Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis of Megaesophagus in Cat: A Case Report

Abstract

A 2-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat was brought to the Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Center (TTPHRC), Purbachal, Dhaka, with a chief complaint of coughing, anorexia, and vomiting immediately after feeding for the last two weeks. The animal was evaluated through clinical, biochemical, and radiographic examination. A contrast thoracic radiographic examination of the esophagus was performed using barium sulfate suspension during and one month after the initial consultation. The results showed no biochemical abnormalities. A dilatation of the esophagus was revealed and a diagnosis of megaesophagus was made. The cat was managed with antiemetics medication for the first few days and an upright feeding position for 20-30 min every post-meal to avoid an accumulation of food. The response to this management was satisfactory and the clinical signs were fully resolved within a month. In the follow-up examination, there was no evidence of dilatation of the esophagus. The antiemetic medication and upright feeding position could be an effective measure without surgical intervention for the management of the idiopathic megaesophagus.