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.

[F, Calla & Luca]

O! I read the link. It is a good argument for checking things with a vet but I don't think outgrowing the condition, if the pup has megaesophagus, is likely.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I agree F, never seen a dog outgrow this condition BUT as I'm not a vet, I bow to their expertise.  So glad to hear the pup is being seen this afternoon.

[Star and Goldie]

Well said!

[F, Calla & Luca]

This may or may not be mega esophagus but for sure that doesn't come and go. The symptoms may not always appear or be the same given the circumstances of feeding but it is a lifelong problem unless it can be surgically repaired which I have't heard of in dogs.

[Ginny Nightingale]

See Marnee's article--it depends on the cause of the problem--and in pups, it can sometimes be reversed! I hope!!

I agree that it doesn't come and go, and maybe the reason for the episode was that the dog was active right before eating and ate too fast--he may just have the beginnings of an enlarged esophagus, which can get worse over time in a puppy.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Add me to the chorus.  This is not a wait and see issue...that episode sounded pretty severe. Hopefully, it turns out to be  nothing but if it's ME, surgery can sometimes correct it, if I remember correctly from a discussion awhile ago. I'd run not walk to the vet to get a diagnosis. Action now might save the pup and them a lifetime of problems.  Keeping them in my thoughts.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Sounds to me like this puppy needs to be seen by the Vet ASAP!  Poor little guy and I feel bad for everyone involved in this puppys life.  It is so hard to see a little one so sick:(

[Kim Starbuck]

so sad!! I hope they figure out what is wrong soon and it isn't too serious!!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

They are taking the pup to big area animal hospital this afternoon for a complete exam and possible diagnosis--yeah! Your voices helped to convince them--will keep you posted!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

So glad to hear the pup will be seen.  PLEASE keep us posted!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Now if our voices can convince the breeder to stop breeding pups. This condition is genetic. I was shocked to see they were holding pups back as future breeding stock :(
Please pray for these puppies

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm so with you on this. Hopefully this breeder is reading this.   I saved for each of my puppies. I spent a full year researching.Of course you can't ever be entirely sure but I'm all for minimizing risks and with each of mine I had the insurance the day I got them.   I just have a bad feeling about this puppy and am so hoping that I am wrong. Only a vet will be able to tell. I'm so glad that they are taking the puppy to the hospital today. Lets all keep everything crossed.