Ok, I posted a question about a puppy that throws up after eating - i was directed to a site about Achalasia - thank you. Now after two all clears from two different vets, a third vet (specialist) has now done the proper tests and discovered that not only has he got achalasia but he also has an infection in the area as a result of trapped food etc that could also be phenmonia (sp?).
My step mother is determined to nurse the poor thing through it as she has been told that some dogs grow out of it. I hold little hope for him but at least he is being given every oppertunity to survive.
What i know want to know is if anyone has known someone who has tried to do this and what they did. we have been told that he is to be fed at a steep angle as he cannot swollow on his own and that he has to be kept at this angle for 10 mins after he eats.
does anyone have ANYTHING they can add/suggest to give him better odds.
thanks for any help
julie

Mix the dogs food in a blender and keep it soupy. Feed the dog from a dog dish that is up on a stool or chair. The dog will always have to have a liquid diet.

The dog will die at a young age. The oldest I have ever heard a dog living with it was 4 or 5 years and then it died of heart failure.

I would put the dog down if it were in my kennel.

This type of a condition is so sad to witness. Even with the best human efforts and interventions; the dog suffers and is miserable.

Within our foster care; a dog was diagnosised with this same malidy. Even with a liquid diet and elevated feeding position; the dog was starving to death. The foster home did everything within their means to nurse the dog but the kindest gesture was euthanasia to end the suffering.

Julie,

I don't have any further suggestions for you but wanted to say I'm so sorry you are having to go through this with a puppy. Reading about this and living with it is a completely different thing. It must be tearing you apart.
I hope you find the strength to do right by this puppy.

I shall be thinking of you.

Very sad indeed.

Thanks for the replies, I am more than aware that this little guy is in for a hard time to say the least, i too would put him down but my step mother has that soft streak that i think can go too far if your are a breeder. and this is not even one of the puppies she bred, she just was giving some advice to a "backyarder" in the hopes of giving the puppies resulting the best of care.
She has told the breeder that she should NEVER breed these two together again - but i think she is in it for the dollar not the breed. Will do what i/we can to stop this if at all possible.
He has at least gained some weight since she has had him (1kg in 10 days) she does seem to have a knack for pulling through those animals that should not have much of a chance so i hope her efforts are enough - though im not laying money on it. he is a fair bit brighter than he was and is quite outgoing so i think so far so good.
If anyone comes across any new info about care or even possible new treatment for the condition please let me know.
thanks again
Julie

Did the vets also check for a persistent right aortic arch? Seen in dogs and cats, it's a mechanical reason for megaesophagus. And, for PRAA there is a surgery that may help.
Persistent right aortic arch

Anna

Thanks anna!!!!
This is the kind of thing i like to find out about as i feel that alot of vets will give diagnosis on the first thing that matches most of the symptoms.
As i said, i would put this little guy down before he gets unhappy but if he is going to be given a chance then lets get the odds in his favour at least.
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Hi Julie,

My GSD also has mega-e. Here's a website that you can access that has been and still is extremely helpful to me when I got the dianoses. W. FLESNER III, D.O.

http://www.topica.com/lists/megaesophagus

Everyone there has dogs with mega-e and they will all offer you their experience with it. My pup was diagnosed at 6 weeks and he's now 14 weeks and has gradually improved to where I don't have to hold him up at all. I feed him 12 inches off the floor in an elevated dish but only because basically I don't want to take a chance when I don't need to, if this is working. He doesn't bring anything up at all anymore. He doesn't eat a liquid diet either, never has. Nutro NC dry dog food with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt with live cultures and a bit of wet Nutro NC puppy food. I also give him a vitamin C every day. I mix this up and that's it. He weighed 9 lbs at 7 weeks and now weighs 32 lbs. Thriving and happy. Your grandmother is right that this can be outgrown in puppies but it takes management and dedication, and not all puppies outgrow it. It depends on the puppy and on how severe the mega-e is. There's a lot of info out there. Good luck to you and the puppy.