Information on Hereditary Congenital Megaesophagus (CIM)
- Martina
Since we also lost puppies in our last litter due to congenital megaesophagus, I would like to emphasize once again the importance of thoroughly researching the test results of the parents in your planned breeding. Even a mating between two carriers (CIM/N & CIM/N) carries a high risk of producing affected puppies. Since breeders knowingly mate parents who are both CIM/CIM sind und Experimente auf Kosten der Welpen treiben, habe ich mich entschlossen nochmal hier aufzuklären, weil ich es einfach nicht fassen kann, das solchen Züchtern, ein Welpenleben scheissegal ist!
Congenital megaesophagus (CIM)
Congenital megaesophagus (CIM) is a motility disorder of the esophagus that prevents the normal transport of food to the stomach due to reduced peristaltic activity and dilation. Affected dogs exhibit regurgitation of food and water, coughing, and complications such as aspiration pneumonia, excessive salivation, mild to moderate cachexia, and crackles or wheezing. A normal esophagus contracts to allow food to pass into the stomach. In affected animals, it does not contract normally, leading to food retention and dilation. The frequency of regurgitation can vary from just one episode every few days to several episodes per day. In affected puppies, the first clinical signs appear at 3–4 weeks of age.
Inheritance: autosomal recessive
Mutation: MCHR2 gene
Genetic Test: We can identify carriers of the disease at any age. PCR is a precise testing method that allows us to distinguish between affected, carrier, and healthy animals. The test can be performed at any age.
Healthy animals: CIM N/N
Organizer: CIM / N/CIM
Affected animals: CIM CIM/CIM
Most breeders just say, “I’ve never had that before—is there even a test for it?” Or, “Other breeders don’t test either…” Then there are those who do test but keep everything secret, which makes me wonder why they don’t keep the results of the MDR1 or dwarfism tests secret?! And the rest just hope for healthy puppies no matter what the parents’ results are, but that’s how they keep spreading this disease further and further…
Of course, it’s time-consuming and not exactly cheap to test both the parents and the puppies from a litter, but I think it’s only beneficial for the future and the preservation of a high-quality German Shepherd breeding program.
There are now a total of 15 breed-specific tests for German Shepherds offered by various laboratories around the world. Reputable breeders should at least have these tests performed voluntarily, even if the breed clubs do not require them.
At around 4 weeks of age, an X-ray with contrast dye performed at our veterinary clinic revealed that this sweet little baby had congenital megaesophagus, and unfortunately, we had to euthanize the baby.
