" How to Take Care of a Dog with Megaesophagus" by Megan J

Megaesophagus is a relatively common condition found in dogs, and in some cases, cats and humans. With this condition, the esophagus is enlarged and cannot function as it is supposed to in transporting food and liquid to the stomach. As a result, the food and liquid ingested is often regurgitated. Some dogs may grow out of it, but as of right now there is not a surgical fix or cure. If not dealt with properly, the condition can be fatal. The only reason why I would ever know any of this is that one of my dogs, Cooper, was born with megaesophagus. He is a playful, sweet, stubborn, 7 month old German Shepherd. However, he has a tendency to make life just a little harder in my house- but it’s all worth it. If you ever find yourself with a dog that has megaesophagus, these steps and tips should help.

Supplies:

●      Dog/puppy

●      1 enlarged esophagus

●      A good veterinarian

●      Bailey chair

●      Baby wipes

●      Blender

●      High calorie dog food

●      Slippery elm

●      Water dispenser that is light and easy to move

●      Paper towels

●      Floor cleaner (carpet, tile, etc.)

●      Couch covers

●      Spot cleaner

Step 1: Finding out your dog has megaesophagus

Megaesophagus can be congenital or develop over time, so even adult dogs can develop it. My family discovered that Cooper had megaesophagus when we took him to the vet because he had been throwing up excessively every time he ate or drank water. It is vital to catch megaesophagus quickly; if the dog is just regurgitating all of its food and water, it is not receiving the nutrition and hydration it needs to live. Some signs and symptoms include vomiting, coughing, weight loss, poor growth, and an increase in respiratory noise (heavy breathing). If your dog shows any of these signs, it is a good idea to take them to a vet as soon as possible. At the vet, a physical examination will be performed and the vet will try to rule out all other illnesses and diseases that involve vomiting.

Step 2: Figuring out what diet is best for your dog

With megaesophagus, your dog will not be able to eat ordinary dog food; it will have to be soft and usually blended. First, you must find an amount of food that is suitable for your dog. For Cooper, my family tried different amounts until we found what was best for him. If there is too much food, your dog will regurgitate it almost immediately after he is done eating. Cooper has 150 grams of high calorie dog food, which is blended into a powder, twice a day. When one cup of warm water and slippery elm (an herb that helps with digestion) are added, it forms a slurry. This is easy for him to eat and he loves it.

Step 3: Feeding

Typically, feeding a dog is easy. A dog with megaesophagus, on the other hand, is not so much. In order to make sure their food is able to move from the esophagus to the stomach, the dog has to eat in an upright position. If they do not, the food will get stuck in the esophagus and will get regurgitated. To solve this issue, my family got a Bailey chair, which is essentially a high-chair for dogs with megaesophagus and other similar conditions. Cooper eats his food in the Bailey chair and has to stay in the upright position for twenty minutes so his food can move to his stomach. If you have a puppy that is light, you can hold them in the upright position for twenty minutes. Once the twenty minutes are up, make sure all other dog food bowls are off the ground, or else your dog may try to eat it.

Step 4: Cleaning up after your dog

I’ve learned the very hard way that having a dog with megaesophagus is very messy. Almost every morning, I come downstairs to find that Cooper has thrown up at least once. If this happens with your dog, grab a few paper towels or cloth towels (remember to wash them, or else they will not smell very pleasant). Once picked up, get a good floor cleaner or all purpose cleaner (Odoban works well) and spray it in the area. Then, wipe the floor with a paper towel. If the dog regurgitates on carpet, it is important to have a carpet cleaner. Use a wet cloth to clean up the vomit, then use the carpet cleaner on the area. My dogs sleep on our couches, so we have couch covers that protect them from Cooper. If he throws up on the couch cover, we first use a Bissell spot cleaner and then simply throw them in the washer and dryer.

Step 5: Keeping your dog healthy

            It is of utmost importance that you make sure your dog stays a healthy weight. You should regularly weigh your dog to see if they are a suitable weight for their age and breed. At night, remove any water dispensers or bowls from their reach. This is very important because if your dog drinks too much water or regurgitates excessively, they can inhale it and develop aspiration pneumonia. If there is an increase in regurgitation, coughing, or difficulty breathing, go to a vet immediately. Occasional trips to the vet are necessary when your dog has megaesophagus, just to ensure that your dog is healthy.

Cooper and I wish you the best of luck if you ever have a dog that has megaesophagus!