Megaesophagus is a condition in which the esophagus loses motility and becomes permanently dilated, causing regurgitation, aspiration pneumonia, and chronic malnutrition in affected dogs.
Megaesophagus is a demanding condition for both dogs and their owners. Dogs that repeatedly regurgitate and aspirate experience cycles of pneumonia, hospitalization, and recovery that cause significant suffering. Successful management requires consistent upright feeding, careful food consistency selection, and vigilance for early signs of aspiration. Dogs that cannot maintain adequate weight despite modification suffer from chronic hunger and weakness. However, with committed owners and appropriate management, many dogs with megaesophagus live years with good quality of life. The condition underscores the importance of identifying and treating underlying causes — particularly myasthenia gravis — which may be reversible.