My hypothyroid dog threw up white mucus. Could it be megaesophagus?

This could be related to hypothyroidism but it could be caused as well to a completely unrelated gastrointestinal inflammation/infection. I would recommend to have Rooney rechecked by your local veterinarian to control thyroid hormone levels first of all. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed as well.

I'm sorry that Chewie is not feeling well. Unfortuantely, vomiting is a very non-specific symptom. Pretty much anything can cause vomiting in dogs so I cannot tell you why this is happening. You are doing just right by withholding food. Just be sure to offer only small amounts of water at a time. If he continues to vomit in the next 6-8 hours you should get him to the vet right away. Continued vomiting can be serious.

Hi there! Thanks for letting us take care of you today! This is unlikely to be due to the thyroid medication. When there is evidence of blood in the vomit, that raises concern for things like a gastrointestinal ulcer, gastrointestinal tumor, severe gastroenteritis, foreign body ingestion, among other possibilities. Some tests that are usually run include bloodwork (CBC and chemistry panel +/- coagulation profile) and abdominal ultrasound. Thoracic/cervical/ abdominal adiographs may follow. Further diagnostics will be based on the findings up to that point. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be fine with Tiekie!

Hi you are correct with Czar that his could be megaesophagus (ME) and less likely choking from something stuck in his throat. Choking would be a very acute and violent episode. ME is something that would continue to happen at most meals. There are some other medical reasons for Czar's clinical signs as well like a hiatal hernia (abnormal position of the stomach) and other defects he could have been born with. Regardless it is extremely important that he been seen by his veterinarian for a diagnosis. They can take an X-ray to look for ME, something stuck in the throat, or a congenital defect. Also, the doctor can get him on medication to help with the vomiting/regurgitation. Best of luck with Czar

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Myasthenia gravis is an immune attack against the receptors to acetylcholine on cells. Medications that are used to treat this disease are used to increase the relative amount of acetylcholine that remains at the nerve-cell interface and others are used to try and decrease the immune attack against the receptors on the cell. Mestinon decreases the destruction of acetylcholine and therefore increases its activity of the acetylcholine. This usually helps with muscle weakness. Prednisone and azathioprine are immune suppressant drugs. Myasthenia gravis may occur as a primary (idiopathic) disorder or maybe secondary to other diseases such as cancers. If another cause is discovered (such as cancer) then then you need to treat the primary condition to try and resolve the myasthenia gravis. Unfortunately, many pets with myasthenia gravis can still have signs of esophageal dysfunction. Megaesophagus (dilation and weakness to the esophagus) commonly occurs and sometimes may not resolve even with otherwise effective treatment. This leaves many pets with myasthenia gravis at risk for developing aspiration pneumonia due to chronic regurgitation. A veterinary neurologist is often helpful to have involved in these cases.

Hi. Regurgitation differs from vomiting in that the expelled material almost always originates from the esophagus—the tube that moves food, water and saliva from the mouth down into the stomach. Vomiting is preceeded by retching noises, where as regurgitation is a passive event where you only hear a noise as the material comes up. The most common cause of regurgitation is megaesophagus. Megaesophagus is a generalized enlargement of the esophaguswith a decreased to absent motility which is required for moving food and liquid down to the stomach. It is diagnosed most commonly by a lateral x-ray of the chest where the esophagus goes from the beginning of chest area into the stomach. If it is vomiting, it is unfortunately a vague sign that can occur from many possibilitites.  It can be from a dietary indiscretion, a food sensitivity, a GI infection,  pancreatitis, metabolic and endocrine conditions, foreign bodies in the intestines, and more.   The best thing for vomiting would be to get blood work and abdominal x-rays done. Good luck

Hello, I am so sorry Brandi has been struggling. Based on the information you provided, I suspect Brandi has megaesophagus which occurs secondary to neoplasia, myasthenia gravis, hypothyroidism or its idiopathic. Independent of the underlying cause, a permanently dilated esophagus carries a poor prognosis and often leads to pneumonia. Some medications such as metoclopramide, cerenia and sildenafil may be helpful. Additionally, you should research a Bailey’s chair which forces the pet to eat in an upright position to prevent choking. I hope this information helps.