Before we discuss how and what to feed
a dog with megaesophagus, or other esophagus issues, we need to understand
what it is and the options available to you. I will be very realistic
regarding this condition and tell you the amount of time and care
dedicated to trying to keep an animal alive is tremendous - you need
to weigh carefully to what extent you are willing to go to, to keep
this animal alive. Quality of life and future quality of life needs
to be weighed in your decision making process.
What is Megaesophagus
Most cases of Megaesophagus involves young puppies, and often Great
Danes, Irish setters, German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to
this condition and it often does not show up until the pup begins to
try solid food. This condition is due to incomplete nerve development
in the esophagus. The good news is that nerve development may improve
as the pet matures. Prognosis is thus better for congenital megaesophagus
than it is for megaesophagus acquired during adulthood. There is also
a condition called Vascular Ring Anomaly which is a band of tissue that
constricts the esophagus and often surgery is needed but there is a
50% chance of this regurgitation will continue.
Hypothyroidism is often associated with megaesophagus in adult dogs
and testing is needed but it does not mean by using thyroid medication
that this will reverse the megaesophagus problem. Myasthenia gravis
would be a common cause because it is a condition whereby the nerve/muscle
junction is destroyed. Signals from the nervous system sent to coordinate
esophageal muscle contractions simply cannot be received by the muscle.
It is necessary to test for Myasthenia Gravis and Addison's disease
(hypoadrenocorticism) on adult dogs because these have also been associated
with megaesophagus.
Diagnosing megaesophagus must be done radiographically.
If megaesophagus
is not obvious on films, it is NOT recommended to use Barium because
megaesophagus patients have the tendency to inhale or "aspirate"
food contents that back up in their throats. This is dangerous enough
when the material is simply food but if barium is present and becomes
inhaled, the body has great difficulty removing it from the lungs.
Still, sometimes this is the only way to see the megaesophagus.
Aspiration Pneumonia is frequently a problem with megaesophagus dogs
from inhaling regurgitated food. The presence of aspiration pneumonia
makes the case much more serious as pneumonia can be a life-threatening
condition.
(See
info about OxEdrops)
Some dogs will do fine on a solid food, some need a liquid diet -
in either case you have to train the dog to eat in an elevated position.
Ideally, the pet should be kept in this position for 10 minutes after
the meal. The medication called Reglan (Metoclopramide) may help increase
the tone of this sphincter so discuss this with your vet. Antacids
are often necessary to minimize stomach acid damage to the esophagus
when food is regurgitated from the stomach.
Marvista Vet Clinic states: "There is
a motility modifier called "Cisapride" which is helpful
to many cases. Theoretically this should not be so as the type of
muscle in the dog's esophagus is not of a type that should be affected
by this medication. Nonetheless, many individuals experience fewer
episodes of regurgitation while on cisapride. Given the difficulty
in managing this condition, we recommend at least a one week trial
for any megaesophagus patient. Cisapride also is able to increase
cardiac sphincter tone. Cisapride is no longer commercially available
in the U.S., but it can be made up by most "compounding pharmacies."
Do an internet search or check your yellow pages for a compounding
pharmacy.
Megaesophagus is a difficult condition to manage throughout the life
of the dog. The management is time consuming and the treatment requires
dedication and commitment and still may produce very poor results.
If you purchased a puppy that has this problem you need to return
it to the breeder for a replacement or refund. If this is an adult
dog you have a difficult decision to make. Please discuss all the
factors with your vet before you make a decision regarding your dog.
In this article I have constructed a feed program for dogs with megaesophagus
issues because "getting more nutritional bang for your buck"
is the key. You want ample amount of nutrients in them for the least
amount of food needed to be consumed. Calorie dense in small amounts
is the key to keeping them in good weight, good health and trying
to avoid aspiration pneumonia.
Feed Program for Megaesophagus Support
Note: some dogs can eat solid foods, the majority of dogs with
esophagus problems have to eat foods of a liquid/porridge type consistency.
The greatest challenge with a megaesophagus dog is getting enough
nutrition into the dog without 1) regurgitating the food, 2) getting
enough nutrients into the dog with minimal amount of intake of food.
Feeding the dog in an elevated position is
essential in getting the food past the pocket of the esophagus and
into the stomach for digestion.
