Breeding and Megaesophagus

[Samba]

Should a dog with megaesophagus be bred? Any evidence to prove autosomal recessive inheritance in GSD?

[WiscTiger]

http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/G...sposition.html

[MaggieRoseLee]

Yes, it's genetic and continued breeding needs to be discouraged. This condition is very prevalent in our breed (my Elsa has it).

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/megaesophagus.html

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00133.htm

http://www.videxgsd.co.uk/gastrointestinal.htm

[wolfstraum]

A sometime board member I know had a pup with mega...and I know that another pup a year old died from complications from it who had alot of the same pedigree. Lots of AKC Champions in the line, and GV lines.

No, they should not be bred.

Lee

[Samba]

American GV lines in this dog also. Obviously few are minding the advice not to breed again a dog who has ever produced a megaE.

Course, have seen it in other lines also.


Dreadful condition but its very likely genetic component does not stop many from continuing to maintain it in lines. Its rating for undesirability of genetic defect---severe. And then to breed a dog with the actual deformity???,
I am verklempt.

[gagsd]

One of my dogs' grandmother was said to have produced mega-e pups. And one of the pups in my dog's litter had mega-e.
This dog was a german import.

[ded37]

Samba, I am not versed in breeding whatsoever, however, I do have personal experience with congenital Mega-E in a GSD which I would like to share.

Before we got into rescue of GSDs, our Max and Koia came from a breeder (excellent West German lines - their mother is a direct import from West Germany and their father is from a well known/reputable breeder of West German VA & V rated show lines). The breeder did not breed Max and Koia’s parents again after confirmation of Max’s congenital primary Mega-E.

Out of the litter of 9, my Max was the only long hair, the only one with EPI (also common in GSDs) and the one with congenital primary Mega-E. The EPI was strictly a life maintenance issue that was treatable and was under control.

The Mega-E was a battle from Day 1. Cornell looked at the radiographs and said Max’s case was one of the worst they had seen. We were fortunate enough to have a wonderful, knowledgeable, vet, as well as the resource of Cornell.

Every day Max had to eat his "mush" vertically. He could not run as long/as hard as his fur siblings, he could not have free water, he could not have certain treats, he had to have his temperature monitored to watch for the first signs of aspiration pneumonia, he had to take medicine every day. Yet, Max was a happy, extremely loving boy every day of his short life.

Even with all the care and precautions above, I had to let my Max go to the Bridge on 2.12.07. He was at Cornell for severe complications from Mega-E - aspiration pneumonia and his stomach had started to come up through his esophagus. We were discussing a feeding tube, however, Max's lungs were not strong enough for Max to recover (4 episodes of aspiration pneumonia had taken a terrible toll on his lungs).

So I said goodbye to my Max one month before his 3rd birthday. Hardest moment of my life without question.

Currently, there is no cure for congenital primary Mega-E*. I asked the doctors at Cornell about a cure and they said it would probably take an esophagus replacement and that is no where near on the horizon.

I would not take back my years with Max for anything. However, with what is known at this point in time, medically and management wise, to knowingly breed a dog with Mega-E (or even to not have her/him spayed/neutered**) is simply irresponsible and uncaring. Breeding is a monumentaly responsbility and science. In my opinion, there is no reason whatsoever to breed a dog with known Mega-E.


*Now, there are several other reasons a dog can have a Mega-E and you can read about those in the links cited above. I was fortunate enough to have a foster come into my life 5 months after Max’s passing that had PRAA, secondary Mega-E. She was able to have surgery at Cornell to correct the PRAA and she is now adopted and living a happy normal life (although she still does eat vertically)!!

**Dogs with Mega-E can/should be neutered/spayed, as long as precautions are taken regarding aspiration.

[gagsd]

Darcy, would you be able to post any info on the pedigree? Or by PM?

[Myamom]

Trying to find a loving home for this sweetie...it was suggested I put the link here in case any of you can spread the word......

http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum...gonew=1#UNREAD

[ded37]

gagsd_pup1/Mary: I will PM the information to you when I get home from the office.