Getting NO SLEEP Because My Dog Has Megaesophagus

[@drewkempton-pratz3953]

My Guy, I need to give you some advice. We have a husky with MegaE and we foster dogs with MegaE from our local shelter as they come into care pending adoption. Honestly, it doesn't sound like you have received the correct vet reccemdations. Please don't take offense, I can tell how much you love your guy. So, there's degrees of MegaE where some dogs can be fed upright and get down right away and be ok and others need to stay up for much longer. It sounds like your guy has severe case like our guy. Let me start by saying your dog shouldn't have access to free feeding water or food. Your guy should be fed in a Bailey Chair and needs to stay seated in that chair from 15 minutes to a hour or even a hour and fifteen minutes. We get prescription food called, Hydro Protein which isn't required but it dissolves quickly after eating (this is just extra help we do for our guy). We feed two times a day and we mix water all portions (dry food mixed with water, if he won't do that then soak food in water a hour before). Three times is reccomended if your schedule allows and you likely can do less time with smaller portions. After he finishes we start his timer and he sits for 45 minutes on each feeding. Plus, he lets us know if he wants water through our day, plus we always do extra water before bed. We always place him in chair after he drinks and sits for 5 to 10 minutes (we also make gelatin water cubes and we add with food or on own). It's the same with treats he goes into to chair for typically 10 minutes. It's easy to tell how long a dog should be in chair with process of elimination start with 15 minutes and if he gets out and starts gaging, he goes back in, keep doing this until he comes out fine. Now, if he needs more than 30 minutes after feedings this likely means he probably is on severe side like our guy. My guy needed a hour and half at first, but after going to see specialist we found out there's a human medication that's a game changer; it makes a world of diffrence! The medication is Viagra (yes, same med used for men) After, a week we were able to cut our guys time by half, plus he almost never throws up as long as he gets his time in chair. Free feeding water to dog with MegaE is very dangerous because of possible of asperating into lungs. It is extremely rare a dog with, MegaE should need emergency vet care because of MegaE. We have a lot of experience with the condition because we take care of our guy and we have had at least 15 other MegaE fosters over the years which was all over the spectrum. We haven't found a case we haven't been able to find correct time in chair. If you have any questions reach out to me. This is what I recommend use bailey Chair for all feeding including water, determine correct time in chair, consider getting Viagra script if chair alone isn't enough and possibly consider the Hydro dog food. This condition isn't a digestion issue once the food moves into digestive track it's not going to come up; this is why we feed them upright. These guys do take extra time, but it's far more manageable than what it seems like your family is experiencing. We feed our guy first in the morning after going into chair he knows his routine (we turn on his favorite show and he watches it and we get ready for the day) I hope this helps you and your pup. His quality of life will be far better if you're able to do some of this stuff, it's not fun to puke. I wish you and him the best

[@kristinam4269]

This. No one understands what it is like. I have sent this video to family and friends when they ask me why I always look so tired… I work 8 to 12 hours a day in a factory, and get about 2-3 hours of sleep a night… anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. My girl is a rescue. She woke up choking on her own vomit, started convulsing, and went limp… I remembered your video about how you held your dog upside down when that happened to you.. I did it with my girl and after about 15 seconds, it came up out of her mouth and nose. Never been so scared… thank you for your videos, your time, your knowledge. You truly saved my dogs life and I couldn’t be more grateful.

[@heidib9377]

I ran across your video while searching for ways to help our dog sleep better at night. ALL of this! Our dog was almost 10 when he was diagnosed with ME and my oldest daughter was almost 2. It was rough! So many sleepless nights. We are so lucky to have these dogs. He is over 16 now and still cruising through life, a roller coaster for sure. Good luck to you all and your sweet fur baby.

