How to Care for a Dog with Megaesophagus - Treating Your Dog's Condition Medically

1. Consider surgery. In some dogs there is normal motility, but an anatomical irregularity, such as a vascular ring anomaly, preventing the food from passing all the way along the gullet. In the hands of a skilled thoracic surgeon this condition is correctable. The abnormal blood vessel can be surgically tied off and sectioned, which frees the esophagus from the ring constricting it.
- A vascular ring anomaly is a congenital condition that occurs in the fetus when a blood vessel grows in the wrong place and encloses the esophagus. This has a similar effect to putting your foot on a hosepipe, in that it forms an obstruction and prevents fluids (or food) from traveling along the gullet successfully.

2. Ask your vet about a gastrostomy tube. Some dogs are so severely affected that they are unable to meet their daily calorific requirements and lose weight. In extreme cases, some dogs struggle to even get fluids into their stomachs and can become dehydrated. In these cases, it may be necessary to have a gastrostomy tube fitted.
- A gastrostomy tube is a feeding tube that gives direct access to the stomach. It is fitted under general anesthesia and involves placement of a soft rubber tube inside the stomach, which is anchored in place and then passed out through a surgical incision in the body wall. They are only suitable for liquid feeds, but the advantage is that nutrition can enter directly into the stomach.
 - However, gastrostomy tubes require constant care and rigorous hygiene in order to prevent infection around the stoma site. Food needs to be liquidized in order for it to pass through the gastrostomy tube. After each feed the tube needs to be flushed with water to remove food contamination which could harbor bacteria. Obviously, since the tube empties into the stomach, this cannot be done with disinfectants, but must rely on copious flushing with water. Needless to say, it is a huge commitment on the part of the owner.

3. If applicable, treat the underlying condition. In a small percentage of cases, the megaesophagus is a symptom of another health issue such as an underactive thyroid, or myasthenia gravis.[2] Treatment of this underlying condition can help maximize esophageal motility.
- However, in the majority of cases no predisposing factor is found and it is a case of control rather than cure. Sadly, there is no effective drug treatment that promotes muscular contraction in the gullet.
- A medication called metoclopramide is sometimes uses for its prokinetic properties on the stomach and end part of the gullet. The drawback is that this drug also increases the tone of the gastric sphincter, so although the esophagus may work harder, it is effectively pushing against the closed door of the gastric sphincter, so you are back to square one.