MegaE & Me!

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

   For those of you who don't know, 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. Other 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 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 got a phone call asking me if I wanted a dog with a condition called megaesophagus, if not he was going to be pts. 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 Facebook. 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 (.com if you'd like to see more). 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. 
  I started selling hand made collars, leashes, bracelets and keychains in order to raise money to donate to this incredible organization. (Paracord for pets on Facebook) I have donated three specific chairs and sent random donations to put toward others.
  My husband built Willie's first Bailey Chair. It 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 will be on it's way here and hopefully he will be able to go back to being regurgitation free!

www.facebook.com/baileychairs4dogs

www.facebook.com/paracordforpets

www.baileychairws4dogs.com

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I fostered a GSD with MegaE about 12 years ago. It was the first time I had heard of it. Since then, I have known several doodles who have had megaesophagus, including Nietzsche, who was adopted from a CA shelter by DK member Christine & Camus. Nietzsche had a very complicated case which had been poorly handled before she got him, and sadly, he went to the Bridge less than a year after she adopted him.

As with other serious or complicated canine diseases, it is so important to find the right vet or specialist to diagnose and help you manage this disease. Most MegaE dogs can have a long, normal life and a good quality of life with proper care.

I am so glad Willie is getting a new big boy chair! You'll have to post pictures for us when it arrives! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, I know. They're one of the top breeds that get it. 

http://ic.upei.ca/cidd/disorder/megaesophagus

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so glad these two special dogs found their way to you!! Our daughter had this same problem as a premie, so I can relate to this on so many levels. She wound up in the hospital more times than I can count with Aspiration Pneumonia because food was getting into her lungs.  We used to have to feed our daughter with a tube in her nose and then put her in this sling type contraption that kept her upright and still for 30 minutes afterwards. She finally had a surgery (Nissen Fundoplication) that helped along with a feeding tube in her stomach. I have often wondered if this same Nissen surgery could be done on dogs. Bailey Chairs 4 Dogs seems like a wonderful organization and a place to make a donation, especially at this Holiday time. God bless you for seeing past these problems and loving these dogs.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have to ask you, Kate, to tell us how old your two children were when Stetson and Willie came into your life. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you. So, you adopted a 3 month old puppy with megaesophagus when you had a 12 week old infant and a 5 year old to care for, along with another adult dog with MegaE and a third doodle. 

I hope everyone who reads this will remember it the next time someone posts here about how they have to give up their doodle because they don't have time, or whatever. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

OMD...I need a nap just reading all that you do :) Amazing!! You must never sleep!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kate is also organizing and running the DRC on-line auction event single handedly. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Oh my.....you are amazing!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You are one very special, loving woman, Kate.  I am humbled by your story, but inspired to try to do more....

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hallelujah to this! Kate.....you are one awesome LADY! ((HUGS))

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am a sloth and a slug compared to you. You put me to shame, kid.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Karen, She amazes me every single day with all she does and her devotion to family, her Doodles and to Rescue.  She has more energy than any person I know!