[@callieartime4194]

This video means so much to me. My dog was diagnosed with ME in October 2021, so it’s been a little over a year. I thought it was just me and my fiancé…changing/washing sheets, comforters, blankets, towels, etc. Waking up multiple times throughout the night because I hear my dog coughing or regurgitating. T thank you for sharing your experience with your ME dog. It really helps to know I’m not alone as a pet parent to an ME dog!

[@BusinesswithKeith]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@africankoala3002]

Your video is one that made me know that I’m not alone and our dogs are basically our family and even more as they’re by our side and being diagnosed with the same, I’m really exhausted but with an extra push of energy just rushes in to make Mercedes a happy dog. She was diagnosed a few weeks ago with kennel cough and ever since, we try to make food and water stay in. It’s basically just food that irritates her that gives us sleepless nights or when she forages in the yard. She deserves all the care in the world as any other animal would need the extra attention for the best life. Miko is such a precious and blessed dog to have a wonderful loving family for him Rest is necessary and so is the life and struggle of miko so everything your doing is a big hug to his tiny heart

[@biancatrejo4403]

Sitting here sympathizing with you after being sleep deprived for the last two weeks after a megaE diagnosis. It's hard. I'm trying to find the right balance, the right food, right sleeping position etc. Thank you for your videos!

[@trabaduris1]

My 9 yr old was diagnosed a few months ago and she had bad days and good weeks. Recently she has been throwing up more than she ever has. Going to try and build a chair tomorrow. At first we thought elevated eating was enough but now its not. I appreciate your updates

[@daskapital3532]

Do not quit! Just figure out best way to feed him. Your dog is special needs baby. It is a commitment. Not everybody can do. You are doing the right thing.

[@xXfireflyyXx]

My dog was just diagnosed. But he has had regurgitating issues for a while now. We found out due to him aspirating. What we found works really well so far for him is soaking his dog food with water an hour before he eats. And making "meatballs" out of it. This gives him 1 ball he can easily swallow each time instead of a bunch of pieces of kibble that can't go down. (His meals is about 5 meatball sizes) Our biggest issue is water drinking. He regurgitates after every time he drinks water. Im considering getting a hamster water bottle for him and strapping it to the wall where he has to stand on the wall to lick at it. We also pick up the water bowl any time we can't watch him (like sleeping) id consider stoping water intake an hour befor you guys go to bed so your family and the dog can get uninterrupted sleep.

[@mylena673]

Same here😢 Life goes on

[@tammysmith9727]

Big Coincidence to run across this today. glad to hear y'all are still hanging in there. My Gidget is only 5 but I know in the first 3 yrs I spent over $7k. I too have endless bouts of vomit, laundry, ruined carpets, furniture, car seats etc. I've given up on having a nice LR or BR & my family knows to watch out for soaking vomit cleanup piles. I don't have company as I have a small house. I feed her 3-4 times a day & at2 or 3am every night. Everyone says why. laying that long, no activity causes the acid to build up & the food to make its way back up. Before that happens if I sit her up & get a little food down, stops acid buildup & usually no throw up. This feeding is very very small. Some people use the collars. I can't bring myself to do that. She already knows if she feels nauseous in bed to run & throw up on the floor or sleep in her bed on the floor. I've got those puzzle foam mats & pee pads all over my br floor. I usually scream when I stick my foot or hand in vomit or she throws up on my neck in bed which she doesn't like that's why she's trained herself to run out of bed if she's gotta go. But can't skip that middle of the night meal. More smaller feedings helps. Raw diet helps because raw digests faster & helps nutritional value because of all the vomiting. Processed dog food can stay in the stomach for up to 8 hrs increasing vomiting. Also I do not give Gidget free range of food or water. I have become the food & water Nazi. She has trained herself to let me know when she is thirsty I give her a drink & make her sit for 15-20 min depending how much. I will give her free hand treats & food right before eating to learn tricks etc so she can feel like a real dog sometimes. I also bought a stethoscope to listen to her lungs to see if she's getting pneumonia. My vet cooperates by letting me keep an antibiotic on hand if she aspirates so I don't have to go to ER all the time as I know what I'm doing now. I have organic natural supplements that help. Sorry this is so long but I have more to say but I'll break it up & keep more comments & Gidget is waiting for me to feeef her

