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

[Camilla and Darwin]

Both I think. :-)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Kudos too you, you have my deep admiration. I too follow Baliey Chairs 4 dogs on FB and have shares it as I think it is a wonderful charity and deserves all the support as does Paracord. 

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Kate, you are a remarkable person…grateful for people like you!!

[BG and Gavin]

You are one special lady Kate.  I frequently read your posts on the DCR FB page.  I have come to the conclusion that you don't sleep :)  Thanks you for all that you do.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

I love you Kate :)  I had never heard of Mega E until a couple years ago when DRC posted a little Doodle named Scout.  As Karen can attest to…I fell head over heels for Scout and still think about him every single day (wish I knew where he was).  I tried to figure out every single day how I could work two jobs and still care for Scout's needs.

Thank you for everything you do Kate!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for posting this, Kate.  The more awareness the better!  It certainly is wonderful that many of the dogs afflicted with this can live longer lives.