Yes, there are two types of canine megaesophagus - congenital and acquired. Let’s review them.
Congenital Megaesophagus: This type is present at birth and becomes easily visible after weaning. If the condition is mild, the puppy may show no symptoms until one year old. In severe cases, puppies with megaesophagus fail to thrive as they cannot feed properly.
Acquired Megaesophagus: This type is acquired later in life, and it can be either primary or secondary. The underlying cause of the primary acquired enlarged esophagus is unknown and called idiopathic megaesophagus. Secondary or acquired megaesophagus is the result of another condition that causes neuromuscular dysfunction.