Sildenafil, the generic equivalent of Viagra, could be used to treat megaesophagus, a rare illness that affects dogs. The canine esophagus expands and loses its ability to carry food to the stomach as a result of this disorder. Dogs with megaesophagus frequently acquire additional health problems, and many must be euthanized. Food is frequently regurgitated and enters their lungs, resulting in aspiration pneumonia. The same mechanism that allows sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction also benefits dogs, according to the American Journal of Veterinary Research.
The medicine causes smooth muscle relaxation, which allows the lower esophagus to open and allow food to flow, resulting in less regurgitation. There were little side effects, and the dogs who were given the treatment gained weight over the course of the two weeks. “Based on the literature, there are no medications that can be used to treat megaesophagus.” Sildenafil is the first drug to target these mechanisms and minimize regurgitation, which is significant because regurgitation is what kills these pups, according to co-lead author Dr. Jillian Haines of Washington State University.
“It opens the lower esophageal sphincter for 20 to an hour, which is ideal for dogs because we only want it to open when they feed.” The study included ten dogs with this disease. They were given either a placebo or sildenafil for two weeks at a time, then neither for another week, and then switched groups for the next two weeks. The owners were responsible with keeping track of regurgitation episodes.
Moving X-ray study of the dogs’ eating after they were given the medicine or the placebo revealed no significant differences, but nine out of ten owners reported less regurgitation during the two weeks the dogs were given liquid sildenafil. “The owners were able to figure out which medicine was sildenafil in many situations because it was working,” Haines explained.
“The most dramatic results appeared to be seen in moderately affected dogs who regurgitated frequently but not excessively.” After the trial, I prescribed sildenafil to several of those individuals, and they are still taking it.” Because it was more difficult for dogs with more severe indicators of the condition to get the medicine into their stomachs, they didn’t benefit as much. It’s a catch-22 situation.
Sildenafil is already used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs in both people and dogs. It could have a broader range of applications than just treating megaesophagus. “A lot of vets have been inquiring about this medicine,” Haines added. “I believe sildenafil will save and change the lives of many pets.” This study bolsters its use and, perhaps, encourages more people to do so.”
