Megaesophagus in sheep and goats

Abstract

Megaesophagus is a rare disease in ruminants characterized by regurgitation of rumen contents. In this paper it was described cases of megaesophagus in two sheep

Acquired megaoesophagus in a Suffolk ram

“…This case report expands the list of differential diagnoses for abnormal regurgitation and provides another specific cause of obstructive gastrointestinal disease in sheep. To the authors' knowledge, similar cases in sheep have only twice been reported in the literature (Cockcroft 1993, Braun and others 2014) while the identification of acquired megaoesophagus in true ruminants appears sporadically (Morgan 1965, Kasari 1984, Braun and others 1990, Jalilzadeh‐Amin and Hashemiasl 2015, Nascimento and others 2016).…”

“…To the authors' knowledge, similar cases in sheep have only twice been reported in the literature (Cockcroft 1993, Braun and others 2014) while the identification of acquired megaoesophagus in true ruminants appears sporadically (Morgan 1965, Kasari 1984, Braun and others 1990, Jalilzadeh-Amin and Hashemiasl 2015, Nascimento and others 2016). …”

“…Braun and others (1990) described the condition in a ram postulated to be associated with a myoneural pathology, and Jalilzadeh-Amin and Hashemiasl (2015) described the condition in the cervical oesophagus of a steer. Other sporadic clinical case reports in the literature exist (Morgan 1965, Kasari 1984, McKenzie and others 2010, Nascimento and others 2016). Partial obstruction is a documented cause of acquired megaoesophagus.…”

Megaoesophagus in a pet rabbit

“…26 In ruminants, muscular dystrophy secondary to vitamin E deficiency has been observed. 11 Although the full medical history of this rabbit is unknown, as it was a rescued pet, the animal was fed a strict pelleted diet. Indeed, despite pelleted feeds being a non-optimal diet as hay and vegetables should be offered, they are supplemented in multiple minerals and vitamins including vitamin E. 27 Moreover, as whole pellets and not the muesli type was offered, the rabbit could not have induced a deficiency by selecting only the most savoury parts.…”

“…In goats and sheep with megaoesophagus, similar muscular necrosis and loss of striation have been described based on histopathological analysis. 11 In these cases, it was hypothesised that ingestion of an undiscovered toxic plant could have resulted in these lesions. In our case, toxicities and infections were considered less likely, as the animal remained alone in a cage indoors and had no free roaming.…”