[@tammysmith9727]

Back. I've had lots of issues with her teeth too cuz of throwing up. Trouble keeping her weight on. She gets sick easily. She used to be very outgoing, active, confident, sassy. now she is timid & hides behind me. But her sweet nature has never changed & I smile at her all the time. U opened about ur past. I was adopted & severely abused by my adoptive middle class white family. I coped by hating everyone & putting on my social mask. Only thing I liked was animals & my children on good days. One day someone said pls rescue this yorkie. I met this little quiet 4lb yorkie & her 10lb big brother that bullied her, living with drug addicts - how could I not. I took them both home. I adopted out the brother & kept the quiet little girl altho I didn't want to. I am a cat person. She was the most adorable sweetest dog but no one would take her. My pic is actually her. All I wanted was my $300 back -nothing for a 4lb yorkie (I had to buy her freeedom from the druggies, $600 for the brother). Something clicked after 6 mos. That's how long it took, we followed our routine but that was it. One day we both just looked at each other & said u know what I think I love u. We healed each other from our past abuse & we both opened ourselves to trust & love again. & she was THE ONE. That soulmate dog. I never put a leash on her in her whole life. She never let me out of her sight. She trained herself everything she needed to know. She saved a baby, she saved a cat, she saved the house & she gently saved me one time from a too pushy male friend. She died early because of greedy vets. But she did develop kidney disease becuz of my ignorance in caring for animals. When she died I died, I barely dragged myself back. I wouldn't have if I didn't have 2 human children. It's been almost 6 yrs & as I write this I'm sobbing thinking of her. I bought this Gidget becuz I couldn't stand the empty space on my bed & car seat & mistakenly thinking if I just put "something" similar there it would ease the pain. It didn't but I like to think "she" must have known what I was doing because I've been too busy to think about anything. & she knew I wasn't finished learning because Gidget has taught me so much patience & unconditional love (& lots will judge me) that my human children could not. In the past I would've never given up so much to take care of this asshole dog that never listens to me, runs away & her fave past time is have me chase her as she runs around gobbling up every strange thing she finds on the ground so she can throw up on the 1in of good carpet that I didn't cover or when she's sick & I have to stay up all night holding her up & just walking back & forth like my kids. Getting this patience has finally allowed me to be kind & patient to myself & finally get help for my PTSD from my childhood traumas & I am 60 (so tell ur wife not to worry about me besides she is so loving & beautiful) so I might still have a shot at real love not just a pretend life.

[@tammysmith9727]

U talked about ur spiritual connection with Mina. I believe that everything is energy & that everything is connected & some people call it God, Allah, aliens, spirits whatever & it is all within everyone of us. Yes this is the part where I sound like one of those flaky bell clappers but i believe all life is connected & we all can tap within us no matter how we interpret it. Why I brought that up becuz if ur really serious about what u felt & not just some sleep deprived coma u might look into reiki healing as u have opened that energy channel between u 2. It's always available but as they say it's in the mind & it goes both ways. I may be delusional but there has been times when gidgets really bad for days & I know her throat hurts bad & she's getting branchoff sick I meditate intensely & practice handson energy healing. I feel like a lot of the times it has been beneficial. Again maybe delusional but i feel effective on her because we are so close & our energies are connected. Wouldn't work on anyone else except maybe my kids. Also I don't do some learned structured healing plan I envisioned what I thought would works for my mind & kinda honed that as I have a hard time keeping focus on anything. U have to stay connected & focused! In fact it is true afterwards u feel drained. Also play dog calming music. It's all over utube. Now that is scientifically based. Obviously not going to heal ME but make her feel better & I have watched minor infections go away on their own

[@gisellegonzalez8166]

Thanks to your videos now I know what my dog have. Your videos explain what to do. My dog already have pneumonia but with your help now I can help her to not have this episodes. Now I’m watching this video and i didn’t sleep helping her all night at different hours. No one understand what this love is for your pet. My Maltese is 13 years and just started with this, I so sad because I took all her teeth out because she had very bad infection etc. After this surgery this problem started and I’m thinking is because of the surgery.

