May 03, 2011
I have been offered a dog with MEGAESOPHAGUS. I am not familiar with this problem. Should I take the dog. It is an 11 week old GSD.
Full Question:
Mr. FrawleyI have a question about a puppy. She is a GSD, purebred, approximately 11 weeks old. I do not own her yet, but am considering taking her. The health concern I have is this: I have been told that she has MEGAESOPHAGUS. I have never heard of this before. Have you heard of it? I have done some research on it and was just wondering if you yourself have had any experiences with it, and whether she has a chance to live a long somewhat healthy life or will she end up dying from this. I have 3 children to consider in this, I don't want to bring in a puppy that will just end up dying with in the first few months or the first year. Any advise you could give me would be greatly helpful. Whether it be good or bad.
Thank-you
Tammy
Ed's Answer:
I am very familiar with MEGAESOPHAGUS. I have seen it on several occasions over the past 25 years of breeding. In fact, I had this in several of my litters 10 or 12 years ago (none of my current bloodlines have this problem). This is a genetic issue. Once it has been seen the breeder should never repeat the breeding. If he switches stud dogs and still sees it in his next litter he should neuter the bitch.
When pups are born its not possible to know they have it. While they nurse it never shows. It is first seen when the pups go to solid food. That's when they start to throw up after they eat.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE THIS DOG! This is a serious health defect. The dog cannot eat normally. If fed normally it will puke its food.
You can feed them watered down food (like soup). The food needs to be elevated, it can be put on a chair for them to eat. This allows it to go down easier. But for many it is a short term fix. While I have heard that some dogs may outgrow this I personally have never seen one do it. Its a long shot. The dogs I had died young from heart failure.
You are setting yourself up for heartaches if you take one of these dog.
When pups are born its not possible to know they have it. While they nurse it never shows. It is first seen when the pups go to solid food. That's when they start to throw up after they eat.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE THIS DOG! This is a serious health defect. The dog cannot eat normally. If fed normally it will puke its food.
You can feed them watered down food (like soup). The food needs to be elevated, it can be put on a chair for them to eat. This allows it to go down easier. But for many it is a short term fix. While I have heard that some dogs may outgrow this I personally have never seen one do it. Its a long shot. The dogs I had died young from heart failure.
You are setting yourself up for heartaches if you take one of these dog.
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