Environment

They also can live - Canine mega-esophagus

by Estrella Esteve | March 15, 2009 at 09:09 am

2594 views | 3 Recommendations | 7 comments

Months ago I have published this article on my blog. Today I republished it because this afternoon I read a woman's comment a very "saddened" woman

... today I must put my pet to sleep, he suffered mega-esophagus, he was only three months old.

OK I want to say only one thing

they also can live

She is Lola and I am not training her to be a circus star.

Lola suffers mega-esophagus. Usually the dogs with this congenital disease suffer aspiration pneumonia this is a common death cause.

Lola has suffered three and she is until alive. Nowadays I begin thinking she can die as a natural death when she will be old.

This is not a good or bad luck question, this is the result to have patience and perseverance.

Lola eats only special easy digestive food, never dry feed, she eats two times by day, and she eats as a curios way that you can see on the photograph.

When she finished we put her on this stool for ten minutes. Something like baby’s belch.

We put her here because maintaining a dog, quiet, still and sit for ten minutes is just impossible, specially when around her there is a world full of amazing things to pursue, like the cat.

That was my daughter’s idea and it runs very well for the moment.

But the most important: No tidbit, never.

but from time to time nothing happens.

No, not from time to time she can die.

Medecines?

Anyone, only from time to time if we see her trying to eat grass, then I give her something to relieve the heartburn, and that’s all.

July she will be on her threes.

THEY ALSO CAN LIVE.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Alida Antonia Cornelius

at 09:31 on March 15th, 2009

I used to give my dog cooked green beans. They get the vitamins they crave and then don't try to eat grass. Dogs need vegetables also, as in the wild, they get them that way from eating the stomachs of prey, like rabbits.

I am going to research this disorder.

Estrella Esteve

at 10:00 on March 15th, 2009

thanks for your comment. I konw all animals eat grass. But in Lola's situation that may be a great problem because if she doesn't eat in the way I explained the feed, rest in the esophagus. Look on Wikipedia, in my blog a included the link.

Thank. And sorry I know my English is terrible but better than mr. Bush Spanish

See you

Cherri (not verified)

at 07:42 on March 21st, 2009

I have a miniature schnauzer that was dx with megaesophagus yesterday. As you can expect, I'm very upset, I love her dearly!! I'e spent hours this am just looking on the net trying to get info. Every time she gets a drink of water she sounds like she's going to drown. I get the concept of feeding an watering in an upright position. We are awaiting results of blood work, thyroid studies and myasthenia test.

Bruiser's mommy (not verified)

at 17:17 on May 9th, 2009

I just had to put down my beloved little schnauzer due to this horrible disease. The vet said his was a rare acute case as it came on suddenly. I never even had a chance to search for a cure. We took him into the vet on Monday and he seemed fine but was having problems drinking (sounded like he was choking). By Friday he could barely stand up and was constantly vomiting and the vet told us we had to put him out of his misery. I am still in shock.

Megan Z (not verified)

at 11:11 on May 21st, 2009

My Fox Terrier was born with mega esophagus. We feed him the same way you do. It's been hard and he'll never get over it. He throws up almost daily, but he is so happy and has a really good life. He just turned 3 yesterday! I agree that they can live, it just takes a special home.

B Butler (not verified)

at 03:31 on June 13th, 2009

I had a 7 year old boxer, and all this started when she was given Drontal Plus 4 tablets 68 mg for a "mild" case of worms. I gave the pills 9:30 a.m. by 5:30 p.m. she was vomiting so bad and it smelled like bile. She was again sick the next night and the next and finally her breathing was labored and she was wobbly - I took her immediately to the vet. Who put her on more pills, Lasix, Bactrim and Previcox. The Drontal Plus and these 3 meds were eating her stomach and the vomiting was causing her to aspirate anything she ate into her esophagus. That's what the new vet said that read her x-rays. The vet that originally gave her all this medicine put her to sleep June 1st, saying she had Lung Cancer. My heart is broken and I am so sick inside feeling as though I let her down and I killed her. The vet yesterday said that because she vomited so much that all the food and water she ate came back up and was in her esophagus I am devestated and I am going to blame myself for the rest of my life. I don't know who to turn too or what to do.