[@colinUSC]

I just stumbled across this video, after a few days of panic-stricken internet searches trying to wrap my mind around my little dachshund's recent diagnosis. I'm wide awake at 1:00am watching her finally get some much needed sleep right now, but for me not so much lol. Anyway, it's been a dark last couple days, but your videos were a bright, small, ray of light... they gave just enough hope when I needed the most, and helped me mentally more than you know. I needed that pick me up, bc getting overwhelmed wont help my dog at all. Anyway, I know there are no guarantees, and who knows what I'll wake up to in the morning, but it helped tremendously to hear from someone who has lived through it, and has had some success managing this disease. Also, I like that you make your videos without any BS. You're honest about the tough parts, and that makes hearing about your journey, and the advice you have to offer, all the more helpful and reassuring. Thank you

[@aliiiiiii-04jk]

Man, I am torn up cuz I just found my bully has this and he isnt even 6mnths. I thought it was remnants of kennel cough but the vet says x-rays show large air gap and esophagus is easily visible. From what I have read dogs regurgitate their food after eating but mine does not do this. Does it start out milder and get worse?

[@samanthacharles4120]

Hi. my dog was just diagnosed with mega esophagus about 6 weeks ago. She is a twelve-year-old golden/lab mix. I understand completely what you are going through as I have had many sleepless nights over the past month or so. My vet finally prescribed viagra for my Stella and it has been a total game changer in her condition. Before she started these meds i truly thought she was going to die. I know your video is a few years old so maybe your dog is on this treatment now. I know what you have been going through and it is very stressful.

[@maric820]

My 49 day old chihuahua puppy was diagnosed today with a severe case. No hope.

[@jeff1967ist]

My Pit has this, got it a couple of months ago. I am trying to figure out how I can feed her. My dog can drink water, just can't eat

[@marylongoria9431]

Keith, where are you today with Micko! Love your story and your heart!❤️

[@BusinesswithKeith]

Meeko is OK. He's 16 now. He sleeps a lot during the day and still keeps us up all night.

[@shonacole2124]

We've taken Marta to the ER at 4am in the morning twice

[@paulreed3365]

Definitely a roller coaster. Wish we had vet insurance, its extremely expensive to deal with Hang in there!! Ours was diagmosed anout 3years ajo

[@chinookvalley]

I have 6 large Special Needs dogs. All rescues. Love knows no bounds. My dad would bring home injured animals all my life. I was taught to care for and do everything possible to save a fellow Earthling. Nature works better than most medicine. It's the only life I would want. I'm in my late 60's. I guess you just get used to no sleep.

[@emiliamolina6936]

gracias x tener una persona de esplicar bien yo solo hablo español pero yo estoy sufriendo con mi perrito lo adopte de un mes y yo miraba q vomitaba mucho y hoy tiene 4 Años sufro mucho xq pasa vomitando toda la noche q puedo hacer no sé si se puede operar del mehesofago en Junio 2022 le tocó las vacunas y me peso 82 libras yen Julio le empezó un reflujo q hoy me pesa 63 libras estoy desesperada siento q se me muere q hago Dios mío yo lo adoro

[@wyvernhail]

I’ve been dealing with ME with my 9 year old German Shepard husky mix for about a year and a half. His is diagnosed “idiopathic” meaning they don’t know why it happened. We’ve tried so many different things. He’s had aspiration pneumonia twice. The only things that seem to really help him are this extremely expensive nausea med called Cerenia ($10 per pill) and sildenafil. I’ve been where you are in this video many times. Spent thousands of dollars. I’m so frustrated and so tired and so sad. I love him so much. My fiancé and I love him more than anything. We’ve cried so much. We won’t quit but this is definitely just awful. I do have thoughts about kids and how hard and impossible it would be to have a newborn and a dog with ME. Which is so upsetting, this dog is my best friend and I’ve always wanted him to meet at least my first child… but I feel this so much.

