Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Esophageal Candidiasis in Two Dogs With Megaesophagus: A Case Report
- Journal:
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Anderson, Katie L. & Tefft, Karen M.
- Affiliation:
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University Department of Clinical Sciences, , Raleigh, North Carolina,
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs, a 16-month-old male King Shepherd and a 2-year-old female German Shepherd, were having problems with chronic regurgitation, which is when they bring food back up. Both dogs were found to have a condition called megaesophagus, where the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach) is enlarged and doesn't work properly. During a procedure to look inside their esophagus, the vets found white fungal growths and confirmed the presence of a yeast called Candida albicans. They treated the dogs with a medication called fluconazole, which helped improve or completely resolve the fungal infection. Overall, the treatment was effective in both cases.
Abstract
Abstract Esophageal candidiasis is the most common cause of infectious esophagitis in human patients, but to date, this disease has not been reported in companion animals. A 16-month-old male intact King Shepherd dog and a 2-year-old female spayed German Shepherd dog were presented for evaluation of chronic regurgitation with diffuse megaesophagus identified on thoracic radiographs. In both cases, esophagoscopy disclosed diffuse, white fungal plaques, and brush cytology showed severe esophagitis with numerous yeast structures. Fungal cultures in both cases were positive for Candida albicans. The dogs were treated with fluconazole, which led to improvement or resolution of esophageal candidiasis. Esophagoscopy to evaluate for candidiasis should be considered in dogs with megaesophagus that either fail to improve on medical management or suffer an exacerbation of previously controlled signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70184