No clear link between Advance Dermocare and megaesophagus syndrome

THE potentially deadly megaesophagus syndrome, which has killed close to a dozen police dogs in several states, has more than 30 causes according to the national vet body.

THE potentially deadly megaesophagus syndrome which has killed close to a dozen police dogs in several states has more than 30 causes, the national vet body says.

Popular premium Advance Dermocare dry dog food was pulled from shelves at 500 pet stores on the weekend after a number of dogs which ate the food fell seriously ill or died.

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Advance Dermocare dry dog food.

However, Australian Veterinary Association president Dr Paula Parker said a clear link between the food and syndrome remains unclear despite urgent testing by the University of Melbourne.

“Of the known causes, there are probably about 35. There are lots of other possibilities,” she said.

“You’ve got something behaving like an outbreak and food has been the commonality.

“The tricky part we’re dealing with at the moment is not having been able to identify the underlying toxins that is causing the megaesophagus.

“When you know the underlying cause you’re able to predict the pattern of disease more easily but when we don’t we’re just trying to manage symptoms.”

Dr Parker said the condition was very common in dogs which have snake or tick bites.

Aaron O’Toole poses for a picture with his parent’s dog Stan, 9, who has lost 5kg since falling ill with megaesophagus some weeks ago. Picture: AAP

The cruel syndrome causes a dog’s oesophagus to stop functioning as normal, making it difficult to swallow or absorb nutrients.

“The oesophagus becomes a saggy sack and it doesn’t move food down into the stomach,” Dr Parker said.

“The signs vary a little bit but it’s common for them to regurgitate their food and spit it out.

“Food can often sit in the dog’s oesophagus and sometimes they present with fast breathing or coughing because the food has gone down into their lungs.”

Dr Parker said if pet owner’s notice their dog is reluctant to eat they should get them checked.