[@olivefaguezz8875]

Bonjour, Mon dogue allemand souffre de la même pathologie que votre Lhassa Apso. Je ne sais pas comment je pourrais construire une Bailey chair à sa taille, car il pèse 72 kg à son poids de forme. Je le fais asseoir 15mn après chaque prise de nourriture et 8mn après chaque absorption d'eau. En général cela suffit, mais quelquefois j entends dans sa gorge que tout n'est pas descendu et on recommence le temps d attente assis. Les 3 dernières minutes, je me mets assise en face de lui et je le fais se lever en appuyant ses pattes sur moi. Durant tout ce temps, je masse sa gorge du côté gauche et j'effectue des tapes un peu partout le long de son oesophage comme vous le faites avec Miko. Il a été diagnostiqué il y a 10 jours seulement, mais cela faisait 5 mois déjà qu il était malade. Il est tombé à 58kg, j'ai eu très peur, j'ai engueulé ma veterinaire qui avait diagnostiqué initialement une pancreatite sans prendre la peine de confirmer cela par une prise de sang. Je lui ai dit que je ne voulais rien savoir, que je voulais qu elle fasse tous les examens possibles pour me dire s il avait attrapé un cancer digestif ou je-ne-sais-quoi. Elle a fait une échographie mais rien de spécial pour elle. Devant mon insistance, elle s'est sentie(enfin) obligée de faire des radios pour rechercher des tumeurs quelquepart dans son ventre. Ne trouvant rien sur la partie arrière du chien, elle en a fait 2 autres en remontant vers le haut du corps et à la 3e elle a fait "waouw". Moi je tenais encore le chien sir la table le temps qu'on soit sûres que le cliché était bon. L'assistante veterinaire est allée voir. Elle a dit "waouw". Et moi j'étais juste la avec mon biggy doggy, les larmes aux yeux en train de supplier le Seigneur. Et l'autre idiote elle faisait un cours en sourdine à son assistante au lieu de s'occuper de moi et du stress terrible que j'étais en train de communiquer à mon chien. Enfin elle a dit que le cliché était OK, elles sont revenues à la table et m'ont aidée à porter le chien pour le faire descendre. Le pauvre était si mal, littéralement en train de mourir de faim, avec presque 15kg de moins que son poids normal. Ses côtés comme un piano, son train arrière si maigre, il avait carrément perdu son magnifique col de cygne, qui est un standard important pour sa race, ce cou si puissant. Il tenait à peine debout. Elle m a annoncé le diagnostic m a dit qu'il fallait aller dans une autre clinique pour faire un scanner à 531€ en plus d une nouvelle consultation, que pour ça il fallait l anesthésier, que c'était l étape suivante. Et c'était dans 5 jours, et mon chien ne tenait pas debout, il était en train de mourir de faim et de soif, et elle voulait lui faire subir une anesthésie alors que le dogue allemand est connu pour être fragile du cœur. Je suis rentree chez moi, en larmes. J'ai mis mon chien sur le lit, je l ai emmitouflé dans une énorme couette pour qu'il ne se refroidisse pas en plus du reste et j'ai cherché sur internet, ce que je pouvais faire, qu est ce que c'était que ce mega oesophage. Et j'ai fini par tomber sur vos vidéos. Je vous remercie. Grâce à vous j'ai pris conscience que systématiquement systématiquement systématiquement, il doit être assis après le repas. On a commencé avec 10mn mais c'était insuffisant et il fallait recommencer un peu plus tard, alors on est passé à 12mn puis à 15mn. Et là plupart du temps c'est suffisant. En une semaine il a retrouvé sa vitalité. Il recommence à trottiner, même si ce n'est pas très longtemps, il a de nouveau envie de jouer avec moi ou même tout seul. Il revit. Et moi aussi je revis. Il n'a plus rien régurgité depuis que je l ai ramené à la maison après son diagnostic. Je suis restée 5 jours avec lui sans aller travailler pour m'assurer qu'il reprenait des forces. Je lui administré désormais ses croquettes avec un cachet de Metoclopramide qui aide (entre autres) à la dilatation du sphincter qui joint l oesophage à l estomac. Et je mouille ses croquettes avec un demi-carre de bouillon de bœuf, car il n'aime pas les croquettes molles à la base. Pendant le week-end j'ai ajouté de l'huile de tournesol à sa ration(3 cuillères à soupe) pour qu il soit nourri plus grassement d'une part, mais aussi pour que sa ration glisse plus facilement vers le bas. Ça semble fonctionner très bien. Je ne sais pas encore si je pourrai lui redonner des croquettes seches, on verra. Pour l'instant il a 14kg à reprendre avant d envisager la moindre anesthésie pour les examens suivants. Nous avons rendez vous dans 15 jours pour un check-up. Et dans un mois je l emmene dans une grande clinique veterinaire pour voir si la gastroscopie sera possible. Ça coûte aussi cher que le scanner autour de 500€, dû au poids de mon chien, 60kg. S il reprend du poids d ici la ce sera encore plus cher, m"ont-ils dit. On verra. J'ai l espoir. Et lui aussi il semble l avoir retrouvé. Je suis heureuse qu'il ne se sente plus coupable d avoir sali tout le lit, ou toute la maison, heureuse aussi de ne plus passer une couverture par jour au lave-linge. Heureuse aussi qu'il puisse faire ses nuits complètes. J'ai ajouté des oreillers sur le lit, ainsi peu importe comment il se tourne au cours de la nuit, il a toujours la tête surélevée. Heureuse aussi de ne plus devoir acheter un énorme rouleau de papier essuie-tout par semaine. Heureuse aussi qu il ait arrêté de tout vomir sur loi dans la voiture, ou de vomir sur le frein à main ou le levier de vitesse. Je n en pouvais plus. On était mal tous les 2. Et la on peut enfin dormir tranquille à nouveau. Il est tellement beau quand il dort..

