Let me introduce you to Boscoe. Boscoe is my best friend and part of my family! I am starting this blog to chronicle his life as we manage his special needs. My hopes are that others with dogs with ME will contact me, share stories and best practices.
January 18th 2012 was the day he was diagnosed. Megaesophagus. This was devestating news. My otherwise healthy happy dog was now diagnosed with a horrible condition that renders his esophagus basically useless. Straight away I assumed this was a death sentence. I have spent endless hours cuddling my dog and crying. Megaesophagus (ME) is a grey area.. If it was a diagnosis that impacted his quality of life, unmanageable or if he was in pain there would be no question I do whats best for my Boscoe. The vet assures me he is not in pain. He assures me this is manageable. All this is great news yet the second I see my precious dog throw his head back and snort the tears flow. I want to do right by him I want him to know I am doing everything I can for him. It would be so much easier if he could tell me.. but I lay with him crying hoping that his big brown eyes will show me a sign. But they dont. They are the same beautiful eyes that look at me when he is happy when I am sad. They are the eyes that unconditionally tell me that he loves me. And I the same for him. My love for him is unconditional and I tear up even writing this. The thought of loosing him devastates me. The thought of him in pain devastates me more. I will do what ever I can to ensure he has quality of life, knows he is loved and never is in pain. It is with this statement that I start this blog...
We left the vet with little information, a diagnosis of ME, an assurance that there is no cancer, no heart issues, no lung issues a print out on ME and a prescription. Metoclopramide 1/2 tab 2x a day (5mg/tab)We (Boscoe and I ) are a team and we are one week into this journey. I have armed myself with as much education as I can read. I am educating my self on how to manage his special needs. I have joined a yahoo group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/megaesophagus/ which is incredibly informative and shows that this doesnt have to be a death sentence. I also found another blog which gives me incredible hope! http://sidneyme.blogspot.com/
The project manager in me created a spreadsheet. Each day I write down what we did, what he ate and the outcomes. At the one week point I believe that we have food success. After trying different ideas, Keep in mind he ate the same food every day for 9 years, it took multiple efforts to find a concoction that he would eat that was now liquified.
This is what is working for us...
1can dog
2 table spoons water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon peanut butter drizzled over top!
changed from a bowl to a plate that is elevated.
After Boscoe eats we hold him elevated for 30 minutes. As of today we are 4 meals that have successfully stayed down.
My next quest is to conquer his hydration. Today I made knox blocks.
4 envelopes knox geletin
3 cups boiling water
1cup broth (chicken or beef)
teaspoon of honey
Put in a pan in fridge and cut up to squares. Refridgerate.
I will test these this afternoon hopefully these are the answer to keeping him hyrdrated
Today's weight is 22.4lbs.
Today is a good day. Boscoe seems content to sit on the top of the sofa and look out the window while soaking up the sun!
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