Megaesophagus in Cats
By: Dr. Bari Spielman

Section: Follow-up

Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. There is no single therapy that is recommended for all animals with megaesophagus. Each case is unique, and specific recommendations are tailored for each patient.

It is important to administer all prescribed medications and follow feeding recommendations closely.

Observe your pet very closely and report any abnormalities to your veterinarian promptly.

Observe your pet closely for any signs of improvement or deterioration, and report these to your veterinarian.

Patients should be re-examined if signs of aspiration pneumonia develop such as fever, cough, and nasal discharge.

In some cases, thoracic radiographs, an esophagram, and other diagnostics are recommended on a regular basis to monitor response to therapy.

Prognosis is often poor for patients with megaesophagus. Progressive emaciation and aspiration pneumonia are the two most common causes of death and are also common reasons pet owners elect euthanasia.