Schweizerische Vereinigung für Kleintiermedizin
Association Suisse pour la Médecine des petits Animaux
Associazione Svizzera per la Medicina dei Piccoli Animali
Swiss Association for Small Animal Medicine

Megaesophagus outbreak in Latvia-your contribution is needed!

26. Februar 2016
As you know, in Latvia there is an emerging disease in dogs; a markedly increased incidence of megaesophagus (ME) causing suffering and death in many animals.  The Latvian Association of Small Animal Practitioners (LSAPS)  is kindly requesting your help concerning any information about the possibility of a similar increase of ME in dogs in other countries. In March 2015 the Latvian Association of Small Animal Practitioners (LSAPS) asked FECAVA to distribute information about the increased number of megaesophagus (ME) cases in Latvia and to report back to us if any similar increases  have been observed in their countries.  Thus far, FECAVA has responded  that no other countries have identified or reported on an increase of ME in Europe. On October 4, 2015 LSAPS presented to FECAVA the results of two studies: a retrospective study1 ( April 2014 – April 2015) coordinated by the Latvian Veterinary Association and a prospective study2 carried out by the State Research Institute BIOR which started in May 2015. According to the prospective study there were 70 confirmed ME cases in Latvia between May 2015 and December 2015 with average of 8-9 ME cases per month. LSAPS provided detailed information to FECAVA about the clinical signs identified by the owners and veterinarians and the potential risk factors identified from the survey data of the retrospective and prospective studies. A total of 140 dog ME cases have been registered and confirmed in Latvia from April 2014 until December 2015. Only radiographycally confirmed ME cases were included in the study; thus, the real number of ME cases in Latvia may be much  higher. Various sources report that the dog population in Latvia  ranges from  160 000 to 260 000.  According to the prospective study it is estimated that there may now be ~100 cases of ME per year in Latvia with the incidence range of 1 ME case per 1600 to 2600 dogs. LSAPS would greatly appreciate any information from FECAVA directors about the increase of ME cases in other countries similar to situation in Latvia.  Understanding the ME situation in other countries will help provide needed  baseline data to define the scope of the problem in Latvia and to substantiate the need for continued funding in Latvia.  Thus, we are requesting information from your organization if there exist any known increase of ME cases in other countries in Europe.
  1. questionnaire about the incidence of  ME cases in other clinics/hospitals/veterinary communities from 2011- 2016 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11__pSKpjMBYngCyc2sP2b1LTa6tLdVRfuKmjSS-iz4g/edit?usp=drive_web
  2.  survey registering ME cases in more detail https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zzC-d-tVa-YmbDN5uHTu8VWMe6aj3uxLIIMga3U0wew/formResponse
Please also indicate if you have information or resources that can support research targeted to identify the source of the emergence of megaesophagus cases in Latvia. Report for additional information regarding the ME study in Latvia. 1Retrospective study – performed in May 2015 by Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Latvian university of Agriculture. Form April 2014 till April 2015 70 ME cases were registered. 2Prospective study – performed in May – December 2015 by Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Enironment “BIOR”. Survey was directed by Ilze Matise-VanHoutan, PhD, ACVP diplomate. From May to December 2015 70 ME cases were registered.