Loss of peristalsis and enlargement of the esophagus, also known as megaesophagus, is a disease that can affect any dog breed. It often leads to death due to accidental inhalation of food into the lungs, resulting in serious breathing difficulties. If acquired during life, often no cause can be found. Without a proven cause of megaesophagus, its treatment is challenging and frequently ineffective.
The investigators propose that acquired megaesophagus of unknown origin is related to the body attacking its own esophagus. The research team will use the serum of affected dogs to test whether the patient’s serum contains autoantibodies that attack esophageal tissue. Although esophageal muscles in dogs are similar to limb muscles, they respond differently to therapy. Esophageal muscles and their innervation in dogs have never been investigated in detail, and researchers believe that understanding the detailed characteristics of esophageal muscles and their innervation might be important to guide further therapies. This project has the potential to change the way veterinarians
diagnose and treat megaesophagus that will result in a better outcome for dogs with acquired megaesophagus.