Megaesophagus Puppy- drinking water problem

[Doris J Gearing]

This is the second discussion about our Labradoodle named Beethoven.  He has definitely been diagnosed with Megaesophagus.  We have a very sensitive puppy.  He doesn't keep water down.  After drinking from his water dish, he frequently regurgitates all of his meal which is oatmeal like mixture.  We have been soakling dry puppy Wellness and making  oatmeal.  If he drinks after his each meal and does any kind of activity, he does not keep his meal down.  So for the past 2 weeks we have been giving him ice cubes frequently all day.  He seems to tolerate the ice cubes.

We have been holding him vertical after meals and we have made an eating table where he stands at a 45 degree angle to eat his meals and get his ice cubes.  We know that Beethoven is still thirsty because he licks the wet grass in the morning and tries to find any standing water when he goes outdoors.   He is definitely getting nutrition because he now weighs 17 pounds and he was 6 pounds when we got him on April 20th. After eating ice cubes or drinking any water, Beethoven sounds like a joggling water bottle.  Now when he barks, he is constantly trying to keep his meal inside his body. Beethoven is such a smart puppy but such a special needs animal.   We contacted Cornell University Veterinary Department and they gave us medical research articles but very few suggestions.   Are there Vets  that specialize in puppies with megaesophagus?  There are medications that strengthen the swallowing muscles but when can we start giving him these?  Beethoven is finally letting us get about 5 hours of sleep per night but we are at our wits end to really make this puppy have better days.  We can only hope and pray that this congenital disease will disappear when he gets bigger.    One other final question,  Puppy Wellness has milk products in their dry puppy food,  could Beethoven be lactose intolerant? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am very sorry to hear about Beethoven. I am sure ther are GI specialists who know more than general vets than regular vets. Why don't you ask at Cornell? Also, you could search the web.as for lactose intolerance it causes cramping and diarrhea but not the symptoms you describe. Dogs do get lactose intolerance. Good lick with your pup.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You definitely need to have Beethoven in the care of a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist. Here's a link to the ACVIMS website's "specialist locator": http://www.acvim.org/PetOwners/FindaSpecialist.aspx

Regarding food, most dogs with megaesophagus do better with a soft diet, either homemade or canned food, or the dehydrated raw kind that you mix with water. These digest faster than kibble.

They should be given water the same way they are given food, in the upright position. 

Many dogs with megaesophagus use a Bailey Chair for both eating and drinking. These can be purchased, or you can make one yourself. 

Here is Scout, a doodle with megaesophagus, in her homemade Bailey Chair:

 And here is Nietzsche, a labradoodle who was owned and loved by DK member Christine (of Christine & Camus), using a step stool to eat. This is another feeding method that works well for some MegaE dogs:

[Ginny Nightingale]

As many of you know, Beethoven is owned by a close friend of mine and I am heartbroken for this very cute and special pup and his lovely family--thanks Karen for all of the info--I think that he will definitely need a specialist's advice. They are doing all they can, as they are loving and devoted folks, but this is a hard thing to handle. Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

I agree that the kibble may have to be replaced with a softer food--that might have a higher water content and reduce the thirst.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good point about the wet food having a higher water content. And MegaE dogs lose a lot more fluid than healthy dogs, due to all the regurgitation. 

There are also meds that might help, but those would best be prescribed by a specialist. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Dodie--I will email Jen and ask about a specialist too--

[Sue and Buddy]

There is a web site for Canine Megaesophagus that lists some resources.Link  There is also a yahoo support group that seems to be very active.Link

I think the Yahoo group will have more up to date information. Most Yahoo groups have a file section that has lots of good information.

Prayers and good wishes for your sweet puppy.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good idea, Sue. I belong to a Yahoo support group for owners of dogs with IBD, and it's been a very valuable resource. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

That is a good idea--the support groups probably have members that have been to specialists.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Almost all of them. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I really think a canned food (Wellness makes a variety of canned formulas) or dehydrated raw (like Honest Kitchen) would be much better for him. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

I would have to agree at this point--the kibble is not working--and get the small meals into him well before bedtime--my dogs don't eat after 4 pm and that should be fine--no water either. 

There are lots of homemade food recipes for dogs online too--maybe you could make a large amount stew type food if it was cooked in a big batch, pulverized in the blender and then frozen in smaller servings, you could give him some each day--might be more digestible.

[Christine & Camus]

Doris,  Nietzsche (in photo using step stool) was my labradoodle. I completely agree with Karen's advice.  Nietzsche had Megaesophagus, but it was complicated by another serious medical condition.  He did very well with the step stool and I had him sit on a chair after eating and drinking for 15 minutes. I also fed him several very small meals throughout the day, nothing after 5 pm except water.  You can also try holding your pup with his head on your shoulder for ~5 minutes, as you would when burping an infant, after he drinks water.  The first vet that saw Nietzsche did knew nothing about Megaesophagus, the second vet although not a specialist was exceptionally well informed.  He stopped all medications except for one called Cisapride, which expedites the transit of the food through the digestive system.   Best of luck with your pup.