a sick labradoodle pup-any ideas?UPDATE!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Hi everyone--I have a friend who just got an F1 labradoodle from a "backyard breeder"--my daughter is familiar with the breeder and she has had very healthy pups in the past and has shown herself to be a good person who cares about her pups and raises them in her home where they get lots of love--so that made us feel secure about suggesting this litter to my friend --who could not afford to pay a lot for a pup.
So, there were 12 pups--one died right away and one, that my friends has chosen as theirs early on from a photo, has some vomiting issues--he was very small and had trouble eating--but then he seemed to improve, so they got him anyway (the breeder had offered them another pup). Now, he is home with them and at 8 weeks old, he weighs 6 1/2 pounds--he is small but also quite skinny. (Parents are a full size lab and standard poodle, so he could be much bigger). He is also adorable, with an apricot cream coat, a brown nose and green eyes!
Here comes the hard part--two days ago, one of his brothers had pnuemonia from aspirating food and the vet determined that he had megaesophagus. The people did not want to deal with that incurable condition, which requires you to feed the pup in a special chair for the rest of his life and they put him down.
Of course, this made us all very nervous about my friend's pup--but despite his small size, he was acting normally otherwise--until last night. I got a call to come over quickly to see if I could help my friend because the pup was vomiting his dinner for over 40 minutes. By the time I got there, he was sleeping, but a bit raspy and uncomfortable. We are hoping it is not the megaesophagus issue. He had been playing hard just before dinner and maybe he ate too fast, or maybe he ate something when they took him outside, we just don't know and we are hoping it is nothing serious--but he was really having trouble swallowing. I gave him a bit of water with a syringe and he threw up another little blob of kibble--then after i left, he vomited a few more times about an hour later. The he slept well thru the night.

This morning, he is acting normal and ate his breakfast just fine--he played and did his business with out issues. I advised them to feed him just half of his meal at a time since, being the smallest in his litter, he gobbles the food like it is an eating contest.

My question is--can megaesophagus come and go? Can a pup have episodes of it (especially if they eat after hard playing) and be normal otherwise? Has anyone had experience with it? I told my friend that if they had another night like last night, they should have it checked out--I think you just have to do an X-ray. I sure hope this little cutie (who will hopefully be joining DK soon) is OK!!!

UPDATE:  The pup went to a vet today at the best facility around here--they said his lungs were clear, no fever (so he didn't aspirate any food) and they saw no obvious signs of Megaesophagus, but if there is another vomiting episode, they should bring the pup in for an Xray. He did not think it was necessary to do it today (That doesn't seem very helpful to me, but that is what happened.)

THEN, the breeder called and said that 9 out of 11 pups have it so far--OMD!!! I think she must have gotten the message to not repeat that breeding--if she didn't learn from that statistic, nothing is going to convince her! So sad to think that all those pups are sick--her family must be very upset as they kids help raise the pups and they are very sweet people.

I will see the puppy now and then and I hope I see him gain some weight--he is so thin, but he eats well, so hopefully he will gain now.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

There are lots of signs that there's something really wrong with this puppy.  We can all kind of "guess" here, but the real answers need to come from a Vet IMO.  I would get that puppy there today.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I agree, and please update us with what the vet says.  Poor little pup.  I hope it isn't something serious like megaesophagus.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Agreed - to the vet ASAP.  

Megaesophagus is a hereditary disease in puppies.  The breeder probably doesn't care BUT she should be advised not to breed these dogs again and don't feel bad reporting this "breeder" to the local or state authorities.  There may be treatment available for the pup but the best person to ask is a specialist.   (Karen is a pro at advising about specialists!)

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-enlarged-esophagus-megaesophagus

[F, Calla & Luca]

So true!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ginny, I would get this pup to the vet asap. If he is aspirating into his lungs, it could be extremely serious and life threatening. I really worry that what they saved on the cost of a pup, they are now going to exceed in vet bills. I truly hope it is not serious. Please keep us updated.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

What a sad story.  I agree with the others, and would get to a vet ASAP. Has this breeder ever had any other puppies, besides from this litter with megaesophagus?

[Ginny Nightingale]

She has had 29 pups with this pairing (3 big litters) but nothing like this before....she is keeping a female for the next generation of breeding, something she should now seriously reconsider!!! My daughter is a vet at the clinic she uses, so maybe she can advise her--

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree Jane--I asked them to get the test done on Monday but the husband is a "take it as it comes" kind of guy so I am trying to convince him that this could be serious--hence, this discussion--more voices to add to the chorus!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Ginny, I'm sending up a prayer that this baby does not have ME.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Since your daughter is a vet and (I think I read this correctly) knows the situation I would ask her.
Second, I often hear the comment, " we recommended a Back Yard Breeder because said person could not afford pups from a reputable breeder"
My thoughts are to encourage the person to start a good old fashion, Savings Account!
It seems in situations, just like the one you describe, it becomes a ' pay now - pay later'
Regardless- the person pays for a healthy, well-bred pup, or they pay forever for the health issues of a poorly bred pup.

Just like the Good Ol Days, save for what we want

I truly hope everything is okay. How frightening.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen, Joanne. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Wish more hubbies would see things that way--around here, people do not pay for dogs--they get them free or as rescues for less than $300....most of the pups I sell leave the area (and lead wonderful, healthy lives!!) This attitude of scoffing at any dog that costs real money is an imbedded attitude and seems to come from the men mostly. The wives all want one of my pups, but can't convince the husbands.....

my daughter had health checked previous litters from this breeder and was very impressed with the health and overall well being of the dogs--that is why I suggested the woman--and she lives WAY OUT in the middle of nowhere so these pups were relatively expensive for her area at $850. The breeder has almost insisted on giving them their money back, so she is a good person--but the owners of the pup are good people too and they don't want to take her money unnecessarily--but they may have to to cover the vet bills. I feel bad for EVERYONE involved--especially the puppy--but right now, he is having a good day, so it is hard to convince them something is wrong.

One thing I found in Marnee's link was that it can start in a pup and get worse without the proper treatment--but if treated correctly, it can get BETTER and be outgrown in some cases--I didn't know that and I am using that as the argument for getting the pup checked out right away.