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06-10-2012, 01:20 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Dade City Florida
Posts: 2
| Mega Esophagus Hi all, I am new to the Yorkie Talk Forums. I just want to hear from those who may have the same problem as my sweet little Dixie. Dixie has been diagnosed with "Mega Esophagus". She is 6 months old and the sweetest little thing that we could have. She is on special canned food from the vet and is constantly looking for food in any & all places. Does anyone else out there have the same "issue" with their baby & if so, any words of wisdom for us? |
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06-13-2012, 03:10 AM | #2 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Welcome to YT. No megaesophagus here, but my girl had a regurg issue that was treated similarly for awhile. We never did all the testing. How is your pup doing on this food? Still symptomatic?
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
06-13-2012, 06:01 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chessington, Surrey, UK
Posts: 5,062
| Not Harry our Yorkie - but Rosie our Labrador had this condition Unfortunately, unlike your Littlie, Rosie's was too far advanced to do anything about - it wasn't diagnosed until she was 14 years of age... The most important thing (we were advised by our vet) was always to feed in the elevated position - the food had to be placed right up at head level so that gravity could do it's thing. Water too, it might be worth buying a water bottle and placing it higher for the same reason. I really hope all goes well for you Sally + Harry x Last edited by Harrysmum; 06-13-2012 at 06:02 AM. |
06-15-2012, 10:47 AM | #4 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Dade City Florida
Posts: 2
| Dixie is on a special diet from the vet, a/d canned food. she gets 1/2 can per day divided in 4 feedings. she also takes carafate 1ml twice a day. The vet thinks she has the "congenital" type of mega esophagus and will not grow out of it. Here in Florida there is a "lemon law" when it comes to dog's from breeders with congenital problem's. He told us that we could give her back and get our money back. BUT we all know what would have happened to our sweet baby, so we could not do that! She is the joy of our lives and we are very diligent about her feedings and making sure she gets no table scraps or anything else. Her food and water dishes are elevated and we try to hold her after she eats to facilitate gravity helping. I was just curious to see how common the condition was and what other folks might be doing with their precious babies. |
06-16-2012, 09:56 AM | #5 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| I am sorry to hear about your issue with your little baby....poor little thing....thank God she is in a loving home that will provide her the help she needs....bless you for that. I have never had any experience with this issue so I can give no advice, but I just wanted to thank you for taking such loving care of her. |
06-16-2012, 10:07 AM | #6 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| I have NO computer skills...but I found this on YouTube about this high chair for dogs with this condition...they say elevated bowls is NOT enough for dogs with this...they need to be in a vertical position of the esophagus is vertical to the ground so the food "falls down the esophagus into the stomach'...elevated bowls still leave the esophagus in a horizontal position to the ground, so the food does not fall by gravity, down into the stomach. Look at the stuff I copied and pasted below, especially the videos listed...they show exactly how this works... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yahoo Support Group: A Support Group for owners of dogs that have, had or may have Megaesophagus, was established at Yahoo Groups in 2002 by Dave Kay and Katy Weeks, in memory of their Golden Retriever, Rusty. Members of the group can provide suggestions and ideas for feeding and care of dogs with Megaesophagus. A veterinarian monitors the group as an advisor and offers suggestions for members to discuss with their veterinarians. The Group is at: megaesophagus : Megaesophagus and requires membership. Be sure to check the information in the "Files" and "Links" areas after you have joined. It is available to all group members and is worthwhile in the management of this disorder. Joining does not commit your participation. To join, put your email address in the space below and click the "Yahoo" button. Vertical Feeding: The Vertical Feeding Position is the best feeding position for your dog with Megaesophagus. Not only will this position allow gravity to pull the food to your dog's stomach, but it is also the best chance you have in avoiding aspiration pneumonia. (There are no guarantees, as with anything in life but again, it's the best chance you have to prevent food or water from entering your dog's lungs and causing aspiration pneumonia.) Here are some videos on YouTube showing the vertical feeding position: Megaesophagus Feeding Method - Vertical (Roxie) Megaesophagus dog Dash eating in his Bailey Chair [canine megaesophagus] Indi in his chair (poodle) Duke's Feeding Chair - Part 1 (Black Lab) Duke's Feeding Chair - Part 2 While there are many methods for obtaining a vertical position (which often has to do with the size of your dog), the easiest, safest and most comfortable way to obtain this position for your dog is with the Bailey Chair as your dog must remain in the vertical position for approximately 20-30 minutes after eating. Bailey Chair: The Bailey Chair was designed by Donna and Joe Koch for their dog Bailey. To Build a Bailey Chair: Donna has created a DVD with instructions for building a chair and also helpful information regarding Megaesophagus. Contact Donna at: matthew1@earthlink.net to obtain her DVD. To Order A Custom Built Bailey Chair: Mr. Moor will be unavailable, until further notice, to build Bailey Chairs due to surgery. Please consider purchasing the DVD from Donna Koch, Bailey's mom, and requesting assistance from a carpenter in your area as soon as possible. Do not wait…the vertical feeding process is the best chance a dog with Megaesophagus has to receive daily nourishment and avoid aspiration pneumonia. Click on a photo to see a larger version. Last edited by Yorkiemom1; 06-16-2012 at 10:08 AM. |
06-16-2012, 10:22 AM | #7 | |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,448
| Quote:
Will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
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