Bashful Goes to the Vet

What Is Canine Megaesophagus?
Info from: http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/

Megaesophagus is difficult to detect and diagnose, and the medical options are few. But, many of these pets can be managed and lead relatively normal lives. The condition is reported in humans, dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals. (For simplicity sake we will use the dog as the typical patient in discussions on this site.)
The muscles of the esophagus fail and it cannot propel food or water into the stomach. (Its like a balloon that has been inflated several times and then hangs limp.)
The result is that ingested food sits in the esophagus within the chest cavity and never makes it to the stomach.
The most serious complication is that digestive fluid/food will at some point pool in the esophagus which generally results in aspiration of digestive fluid/food, leading to pneumonia. (Aspiration Pneumonia)
Megaesophagus can occur at any age as a puppy, or as an older dog. If it afflicts a puppy, the cause is usually genetic, or can be due to a surgically repairable condition called PRAA (Persistant Right Aortic Arch). If not secondary to another disorder in adult animals, it is called "idiopathic" (cause unknown).
Megaesophagus can be secondary to other diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis, Thyroid, Addisons and other Neurological disorders.

What is Canine Myasthenia Gravis?
Info From: http://www.vetinfo.com/dmyasthenia.html

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease in which weakness is the primary sign. This disease is caused by an inability of the certain nerve receptors (nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) to function properly. This prevents the stimulus for muscles to contract which leads to the weak appearance. This disease occurs congenitally in some dog breeds. Jack Russell terriers, springer spaniels and smooth fox terriers are affected. It can also occur as an acquired problem in older dogs. In this case, it is thought to be an immune mediated disease. In older dogs, the first sign of problems may be megaesophagus -- enlargement of the esophagus due to the muscular weakness, leading to swallowing. This can cause regurgitation and lead to inhalation pneumonia.

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[MsBeautyLocks]

This is heartbreaking : ( I have myasthenia and feel so sorry for this dog knowing the sickness she is living with... What kind of treatment is she getting for her illness? What is her life expectancy? I'm just curious... please update is with her progress, my heart goes out to her

[mushu72485]

@MsBeautyLocks Sorry for the long wait for my reply to your comment. I've been very busy with Bashful that I've barely checked youtube. She's currently taking Famotidine 20MG to help keep her food down and Pyridostigmine Bromide 10MG 2CC 3x a day for the MG. There is no way to tell at this time at what her life expectancy is.We actually decided to make her her own youtube channel documenting her progress as she gets better. If you're interested in checking it out it's BashfulMG.

[bonoist]

Wow, I never thought about animals having that issue. My sister has the human version of megaesophagus - it is called Achalasia. It is very rare. She had it for several years before it was diagnosed and then she had to wait a very long time for surgery. Luckily, she is doing well now. I hope the best for Bashful too!

[mushu72485]

@bonoist Sorry for the long wait for my reply to your comment. I'm glad your sister is doing better! Bashful is also doing better right now. We actually decided to make her her own youtube channel documenting her progress as she gets better. If you're interested in checking it out it's BashfulMG. Thanks again for your comment.

[BecksMessyDesk]

Aww poor Baby... Bashfull is still in my thoughts. Hopefully she'll be alright now.

[mushu72485]

@BecksMessyDesk Thanks Beck! <3

[2jeanee]

Hi our dog has had MegS and MG for two years if you would like any advice just email on jeanee2@tiscali.co.uk Our dog Barney is not in remission but is active and happy and we feel his condition IS under control. We have not visited the vets for over a year now and we self medicate him which is working.