[@BusinesswithKeith]

What a powerful and wonderful story I can tell you truly love your dog he is your soul mate.

[@tammysmith9727]

Ok really last comment & then I'm out. I feel u & ur wife's struggles, indecisions, no regrets, fear of the future, small triumphs of the good days, the just a little longer, I wish he knew English, why don't dogs & cats live as long as us, I wish I could throw up on him & he wouldnt like it, & most of all the overwhelming, universe encompassing, heart hurting, please I hope i at least get to look in ur eyes when u need me, LOVE. I get it if that helps at all. Theres no judgement or shame for being tired, human, or angry & resentful. Get it out & then go back to doing what u need to do I see y'all live in MI. I'm in MD. Too bad. My dream has always been to buy a big farm & run an animal rescue like ur wife. Hearing her talk I think we would get along a lot. Oh I had to take an early retirement to take care of my little nugget. I imagine I'm going to have to find some imaginative way to make $ to support her in the lifestyle she's become accustomed to. I have a few ideas for a business I would like to start up for dog accessories. To me it's appalling how unregulated everything is for dogs(all pet) & how toxic everything is & how pets are disposable. People are having less babies & more pets are their families. Pets is the fastest growing industry. And of course I care I want to educate the public. U should copyright & manufacture ur own folding travel chair. Help with ur expenses. Maybe with those holes like that u can figure out some way so that it is adjustable for different size dogs. So I don't have to go buy a 12pk of sodas every time we go somewhere. Let me know I can test it out 😆. If u need tips on herbal supplements I may be able to help u there. Best wishes to ALL ✌️🍀