i know this has been discussed here before but i need some info. a friend of mine has a neighbor who's dane has been diagnosed with megaesophagus. she's very close to the dog and wants to know what the prognosis really is.
the dog has been to specialists, so he's getting good care, but she's asked me what i know about it and frankly i don't know anything.
anybody with any insight, please let me know.
thanks,
nina
megaesophagus
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BTW
By the way, I joined a Yahoo support group where I gained more knowledge than any vet was able to tell me.... I built a "Bailey" chair for Sark and had a nebulizer for his pneumonia. I fed him frozen canned food balls since he was not able to drink any water at all.... But depending on how severe your neighbors dog is, there are so many variations of a diet you can give them to help with his non-working esophagus.
Cristina
Jack & Sydney's mum
I know I'm a little late....
But I have been researching this and I came accross this website and I think it's really neat that they have a demonstration that they show you between a healthy dog and a dog withe Mega-E. It really helps to see what they are trying to explain is happening with a dog that has this. Here's the link: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_megaesophagus.html
Mega-e
Nina,
My last dog had mega-e and I did everything in the books for him. You can have your friend email or call me.
Cristina
Jack & Sydney's mum
adult megaE
Adult dogs who get mega E often have a much poorer prognosis. There is usually some underlying cause, and if the dog also has wobblers it may be hard to get him correctly positioned to feed him.
I know this is morbid, but if I were her, I would make an agreement with myself now about how to decide when it is time to let this dog go. It may be a long way off yet, but it will probably be due to one or both of these issues. I would hate for her to feel unprepared for that eventuality, and as much as it hurts, these are both big bad deals.
thanks
for the info cassie.
i think they kind of expect it now but i'll try to let them know.
we're in the same boat with reilly. the specialists have pretty much told us we'll have to make the decision, it's just a quesiton of what the line is that we set as "the time". i really think len's going to have a really hard time with this even tho we've been thru it a number of times before.
knowing when it's time....
We just got back from a trip to FL and my in-laws brought their 14 yr old lab with them. It's getting very close to "the time" and they are struggling with making the decision. My FIL is praying that he will just go "in his sleep" and take the pressure off him to decide. I told him that if he needs me to fly there and go with him, or take him by myself....I will. Unfortunately for me....hubby has been away on a trip both times we have had to put our furbabies down. I have copied the link and will send it to my FIL.
Stacey
~in memory of Moose~
Knowing when...
Judy posted this article on the old discussion board:
http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/help_companions.html
I know several people who have found it very helpful.
jamie
thanks
for the input. i will forward it to her.
i believe the dog in question is an adult and is also diagnosed with wobblers.
It depends
Some dogs with megaesophagus can be easily managed with elevated feedings- others not so much. It really depends on the particular dog and the cause. If it is a dane puppy then it was probably born with this problem. If it is not too severe it may do well. Some dogs need to be fed soft food, and some an almost liquid diet. Hopefully her pup will do well.
Lola
We originally thought Lola had mega E because she couldn't keep ANYTHING down. Ultimately, it was determined that Lola did not have mega E - but before we knew that, I thought she was going to be handed a death sentence. I was on the phone with Ronda ready to burst into tears because I was afraid Ronda would tell me Lola wouldn't be able to make it....instead, Ronda said "Oh, that's no big deal! We adopted a dog with mega E to a family that just taught it to eat on a picnic table (food on the table, front paws on the seat, everything stays down)." That's the closest I've ever come to megaesophagus and Ronda's response to the situation made me feel much, much better. I'm certain Ronda or Cassie (or anyone who has actually dealt with this issue first hand!) will have more to add...
jamie
megaesophagus
I think I remember Christina posting that she had a dog with megaesophagus. Maybe, if I'm remembering correctly and it is her, then she can give you some info.