromuscular disease, inflammatory disease, toxicities and endocrine disorders

unknown causes.

Recent reports of megaoesophagus in VictoriaIt has been reported that the consumption of a brand of dry dog food may be associated with the recent diagnoses of megaoesophagus.

While the investigation remains underway the company has voluntarily recalled its product.

If your dog has consumed this brand of dog food you may wish to contact the manufacturer’s customer care centre.

What should you do if you are worried about your dog?If megaoesophagus is suspected, you should consult your veterinarian. The treatment for megaoesophagus depends on the underlying cause of the dysfunction.

How are these types of problems tracked?

In Australia, veterinarians use a voluntary reporting system called PetFAST to report health problems in dogs and cats that may be associated with pet food, treats and pet meat. The system is designed to identify possible patterns that might identify a cause. It is being utilised to track cases of megaoesophagus.

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