What is vascular ring anomaly?
Vascular ring anomaly is a birth defect in which the fetal blood vessels form a ring around your dog’s esophagus. The esophagus is the tube connecting your dog’s mouth to the stomach, and the blood vessel ring will prevent food from traveling completely through this tube. As a result, the esophagus will end up being stretched, creating a condition known as megaesophagus.

What will vascular ring anomaly look like in my dog?
The primary symptom, which begins in puppyhood, is regurgitation of undigested food. In addition, your dog will begin to look malnourished. A puppy or dog with this condition will also have a greater tendency to inhale his food into his lungs by mistake which can cause aspiration pneumonia.

How does my dog get vascular ring anomaly?
This is an inherited condition.

How is vascular ring anomaly diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will take chest radiographs of your dog to look for a stretched esophagus and lung changes indicative of aspiration pneumonia.

How is vascular ring anomaly treated?
Successful treatment usually depends on how early this condition has been caught, but prognosis is generally poor meaning that the esophagus will often remain permanently damaged.

Your vet will likely recommend surgery to cut and tie-off the blood vessel strangling the esophagus. Another surgery may be needed to widen the esophagus at the point where the blood vessel had been wrapped. To do this, a balloon catheter will be placed in the narrowed portion of the esophagus.

How is vascular ring anomaly prevented?
There may be a hereditary link to this condition. Affected dogs should not be bred.

Can I get vascular ring anomaly from my dog?
No, you cannot contract vascular ring anomaly from your dog.