MEGAESOPHAGUS

[Cathy C. Bennett]

In early December, through a Goldendoodle FB Group I met Kate Singleton…

Meet Kate and Willie

Kate is an active duty military spouse, a mother to 6, a doodle mom to three doods, AND a poodle! Our furrendship began through our own FB admiration society, “liking” and “commenting”back and forth about the quirky and adorable photographs of our doodles. I sent her a private FBmessage on December 5th after seeing a picture of Willie in what I surmised to be a “highchair”...

Willie in his first pup chair that his Doodle Dad built (with Susan’s supervision!)

She called it a “Bailey Chair” and I needed to know more about it…

Kate called me that same day and we talked for quite a while. She told me that two of her “doods”live with Megaesophagus (or MegaE).

Meet Stetson…

Look at that PAWdorable face

and Willie…

Kate and Willie aka Buzz Lightyear

Willie and his Doodle Brother Bryce…

Buzz / Willie and his Doodle Brother Bryce aka Woody!

I had never heard of MegaE, and I had never heard of the Bailey Chair. I wanted to help. I asked Kate if she would share her journey, tell how she met Susan and how she became an advocate along with others reaching out to other pet parents struggling for answers, solutions, and kindred spirits to bond with. I offered all that I had, a voice through The Boys website to bark out their selfless journey to help other dogs and their families with MegaE.  She agreed, so here in Kate’s own words is their story…

“I have two Goldendoodles with a condition called megaesophagus.

Megaesopgagus is a condition in which the muscles of the esophagus do not do their job correctly. In a normal esophagus, the muscles push anything that is ingested to the stomach. When a dog has MegaE, the muscles are damaged or did not properly form. They become like a latex balloon that has been blown up and had the air let out of it several times (soggy). Therefore, they create pockets along the esophagus that traps food and water. The muscles aren’t strong enough to push it down to the stomach. Because the food gets stuck in these pockets, it often causes a dog with MegaE to regurgitate nearly every time something is ingested. The regurgitation often leads to Aspiration Pneumonia, which if not caught and treated properly can cause death.

Some forms of MegaE can be treated with medication, some by elevating their bowls, some require feeding tubes, and some require special diets. Others utilize a combination of some or all of the above!

A great invention that has saved many MegaE dogs and allowed them to live a somewhat normal life, is the “Bailey Chair.” This is a special chair that was designed to allow the dog to eat and remain in a vertical position. This allows gravity to help pull the food to their stomachs since the muscles cannot. Some dogs remain in their Bailey Chair for up to 45 minutes after each feeding…

In my case, we have Stetson who is 3. He was only diagnosed in July, but has been fighting this since he was born. I spent many nights crying, holding and petting him not knowing what was wrong with my poor baby. We took him to three vets, none of which ever suggested megaesophagus. (Very few vets are informed about it and often suggest euthanasia.) We assumed it was a food allergy and changed his diet more times than I can count. As he grew older, the regurgitation seemed to be less and we noticed that as long as he laid down after eating, he was generally ok. We also limited his water intake.

Then came Willie. I received a phone call asking me if I wanted a dog with a condition called megaesophagus, if not he was going to be put to sleep. I had no idea what it was so I did some research and was referred to a lady named “Susan” who helps dogs with this condition. I talked to her and she pointed me in the direction of an amazing support group on FB. We heard about these Bailey Chairs. Susan, I found out, sells and donates custom Bailey Chairs. She has a business out of her home called Bailey Chairs 4 Dogs. For each chair that is purchased, one is donated. She helped us build Willie’s first chair by guiding us and sharing information we needed in order to do so…

The building stages of Willies first Bailey Chair

I started selling hand made collars, leashes, bracelets and keychains in order to raise money to donate to this incredible organization at Paracord for Pets on FB. I have donated three specific chairs and sent random donations to put toward others.

Willie’s first Bailey Chair pretty much stopped all regurgitation and he has grown into a big, 7 month old doodle. Recently, he outgrew his chair and has been regurgitating nearly every time he eats or drinks. Susan kindly offered to donate Willie’s “big boy” chair. Willie’s chair arrived from California and now he can go back to being regurgitation free!…

The Big Boy Chair!

Realizing how stressful it is having not one, but two dogs with this condition, it has become my focus to raise money and awareness for megaesophagus. I have become an active member of several FB groups that are dedicated to those who have experienced megaesophagus.

While advocating for dogs with megaesophagus and against bad breeders, I met Adrianne. Adrianne gave me great support in what I was doing. She also let me know about a rescue group that she works for that is dedicated to doodle dogs. I started following along, and even opened up a fundraiser with my Paracord for Pets to help support Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc. After learning that they are a non profit organization, and after learning all of their successes, I became more in tune with their ultimate goal, every doodle dog deserves a perfect family. I felt that I could add that to my mission.

Now as a Director of Development for Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc. and as an advocate for dogs with megaesophagus, I have continued to build my “Paracord Project” into what I hope will become a non profit business in the coming months.

Everything that I create is made by me personally, using high quality parachute cord that is made in the United States. I put a lot of thought and care into each order that I receive and expect my supporters to get the best possible product for their money. I make key chains, dog collars, leashes and bracelets, just to name a few.”

To learn more about MegaE or to help/support in any way possible – here are various links with tons of information.

www.baileychairs4dogs.com

www.facebook.com/paracordforpets

http://rehomingmegaesophagusdogs.com/

www.facebook.com/groups/4329632343 (Megaesophagus Support Group)

www.facebook.com/groups/uprightcaninebrigade

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

http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/

www.doodlerescue.org

Doodle hugs to Susan, Kate, and everyone out there making a difference.

To my new anipal Kate, your crew is very handsome…

Willie (in the chair), Stetson, Kate and Dixie (non MegaE Doodle)

And to all our groovy readers out there – thank you for taking the time to read this post. I so wanted to share this story, feel free to do the same. The more we know the more we can help…

The Boys wanted to show support so they ordered Paracord leashes from Kate. Can’t wait to see them.

Thanks for reading, much Doodle love to all…

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Lisa - Thanks so much, I was happy to help, and it was pawsome meeting Kate. Take care

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Cathy, this was a great addition to your blogs. Thank You. Kate is a very special woman and we all love her to death. This is a great tribute to her love of doodles and to get the message out there.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Ginny, yes that sums up Kate rather well!

[Ginny Nightingale]

wow--an angel in our midst--and talented too! Thanks for sharing.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Doris, I think so too, she's amazing

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Cheryl - it was my pleasure

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks for spreading the word and helping others who may not know what's wrong or why they can do to help their dogs.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Thanks for writing about Kate, Cathy! She's quite a remarkable young lady!

[Cathy C. Bennett]

It was my pleasure Nancy, Kate and others are doing so much to share their stories I just wanted to help! Thanks of reading

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for helping to educate the public about this problem.