Digitally captured fluoroscopic images are shown from a 6-month-old spayed female miniature Dachshund with cricopharyngeal achalasia. (a) This image is taken as the dog laps barium that is placed into the mouth using a catheter tipped syringe but before swallowing is initiated. A moderate quantity of barium contrast medium is present in the oral cavity (black arrows) with some residual barium in the proximal esophagus from the previous swallow (*). Aspirated barium is also seen in the larynx (LA) and proximal trachea. UES = upper esophageal sphincter. (b) The dorsal pharyngeal wall (DP) contracts ventrally vigorously to meet the tongue base (TB) but bolus passage is obstructed by a hypertrophied cricopharyngeous muscle (black arrowheads). The upper esophageal sphincter (white arrow) attempts to open in coordination with caudal bolus propulsion but the luminal diameter is extremely narrow. (c) After the bolus passes through the UES and the swallow is complete a moderate quantity of barium remains in the oral cavity.