Sildenafil , the generic version of Viagra , could be a discourse for a rarified circumstance found in dogs called megaesophagus . This condition makes the eye tooth esophagus expand and lose the ability to deliver solid food to the stomach .
andiron with megaesophagus often develop even more ailments , and many have to be put down . Often , as they eat , the food is regurgitated and enters their lungs , get aspiration pneumonia . As report in theAmerican Journal of Veterinary Research , the same principle that allows sildenafil to treat cavernous dysfunction helps dogs .
The drug leads to smooth sinew relaxation , tolerate the depressed esophagus to afford and let the food passport , precede to a reduction in vomit . There were minimal side effects , and the dogs treated gained weight unit during those two weeks .
“ If you seem at the lit , there are no drugs we can practice to get by megaesophagus . Sildenafil is the first to point these mechanism and concentrate regurgitation , which is boastful because that ’s what in the end kill these dogs , ” co - lead generator Dr Jillian Haines , from Washington State University , say in astatement .
“ It open up the dispirited esophageal anatomical sphincter for 20 moment to an minute , which works really well for Canis familiaris because we only want that to open up when they are eat . ”
10 dog-iron with this condition were enroll in the sketch . They were administered either a placebo or sildenafil citrate for two weeks at a prison term , then they were give neither for a calendar week , and then swapped groups for the come two weeks . The owner were tasked with get across episodes of regurgitation .
move X - ray psychoanalysis of the dogs eating after being give way either the drug or placebo did n’t show much conflict – but nine out of 10 possessor reported reduced regurgitation during the two weeks when the pooches were given liquid sildenafil .
“ In many case , the proprietor were able to visualise out which drug was sildenafil because it was ferment , ” explained Haines .
“ somewhat affected cad that were vomit up oft but not excessively seemed to see the most dramatic result . I actually order sildenafil to several of those patients after the study , and they are still using it today . ”
Dogs with more severe signs of the disease did n’t benefit as much , given it was more difficult for them to have the drug pass the tum . An unfortunate catch 22 . Sildenafil is already prescribe to world and dog-iron to treat grand blood force per unit area in the lungs . It might have even more coating beyond this and do by megaesophagus .