1) EagleOriginal
- 25%protein - 15% fat or Eagle
Holistic Chicken -24% protein/14%
fat (both support growth)
- large giant breed up to 6 months of age - past 8 months move up
to a higher calorie Eagle food.
2) Eagle Sm/Med Puppy
- 28%protein/17% fat
- small and medium breed puppies and large/giant breeds over
8 months of age.
3) Eagle Sm/Med Puppy
28% protein/17% fat OR Eagle Power
Pack 30% protein-20% fat- Adults - all breeds
4). If the dog is fat intolerant use Eagle
Holistic Senior - 26% protein - 12%
fat.
Locate the Eagle
Distributor in your area.
Take out as much kibble as needed for one meal and run the Eagle kibble
through the food processor to get a powder. I recommend using a raw
component to this diet and Honest
Kitchen "FORCE" - a grain free raw dehydrated food
is a great option - add the FORCE raw food to the powdered kibble
and mix together. You can use either:
2/3 Eagle+1/3 FORCE - or
3/4 Eagle + 1/4 FORCE
Read on the bag of Honest Kitchen FORCE, the dehydrate raw food for
the amount of water necessary to rehydrate it, then add more for the
kibble until you get the right amount. Let it set a few minutes to
get an accurate assessment of the amount of water that is needed.
You do not want it so thick that it turns to concrete!
All the supplements in this program can be are purchased at
www.FirstChoiceNaturals.com - 800-937-1104 or they sell them
in a supplement Kit
# 18 for Megaesophagus Support.
DRY MIX: Put the recommended dry
supplements in with the dry powdered kibble, mix wet supplements in
with the water that will go on the dry. The dosage for each supplement
is on the container.
A). BacPakPlus -Probitics/Digestive Enzymes combination product
to help keep the digestive track working properly and to break down
the fats, carbs, protein and fiber so it is more digestible.
B). Granular Nzymes - A dietary enzymes which helps to detoxify
the body with it's antioxidant properties, speeds repair and healing
and fights inflammation.
WET MIX: Preparing your water
to mix in the dry kibble mixture is essential
A) First you have to prepare the Water for Life supplement as it comes
in a concentrated form. Mix 1 ounce of Water for Life in 1 gallon
of water. You will use a dose of this along with your regular liquid
that goes on the kibble. You do not use total Water for Life dilution,
just the amount suggest below.
2-25 lbs - 1 oz daily
26 lbs - 50 lbs - 2 oz daily
51 lbs - 75 lbs - 3 oz daily
76lbs - 100lbs - 4 oz daily
Over 100 lbs 5 oz daily
To this wet solution add the OxEdrops and Spark of life (see below).
B) OxEdrops (1-2 drops per 20# of body weight)
C) Spark of Life (dosage on bottle)
Take the water mixture (diluted Water for Life, OxEdrops, Spark of
Life) you add to the dry kibble and make into a proper consistency
which is a gruel or pudding like consistency, you will need to experiment
with the amount of water that is needed. Let this mixture set a few
minutes to make sure it is enough water you do not want it so thick
they can't eat it or it packs in the roof of their mouth. If the stools
are loose, then you may be using too much water.
First time users: Make note of the amount you need to use in
order to get the consistency that is easiest for your dog to consume.
Once you have the ratio of dry to wet figured out, then you start
to mix these liquid supplements into the water before you introduce
it to the dry component. Always add dry to the wet so it will not
have dry pockets of food.
USE TEPID TEMPERATURE WATER ONLY! - Do not
microwave or soak food for long periods of time, it destroys the integrity
of the vitamins/minerals and probiotics on the food.
A) OxEdrops - is a anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal product
that also keeps the pH of the gut in a healthy range for proper digestion.
(OxEdrops can be used topically for other things see info on bottle
to understand all it's uses.)
B) Spark of Life - is liquid micro nutrients often missing
in a diet and needed to run the bodies metabolic/electrical system.
Helps to keep energy levels up and immune system function at a higher
level.
C). Water For Life - dogs with an esophagus problem are often
malnourished and dehydrated at a cellular level. Keeping them hydrated
is critical for nutrients to be utilized to their fullest.
If you add any other wet supplements such as a liquid
joint supplement - just add to the wet portion of the diet.
If a dry supplement such as colostrums
or a multivitamin product like Filling
N The Wholes, just add it to the dry component of the diet.
Discuss this program with your veterinarian before using.
