Megaesophagus-my dog needs surgery!
I purchased my dog from Petland 1 1/2 months ago. She had Giardia, which is now cleared. But now she has been vomiting continuously. I took her to the vet & she has Megaesophagus. This is an enlarged esophagus. Food does not stay down and empties into the stomach very slowly. I have to keep her upright after each feeding for 15-30 min. I have a consult with a surgeon tomorrow. Who knows how much the surgery is going to cost to fix this. I have already spent about $700 on vet bills this month, not including what I paid for this dog. Petland will only reimburse me what I paid for the dog=$1,100. which won't probably touch the cost of the surgery. Does anyone know of any rescues or charites that help with the cost or surgeries in these cases? I want to keep my dog, but I don't know if I can afford her anymore!!*?!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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I am so sorry to hear that Crystal. Congenital Megaesophagus is very rare for a corgi. You are correct, surgeries can help, but did the vet say the possibility of outgrowing this problem? Here's more info on Megaesophagus.
If you surrender her to a rescue or did obtained her through a rescue, then yes you could apply and get help from charity. Since this was a sales transaction with petland, you are on your own. If you have gotten insurance with the right coverage, you could have gotten the majority of the bill covered as well. Sorry I wish there was some good news for you, do get a second opinion from another vet and see if the condition will be outgrown.
A note to the rest of the members: This is not the right time to trash talk about petland. Lets offer our support to help Crystal at this time. Any unkind remarks WILL NOT be tolerated.
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Permalink Reply by Carrie Ritter on
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When I had to pay for surgery, I applied for a Care Credit card. My vet turned me on to it. When you open, the first 3 months are interest free. I was able to pay the surgery within the 3 months with no interest :) Website carecredit.com
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Permalink Reply by Heather and Ella on
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I have never heard of this. I hope your puppy feels better soon, my thoughts will be with her.
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Permalink Reply by Laura & Lola on
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Poor pup :( Sounds like Sam just about covered it... hang in there!!!
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Permalink Reply by Joanna Kimball on
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Did they do a barium swallow to diagnose it? Did they check her heart?
I know far too much about mega because it's so common in Danes, but in herding breeds it's rare unless it's actually a heart problem - persistent right aortic arch. In Danes we do not recommend surgery because it doesn't seem to work in the majority of cases; the muscle tone of the esophagus has already been so compromised that you can't get it to work properly.
If the vet is just guessing - if she hasn't had a barium series - she needs that first. Then you should discuss medical treatment (certain drugs, feeding her a liquid or slurry diet, keeping her upright) and how to diagnose aspiration pneumonia.
I am sorry to say that in most cases of true mega in puppies the choice is made to put the puppy down because the quality of life is so hurt by the constant pneumonia. However, a few very dedicated owners have managed to keep puppies alive by rigidly managing all food and drink and the good luck of the puppy eventually outgrowing it.
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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Marie O'Bryan on
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I'm so sorry to hear that. We r all here to help u out and support u. I hope your little one pulls through! Lots of snuggles and hopful thoughts your way!
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Permalink Reply by Cindi on
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Crystal, I'm so sorry you are having this struggle. It's tough. I wish I had sage words of wisdom, but others here have much more experience than I. I do offer our support and prayers. Please keep us posted. We care.
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Permalink Reply by Karen Dadisman on
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Try a vet teaching hospital. They have many specialists on staff and might be able to help get to the problem if it's not Megaesophagus. They might not be any less expensive but perhaps might have some research money to use which could help you out. Not meaning they would use your dog for research in a bad way but might be doing research on her/his problem and have money they could use to help her. Teaching hospitals are a good source. The students are carefully supervised by fully certified vets. They don't let some first year vet student work on your dog!! We were very happy with the care given to Rocky when he was at Iowa State. We got phone calls daily on how he was doing from the student assigned to his case. If we had questions the student couldn't answer, they would get with the "real" vet assigned to his case and get back to us with the answer. One of the students even got into Rocky's cage and sat in there to hand feed him when he was so sick he wouldn't eat. They were great!!
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Nickel on
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I have attached the link to a site regarding this condition....since surgery is not always successful & some younger dogs outgrow this condition.....you may consider a "Baily Chair". This enables your dog to be in a vertical position while eating & remain so for about 10-15 minutes after eating (this will of course take much patience on your part because you will probably need to sit with her & keep her focused & entertained until she can get down).
http://petprojectblog.com/archives/dogs/megaesophagus-and-the-baile...
I have seen another corgi about 9 months of age that has been diagnosed with this same condition that is available for adoption through a Rescue in Tulsa. It seems to be a condition that can be managed if you have the time and patience.
I wish there was more I could do for you.....good luck & please keep us posted on her progress.
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Permalink Reply by Shepdog on
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I'm so sorry. I lost a dog several years ago to this. :/
I managed him for two years and finally he passed due to a bleeding ulcer we simply could not get stopped. Often it's not the vomiting that becomes an issue, it was the asperation pneumonia and other issues (like ulcers due to the constant acid reflux.) When it's severe, it's an incredibly tough disease to work with. I will say they diagnosed it at 8 weeks with a barium swallow, and they said I'd probably have him for eight more weeks and that was it. His was super severe and he was not going to outgrow it. I chose to let him be a dog for as long as he had... and I'm lucky that I was in a financial position and a work situation to have him with me at all times. I will say we did have a strict drug program as well, and constantly checking him for asperation pneumonia (and yes, he got it a few times, but the quicker you find it, the better.)
The fact that we kept him going so long was amazing to my vet, but he was a fantastic dog and really helped us manage it as well.
As far as I know there wasn't a whole lot of good prognosis for surgery, and I've not heard of it being super successful in many cases. :(
However, I might really look into a vet college, and see what your options are there. :( First talk to your vet, but I might consider a second opinion as well. Some rescue groups (but not all) will also help you out in cases like this; our local one does, and you pay back the cost of surgery to the group on a regular schedule.
I wish you the best of luck, and I'm so sorry for you and your pup.
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Permalink Reply by Chloe's parent Liz on
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I do hope the vet can provide you with some options. Prayers to you and your pup.
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